Gunther’s Doing Better, More Work Coming

Long Islander News photo/Rachel Stanislawek
Gunther’s Tap Room, a Northport Village staple, has been closed since a May 23 blaze gutted the bar, caused a pair of neighboring businesses to close, and displaced residents in apartments on the second floor of the building.

After fire, owners dedicated to re-opening iconic watering hole

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

The owners of Gunther’s Tap House, which was destroyed in a blaze this past May, plan to reopen the beloved watering hole.

“Gunther’s is such a staple of Northport. It’s more than just a place to go have a drink,” said Brad Vassallo, co-owner with Eddie McGrath.

Since the May 23 blaze, which was reportedly caused by electrical issues at the 82 Main St. bar, McGrath and Vassallo have completely gutted Gunther’s. They are currently awaiting new electric work and plumbing before rebuilding, Vassallo said.

“It’s definitely in a much better spot than it was, but there’s a lot of work that still needs to be done,” he added.

Vassallo said he and McGrath, who purchased Gunther’s in May 2016, did not have insurance on the bar. In order to fund its revival, locals have initiated fundraising efforts, including one at Main Street Cafe in Northport the night following the fire that raised $8,700.

Jani Zubkovs, a bartender at Gunther’s for more than 10 years, said another fundraiser is planned for Aug. 13, 1 p.m. at Park Lounge, 605 E Main Street, Kings Park.

“We all want the bar to reopen,” said Zubkovs, who added that some former Gunther’s employees have had trouble finding new work. “It’s been there for over 50 years. It’s such a local hang out and people really love it.”

The upcoming fundraiser will call for a $25 donation at the door. The night will include salads, burgers, hot dogs and more, along with 75-100 gift baskets to be raffled away, said Zubkovs, who is helping organize the event.

He added, “We’re hoping that the community gets involved and supports us and we’re excited to rebuild Gunter’s again.”

A GoFundMe campaign (Gofundme.com/gunthers-tap-room) has also been launched with a goal of $75,000. As of deadline Wednesday, over $5,500 had been raised.

In the aftermath of the fire, Vassallo said, community support has been remarkable.

“We had to board the windows up and then somebody put a box of chalk out and people have been writing on the boards, making personal comments about how much they miss everything about it so it’s been amazing,” Vassallo said.

The building was originally built in 1889 and served as a commercial hotel. Gunther’s later opened in 1962 and was established as a Main Street staple, and a frequent stop of Beat Generation writer Jack Kerouac through the late ’50s and early ’60s.

Former owner the late Pete Gunther died in April 2016. McGrath and Vassallo purchased the bar the next month.

Along with Gunther’s, the fire also affected residents in apartments on the second floor of the historic building, and a pair of neighboring businesses, 7T8 European Fusion and Clipper Ship Tea Company.

There are plans for 7T8 to reopen by the end of the summer, according to a message posted to the restaurant’s website.

Meanwhile, Clipper Ship Tea Company owner Melissa Wawrzonek has posted updates to the shop’s Facebook page since the fire and is reportedly weighing the business’ options moving forward.