Butch Yamali saves Milleridge Inn

The owner of Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park has come to the rescue of the Milleridge Inn in Jericho. Workers there, who were given pink slips, were saved from year-end layoffs when they were told The Dover Group and owner Butch Yamali would be taking over the historic landmark.

78 year-old Owen Smith, whose family has owned the operated the inn for 50 years sold it to Kimco Realty Corporation of New Hyde Park earlier this year for $7.5 million.

At staff meeting last week the employees, who were faced with the loss of their jobs at the end of the year, were told a new owner was found and would keep them on. Smith said he was happy with Kimco’s choice.

Fans of the restaurant and inn, which dates back to the 1600s, had created on line petitions to save the landmark. They had over 16,000 signatures.