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Folks from across Greater Patchogue and beyond are already lining up at Blue Goose’s bar in Patchogue for one final toast to the neighborhood spot.
The team at Blue Goose in Patchogue announced they are closing their doors later this month.
After 40 years in the restaurant business and 11 years of running both KB’s Burger Shack and Blue Goose at 411 Main St., owner Brian Kearns is passing the torch to a local family that’s working on their own new restaurant for the space.
“I’m not quite at that retirement point yet, but the offer that was made … was too good to pass up,” Kearns said. “This is a business decision, not one I’m being forced to do because it’s not doing well.”
Kearns got his start counting clams on the Patchogue River in 1976 and then bartended at Bonners Ferry in 1980, which became Steamers in 1984 and eventually Harbor Crab in 2000.
He was a co-owner at Harbor Crab until 2017.
Kearns transformed his KB’s Burger Shack, which he also co-owned, into Blue Goose back in 2018, coming up with new recipes that showcased “next-level comfort food” that was always fresh, never frozen.
Some favorites included the potstickers, drunken noodles, their variety of sandwiches, Blue Goose’s weekend brunch specials, and more.
Not only will Blue Goose be remembered for its food and welcoming atmosphere, but the many smiles served along the way, Kearns told us.
Most of the loyal customers who know Kearns are fond of his generosity, which spans from the Kris Kringle fundraiser at Harbor Crab to raising money in support of local friends like Chris Cusack, who is battling cancer.
“He’s always been a good guy,” said Cusack. “We’re sad and wondering where Brian is going next.”
Kearns says he’s ready to take a break. As for another restaurant, he said, “never say never.”
As far as his gratitude goes, he appreciates the outpour of love from the community, especially from his wife, Brenda (owner of Violet Blue in the Smith Haven Mall), who he says he “couldn’t have done any of this without her support.”
“Life is short, have fun and treat everyone like they are family you care about,” he said. “I thank the community here who has supported us through the years, especially at this corner [at what they call] Democratic Hill, so there are many great families that live around here that always come in and enjoy.”
Follow greaterpatchogue.com for updates about the restaurant taking over Blue Goose this fall.
Top: Brian Kearns behind the bar at Blue Goose. (Credit: Ana Borruto)
