Assembly Resolution No. 126

BY: M. of A. Stec

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of New Way
Lunch

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
illustrious culinary establishments which have positively impacted and
substantially contributed to the vitality of their communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of New Way Lunch; and

WHEREAS, A landmark within its community, New Way Lunch is one of
the area's most historic restaurants; and

WHEREAS, The original owner of New Way Lunch, John Floro, traveled
from Greece to New York City in 1916, to work a fruit stand in Brooklyn,
New York, owned by his brothers; shortly after, he married the former
Mary Lascaris and they had three daughters; and

WHEREAS, As time went on, his brothers returned to Greece and John
Floro took three months off, traveling upstate New York in search of
employment and a place to call home; the rapidly growing family settled
in Glens Falls, New York, where John became the owner of New Way Lunch
at 54 South Street in August of 1919; and

WHEREAS, From the early 1920s-1940s, New Way Lunch grew as a family
run business, with many Floro clan members and friends working as
employees; while in Glens Falls, John and Mary had two more daughters,
which made five in total: Constance, Margaret, Diamond, Angela, and
Themetria (Toly); and

WHEREAS, During the 1940s, John Floro enlisted three of his
daughters, Angela, Diamond and Toly, to sell hotdogs out of a food
truck, which they fondly named Zenobia; traveling to Lake George
Village, local football games and other events, the girls found great
success; and

WHEREAS, At its original site on South Street, New Way Lunch was
open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, catering to the blue collar
workers who had odd hours, as well as those out and about on South
Street; and

WHEREAS, John Floro passed away in 1950, during which time his
daughter Margaret's husband, George Kokoletsos, became the new majority
owner, operating the business from 1950 until his retirement in 1972;
and

WHEREAS, In the late 1970s, Peter Gazetos, the son of John Floro's
daughter Angela, began to help out at the eatery, and by 1990, he had
become the newest owner of New Way Lunch; just eight years later, Peter
and his wife Susan opened a second New Way Lunch in Queensbury, New
York, including a drive-through and off-street parking; and

WHEREAS, The business continued to grow and in 2006, the couple
moved the original New Way Lunch from 54 South Street to 21 South
Street; this move allowed them to offer off-street parking and expanded
menu selections in Glens Falls; and

WHEREAS, The third New Way Lunch location opened in Warrensburg, New
York, in 2011, with help from the couple's children, Nicholas and
Alexandria; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of the Gazeto family, New
Way Lunch's signature dish remains the "dirt dog," which features its
special meat sauce on a steamed bun with mustard and diced onions;
Nicholas and Alexandria, the fourth generation, will be operating New
Way Lunch into the future in much of the same manner as their
great-grandfather did 100 years ago; and

WHEREAS, For a century, New Way Lunch has stood as a beloved
establishment which has provided a friendly, open environment for
patrons to collectively gather and share their thoughts, ideas and life
experiences; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional business and its contributions to the
local and State economies, fully confident that it will continue to
enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of New Way Lunch; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to New Way Lunch.