Christopher's of Huntington, 43-year-old bar restaurant, to be sold as owner retires

Christopher’s of Huntington, a beloved downtown hangout for four decades, is being sold.

Owner Jack Palladino said the tentative final date the bar restaurant will operate under his ownership is Nov. 1.

“It’s in the process of being sold,” Palladino told Newsday. “We’re in contract, but we don’t have a closing date.”

He declined to say who would be taking over or what was coming.

Palladino said he helped open the restaurant, at 8 Wall St., in 1982, and then served as manager before purchasing the establishment in 1988.

“I’m 67 years old and it’s time for me to retire,” he said. “I’ve aged out.”

He said the COVID-19 pandemic negatively changed the business, and in the ensuing years the economic situation has not gotten better.

“The labor costs have all increased, materials have all increased —  these days you have to charge $25 in order to make money on a hamburger,” he said.

Palladino served as the president of the Huntington Village Business Improvement District for 10 years. He also served on the board of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce.

“I had a good run; I have no regrets,” he said, adding his wife, who is retired, is traveling this month, but he is unable to join her because he’s still working.

“Next year, I’ll be going someplace with her,” he said. "I’ll be able to enjoy my golden years.”

While "Christopher" has been included in various iterations of the restaurant's moniker, Palladino said, there was never anyone associated with the restaurant with that name.

“We just liked the name,” he said.

Jennifer Cassidy, board chair of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, said Christopher’s is the quintessential hometown bar and is the "Cheers" of Huntington, referring to the 1980s sitcom.

“I feel good for Jack; he’s been a community leader and advocate for so many years and I’m excited for him to take on a new chapter,” Cassidy said. “But it’s also a little sad, because Christopher’s is a staple in this town and it will be severely missed.”

Although she didn’t grow up in Huntington, Cassidy said that when she was in her 20s, she would hang out at the restaurant. She remained a patron, noting Palladino often opened the restaurant for chamber events and that it has been a reliable option for a meal, especially wings, on Mondays when many nearby restaurants are closed.

“There’s a lot of nostalgia there for me, really good memories,” Cassidy said. “It always felt like home there. I’m really going to miss it.”