It was once a slice of life in New York - the Jewish deli. There were as many as 1,500 of them across the city in the 1930s, serving up everything from pastrami sandwiches to stuffed cabbage.

According to Jay Parker, who owns Ben's Best in Rego Park, not many are left. 

"It's a very small number, in this neighborhood alone I could have mentioned 10 of them when I was growing up. And I'm the last one," Parker said.

And soon, Rego Park won't have any kosher delis at all. After 73 years Ben's Best is closing. Parker says he was able to buck the trend of dwindling delis until a bike lane was installed on Queens Boulevard last summer taking away 200 parking spaces.

Parker says his business fell 25 percent. 

"We draw people from all over and if you can't get here, you can't eat here," he added.

Parker's father Benjamin, a Polish immigrant, opened the deli. They've fed mayors, celebrities even presidents. 

Parker acknowledges that a certain kind of customer, older Jews who grew up on kosher food, has been dying off.

And while the number of Orthodox Jews is growing they generally avoid places like Ben's Best that are open on the Jewish sabbath.

Still, Parker believes the cuisine appeals to people of all faiths and backgrounds. And if not for the bike lane he could have stayed open.

"We position ourselves as Kosher being a better quality product," said Parker. "You go to a dinner, you see Matzoh ball soup on the menu, you see corned beef and pastrami on the menu. It's became part of the social fabrics."

Asked about Parker's parking complaint, the Transportation Department said the neighborhood is amply served by subway and bus lines.

Local author and historian Michael Perlman  wants to keep the deli woven in the fabric of the neighborhood. 

"I'm really hoping to find a dedicated owner, who will preserve it's legacy," Perlman said.

Parker is willing to sell his equipment, to the right candidate but he says his father's name and reputation, is not for sale.

"I'm going out on top," Parker said.

Ben's Best will continue serving up their famous sandwiches through the end of the month.