Empress Diner Owner: New Arena is Best Bet for Business

If anyone knows about business near the Nassau Coliseum, it's Mike Panagatos.

Panagatos' family has owned the Empress Diner since 1967, and Panagatos himself, has come a long way from potato peeler to owner in his 40-plus years in the East Meadow establishment.

Patch spoke to Panagatos about the $400 million bond referendum vote scheduled for Aug. 1, and the importance of keeping the Islanders on Long Island.

Patch: What does an Islander game night mean to your diner?

Panagatos: Whenever there is an Islander game, we gain some customers before the game. We know they're Islander fans because they have their jerseys on. Afterwards, we get some action as well. It’s mainly on the weekends. On Saturdays or Sundays, customers are more apt to go out and eat.

Patch: How do other events at the Coliseum affect business?

Panagatos: I do get customers from the various concerts, as well as the circus, Ice Capades, Disney on Ice and other events that happen at the coliseum. They help business as well.

Patch: If the bond is voted down on Aug. 1, how will that affect local business?

Panagatos: Personally, it will be a loss for my business because we are on [Hempstead] Turnpike. Any business located within four-five miles of the Coliseum is going to directly lose. 

Patch: What about the effect on Nassau County?

Panagatos: We would also lose as a county, even if my business was in Glen Cove, because, if the Coliseum closes, people are going to have to go to Madison Square Garden to see events. People go to eat after these events, and that helps local vendors. People would have to go to the city, and because of cost, a lot of them are not going to go. Recently, my daughter went to see “Glee,” and if it was in the city, I am not going to let her go. You can’t compare the cost of going to the city or staying on Long Island for a show.

Patch: How do you feel about the proposed minor league stadium?

Panagatos: I like the idea of a minor league stadium because when the hockey season finishes, you get right into baseball season. Once you start getting more year-round activity, you can start doing some developing there, and then you have people coming all the time.

Patch: If the Islanders leave, what affect does that have on another sports team occupying that site in the future?

Panagatos: Once you lose a franchise, it’d be really hard to get another one. They’re not going to come back unless we put in a new facility. It’s not just about the Islanders – all of the other things are important parts of the Coliseum as well.

Patch: There are many who have concerns about the rising taxes that come with this plan. Why should they vote "yes?"

Panagatos: They should support it because, down the road, if we lose millions in sales tax from this closing, taxes are going to go up. This is saying [residents] are going to pay $58 more every year.  If the Coliseum closes, jobs are going to be lost, revenue is going to be lost, and residents will have to pay more.