Milleridge Inn gets new operator in Thanksgiving reprieve

Workers at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho were given a Thanksgiving reprieve from year-end layoffs when they were told during a staff meeting Thursday that a new operator for the well-known dining and shopping venue had been selected.

In a short interview Friday, Owen T. Smith, 78, whose family owned and operated the property for more than 50 years before selling the inn to Kimco Realty Corp. earlier this year for $7.5 million, said that a new operator has been selected. Smith said he would not identify the new operator by name yet.

"Their plan is to keep the existing staff," Smith said Friday, adding that the new operator is based on Long Island and is "well known, with numerous restaurants" here. Smith said he's "very happy" with Kimco's choice.

An executive with Kimco, a real estate investment trust based in New Hyde Park, declined to comment.

Early last month, Smith had announced that employees who held full or seasonal positions at the inn, including the establishment's village shops, had been sent layoff notices in anticipation of the property's lease expiration at the end of the year.

Smith plans to retire at the end of the year, coinciding with the Dec. 31 expiration of his operating license and lease for the site.

Smith said the inn's existing staff of 150 employees were told about the new manager at a meeting Thursday before Thanksgiving dinner customers arrived.

"I'm delighted that it all worked out for the best," said Plainview resident Sheila Doherty, the organizer behind the Save the Milleridge Facebook page.

Worried that the historic establishment, which dates to the 1600s, would shut its doors for good at the end of the year, concerned Merrick resident James Muller created an online petition to save the inn that garnered more than 16,000 signatures.

Doherty said she believed the community outcry was a factor in persuading the owners to find a new operator.

"I think it was public awareness that helped Kimco realize how special the Milleridge is to the community," she said. "I'm very glad they listened."

Smith said he plans to meet with the new operator next week to discuss the opening of reservations for 2016.