Kings Park pub seeks reopening a year after fire, razing dispute

Main Street Pub’s bid to reopen has turned into a test of whether a fire-damaged Kings Park gathering place can safely return, or whether the building should be taken down instead. Smithtown officials had sought to raze the structure earlier this year, citing safety concerns, putting owner Scott McKinnon in a prolonged fight to restore a bar that has served Kings Park for about three decades.

The conflict follows a fire on Feb. 25, 2025, that started in an alleyway between Main Street Pub and Euro Barber Shop and spread into the roof and cockloft. News 12 reported firefighters saw heavy smoke on Main Street and had an engine operating within about three minutes of discovering the blaze. The fire damaged both businesses, and TBR News Media reported McKinnon estimated that about 30% to 40% of the pub was severely damaged.

The blaze forced the pub to close just days before the 2025 Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day parade, cutting off one of the hamlet’s familiar pre-parade stops. McKinnon had taken over the bar from his father decades earlier, and staff and supporters described it as an iconic, tightly knit community institution. Evelyn Wood, McKinnon’s partner, said the family and employees were working through insurance and rebuilding issues while fundraisers tried to keep the business afloat.

Officials continued to sort through the aftermath long after the flames were out. News 12 said the official cause remained under investigation, while Suffolk police said detectives believed the fire was non-criminal. An injured firefighter was treated at a hospital and later released. A GoFundMe titled “Helping Main Street Pub Recover from Tragic Fire” was launched on Feb. 27, 2025, saying the fire left little behind and asking for support for the staff and business during recovery.

More than a year later, the reopening effort remained unresolved. The Newsday community-page item about the pub’s comeback was published on May 21, 2026, underscoring how the fire still shapes the debate in Kings Park. If Main Street Pub returns, nearby businesses could gain from renewed foot traffic and a revived neighborhood anchor. If it does not, the site may remain a reminder of how a single fire can leave a Suffolk County business in limbo for months, then years.