The Bruno's Saga is Explained

Though it may seem an unlikely name, "Bruno's" has proven to be a popular choice for business owners in the Sachem area.  In Ronkonkoma, Bruno Beer Distributors can be found at 157 Hawkins Avenue. Nearby, Bruno's Village Restaurant is located at 451 Hawkins Avenue. Finally, neighboring at 317 Union Avenue in Holbrook is Bruno's Barber Shop.

With this multitude of "Bruno's" in the area, one wonders if there is any relationship between the three businesses.  Additionally, just how did these places get their names? And why have they chosen Bruno's?

According to Drew Mulvihill, son of the current owner of Bruno Beer Distributors, Bruno's was named, "years and years ago."  He says that in the 1930's and 1940's, seven brothers and sisters with the last name of Bruno arrived in New York and went into various businesses. 

While one bought a bar, and another owned a bus company, Louie Bruno and his wife Emma bought and named Bruno's Beer and worked as distributors.  They experienced success, and furnished a reputation of dependability and integrity. 

Though the couple passed away over 10 years ago, the Mulvihill's carry on the Bruno name. When asked about the connection between the other "Bruno's" Mulvihill says that there is no direct relationship between the beverage center and the other "Bruno's" of the area. 

"We're all just neighborhood friends," he says. 

Further up Hawkins Avenue, Bruno's Village Restaurant is currently owned by Doug and Doreen Brohan. The restaurant got its name much the same way that Bruno Beer Distributors did. 

"It's a family name dating back to the 1950's with the original owner," the manager said.  "No one working here now is named Bruno." 

Yet, the Brohan's have chosen to carry on the tradition and keep the original name.  Though it seems that the restaurant, which serves beer, and a beer distributor would be somehow linked, the manager says that this is not the case.

"You would think we're related being so close, but no," Brohan said. "There's no relationship."  

In the Sachem tradition of family and closeness, both Bruno Beer and Bruno's Village Restaurant were named after the original owners.  Both businesses have welcomed local and faithful customers for years and hope to see continued popularity. 

Neither Bruno Beer nor Bruno's Village Restaurant claimed to know anyone at Bruno's Barber Shop. Similar to the other businesses of the same name, the barber shop has many satisfied customers. 

"They do great work.  They're very traditional and hardworking," one Bruno's customer reported.  The barber shop declined to comment on their knowledge of the other "Bruno's" in the area. 

Bruno Beer, Bruno's Village Restaurant and Bruno's Barber Shop have all enjoyed successes in the Sachem community.  Though they operate independently and don't know much about each other, faithful customers have established a relationship between the three. 

"You have to be careful with how you go to them," one Sachem resident joked. "You never want to have a drink at the restaurant, or pick something up at the distributor and then go get a haircut.  It's a tricky combination."