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Andy Harbin, a partner in the soon-to-open Andy’s in Greenport, behind the bar at Legend’s in New Suffolk. (Credit: Krysten Massa)

A new restaurant could soon open on Front Street with a familiar North Fork bartender at the helm.

Many know Andy Harbin as the face behind the bar at some of their favorite restaurants—Sophie’s in Southold, Legends in New Suffolk and the Frisky Oyster in Greenport.

But Harbin will likely soon have a bar and restaurant of his own. The beloved local barkeep has partnered with Greenport Village Trustee Doug Roberts to open Andy’s, which will be located at the former home of Rhumb Line restaurant on Front Street in Greenport.

Both Harbin and Roberts confirmed this afternoon that they have signed the lease to rent the building, located at 34 Front Street, and are now awaiting approval from the building owners and the village.

RELATED: BEHIND THE BAR WITH ‘NORTH FORK’ LEGEND ANDY HARBIN

“We’re very excited,” Harbin said stressing that not everything is yet set in stone. Harbin and Roberts will be seeking approval to open the restaurant during tonight’s Village Planning Board meeting.

Harbin said the idea is to create a family-friendly atmosphere with a focus on good food.

While he said Andy’s will offer bar food like wings and burgers, he also wants to focus on creating healthy menu options, sourcing as much local produce as possible.

“The food has to be the best,” Harbin said. “We don’t plan to be a bar. We plan to be a restaurant that also serves great food and special drinks.”

Both Harbin and Roberts said their families play a big role in this new business venture — even helping to brainstorm ideas for the children’s menu.

They hope to create a comfortable atmosphere where workers can stop in on their lunch breaks and families can sit together and enjoy a nice meal. And, of course, Harbin will be mixing drinks behind the bar, ready to greet customers as they come in.

“When they leave their experience at Andy’s, it has to be a happy moment,” he said.

If all goes as planned, the pair hope to open Andy’s in time for summer.

Let’s recap all the new food businesses that are coming for Greenport this summer.

Plans for The Lucky Bee, an outpost of the Manhattan pan-Asian restaurant with the same name, and The Olive Branch Café, a Mediterranean eatery, were also recently announced. Alison and Keith Bavaro of Shelter Island’s SALT will open the new restaurant PORT at the home of the former Blue Canoe on Third Street.

Frank DeCarlo, owner of the rustic Italian restaurant Peasant in Nolita, has signed a lease for the building at 102 Main Street in Greenport, the former home of Scrimshaw. Village Cheese Shop owner Michael Affatato also plans to open a Greenport location as does the owner of Goldberg’s Famous Bagels in Mattituc,.

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