Lucharitos Coming To Station Yards Long Island Rail Road Development In Ronkonkoma

RONKONKOMA, NY — The popular East End restaurant franchise Lucharitos is coming to the mixed-use development, Station Yards, at the Long Island Rail Road in Ronkonkoma, TRITEC said Thursday.

The North Fork-based Tex-Mex chain will lease 1,500 square feet of space at the mixed-use development. It's one of the latest eateries to sign on with the project, including Great South Bay Brewery.

The franchise started in a 750 square foot space in Greenport, and has expanded its footprint to Mattituck, Center Moriches, and Melville. Little Lucharitos also opened in Aquebogue, which has now expanded to Good Juju's, offering BBQ and seafood fare on the menu.

LaMaina's LuchaCubano pivoted to Burgercade, which closed in 2023 — but he has plans to expand that menu to the Mattituck location.

Lucharitos' latest location looks to satisfy a broader audience, catering to customers in the middle of the island, TRITEC said.

Lucharitos owner Marc LaMaina said he wanted "to create a space people could come to and feel like they stepped into vacation mode, even if it is for half an hour."

"Creating that vibe has been the cornerstone of the Lucharitos brand since day one. The combination of tacos, margaritas, nostalgic pro wrestling, and a big hit of genuine hospitality really caught on," he said.

LaMaina said he and his team "couldn't be more excited" about the new location.

"When the opportunity to team up with TRIREC on their Station Yards project came about, we jumped on it," he said. "The professionalism and commitment they have shown us before we even break ground has been amazing. As an emerging regional brand with hopes of eventually becoming national, we intend to use the Ronkonkoma location here at Station Yards as another stepping stone to making that dream a reality."

Lucharitos first opened its doors in 2012 after LaMaina's first business, Butta' Cakes, was ravaged by Superstorm Sandy and the birth of his first son — and as a result, Lucharitos, meaning "little fighter," was born.

It boasts chef-inspired Tex-Mex dishes and margaritas with a "nostalgic vintage luchador twist."

TRITEC was represented in the transaction by Steven D'Orazio, Maria Valanzano, and Jake Horowitz of Colliers.

D'Orazio said, "Bringing Lucharitos into TRITEC's Station Yards project marks a significant milestone for our team. As a vibrant and beloved local brand, Lucharitos perfectly encapsulates the spirit of community and innovation we're fostering at Station Yards. Their commitment to leasing the first pad site of 1,500 square feet sets a dynamic tone for the development. Our team is thrilled to have played a pivotal role in this partnership, reflecting our dedication to enhancing the local business landscape and offering unique culinary experiences to the community."

Station Yards will have about 1,450 apartments, 195,000 square feet of retail space, and 360,000 square feet of office space, Station Yards is creating thousands of jobs and housing options at the busiest train station in Suffolk.

Its first phase has been completed with 489 apartment homes, Alston Station Yards, in 2021.

The current development phase includes 388 apartment homes, 70,000 square feet of retail, and 16,500 square feet of office space, as well as a public plaza.

"TRITEC Vice President Jimmy Coughlan said, The inclusion of Lucharitos at Station Yards signifies a major milestone in our development as we continue to fill spaces with dynamic tenants," said Jimmy Coughlan, vice president of development at TRITEC. "Lucharito's lively atmosphere and flavorful dishes are the perfect complement to make Station Yards a culinary and community destination."

Construction is expected to be complete in late spring or early summer.

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