'Last Call' For Popular Senix Creek Inn

CENTER MORICHES, NY — "Come as a stranger, leave as a friend." The words have long rung true for the many longtime customers who've headed to Senix Creek Inn in Center Moriches to enjoy delicious fare and celebrate the moments of their lives.

And now, the community is mourning the loss of the restaurant, which is slated to have its "last call" on Oct. 6.

According to Jennifer Harrison, who owns the restaurant with her parents Judy and Charlie Hagemeyer and run it with them, along with "Little" Charlie and JJ, 7, the business has always been deeply important to her family.

From the moment in 2008 when they bought the restaurant, which has beautiful views of the marina, Harrrison said it's been a labor of love.

"I still remember being on our hands and knees cleaning everything. Our first day of being open, a friend/customer was there when the Board of Health inspector gave of us the okay and word spread so quickly that within an hour, the bar was three people deep. We didn't even have cash registers yet but we weren't going to turn anyone away, so my mom and aunt ran to Staples to get some," she said. "Many of those same people still come on a regular basis. Some of them ended up getting married and having children and now come with their families, their kids that play and run around with my son."

Since news broke that Senix would close, Harrison said her family has received an outpouring of love from the community, with messages and a sea of longtime friends coming to say good-bye, "thank us, express condolences and beg us to open another spot. It has been truly amazing."

Even the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band, who play at Senix every year after the St. Patrick's Day Parade, heard about the upcoming closure.

The pipers called last week, said they were upset, and came to the restaurant last weekend, she said. "The fact that they cared enough to drive all the way out from Wantagh made the pipes, and 'Amazing Grace,' even more emotional. We had a lot of people here and there wasn't a dry eye in the house," Harrison said.

Senix will be going out with a bang — a "Last Call" event on Oct. 6, Harrison said.

"I can tell you one thing, we know how to throw a party!" Harrison said. "Even the bagpipes on Saturday, as somber and sad as everyone was, turned into a lot of fun. Everyone was asking if we would have a closing party but we just couldn't bring ourselves to call what is happening a 'party.'"

The closure follows years of conflict over a lease, broken hearts and dreams shattered, Harrison said. "My parents are losing their life's savings after 12 years of proudly serving this community," she said. "The community and our many, loyal customers are sad that there isn't anything else like Senix in the area and do not know where they will go."

So instead of a celebration, the family will host a "Last Call at Senix"event, instead. "From noon to whenever on Sunday, Oct. 6, you can help drink the bar dry — please Uber — and eat whatever we have left, buffet style. One tray could be our famous Chicken Alzio, the next burgers, followed by lobster. We are serving whatever we have. And of course DJ Frankie will be there from 3 p .m. to 7 p.m."

The cost for the event is $60 per person for all you can eat and open bar or $30 for the buffet and a cash bar.

"They come to us on their good days and they come to us on their bad days"

Speaking about what she would say to her loyal customers, Harrison began to cry. "With everyone coming in telling us what we mean to them, I want everyone to know they mean just as much, maybe even more to us. They come to us on their good days and they come to us on their bad days. We have had so many laughs and cried on each other's shoulders. We have listened to so many of their stories and we really do go home and think about all of them. It really isn't just business, they have become family and we love each and every one of them."

Harrison and her family have been passionate about giving back whenever there was a need in the community — and not being able to do so in the future leaves hearts heavy.

"That is probably going to me the hardest part for us," Harrison said. "To not have a space to offer for a fundraiser or be able to spring into action when tragedy strikes. But anyone that knows me knows I will still find a way to help."

The next chapter has not been decided yet, Harrison said. "Charlie can be found at Harbor Crab on Wednesdays and I am sure will be taking more shifts. As for the rest of us, there are still a few things in the works that cannot yet be discussed."

But no matter where the road ahead takes them, Senix Creek will always be a precious chapter in her family's history, Harrison said.

"It wasn't just business. It was family. What we built, the people we met, it all has been a truly amazing experience. The amount of people that met there, fell in love, got engaged there, had rehearsal dinners and now have babies. We also have the people that come back every year to honor the loved ones we hosted funeral receptions for. The St. Patrick's Day parties, holidays, and just casual evenings that turned into memories. That is what we are taking with us."

Reflecting on the love from customers near and far, Harrison said: "We are trying to find a bright side to this and I can't tell you how much it means to know that people care."