New York ( CNN ) -- Former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner is hoping to open a restaurant and create jobs , a year after his failed bid to become the city 's next mayor . The Rockaway Restoration Kitchen is still in the planning phases , but part of its stated mission is to aid the unemployed residents of Rockaway , Queens , a neighborhood that was devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 . In its current state , Rockaway is a `` food desert '' according to Weiner , with pizzerias and other fast food joints dominating the landscape . Bagel shop rises after Hurricane Sandy . `` It 's more than just opening a restaurant , '' Weiner told CNN . `` We want to do something sustainable for the community , while also providing healthy , local food options for the Rockaway population . '' There is no indication yet of what will be on the menu . A thirteen week training program for prospective employees will cover not only kitchen and serving skills , but also professional appearance and life skills , according to Weiner . `` Our hope is to train people and give them skills to be able to go on and work in other restaurants , '' Weiner said . `` They 'll be able to write on their resume that they worked at Rockaway Restoration Kitchen . '' The program 's target population is unemployed residents who have had trouble finding work `` because of history of substance abuse , incarceration or health problems , '' according to the restaurant 's website . `` It 's ridiculous that these people are not able to find jobs because of one blemish on their records , '' Weiner said . Anthony Bourdain : Eat out and tip big to save NYC restaurants after Sandy . Weiner says he 's still raising money for the non-profit , and that he hopes the restaurant will be operational `` in about a year . '' The eatery is currently seeking an executive director , according to a post on Idealist.org . This wo n't be the first restaurant endeavor for the family ; Weiner 's brother Jason is the chef and co-owner of Almond restaurant in New York City 's Flatiron district . An Anthony Weiner timeline . Weiner gained national attention in 2011 when he resigned from Congress after admitting to sending inappropriate pictures and messages to several women . In 2013 Weiner again made headlines when lewd text messages surfaced between him and a 22-year-old woman while he was running for mayor of New York City .
Former mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner announced plans for a new restaurant . The former congressman is opening the first of his three restaurants in New York City on May 1 at 2 p.m. He will be serving up "classic American comfort food," according to an announcement from Weiner's `` We want to do something sustainable for the community , '' said Weiner . Rockaway , Queens was devastated by Superstorm Sandy in 2012 .