Tiny ‘Trump-mad’ town on Long Island sees business ‘triple’ after backing ex-president

In an area of Long Island, New York, known for its right-wing supporter residents, several businesses have decided to cash in on their political views.

Two businesses in the area known for its million-dollar homes have been the subject of controversy for more than four years now, since they began displaying large Trump-supporting signs during the 2020 election.

While one of the shops still has their banner displayed, fighting a neighborhood ordinance, the other picks and chooses the right moment to display his political affiliation – but he doesn’t need to, as the Smithtown pizzaria has become a pit-stop for Trump fans from all over New York.

At Caligiuri’s Patio Pizza, Debbie, who works behind the counter, told the Mirror that they’ve “tripled their business” since the sign, adding that many businesses opted not to show their political affiliation, afraid of “alienating customers.”

Caligiuri’s originally made the news in 2020, when Donald Trump gave them a personal shoutout for their support after a never-Trumper neighbor posted the sign on social media and requested the pizzeria be boycotted, Caligiuri told the Post in 2020.

Instead, Debbie says they get people coming from all over the state, especially police and fire departments, who come all the way from New York City to get their Italian lunches from this particular pizzeria, directing my attention to the badges lining the top of the counter.

In fact, their Trump banner usually flies in the back, and the owner chooses to put it up or take it down. Caligiuri has also found a way to help his party by hosting fundraisers and events at the pizzeria.

Some days you can catch the yard littered with Trump signs, but they take them down most of the time. The owner, as well as some residents, worry about signs getting stolen – which happened often during the 2020 election.

Meanwhile, about 30 mins from the Smithtown Italian eatery, Roger’s Frigate in Port Jefferson, NY, has battled through their own controversies with political banners. Walking right up to the candy store/ice cream shop, no one can miss the giant banner that reads, ‘In Trump We Trust.’

The controversy over the banner began in 2020, according to News 12 Long Island, when the owner was ordered by town officials to take down the 3 feet-by-20 feet sign, after the mayor said it violated a local code because of its “size and substance,” rather than its content.

After a fight and threats of $2,000 daily fines, the owner did take down the sign in 2020. But when the Mirror visited earlier this month, the sign was out once again to be seen for blocks around. The employees refused to talk about the sign, and the Mirror has reached out to the owner for comment.

This is not the first time the owner, George Wallis, has put up a sign like this. The sign went up in 2017, then again in 2020. Before that he had a sign stating ‘Impeach Cuomo.’

Though so far, the Mirror hasn’t gotten an update on how business is doing, in 2020 after the original controversy, manager Roger Rutherford told Business Insider the sign has been a huge boost for customers.

“The sign went up, very favorable,” he said. “People are coming by taking pictures, love the sign and all in support of our president.”

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