Mara's Southern Kitchen, A Syosset Staple, To Close

SYOSSET, NY — After more than a decade of serving delicious southern dishes, Mara's Southern Kitchen will be closing its doors in Syosset.

The restaurant, owned by mother-and-son duo Mara and Josh Levi, will be serving its final meals on Nov. 26, Newsday reported.

The Levis told Newsday that they just weren't making enough money anymore to justify keeping the restaurant open.

Mara Levi opened her first restaurant, Java N Jazz, in Union Square. She then moved on to a new restaurant, Mara's Homemade, in 2003. In 2011, after graduating from culinary school and working in other restaurants, Josh joined his mother in 2009.

In 2011, the duo moved to a new, larger location in Syosset, and changed the name of the restaurant to Mara's Southern Kitchen, which it has been ever since.

Dozens of people shared their support for the restaurant on Facebook when the closing was announced.

"Anytime I’ve gone to Mara’s, I’ve raved about it for days on end," one person wrote. "Josh and his mom are the nicest and most caring people around. They would always come to the table to make sure that we were enjoying our meal and express their gratitude for our patronage. It’s a shame that this true LI gem and this family’s legacy is coming to an end."