Home Business Business News Claudio’s could soon see new owner, with sale potentially on table

Claudio’s could soon see new owner, with sale potentially on table

Claudio’s  in Greenport might be back next season under new ownership.

According to owner Bill Claudio, while the parcel on which the three eateries sit is “it is not sold yet,” there is a group “interested” that’s headed up by one man familiar with the restaurant business who has been out to see the properties a number of times and has a deep interest in Claudio’s rich history and in keeping the name of the legendary restaurant — and its staff — intact.

The potential new owner has not yet been officially announced because Claudio said the deal is not yet final.

But according to a Greenport Village legal notice, Michael Barrett “or entity to be formed” applied for three retail liquor license for Claudio’s Tavern, Claudio’s Clam Bar and a third, all located at 111 Main Street, with the New York State Liquor Authority on October 1; the application was received by Village Clerk Sylvia Pirillo on October 14, according to the notice.

On Thursday, Mayor George Hubbard announced at the monthly village board meeting that new liquor license applications had come in for Claudio’s Clam Bar, Claudio’s Tavern, and an “entity to be formed,” with addresses of 111 Main Street, the current address of Claudio’s.

Claudio said bidders have thrown their hats in during an auction, organized by the real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield; the auction sparked a large number of bids, he said, with two “strong” candidates visiting numerous times.

“It’s not a done deal yet,” Claudio said Friday. “I’m not a gambling man. I don’t go to Foxwoods, I don’t go to Atlantic City, and I don’t go to Las Vegas.  To think that this is a done deal — I’m not going to gamble. I don’t have a check yet.”

Of the bidder who applied for liquor licenses, Claudio said it was a wise move, because those licenses can take up to four months to be granted, which would put the new owner in the potential position to open for the new season. He said in the past, the restaurant has also always needed three separate liquor licenses.

But no matter who ends up buying the property, Claudio wants his staff to rest easy. When he first announced earlier this year that they’d put the eateries on the market, he assured that jobs would remain secure and there would be “no change to the way we operate. No one would want to take a successful business and change it.” Those expressing interest in buying, Claudio said, have a “huge interest” in the rich history of Claudio’s.

“We’re selling the name with it,” he said.

Of the sale, Claudio said he has some “mixed” feelings. “You can’t have something in the family for 145 years and not feel a little bit of sorrow at the change,” he said.

But, at 77, Claudio said it’s time to step back and enjoy life a bit. The next generation of Claudios, he said, have been “highly successful” in all their chosen careers. “They don’t have to flip burgers, so to speak,” he said.

In January, Claudio said despite confirmation  that the parcel on which Claudio’s sits was on the market, he wanted to assure the public that it would be business as usual in Greenport for the popular eateries over the past summer.

“Not much is going on,” he told SoutholdLOCAL last winter. “This was just a simple decision made by the family, all five of us who are owners, that it’s time to take a look and see what the market thinks. I’m 76 — and I’m not retired,” he said earlier this year.

But after 145 years of owning the oldest single-family run restaurant in the country, Claudio says it was time to take a look at options. “All of us are starting to move up in years. We don’t want to do this until we die.”

To the many who’ve made Claudio’s a beloved part of their family traditions for generations, Claudio said, “We’ve been doing this for 145 years and we’ve been pretty happy doing this for people, and improving on it whenever we can.”

Currently, the parcel is home to three restaurants, a snack bar, two souvenir shops and parking — and Claudio’s has long been known as a bastion of the community and a magnet for scores of tourists who have flocked to the waterfront businesses for decades.

According to an article in the Daily News, the two-acre property has “no official asking price,” and has been listed with Guthrie Garvin of Cushman & Wakefield.

Cushman & Wakefield, in their listing, said, “This is the first time the property has been available for purchase in 145 years, and is recognized by the National Restaurant Association as the oldest family-owned restaurant in the United States. The property is projected to generate $7.7 million in 2015.”

In addition, the listing states, “Claudio’s Restaurant operates under a hotel liquor license and has always had a third floor, used as a hotel at the turn of the 20th century that now accommodates staff. Demand for hotel accommodations is high due to the exponential growth of the vineyard industry, agritourism, and destination weddings. Room supply has been extremely limited due to zoning restrictions in Southold and the North Fork towns which do not have access to the water and sewer infrastructure that Greenport enjoys. In addition, a notable benefit of this rare offering is that the current configuration of the property allows for a major construction without disrupting current business operations.”

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