Harbor Crab closes in Patchogue, could return if no buyer emerges

Patchogue’s beloved Harbor Crab Co. is closed — for now — as both the business and its waterfront property hit the market.

“It’s been very hard the last few years,” owner Mark Miller told Greater Long Island. “Labor and insurance are very expensive and we didn’t want to raise prices to $50 a plate.”

The popular Division Street spot served its last meal in January, and Miller said he has been actively searching for a buyer.

He’s open to selling the entire property or leasing the space to the right operator.

Either way, he’s hoping to see the restaurant back up and running quickly.

“Our goal is to have it reopened one way or the other by the beginning of May,” Miller said. “If we don’t find someone who wants to put another restaurant here, then we will just bring back Harbor Crab for another year.

“We won’t let the property sit vacant.”

The waterfront venue underwent a significant facelift in 2017, adding new floors, furniture and retractable glass panels designed to maximize its biggest asset: the view.

“We knew we needed to accent the one thing Main Street doesn’t have, which is water,” Miller previously told Greater Long Island. “Long Islanders — and people in general — are magnetically attracted to it, so we reworked the space with panoramic waterfront views from every angle.”

As for this summer season, Miller said his other restaurants — including Dublin Deck, also on Patchogue River — will all be open.

Top: Brianna Harmon/file photo