New Citarella Gourmet Market Location Set To Open In Westhampton Beach

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — A new Citarella Gourmet Market is set to open in Westhampton Beach.

Westhampton Beach Village Mayor Maria Moore confirmed that Citarella, which has locations in East Hampton, Bridgehampton, and Southampton, as well as in New York City and Connecticut, is planning to open where The Claddagh was located at 141 Montauk Highway before closing in August.

Citarella, owned by Joe Gurrera, signed a lease with the property owner, Moore said. They also submitted an application, but the application was incomplete, so the village is waiting for an amended application.

"We are looking forward to having Citarella in Westhampton Beach," Moore said.

According to the Citarella website, the business was founded by Mike Citarella on the Upper West Side in 1912. Gurerra, who was originally a "fishmonger" and established at the Fulton Street Fish Market, later purchased Citarella in 1985. The Water Mill location opened in 2000 and operated for 10 years before a larger space in Bridgehampton became available. The East Hampton location opened its doors in 2002 and in 2014, the Southampton spot was unveiled.

"A family-run business, we’re driven by a passion for great food," the site said. "Each of our 8 local specialty markets offers hand-selected ingredients and chef-prepared dishes designed to make every meal a memorable one — with the most incredible variety of fresh seafood; prime dry-aged meats; fresh produce; chef-prepared foods and pastries; artisanal cheeses; cured meats; smoked fish; a line of private label products ranging from imported olive oil to Osetra caviar; and more."

Meanwhile, The Claddagh's owners Tom and Meegan Dollard posted on Facebook when the business closed last summer: "As they say, all good things must come to an end. This morning August 8, The Claddagh Restaurant and Taproom has officially been sold and we are no longer open for business. We have truly enjoyed serving you for these past six years but it is time for us to end this chapter.

"We will miss you all. We will miss sharing the occasions, celebrations, and milestones of your lives and those of your families and friends that you chose to mark with a visit and a meal at the Claddagh. Our guests are more than just customers, they have been family to us — and we so very much appreciate that. "