George O’Neill, owner of O’Neill’s restaurant and bar, will reopen his restaurant on December 4, 2012. A five-alarm fire forced it to shut down back in May 2011. Forum Newsgroup photo by Luis Gronda.
Almost two years after a five- alarm fire destroyed the popular Maspeth restaurant, O’Neill’s is inching closer to opening its doors once again.
O’Neill’s bar and restaurant, which is at 64-21 53rd Drive in Maspeth, will officially reopen on December 4th of this year, complet- ing a long and tedious rebuilding project that has been ongoing since a May 2011 fire completely destroyed the establishment, which first opened in 1928.
George O’Neill, the restaurant’s owner, said that he is very much looking forward to reopening his business, which emerged as a hotspot for residents in Maspeth and sports stars. He said that the 1986 New York Mets celebrated their World Series victory at his restaurant.
In the time since the fire, O’Neill has struggled with occupying his time and energy, even while overseeing the restaurant’s reconstruction.
“I’m bored stiff,” he said. “I’m so used to working my entire life.”
Construction crews have completed most of the steel foundation work for the new restaurant. A bar will go where the wooden panels are placed on the floor. Forum Newsgroup photo by Luis Gronda.
O’Neill also has had to be supported financially by his wife and five daughters while he gets his busi- ness back on its feet.
He recalled the night his restaurant went up in flames.
He was nearby when he heard the firefighter trucks racing towards the establishment. He then saw that his business was doused in flames. Although there were no injuries to the people inside the restaurant and everything in it were destroyed.
“I was shocked in the beginning, I couldn’t believe it,” O’Neill said.
Soon after the fire, O’Neill said he knew right away that he wanted to rebuild his restaurant from the ground up, even with the extensive damage the blaze caused.
Since then, the establishment has seen a slow process, mostly due to laying down the steel that will serve as the base of the restaurant, O’Neill said. He added that the rebuild as a whole is about 30 percent complete and the rest of the project should be finished in time for the December reopening.
As for what will be different in the new version of O’Neill’s restaurant, he said that a large catering room that can fit about 350 people will be a new addition to the business. This will allow for people to have large parties at the restaurant. O’Neill said that he has already booked five Christmas parties for his new catering hall.
Another change will be the number of TV’s in the restaurant. There will be 60 80 inch televisions for the entire place. Previously, the TV’s at the restaurant were 42 inches and 50 inches.
One possible addition to the restaurant would be rooftop seating for customers who want to dine outdoors.
He said that he hopes to have this for the new restaurant but it needs approval first.
O’Neill is also expecting to have Off Track Betting a part of the restaurant as well. He said it was a big part of the old O’Neill’s and he’s dedicated a whole room in the new building for people who want to bet on horse races.
He said that he’s very anxious to get the store open after months and months of reconstruction.
“I’ve gotten thousands of calls asking, ‘When are you going to reopen?’” O’Neill said. “You’d be surprised about how many people miss coming to O’Neill’s.”
By Luis Gronda
