One of the oldest buildings in Mineola is getting a face-lift that the owner promises will restore some of the historic integrity to the building as well as improve business.

Dennis Liberatos, who appeared before the Mineola Board of Trustees in January, applied to the Village of Mineola for a special use permit to expand upon his restaurant, the Davenport Press, located at 70 Main Street in Mineola.

Liberatos, who has owned and operated the Davenport Press since 1981, told the board that he wants to stay competitive with the many other Mineola restaurants.

The owner said that after conversations with his regular customers he found that the best way to stay competitive was to make some changes. "The Davenport needs a face-lift," commented Liberatos at the public hearing held in January.

The Davenport Press, which was originally built in 1862 and housed first the Nassau Suffolk Bond and Trust Company and then a printer's shop, was converted into a restaurant in 1976.

This storied history makes the building of great interest to the members of the Mineola Historical Society and their President Jack Hehman.

To qualify as a historical landmark such as the Mineola Post Office or the old County Courthouse, the Davenport Press must fit certain criteria.

So though the Davenport Press is a building of great significance, said Hehman, major changes to the building's exterior have already been made, so it does not qualify for the designation of "historic landmark."

Hehman was given a personal tour of the restaurant and was convinced due to the extent of deterioration that further changes had to be done.

"We would like to see the building not change. We would like to see a restored Main Street with the Davenport Press as the cornerstone," stated Hehman, "However we realized that this was not possible, so rather than have the current owner sell the restaurant or make major changes we settled for the current plans."

Liberatos told Hehman, as well as the board of trustees, that not only would he keep the character of the building, but the refurbished Davenport Press would go along nicely with a revitalization of Main Street.

"It gives the village an antique charm," commented the Historical Society president on the restaurant.

The expansions will total approximately 10 feet for the front of the restaurant and an additional five foot partial extension. The remodeling will consist of a new roof area with windows with which the owner hopes to recapture the old beauty of the Mineola landmark.

The renovations will make for more room for three new tables which can seat four at each one and a more convenient entrance area. The expansion will also create a larger smoking lounge.

If all goes well, and the permits are granted by Nassau County along with the permits granted by the Village of Mineola, then construction could be underway sometime after May.

Liberatos summed up the plans for his restaurant as a "Restoration" that will preserve the history of Mineola and the business of The Davenport Press.