Arcaro’s The Next Generation relocates, opens doors

PITTSTON TWP. — To say Francine Arcaro has triumphed over tragedy would be an understatement. Not only did she triumph, she’s never looked back since losing her husband, Jeff Branas, on Aug. 4, 2017, to a tragic accident.

Arcaro, 43 years old, has been working in the food industry as long as she could remember, especially since it is in her blood for several generations, but there was one desire she always had — to open her own restaurant.

With Jeff by her side, she was ready to make that commitment until that fateful day in 2017 when Jeff lost his life.

After four months of mourning, Arcaro said she decided on Dec. 31, 2017, that she would just do it and fulfill her and Jeff’s dream of opening a restaurant.

In March 2018, three months after Arcaro pulled herself together, she opened Arcaro’s The Next Generation at the site of the former LaFratte’s Restaurant on Main Street, Pittston, across from the Geisinger Pittston.

“If this business failed in the first year, I wouldn’t have cared, because it got me off the couch after Jeff died,” Arcaro admitted.

With her staff of four, she became one of the most popular eateries at Downtown Pittston. Arcaro said she did an incredible take-out business, especially with the surrounding businesses that would end up being constant customers for the next 2 ½ years.

“At the Main Street location, we didn’t get a lot of eat-ins and take-out was huge,” Arcaro said. “Parking was a big issue so I focused on take-outs and delivery.”

Once established on Main Street, like every business in 2020, Arcaro had to deal with the challenges that came with the pandemic.

Earlier in 2021, Arcaro was looking to move on to a different location even though she was thankful for her time on Main Street.

Living in Pittston Township, she would often drive by the former By-Pass Lounge at the corner of Oak Street and the Pittston By-Pass and thought that would be a great location to move to and move she did.

The move did not come without a hitch and instead of being closed for six weeks it turned into three months finally opening the doors of the new location just three weeks ago. Arcaro said the 50-seat dining capacity, 20-seat bar area, and parking for 40 vehicles, has been filled every night.

Moving into a new location brought a different set of challenges for Arcaro. When on Main Street, she said she only dealt with cooking and deliveries and now the responsibilities are so much more.

“I’ve learned now how to be an accountant, a bar manager, I’ve learned my mixology courses, construction, city coding and painting,” Arcaro said, upon purchasing the new location. “Since my husband died, I’ve learned to do so much and within 10 years, I’ll know it all.”

Arcaro now staffs 17 employees and she admits staffing is an issue that seems to be industry wide.

The most of her employees are family including her five children that range from ages 20 through 28, and is thankful for their help.

“When you have family as your main backbone, that’s what holds it together,” Arcaro said. “That’s the glue.”

Arcaro made improvements to the interior of the building and will eventually focus on the exterior that may include a deck with outdoor seating next spring.

Arcaro’s The Next Generation is open Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 3 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Call for bar hours or further information at 570-655-1000.

“This is the American dream,” Arcaro said. “It just goes to show you, if you keep doing it and keep pushing it, it’s tough, but you will get there if you want it.”