Griffin on Skipper's Dock: Forget the Rumors, Restaurant Will Be Public, Not Private

Reported and written by Ellyn Santiago.

Bill Griffin was not saying much about his plans for Skipper's Dock save for this: "It will be great and it will be open to the public."

Griffin, owner of the Inn at Stonington and the property where Skipper's Dock has been anchored these many years, told Stonington Patch that "it's in our best interest to keep it as a public restaurant."

In a Patch exclusive, longtime Skipper's Dock owner Ainslie Turner confirmed this will be her last season; the popular local eatery will close in October. Skipper's Dock was first opened in 1929; Turner and her husband Jerry opened it in its current Water Street location in 1986.

There had been some speculation that Griffin might create a private club venue in the location; indeed an online petition at Change.org calls for him to abandon plans for a venue that would not have been open to the public.

"Those are rumors. And they are wrong. No one should worry," he said Friday afternoon. "It will stay public. I've partnered with a very experienced (restaurant) operator and it will be a terrific restaurant. Public, yes, but I'm hoping it will be so successful, you won't be able to get in." 

Stay with Stonington Patch for updates on this story.

Clarifications: 

The Change.org petition calls for Griffin to "let it stand," referring to Skipper's Dock.

Griffin was referring to a restaurant so successful, it would be tough to get a table.