Havana Central restaurant closed at Roosevelt Field; owner cites political climate for downturn

Havana Central Restaurant and Rum Bar, a Roosevelt Field eatery and event venue, is going out of business effective immediately.

In an interview Monday, Havana Central owner Jeremy Merrin said the restaurant never fully recovered from the post-COVID downturn. Additionally, in the last six months, the restaurant saw a precipitous drop in business he attributed to ICE raids and the national political climate.

"We are a Latino restaurant and, because of the ICE actions in recent months, I think a good part of our customer base feels that they don't want to go out and eat," Merrin said.

The establishment, which opened in January 2013, announced it was closing its doors in a social media post.

"Dear Guests, It is with great sadness that we announce the closing of Havana Central at the Roosevelt Field Mall," the post said. "We are deeply grateful for the many years we had the honor of serving you. We will miss each and every one of you."

The post said it was unable to remain open due to the "current business climate." 

Merrin said other Long Island restaurateurs he has spoken with have noted similar declines in traffic.

His restaurant in Times Square has not been a victim of that trend.

"Not at all," he said.

The Roosevelt Field restaurant employed between 65 and 70 people who are now out of work. Merrin's staff is working with other Long Island restaurants to assist the laid-off employees with new jobs, he said.

All gift cards and promotions are still available at the restaurant's Manhattan location, at 151 West 46th St., according to the social media post.

The Times Square restaurant, with its throwback theme celebrating Cuba's golden era of the 1950s, opened in 2002 and features live music, Cuban- and Latin-style dishes and cocktails, according to its website.