The man who opened Sullivan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant says he doesn’t know what’s next for the popular — and now closed — restaurant on Madison Avenue.

Patrick Sullivan, who sold the business to Rich Nedly in January, said he’s waiting for more information.

“You’d have to ask the owner of the business,” said Sullivan, who still owns the building. “I can’t reach him. I don’t know any more than you do.”

Nedly has not returned several calls seeking comment.

The lights are on at Sullivan’s Irish Pub, but there’s no one home. The doors have been shut and locked since Friday.

Several large boxes, stuffed with decorations and stacked on the tables, can be seen through the windows.

The parking lot is empty and a cone blocks the rear entrance on Chesterland Avenue. 

Employees were told last Friday not to come into work — and not much else.

It’s not clear whether the business has closed temporarily, or permanently. 

The employees don’t know either.

More than a few customers stopped by the business, then left disappointed.

“That’s a bummer,” said one Sullivan’s customer on Tuesday, when he found out that the business wasn’t open. “It’s a great place.”

The restaurant — picked by Lakewood Patch readers as having the best fish fries and the best place to spend St. Patrick’s Day — changed hands earlier this year.

Many Lakewood Patch readers were also disappointed to hear of the closing.

Many of them also wanted to know if they could have their mugs — kept at the bar for safekeeping — returned.

Lakewood resident Brandon Scullion said he was saddened by the news.

“I didn't go there much but it was a gorgeous place to be,” he said, adding that he wonders whether Sullivan will take over the business again.

Sullivan declined to comment on that possibility.

“I just don’t have any information right now,” he said. “I enjoyed myself when I owned the business. I enjoyed serving the Lakewood community, and I enjoyed being a part of the community.”