West Village Favorite Mermaid Inn To Reopen Closed 2nd Ave Spot

EAST VILLAGE, NY — The Mermaid Inn announced in September it was permanently shuttering its East Village outpost after 17 years in the neighborhood, but its owners are now aiming to reopen the location, according to a new report from the New York Post.

At the time of the closing, the popular seafood joint explained that its lease expired on Aug. 31, and it hadn't been able to agree with the landlord on "how to go forward both during and after the pandemic."

• Read More: The Village's Mermaid Inn Restaurant Shutters After 17 Years

However, the NY Post reported Wednesday that the owners are looking to reopen the location at 96 2nd Avenue after securing a better rent deal, but are struggling to obtain a liquor license from the State Liquor Authority (SLA).

Owners of the Lower Manhattan restaurant, which also has a location in Chelsea and on the Upper West Side, told the Post that the issue comes from state law prohibiting New York City bars and restaurants from getting a temporary liquor license while the SLA approves the complete permit.

“What’s the purpose of opening a restaurant without serving alcohol? If you can’t offer a glass of wine with the oysters, diners will go somewhere else,” Mermaid Inn co-0wner Daniel Abrams told the Post.

The Mermaid Inn won't reopen until it secures the license.

You can read the full story here.