'Humble, Generous': LI Eatery Owners Give 330K+ Profits To Charities

LINDENHURST, NY — "There’s plenty of people who told me I’m crazy, but I stick to what I believe in," restaurateur Billy Miller told Patch.

And what he believes in — as does the entire crew at Restoration Kitchen & Cocktails in Lindenhurst — is being the good, being the change you want to see in the world.

Opened in August 2018, the restaurant donates its net profits to a series of local charities it features and promotes. As their next beneficiary, from March through May, the Millers have chosen Luke's Purpose, which is dedicated to helping families who have suffered the loss of a child. It was founded by Ashley and Burak Meyveci after their 3-year-old died in 2022.

"It's such an honor and a huge opportunity for Luke's Purpose to be a featured charity for these next few months," Ashley Meyveci told Patch. "While we are bringing awareness to Luke's Purpose, we are also bringing awareness to loss families, that support for them is out there, and we can help in so many ways. We are so grateful to be part of the Restoration Family."

That is exactly what Billy and Nicole Miller are aiming for — not just donating but raising the profile of their partner charities. Awareness can go further than money, he said.

"Every three to four months we put either 1 or 2 up on our big chalkboard," Miller said. "The idea is to bring awareness about what they do. In our cocktail menu, they write a little bit about themselves."

As each partnership comes to an end, the restaurant totals up its net profits, and then gives that sum to the featured charity. "That’s always a good day. Hand a check over, see smiling faces," Miller said.

In under six years, despite the pandemic, the Restoration crew has donated upward of $330,000 to a series of charities including Colleen Clarke Bucket List Wishes Inc., The Ann Asparro Project and The Sean Varela Project. Plus, their website features in-depth information about their past and present partners.

How did the Millers come up with their unique business model?

A teacher, Miller went into the non-profit world, and became disillusioned with how salaries and perks could become overly important. "You look around, you see what you don't always want to see," he said.

He'd been in the restaurant business since he was 15 in one way or another, so he decided to take that knowledge and combine it with his passion to give back to society.

In the beginning, he said, when he told nonprofits 'We want to run a restaurant and give you the money,' they laughed."

"Now, I get a lot of inquiries, and people refer organizations that have helped them. I have a list. My wife and I vet the suggestions, and then we meet with them," he said. "You can tell who’s passionate about what they do."

People from each chosen charity come to the restaurant and have a sit-down with all the employees. "It’s better to hear from the actual source," Miller said. "Then the staff gets to tell each and every person who comes here to eat about the organization."

He's making a living.

"Everyone gets paid normally, we pay our bills, it's been challenging but it’s been rewarding," he said. "If we don’t all take care of our community, where are we going to go?"

That attitude pervades the restaurant.

"The food, the drinks, the atmosphere is different than any place I've been to. You will leave there feeling full of delicious food and full of gratitude!" Meyveci said. "Not many people know the hard work that goes behind running a non-profit, and many people do not understand the work and sacrifice that goes into running a restaurant. Billy, Nicole, their family, and the entire staff at Restoration know exactly both, and bring both of these worlds together beautifully. Their hard work and dedication brings a family-feel to their restaurant, while also bringing awareness to local charities, helping them raise money and bring awareness to their mission. They are humble, kind, generous and all around good people."

"We have an amazing crew," Miller insisted. "Our staff is like family to us, they are on board with everything. They get to tell each and every person who comes here to eat about the organization we're featuring."

Meyveci said she wanted to thank everyone who comes out and dines at Restoration these next few months and helps support Luke's Purpose, but also helps support Restoration.

Everything raised through the restaurant will go directly back to families who have lost a child, she said. "We will help cover the costs of funeral and cemetery bills, medical bills, mental health fees, and lost wages."

For his part, Miller said they were excited to feature Luke’s Purpose.

"It is an amazing organization run by an incredible family. To turn a tragedy into an opportunity to help others is everything I think our society should be," he said. "God forbid anyone should be in that situation, but they can call Luke's Purpose and know they’ll be there to help."

Restoration Kitchen & Cocktails is at 49 E Hoffman Ave. in Lindenhurst, offering indoor and outdoor dining, take-out and free delivery.

Luke's Purpose is based in Commack. Learn about its story and its work here.