This Independence Day, America's 250th anniversary, is particularly special for a Boothbay Harbor entrepreneur. In 2017, Florin Iuga arrived in Boothbay Harbor from his native Romania. Iuga, now 30, was barely 20 when he arrived in America, and now, he is as patriotic as any other American.

Iuga is part-owner of two Boothbay Harbor businesses: Waves and Blue Moon Cafe. He is also sole owner of Brisetto’s Second Cup. All businesses are on Commercial Street. He also leased Thistle Inn on Oak Street. For America's 250th celebration, he displays his patriotism with a giant 12-foot-by-15-foot American flag above his Brisetto’s storefront. The 1776 American Revolution inspired Iuga's interest in the American way of life.

“The reason I came to the U.S. was the whole idea of an experiment in a new nation. It was a bunch of people who wanted to build something great, and that is what I’m trying to do," he said.

Iuga’s arrival in Boothbay Harbor was his second trip to the United States. As a Romanian college student, he joined a college exchange program in 2016. He was fascinated by the American West. Iuga chose Jackson Hole, Wyoming for the rural, mountainous landscape similar to his hometown of Sighetu Marmației. Iuga had a wonderful first experience in America. “I loved it, and I knew when I returned home, I had to go back,” he said.

In 2017, he returned to the U.S., but he wanted a different experience. He decided on an East Coast destination. A friend recommended Boothbay Harbor because it was more similar to Europe.

He arrived in Boothbay Harbor with $600 in his pocket. Iuga found work as a server at Ports of Italy and Lineken Bay Resorts.

He worked at both places for three years before he became business partners with his Linekin Bay employer, Gary Stewart. The two opened Brisetto’s First Cup.

As a server, Iuga made good money. His move from labor to management got off to a slow start. Iuga's early sales were far below what he made as a server. “My first few weeks were bad, but people saw I was working hard and had a good product," he said. 

Iuga haș faith in all the promises of America. He believes the "dream" is for those who work hard and persevere. “Some think the American Dream is dead. In America, there are no limits. As long as you have passion, anything is possible,” he said.

Brisetto’s giant American flag will remain on the building’s front for all of July and August. Iuga bought the flag this year to celebrate America’s 250th anniversay.

Inside Brisetto's, Iuga’s patriotism is displayed every day. There is a small American flag on the wall. “It was a gift from my former boss when I opened the shop,” he said. 

Iuga will work the Fourth of July, and will watch Saturday night’s Independence Day fireworks show in Boothbay Harbor.