Back in 2018, Mike Bruemmer, owner of the Off Key Tikki on the Patchogue River, was eyeing the possibility of opening Patchogue’s first hotel on the waterfront since the closure of The Clifton, located between Bay and Grove avenues, and the Mascot Hotel, located at the end of South Ocean Avenue.

However, due to the turbulence in the restaurant and entertainment business, Bruemmer, 65, has since decided to sell after 20 years of ownership and 15 seasons of business. He said the new owners, who he was not at liberty to disclose yet, plan to operate the business as is, at least for the first year, and currently have no plans for a hotel at the location. The business is currently in contract.

Bruemmer, a Miller Place native now living in Ridge, plans to move and retire to Florida. Bruemmer purchased the property about 15 years ago with the original intention of operating his screen-printing T-shirt and embroidery business. However, after purchasing the severely dilapidated building and grounds, previously home to two boatyards with residual tree limbs and sunken boats, Bruemmer was soon made aware of necessary Department of Environmental Conservation permitting before any work could begin. Some three years later, after permitting was finally in place, Bruemmer had sold his business and no longer had a need for the property.

“It was a disaster, with a broken dock, tree limbs, and the building was about to fall down,” he said in 2018, of the originally purchased property he eventually brought back to life.

Eventually, it became Off Key Tikki, and they used the building for storage and office space.

“I want to thank everybody, all my loyal customers over the years and the friends we have made who have supported us,” Bruemmer added. “I tried to be involved civically as a chamber and BID member. Over the years, I am proud I had some part in the revitalization of Patchogue, especially on the river.”

They hosted a goodbye Drink and Eat the Tikki Dry event on Sunday, Nov. 27.