Waterfront Crabhouse to reopen under new owner

From LIC Talk:

The restaurant group that owns Shi and Skinny’s Cantina will be re-opening the Waterfront Crabhouse in LIC that sits at the end of Borden Avenue. While we don’t know about the timing or details, we hear it will continue with the seafood theme and possibly the name in some sort of iteration.

The Crabhouse, which opened back in 1977, was closed this February soon after the original owner passed away. Despite undergoing extensive renovations due to Hurricane Sandy, it retained its cluttered nostalgic look, which featured lots of boxing memorabilia. Might a gut renovation be in the works?

End of an era

From LIC Post:

The Waterfront Crab House, one of the last vestiges of Long Island City, closed for good Sunday.

The closure comes just three weeks after the owner of the long-time establishment Tony Mazzarella passed away. He had owned the Crab House, located at 2-03 Borden Avenue, for decades.

The Waterfront Crab House first opened its doors at in 1977 and Mazzarella quickly filled it with boxing and historic memorabilia dating back to the early 1900s. On Monday, the sporting memorabilia still hung from the walls.

A sign was placed on the front door of the Crab House Sunday that read: “It is with deep regret and heavy hearts that we inform you that due to the passing of Tony Mazzarella we must close the Waterfront Crabhouse.”

One of Mazzarella’s children was at the restaurant Monday but did not want to discuss what his plans are for the restaurant or the real estate.

The Crabhouse has re-opened

From DNA Info:

A major fire and a devastating flood weren't enough to keep the Waterfront Crab House down.

The landmark Long Island City eatery reopened this week after it was destroyed by several feet of water during Hurricane Sandy — the second major disaster in the last few years at the restaurant, which was shut down for five months in 2009 after a fire.

The restaurant, known for its seafood dishes and it's memorabilia-decked walls, has been almost entirely overhauled since the storm four months ago, with new floors, walls and a brand new bar.

Some of the restaurant's decor — the antiques and other collectibles that covered nearly every wall — had to be thrown out, but much of it was hung high enough during the storm that it was salvaged.

Long road back for Crabhouse

From the Queens Chronicle:

The Waterfront Crab House at 2-03 Borden Ave., which serves up inexpensive and delicious bowls of clam chowder and has papered its walls with boxing memorabilia, plans to reopen in February after being devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

The restaurant, which opened for the first time in 1977, filled with about 7 feet of water when the storm hit on Oct. 29 and has been closed ever since.

“Salt water got into everything,” owner Tony Mazzarella said. “Everything has to be ripped out.”

As of Friday the establishment had temporary power and construction workers had just finished a new hardwood floor and bar, Tony’s daughter Chris Mazzarella said while pointing out the new features.

The business is in a Zone A flood zone and does not have flood insurance. It will be relying on private funds and U.S. Small Business Administration loans for repairs.

Waterfront Crabhouse severely damaged by hurricane

From DNA Info:

The Waterfront Crabhouse has always been more than a seafood restaurant to its patrons.

The Borden Avenue eatery — known for its menu of oysters, scallops, crab and lobster — is a neighborhood landmark and also an unofficial museum of boxing, where the club Ring 8 has held its monthly meetings for years.

But now the restaurant, which first opened in 1977, will have to start from the scratch, after it was flooded during Hurricane Sandy and forced to close, said owner Tony Mazzarella.

The restaurant, at 2-03 Borden Ave., was inundated in 6 feet of water, Mazzarella said. The flooding destroyed floors, furniture and memorabilia that decorated the walls, including old posters and boxing gloves.

Only the items that had been hanging highest survived, he said.
The restaurant, where customers also enjoy steaks and prime rib, is located in a building that dates back to 1881.

Amid numerous changes in the neighborhood, the Crabhouse had been an outpost of the old Long Island City that was filled with manufacturing jobs.

Mazzarella, 75, said it will take about three months to reopen following the storm.

Crowley adds help seekers to fundraising list

Crab House Invite
Dear Crapper,

I sent Joe Crowley an e-mail about a community problem about a month ago. His office never responded. But lo and behold, I received an invite to a fundraiser he is having for Tom Dinapoli. I never got these kinds of e-mails before.

Isn't it unethical to solicit donations from people who ask for your assistance, especially since that's your job? What kind of message is he sending? That he'll respond to you only if you pony up some dough for him and his cronies? It's no wonder this guy is under investigation.

- Concerned in Elmhurst

----- Original Message -----
From: d haubert
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 1:19 PM
Subject: Queens County Tribute to NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli 10/12


Dear Friend:
Tommorow is our salute to NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
We hope that you will join Joseph Crowley and the Queens County Friends of NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli for a dinner reception at the
Waterfront Crabhouse @ the Terrace
2-03 Borden Ave., LIC, NY 11101
Please see attachment and RSVP to Elizabeth@dinapoli2010.com
Feel free to share this with friends and supporters of Tom DiNapoli.
Look forward to seeing you on October 12th at 5:30 PM.

Here's another:

Crowley Invite

The Crabhouse is back

Thank you to Miss Heather for informing us that the Waterfront Crabhouse has reopened after February's fire.