Red Apple Diner has closed in Lynbrook

The Red Apple Diner had only occupied 401 Sunrise Hwy. since 2022, but it was the successor to the Lynbrook Diner, which began operation in 1929 and closed in 2019. Now, a sign on the door reads "closed for renovations," but a bigger sign on one of the windows announces that the property is available.

Nick Mavromihalis had operated the Lynbrook Diner since 1985, except for a few months after a January 2014 fire when it was closed. Its successor, Red Apple, was owned by Vasillios Kefaalas, according to Estiator, "The National Magazine of the Greek American Food Industry," and other sources.

In 2019, Newsday published a story about the challenges faced by the modern diner: Competition from quick-service chains and independent brunch specialists; the perception that diners were for the older generation; the demise of late-night dining as online entertainment and dating — and better enforcement of DUI laws — mean that fewer people are out in the wee hours.

(Also, for diner operators who own their properties, it’s often more profitable to sell than to continue. That’s why the Jericho Diner is now a CVS, the Liberty Diner in Farmingdale is a TD Bank, the Merrick Townhouse is an HSBC, the Syosset House is a Panera.)

Starting in 2020, the pandemic put a strain on all restaurants. With their extensive menus and relatively large staffs, diners were among the hardest hit of all concepts. Newsday has been keeping a record of local diners that have closed; now Red Apple goes to the top.