The National Restaurant Association classifies Claudio’s in Greenport as the “oldest, same-family run restaurant” in the United States. It’s a distinction the Claudio family is proud of and one that will still be relevant when they open their doors for the 2016 season next month.
Despite scuttlebutt to the contrary, the Claudio family announced Friday that when the first Lobster Roll of the season is served Thursday, April 14 they will still be at the helm of the restaurant.
“We continue to work with our prospective buyers to solidify plans for our sale,” co-owner Jan Claudio said in an email Friday. “Particulars are ongoing and as we have reached the beginning of the 2016 season, the Claudio family will open the Restaurant on April 14 and the Clam Bar the following week for our ever loyal staff and patrons alike.”
The family business, which has expanded over its 146 years to include the neighboring Claudio’s Clam Bar and Crabby Jerry’s, is owned by a corporation that includes Ms. Claudio’s husband, Bill , sisters Kathy and Beatrice, and Beatrice’s husband, Jerry Tuthill. The restaurant complex has been for sale for more than a year and a prospective new owner applied for liquor license last October.
While a deal continues to develop, the familiar faces of the Claudios will still be visible this spring, as was the case when Manuel Claudio first opened his tavern in 1870.
“There is always an air of anticipation to our spring openings and this year is no different,” Jan Claudio said. “We are planning for an exciting year and look forward to starting the season in the community we love and serve.”
