Professor's Diner in Kings Park to close

For 40 years, he kept the doors open through blizzards and hurricanes, power outages and a wide range of adversity.

Looking back, Kevin Denis said he did so because he loved his Professor’s Diner — and its customers, and being in front of the grill. He just loved what he did.

But Denis, 70, of Kings Park, said Monday he’s closing his landmark diner in the Kings Park Plaza shopping center, open since the 1970s and one he's owned since the 1980s, because he can no longer weather the onslaught of rising prices and a declining customer base.

The last day for Professor’s will be Aug. 31, Denis said.

"It’s not as easy as everybody thinks," Denis said. "I don’t like to discourage people, because I’ve been there for so long. I’m trying to go out happy. But it’s tough. . . . It’s hard trying to make ends meet."

Denis grew up in West Islip and started in the food business at a young age, working at the Huntington Town House and the Peter Pan Diner on Sunrise Highway in Bay Shore to learn his craft.

When he took over Professor’s 40 years ago, 30 dozen eggs cost $22 and his rent on his storefront was $1,500 a month. Now that rent is $7,000 a month, he said.

Those eggs are now about $60 per 30 dozen, Denis said, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, they soared to $150.

"I never used to figure out what I made on a plate," he said. "You’re making money, you’re making your rent, making your bills. . . . But, times have changed."

The nature of the community has changed over the years, Denis said, remembering when there were lines out the front door to get in. "Now, I might have three or four tables. People don’t have time for breakfast."

Denis said the only time he closed for an extended period was a three-month hiatus during the pandemic, which took a toll on his customer base, some in heartbreaking fashion. He had customers who died from COVID-19.

Some customers have moved away and others now work from home and make their own breakfast and lunch.

For the past nine years, Tina Donegan, of Ronkonkoma, would stop by Professor’s Diner for a morning coffee run.

Now that it’s closing, Donegan, the manager at the neighboring Kings Park Pharmacy, has to look for a new place to grab coffee.

"It's sad, because I've known Kevin nine years," Donegan said, "and Kevin does a lot for the community. He helped us out."

To other frequent customers, there will never be anything quite like it.

"Nothing is going to replace Professor’s in Kings Park because it's such a unique atmosphere," said David Hobart, 50, of Kings Park.

Over the years, Denis said, his four children — three sons and a daughter — and wife, Linda, all worked with him at Professor’s.

He currently has six employees who will all need to look for new jobs.

With just a few weeks left, Denis said he’s facing the stark reality of finding work elsewhere himself.

"My thank you is always to the community and the people here who really supported me all their lives," Denis said. "It’s meant a lot to my family. It paid for my kids’ educations, for weddings . . . . What I do now, I have no idea."