Treehouse Cafe to Close After 40 Years of Business

Many Merokeans have called the Treehouse Cafe their second home since the early 1970s, but come Saturday, the local sports bar and restaurant will close its doors for good.

In a time when sports bars were very rare, Bill Dineen took a bet on the Treehouse Cafe – and a smart bet it was. 

During the last 40 years, Merrick has watched the establishment grow into a staple of the community, providing the perfect place to unwind after work, let loose on the weekends or celebrate a special event. The Treehouse Cafe's full service kitchen remained just as popular during the years as the bar has, attracting customers for their consistently delicious wings and burgers.

Unfortunately, such occasions seemed to frequent the Treehouse less and less in recent years and the menu didn't draw in as many patrons either.

"We've definitely seen a decline in business," Cindy Clavell, general manager, said, who has worked at the restaurant for nearly 12 years. "The economy is bad, and it's cheaper to just stay home."

Aside from the economy, the Treehouse Cafe took another hard hit in 2009 when Dineen passed away after a massive heart attack.

"His wife, Nancy, took over and really tried to make it last," Clavell said. "Bill was the Treehouse, he was here every single day."

From Dineen's dedication, the Treehouse Cafe sprouted from a small sports bar to a location that could cater to any patron's needs. Renovations turned the outdoor patio into a private party room that housed local celebrations like Calhoun reunions and Christmas parties, or Merrick families' gatherings. 

"I remember one year we hosted 28 Christmas parties," Clavell told Patch. "It's sad to know that the Treehouse will soon close. We have a lot of history here."

A feeling of sadness filled the restaurant all week long. According to Clavell, most of the Treehouse's employees have been with the company for several years, some as long as two decades. 

"I've been here six years and I am considered one of the new girls," said a Treehouse bartender named Ashley. "Its hard for me to fathom – I'm going to miss everybody." 

The Treehouse staff will celebrate one last time this Saturday night for their farewell bash. Clavell told Patch a large crowd is expected to pour into the Merrick location, including family, friends and of course, all the beloved regulars that have kept the Treehouse Cafe alive for so many years.

The party starts at 7 p.m. and will feature a live DJ, free dinner buffet and raffle prizes.