Claudio's Opens By Memorial Day Weekend With New Ownership

GREENPORT, NY — The next chapter in the history of Greenport's iconic Claudio's is set to unfold as the waterfront restaurants re-open on Memorial Day weekend under new ownership.

Three families, familiar faces at the eateries, have come together to shepherd Claudio's, founded in 1870, into its new incarnation.

New owners include attorney Perry Weitz, his son David Weitz, Ian Behar, and Ryan Sasson, "all Greenport loyalists whose families have grown up on Claudio’s local fare," a release said. "The new owners are committed to maintaining the longstanding fabulous Claudio’s local experience that their families fell in love with."

All three venues, Claudio’s, Claudio’s Clam Bar, and Crabby Jerry’s, are slated to open for the season by Memorial Day weekend.

"Many of the same employees will continue to serve the delicious food and drinks that Claudio’s has become famous for, and the overall fun and welcoming atmosphere will remain the same," new owners said in a release.

Also onboard, with a mission to honor the legacy of Claudios’ "guest-first experience" is Tora Matsuoka, co-owner of Sen Restaurant in Sag Harbor, and his business partner, and seasoned restaurateur, Stephen Loffredo — together, the pair will helm the management of the historic venue.

“I was brought up in a family owned restaurant in a town similar to Greenport, so I have a deep understanding and appreciation of what it means to serve loyal patrons and give back to the community,” Matsuoka said.

When told of the new owners, dockmaster Adam King said, “They all might as well own it, they certainly are here enough.”

The Claudio family welcomes the new owners with open arms.

“We are thrilled with this exciting evolution,” said co-owners Kathy and Janice Claudio. “The team of owners is committed to maintaining the values that have carried our family name for generations while also reinvigorating our legacy of success.

"For 148 years, Claudio’s has been synonymous with great food and an unforgettable dining experience. We are confident that these three families will take Claudio’s to the next level of customer experience with the same passion that has made our name a North Fork staple," the Claudio family said.

Recently, after more than 147 years owned by the same family, the Claudio family announced that the business had been sold.

In a message on the business' Facebook page, owners wrote: "To our many wonderful friends, fans and loyal patrons: Kathy, Bill, Janice, Beatsy and the late Jerry Tuthill — the Claudio/Tuthill family — would like to publicly announce the sale of our businesses, Claudio's Restaurant, Claudio's Clam Bar and Crabby Jerry's. While this marks the end of a long era for our family, we believe it also serves as a new beginning for the property, one which we hope will be filled with innovation and growth."
Information on the sale price and new owner were not immediately available.

When reached by phone, longtime owner Bill Claudio said he was happy about the announcement.

The Facebook message said that change is necessary for advancement and after being at the helm for 27 springs, summers and falls, the family movies confidently knowing the vision and drive of new ownership will allow future generations to experience and enjoy what their family has built over 147 years.

"Things will be different, but we are also pleased to share that some things will remain the same. The Claudio name will live on with the property and all three eateries will continue to serve, inviting you all to come and make new memories each season, as in so many seasons past," the Claudio family said.

"Owning restaurants is not just a profession, it is a way of life, and closing the door on this chapter for us comes with many mixed emotions. Greenport Village runs deep in our DNA and while we are glad to have seen Claudio's be such a big part of the downtown growth for many years, we are also sad we will no longer be so woven into the fiber of what makes the community tick. We'll be watching with eager anticipation over the next few years as we believe many exciting changes are coming; not just to our property but to the village we love so profoundly and have called home for so long," the family wrote.

"In an industry notorious for staff turnover, our family has been fortunate to have had many, many devoted core crew members without whom we would have never been able to survive those pounding summer days. From our bus kids to our head chefs and everyone in between — because of you, we never had to choose between quality and quantity; you allowed us to achieve both and for that we will be forever grateful.

"To our customers, we cannot thank you enough for your loyalty. Thank you for being the reason we got up every morning, thank you for all the good times you shared with us, thank you for making at least one visit to Claudio's every summer. It is a rich tapestry of lives that have crossed our doors and created lasting memories; we would like to believe a piece of those many voices remain forever in some magical way. It would be impossible to express how appreciative we are that you made our family tradition a part of your own. We're so glad you walked alongside us on this journey.

"For us, there can be no replacement for the vibrancy of those blue-sky summer days full of staff energy and effort and the throng of customers and boaters to greet and serve. Or the fun-filled nights of packed bars, live music rippling out across the water and a full dance floor. The crazy, the calm, we loved it all.

"And so we move on — excited, wistful and sad all rolled into one. From the very bottom of our hearts — thanks for the memories, they have defined our lives," the message said.

Claudio's has long been the oldest single-family run restaurant in the country.
The property had been on the market since 2015. A price for the sale was not disclosed.

Patch file photo.