Changes For Claudio's In Greenport — As New Claudio's Opens In Bahamas

GREENPORT, NY — A new day is dawning at Claudio's in Greenport, and a new Claudio's location is set to open in the Bahamas.

According to a message from the Chapman Communications group, Claudio's Bahamas will be opening this month at Atlantis, Paradise Island.

Meanwhile, Claudio's Greenport will open for the season on a spring schedule over Easter weekend.

"The iconic Claudio's Greenport Waterfront complex, once home to Claudio's Tavern & Grill, Claudio's Pizza, and Crabby Jerry's, is evolving under a new partnership with Gansevoort Street Hospitality," a release said.

Crabby Jerry's will reopen as Common Country East, while Claudio's Tavern & Grill and Claudio’s Pizza will now be called Charlie Boy at Claudio's, an all-day Italian American café. The main restaurant will still feature the Claudio's moniker, representatives said.

"Charlie Boy is a sophisticated yet approachable all-day café concept. Rooted in the rich traditions of Italian-American cuisine and elevated by a fresh, modern perspective, Charlie Boy offers an experience that is as refined as it is welcoming — a true embodiment of attainable luxury," the hospitality group said.

In addition, they added: "Common Country is a reimagined country restaurant and bar — blending the laid-back spirit of coastal living with an elevated food and beverage program, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Greenport’s harbor. Common Country East will have elevated bar fare — fresh seafood and summer classics to signature cocktails, frozen drinks, and a carefully curated selection of beers and whiskeys."

Both Common Country East and Charlie Boy at Claudio's will open toward the end of May.

A longtime chapter in Greenport history came to a close in 2018: After more than 147 years owned by the same family, Claudio's was sold.

In a message on the business' Facebook page, longtime 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."

When reached by phone by Patch at the time, owner Bill Claudio — who died in 2019 — said he was happy about the announcement.

The Facebook message said that change was necessary for advancement and after being at the helm for 27 springs, summers and falls, the family was moving on confidently knowing the vision and drive of new ownership would allow future generations to experience and enjoy what their family had 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 at the time.

"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.

"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 had long been the oldest single-family run restaurant in the country. The property had been on the market since 2015 when it was sold.