Main Street Pub collapses during demo work in Kings Park, town shuts down road

Kings Park Fire Department members responded about 1 p.m. to a report of a building failure at 21 Main St., where the pub and the adjacent Euro Barber Shop had stood vacant since a February 2025 fire destroyed both businesses.

The demolition crew members who were inside the former pub when a support beam was removed, causing both buildings to collapse, escaped without injury. No other injuries were reported, and officials said there are no safety concerns for surrounding businesses or nearby homes.

“It could have really hurt someone really badly,” witness Terry Hofer told News 12 Long Island. “It could’ve damaged cars. There’s a bagel shop on the same side of the street. There are people back and forth all the time. Kids are on their bikes. It’s a blessing nothing happened.”

Suffolk Police closed the road on Main Street from Church Street to Pulaski Road, as a demolition crew brought in by the Smithtown Building Department knocked down the remains of the building later on Tuesday.

A person familiar with the situation told Greater Long Island that insurance disputes and ownership decisions stalled any renovation or construction for months and noted that the aged building ultimately couldn’t withstand the prolonged neglect.

“There was a fire about 18 months ago that destroyed the whole building,” the man said. “The insurance company was delaying, and the ownership was late to see what happened. Finally, the town wanted to knock it down six months ago.

“We got the town to agree to allow them to restore it,” he continued. “Unfortunately, the building was an old building and couldn’t sustain the damages after 18 months of nothing happening.”

The pub had been in business for about three decades, with owner Scott McKinnon taking over the bar from his father. The fire forced it to close just days before the community’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

_{Top: Jessica Durso photo}