Star Confectionery, the Riverhead luncheonette known to locals as Papa Nick’s, served its last customers on Sunday after more than a century in business.
Anthony Meras, the third generation of his family to own and operate the iconic Main Street eatery, said the last month has been incredibly busy after he announced the restaurant’s closing in an interview with RiverheadLOCAL. Because of “minor health concerns,” he decided to move up the closing date to Sunday from the original date he had scheduled for this Wednesday, he said in a phone call.
| PRIOR STORY: End of an era: Star Confectionery, iconic century-old Riverhead luncheonette, to close next month |
Meras said he “loved” the community’s response to RiverheadLOCAL’s article, which drew heartfelt reactions from many customers who stopped by over the past month. “Thank you for everything,” he said to the community. “Thank you for everything Riverhead has done for me — and I love you.”
A sign now hangs in the restaurant’s window with Meras’s farewell message. It says:
“To the thousands of friends that we have made over the last 105 years, the Meras family would like to say thank you for your everlasting support.
From the 20s & 30s when visitors and townsfolk alike would eat my grandfather Nick’s handmade candy & ice cream.
To the RHS students that came in the 40s, 50s & 60s after football games and basketball games and filled the restaurant to capacity, listening to their favorite songs on the jukebox. This is where the Star Confectionery got its nickname, affectionately known as Papa Nick’s! I always thought it was so cool, a restaurant with a nickname!
To the 70s & 80s, when Nicky and I worked the counter together as kids, making sodas and doing dishes. We were frequently fired by our mother and ordered to ride our bikes home.
To the past 35 years, that I have run the restaurant. Whether it was with my dad Tony, my mom Kitty or my 3 kids, Riverhead has been home to me and the restaurant has been an extension of my home. That’s why I call the people that come, not customers but friends. I was bless with having all 3 children Sophia, Alex & Ava work alongside me, just as generations past.
We are closing after 105 years. You will all be in my heart & missed.
[signed] Anthony Meras”
Meras, a 59-year-old Riverhead resident, decided to close the business and sell the building because of declining health. He has suffered four heart attacks in recent years, and the demands of working long, busy days behind the grill and running the business have taken a toll.
He said he is keeping his ice cream and chocolate-making equipment and plans to collaborate with East End businesses to continue offering Star Confectionery’s famous ice cream and holiday chocolates.
“I’m not going to retire. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself,” he said last month.
The building at 4 East Main Street has been sold to a Southampton builder who, according to Meras, does not plan on opening a restaurant there. The buyer, Felix De Los Santos, has not returned RiverheadLOCAL’s requests for comment through his attorney.
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