The iconic Waterfront Crab House in Long Island City has closed its doors after several decades and just weeks after owner Anthony Mazzarella passed away.
Mazzarella, a former boxer, opened the eatery, located at 2-03 Borden Ave., about 40 years ago and it was known for both its seafood dishes and its walls decorated with boxing memorabilia.
The LIC restaurant closed its doors over Valentine’s Day weekend, according to a published report, following Mazzarella’s death on Jan. 24.
A sign has been left on the establishment’s front door for customers and residents in the neighborhood.
“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 Crab House,” the sign read. “It has been over two decades since Tony Mazzarella opened these doors in pursuit of his dream. Friends were made here and lives were changed. There are simply too many people to say thank you [to], and so many incredible experiences to recount.”
The sign continues with thanking patrons who supported the eatery and made it “the institution that it has become.”
“To our staff, customers, friends and supporters, you have enhanced our lives and we want to say thank you for the journey,” the sign said.
The crab house, housed in a building dating back to the 1800s, made it through two disasters, each causing it to be closed for months. The first was a fire in 2009 and just two years ago the eatery was flooded by several feet of water after Hurricane Sandy hit the city.
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