Mineola is joining conscientious villages across the country in trying to bolster its old downtown district, which has long suffered at the hands of chain stores throughout the area.

At their first public meeting after a summer recess, the Mineola Chamber of Commerce discussed new ideas to improve the downtown area. The area consists of Main Street, from First Street to Front Street. Speaking at the meeting, held at La Cisterna Restaurant on Mineola Boulevard on Sept. 21 was County Legislator Richard Nicolello, Mayor John Colbert and Michael Stufano, assistant commissioner of housing and intergovernmental affairs.

Nicolello discussed the main idea behind the Operation Downtown program. He explained that the plan was developed to "recognize the importance of the local businesses." He added that 'mom and pop' stores are being gobbled up by malls and mega-stores, such as Wal-Mart, but the problem is not only found in Mineola.

"Every street in Nassau County is suffering," he said.

He said the first part of the revitalization project was to identify an area as a main street. "We're looking for something people identify as the heart of the village."

The proposal to focus on Main Street, especially between Second Street and the Long Island Rail Road crossing, was originally proposed by Scott Fairgrieve. In his list of proposals received by the village board in April, 1994, item he suggested, "Develop a long range plan to develop Main Street - Second Street area into a much more attractive shopping area to attract shoppers to come to Mineola instead of outside malls." The initial plan also includes fixing up the county courthouse, the only part that Nicolello is opposed to.

"They should drop that," he said. "It will save them money."

So far, there are six or seven projects of this kind in various states of development in Nicolello's 9th Legislative District. Colbert said that Mineola will fix up store facades first, then sidewalks, and finally, trees and benches will be added. "Hopefully, all the businesses will get in so that we will have a new look," he said.

A portion of funding for the project is from Nassau County's Operation Downtown program. The village is also kicking in some money culled from the federal Community Development Block Grants for the sidewalk repair and tree planting. Businesses will not incur any costs. Each business involved will get a $10,000 grant to improve their building facade. Since businesses are solely involved, no public hearings will be necessary.

The project in Mineola is past the design phase, and is quickly headed toward construction. Colbert expects construction to begin by next spring. He hopes all the businesses on Main Street will join in the changes, so that each store will "start blending in and harmonizing."

Stufano brought several diagrams to give business representatives a better idea of what the county has in mind compared with what the village's designs are.

Chamber President Teri Ranfone summed up the plan as giving the area "one general look, an upscale look."

According to Colbert, several of the businesses on Main Street and in the village have already signed on..

In other chamber news:

* Several upcoming events were announced, including a bartender's night benefit at Eleanor Rigby's on Mineola Boulevard on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. There will also be a St. Francis Day celebration at the Church of the Nativity on Willis Avenue on Oct. 3, and a performance of the New York Pops at the Tilles Center in Old Westbury on Nov. 7 at 3 p.m.. Tickets for the concert are $25, $20 for seniors, and all proceeds go to Special Olympics of Nassau and Suffolk.

* Chamber members Peter Gollobin and Carmilla Granata Bernacchio gave special awards to the New York Guild of Chefs, who provided the food for the Mineola Fair. Colbert was also honored for his support for the town and its businesses.