The nation?s financial troubles are taking their toll on Long Island as one of Suffolk County?s landmark restaurants is forced to close.
Conte?s Burger Haven on Pulaski Road has been a staple of the Huntington community for 47 years. Robert Conte owns the restaurant and grew up behind the counter there. His father and uncle opened up shop in 1961, and he says he?s disappointed he couldn?t keep it going.
?I've had declining sales over the last several years,? Conte says. ?I'm doing 50 percent less than just two years ago. I bang my head against the wall trying to figure out why."
The original menu still hangs on the wall advertising burgers for just 15 cents a piece. Decades later, the price has stayed low at just 95 cents. That coupled with a great burger is what has kept generation after generation coming through the doors. Many of Conte?s customers say their relationship with the burger joint goes way back.
Conte tells News 12 Long Island he?s thankful for all the customers that kept coming back over the years. ?It?s done us good for 47 years. There were six of us in our family, put all of us through college.? He adds, ?I'm a complete believer of doors closing, windows opening.?