Community Fights To Save Historical Milleridge Inn On Long Island

JERICHO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- It's been part of Long Island's history for more than 300 years, but the future of the Milleridge Inn in Jericho -- a familiar spot for family gatherings -- is in limbo.

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, for Sheila Doherty, memories from the Milleridge Inn are a family affair.

"The four sisters have had a wedding, two bridal showers and two baby showers," said Doherty. "We all love the Milleridge, it means a lot to us as a family."

The restaurant is part of the collective history of thousands of Long Islanders.

"Everyone loves that cinnamon bread in the bakery," said Doherty.

"It's devastating, it's a part of history," said Diana Shameberger.

Shameberger booked her daughter's sweet 16 party for January, but then she got word that the inn may close by year's end.

"I started having heart palpitations. Can this even be true?" she said.

Answers from Milleridge staff set off more alarms: the future is up in the air; no more bookings after the first of the year.

Now, more than 10,000 loyal patrons have signed a petition to save the Milleridge Inn.

But does it need saving?

"There is a lot of confusion going on," said Milleridge Inn owner Owen Smith.

Smith, who is retiring, recently sold his prime real estate to shopping center giant Kimco, which owns the adjoining strip mall.

And Town of Oyster Bay officials told CBS2 they have no say in what happens to the property because it's private land.

Even though it was built in 1672, it is not on the historic landmark registry, Gusoff reported.

The property's fate is now in the hands of Kimco.

"We understand there is a nostalgia attachment to this property, but we are not operator and are trying to find another operator," the company said in a statement.

If one isn't found, the restaurant and shops will close by year's end. That has merchants in limbo and historians worried it will be torn down.

"For us, it's an important building and we would hate to see it lost," said Philip Blocklyn, with the Oyster Bay Historical Society.

The petition calls on the Town of Oyster Bay to landmark the site, not an easy task to do without the cooperation of the land owner, Gusoff reported. And even landmark status provides no guarantees.

"They may not understand what this means and what the loss of the Milleridge would mean to everybody," said Doherty.

A newly formed "Save the Milleridge" group is meeting at the end of this month and has invited Kimco representatives to attend.