Sullivan's Getting a New Owner?

After Sullivan’s Irish Pub closed its doors in July, rumors have swirled about the future of the space.

The popular 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.

The new owner handed the keys back to former owner Patrick Sullivan “and walked away,” said a former employee.

Sullivan, who sold the business  — but not the property — earlier this year, said if someone’s buying his building, he doesn’t “know anything about it.”

But that hasn’t stopped the chatter that the business has sold.

Property records show that the building and land at 13368 Madison Avenue is still owned by Sullivan.

One prospective buyer, Tony George, who owns the Harry Buffalo chain, recently looked at the property, but said he’s not interested.

“Every time I look at a building, people think I am going to buy it,” said George, who said he looked at the property about three months ago.

Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development, said the space is “turn-key,” noting that a new owner could come in and begin right away. 

“It’s a great space,” he said. “There’s a patio, lots of room and parking in the back.

“I think someone’s going to move in soon.”