SOMERS, N.Y. - When Justin Tesone took over his family’s restaurant in Somers in 2013, he knew he wanted to put his own stamp on it.
He revamped the menu from fine dining to a more contemporary and casual style, refreshed the interior, and changed the name from Seasons to Burger Barn.
Thirteen years later, the popular eatery was still going strong as the focal point of many social gatherings, a provider of fun events such as trivia nights and brunches, and a big supporter of both local sports teams and community organizations such as the Somers Education Foundation and the Lions Club.
Then on March 1, much to the shock and dismay of foodies, Tesone announced on social media that he’d made the “difficult” decision to step away as its owner.
(The building’s landlords are Patrick and Kathleen Gigliotti, who also own Mill Pond Offices on Route 100.)
He also revealed he would be “passing the torch” to another young entrepreneur, Mitch Lanyi of The Tortilla Project in Baldwin Place, who plans to reopen in the Route 100 spot as The Mill in mid-April.
(Lanyi started at Burger Barn as a busboy, then worked his way up to manager. He went on to be general manager in a different restaurant and then came back to partner with Tesone on The Tortilla Project.)
Tesone was born and raised in Somers. He graduated from Somers High School in 2002, then went on to play lacrosse at Siena College, where he earned a marketing degree.
His first independent foray into the rough-and-tumble restaurant world was the now-closed Empanada Joe’s in New York City.
Tesone later moved back to his hometown to take over the reins from his parents, Joe and Linda.
Owning a restaurant typically means long hours – sometimes 60 to 90 a week – and working on the weekends.
Then barely 30, Tesone had handled things with ease, but later as a 40-something married man with two children and one on the way, the grueling schedule was finally starting to take its toll on family life, he explained recently.
(His wife, Jovan, owns a hair salon in Somers. Even though the couple now live in nearby Ridgefield, Conn., Somers will always remain near and dear to both their hearts, he said.)
While stepping away from the biz had been on Tesone’s mind for a while, the thought finally gelled one Saturday when, for the umpteenth time, he had to break it to his tearful six-year-old son that he couldn’t make his soccer game that day.
Once the dust settles relative to Burger Barn, he plans to also step away as partner at The Tortilla Project.
Then he’ll segue into a new career, something that will give him time to “focus more on being a dad.”
TRANSITION
“It’s been an amazing 13 years,” Tesone said in his Facebook post.
While he’s looking forward to the “next chapter,” he laments the fact that he’ll really miss the many “incredible customers, vendors, sports teams, and families” – and obviously the staff -- he’s met along the way.
“That was the hardest pill to swallow,” Tesone admits.
Heartbroken customers have bombarded him with farewell messages of appreciation and gratitude, including one from singer/songwriter and Somers native Dan Zlotnick, who credits the venue with helping launch his musical career.
Burger Barn was such a local icon – much like the roadside stand King Kone – that its sale even rated a mention at the Town Board’s March 5 meeting.
UNBROKEN TIES
The Tesones aren’t straying too far.
Jovan still has her salon, The Artist House, right up the road and two of Justin’s three sisters live in Somers.
They also want to stay in touch with the Burger Barn’s extended family, the faithful customers who’ve supported the Tesones for more than 20 years – counting Joe and Linda’s turn at the helm.
As for the new restaurant, he definitely plans to be “a customer.”
Tesone was grateful for the outpouring of emotion after the big announcement.
“A lot of them said Burger Barn held a very special place in their hearts,” he said, adding: “That’s very, very kind and nice to hear.”
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