Milleridge Inn to be run by Butch Yamali, Anthony Capetola

Kimco Realty Corp., owner of the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, Monday confirmed that the new operators of the storied dining and shopping spot are Long Island restaurateurs Butch Yamali and Anthony Capetola.

The contract with Yamali, president of the Dover Group in Freeport, and Capetola, a Williston Park attorney and operator of The Carltun in Eisenhower Park, went into effect Friday.

Yamali’s Dover Group, founded in 1976, oversees several Island catering halls and restaurants, including The Sands on Lido Beach, Coral House in Baldwin, Maliblue Oyster Bar in Lido Beach, Hudsons on the Mile in Freeport, the Malibu Shore Club in Lido Beach, and Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park.

Capetola has operated The Carltun, which includes two restaurants, The Patio and The Palm Court, as well as a wine cellar and cigar lounge, since 1995.

Former Milleridge chief Owen T. Smith, whose family had owned and operated the property for more than 50 years, had announced plans to retire at the end of 2015 after selling the Milleridge to Kimco for $7.5 million in April.

“After Kimco acquired the property and Owen Smith decided to retire, it was in our interest to find another operator for the Milleridge,” said David Bujnicki, vice president of investor relations and corporate communications for Kimco, a New Hyde Park-based real estate investment trust. “We were pleased to find a successful Long Island-based restaurateur to continue to operate this establishment.”

“We don’t want to change anything that’s popular,” said Yamali, adding that he and Capetola plan several renovations and upgrades to the inn, starting with some of the village shops. “We’re going to upgrade everything here, but keep the same decor,” he said.

The new operators will host a news conference on Wednesday to outline their plans for the property.