from the January 14, 2010 Suffolk County News

By EMILY PORTOGHESE
The Snapper Inn begins its 81st year in 2010

OAKDALE - More than 80 years ago, Henry Remmer opened a small seafood restaurant named The Snapper Inn, after the little bluefish that were in abundance at the time on the Great South Bay.

The Snapper Inn at 500 Shore Drive was established when Hemmer bought a point of land on the Connetquot River in 1929. Throughout its 80 years of business, the restaurant has been managed by four generations of family members and has changed over time.

Remmer was an immigrant from the fishing town of Tonning on the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, and a successful entrepreneur in Brooklyn and Sayville.

Established just before the Great Depression in 1929, The Snapper Inn went from a fun venture to more of an economic necessity, George Remmer Jr. noted.

Many of Remmer's customers were summer residents and day-trippers from New York and Brooklyn, noted Richard Remmer (grandson), who currently runs the business with his wife Kathleen.

While Remmer held a few weddings and large family events at the restaurant, most of the business was a la carte dining. Originally just a small square building with 10 tables, the restaurant has been added onto many times to become the sprawling business it is today.

“During the past twenty years, we have noticed an increased demand for catering, especially larger weddings, rehearsal dinners and showers," Richard noted.

The bar itself dates from the repeal of prohibition in 1931 and the original liquor license still hangs in the barroom, noted the restaurant's office manager, Karen Zeitlin.

The Deck replaces the outdoor "Bamboo Deck” that was torn from the building by a squall in 1967. An original stained-glass window from Henry’s candy store in Brooklyn, circa 1925, is located in the Balcony Room.

Robert Moses and Supreme Court Judge John P. Cohalan Jr. were regulars for lunch. Madam Chiang Kai-shek, New York City Mayor Robert Wagner and Vice President Spiro Agnew were among George Sr.’s notable guests, Richard noted. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani dined here also.

John Remmer was at the helm of the Snapper Inn during the 1970s and ‘80s and the business went through another stage of transformation as catering became considerably more popular, Snapper Inn was “the place” to have a wedding, family celebrations and corporate gatherings, Richard said.

Along with the building, the menu has also expanded from those early days, when it was comprised of items caught locally by the Remmers, such as soft-shell crabs, snappers, oysters, clams, weakfish and bluefish.

Currently, George Jr. catches the bluefish, weakfish, striped bass and tuna for the restaurant, continuing the tradition. He has taught oceanography at Dowling College for 17 years and noted he enjoys retrieving the fresh products for the restaurant. "For me, it’s gratifying," he said.

Richard said they have also responded, to a greater demand for more international cuisine including sushi, crudo, nouveau French, and eclectic American, all alongside the traditional dishes like sauerbraten, lobsters, soft-shell crabs and Manhattan clam chowder.

The owners observed the magnificence of the Connetquot River vista has not diminished, nor has the pride they take in maintaining the quality of seafood and service which have been the key to Snapper Inn’s 80 years of success.

Richard, Kathleen and George Jr. represent the third generation of family management, with their children pitching in as well, starting the fourth. A brunch was held at the restaurant on New Year’s Day; an annual tradition made more special by marking the end of the restaurant's 80th year of service.