Easter Bunny Visits Ossining Restaurant

OSSINING, N.Y. – The Easter Bunny took one last break before Sunday and stopped into Ossining’s Goldfish Oyster Bar & Restaurant Saturday afternoon.

The bunny stopped in as a special surprise courtesy of Pleasantville’s Magical Memories Entertainment. Goldfish Co-Owner Tommy Stratis said he wanted to do something special for the Easter holiday to introduce the restaurant’s new spring and summer menus. After speaking last week with Magical Memories Entertainment Owner Steven Burchard, the idea seemed to fit perfectly, Stratis said.

“We wanted to start a good vibe in the restaurant for the spring and summer,” Stratis said. “We’re always looking to do things for families and for the kids here so it sounded like a great idea. It was good that (the Easter Bunny) was available right before Sunday too.”

He said it should help bring some recognition as him and co-owner Michael Casarella prepare to open a new location in Hawthorne.

“We’re looking into opening up another location there in September,” Stratis said. “It’s going to be a catering facility and Mediterranian steakhouse.”

Burchard said bringing the Easter Bunny to the restaurant was a good opportunity to showcase a local event.

“It’s always really nice when we can do a Westchester event and do something fun with local people,” he said. “We do a lot of acts around the country, but we’re based in Pleasantville so any chance we have to do something with local people, it’s something that we’re going to do.”

Burchard, who’s a magician by trade, started Magical Memories Entertainment six years ago. The event company specializes in hiring local talent, from magicians to DJs to clowns. After being a magician for more than a decade, Burchard said he developed connections that led the company to be able to do specialized events like bringing in the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus.

“I’ve met people over time going all over the country and into Canada and Australia,” Burchard said, adding he’s worked with hundreds of entertainers around New York in the last few years. “We have face painters and clowns in Westchester and a few DJs.”

Burchard said he got into the entertainment industry to put smiles on people’s faces and was happy the Easter Bunny’s appearance in Ossining Saturday could do that for local kids and families.

“The kids that don’t believe get to see the Easter Bunny in person and the kids that do believe get to feel a little extra special and get one last chance to visit before the big holiday,” he said. “That’s what it’s about. Seeing people having fun and bring a little extra something to their lives.” 

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