Business

Dark Horse owner in contract to buy Spicy’s Barbecue location

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | Dark Horse Restaurant owner Dee Muma is in contract to purchase the Spicy's Barbecue location on West Main Street.

Spicy’s Barbecue on West Main Street in Riverhead has been around since the 1950s, but it may soon have a new owner.

Dee Muma, who recently opened the Dark Horse Restaurant on East Main Street and also owns Tweeds Restaurant along with her husband, Ed Tuccio, confirmed Wednesday that she is in contract to buy the Spicy’s location from property owner, James Capkanis, who currently lives in Florida.

Ms. Muma said she hasn’t decided what she’ll do with Spicy’s, because the deal is not finanlized. She is having an environmental study done on the property before going forward with the purchase.

The property, which sits on the Peconic Riverfront, has been listed for sale for some time.

The .39 acre property was listed for sale at $380,000 on Loopnet, a real estate web site.

Ms. Muma said she loves the location.

“It’s right on the river,” she said. “It’s beautiful. The river is such an under-appreciated gem.”

The diner that Spicy’s operates out of has been on the site since 1956 and is the type of diner made famous by Kullman Industries, which made stainless steel eateries across the country.

The Cutchogue Diner is also a Kullman diner, Ms. Muma said.

“Stainless steel diners don’t age badly,” Ms. Muma said.

So long as it passes its environmental test, Ms. Muma said she’s interested in moving forward with the purchase.

“I just think it’s a great spot and I appreciate how nice it is by the river there,” she said. “The whole town is waking up and things that have been for sale forever are now being snapped up.”

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