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colleagues had beer all around, except for New Brighton resident Charles Umana, who was nursing a vodkascrewdriver and proclaimed the nachos and steak fries "delicious."LOYAL STAFFOne key to success is good employees, Griffo acknowledged. "I have a very loyal staff. My people just don'tleave."Tending bar that afternoon was vivacious Kerry Costelloe of Rosebank. "That's Costelloe with an "e" – I'mIrish," she laughed, explaining that she's worked for Griffo for 10 years."He's the best person I ever worked for. It's like a family, the way that he does things," she said. "The wholestaff from the Boardwalk moved here with him."And he's always open. That's his big thing – consistency. He was even open during the snowstorm," sheadded, referring to the monster blizzard that hit the island on Dec. 26.Griff's Place closes every night at exactly 4:00 a.m.Why?To accommodate municipal and other workers on regular late-night shifts, Griffo explained. "Some of themneed a place to go, after getting off work, and they can count on us to be open."SOME BACKGROUNDGriffo, born in Brooklyn, moved to Eltingville with his family when he was about 8 years old. He graduatedfrom St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, where he was on the basketball and baseball teams, playingforward and catcher, respectively. He was named the basketball MVP during his senior year. He majored inhistory and political science at Wagner College. He continues to play as a pitcher in the South Shore SoftballAssociation. He still competes in tournaments against the best teams in Puerto Rico every February.Griff's Place is at 702 New Dorp Lane, 718-668-2645. The bar is open from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m., daily. Thekitchen operates from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily.Page 21 of 157