Wealthy locals fury as manager of Nantucket's iconic waterfront bar is pushed out by new buyers after 30 years: 'We might have to stage a protest'

Published: 15:23, 25 May 2026 | Updated: 15:27, 25 May 2026 The owner of a beloved bar in Nantucket harbor is being forced to close it down after decades in business, after landlords refused to extend the lease. Luke Tedeschi began working at The Tavern & Gazebo at just 26 years old in 1993 and worked his way up to becoming the sole owner of the business by 2022. His iconic waterside bar has been drawing locals in for 34 years with its popular drinks, including mudslides, a vodka-spiked chocolate beverage. Tedeschi told the Nantucket Current that Steve Karp’s Nantucket Island Resorts (NIR), who own the bar site, declined to offer him an extension of his lease this year. 'You know, that's the way that term leases are, but after all these years, I brought the mudslide to the Gazebo back in 1993, and this will be the last year of my formula and my mudslide as we've all got to know it, to enjoy it, and it's become iconic,' he said.  The Gazebo began hanging a small banner at the beginning of the season in early May that reads 'Last Year Of The Gazebo Mudslide 1993-2026.' Nantucket residents have vented their fury over the closure online, including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy who said the situation 'sucks'.  One resident wrote on Instagram: 'If we're trying to keep the authenticity of Nantucket, kicking out Luke & the Tavern/Gazebo is the opposite of what you should be doing, NIR.'  Luke Tedeschi, the owner of The Tavern & Gazebo in Nantucket, Massachusetts, after operating the establishment for more than 34 years Tedeschi told the Nantucket Current that he was not offered an opportunity to extend his lease from his landlord, Steve Karp's Nantucket Island Resorts Another added: 'This is DISGUSTING. Shame on your NIR! A third said: 'All my homies hate Steve Karp & NIR.' Henry Wyner, the director of retail at NIR, gave a statement to the Current regarding the decision not to offer Tedeschi a new lease. 'While we cannot comment on the specifics of any lease agreements, we are always thoughtful about cultivating a mix of restaurants and retailers that best serve the local community and its visitors,' wrote Wyner. 'We recognize the important role longstanding and newer establishments alike play in the character of the island, and our priority is to support an experience that feels authentic and reflective of the community.' Tedeschi said he was hoping to secure a five-year extension to his lease to keep the business running through his mid-60s.  'I wanted to have a five-year plan for myself, but that was shortened rather abruptly,' he said.  'The fact of the matter is, if I'd gotten five more years and I ran it myself, that was what I would have liked to have seen.' The gazebo was best known for their Mudslide, a spiked chocolate cocktail, after Tedeschi developed his own version himself A Nantucket resident Dave Portnoy has also expressed how much the situation 'sucks' 'I always thought about how I could bring on a partner or partnerships or at least have something of value to head into retirement for, but again, as life is, things get often abruptly announced, and you don't have a say in where tomorrow's going to bring us.' Tedeschi told the outlet that leaving the Gazebo stings, but he is not sulking as he understands that it's just business. He added that he has no regrets about his business and hopes that customers come in to enjoy his mudslides for one last summer. 'It's been a good, long ride and I just appreciate all of the support that I've gotten over the years, and even the support that I know is out there right now,' Tedeschi told the Current. 'But everything's going to be alright. Thanks to the folks that have been interested in what the story is, and it's been a good ride. I'm glad we've made some memories, the mudslide and Gazebo memories, and the Tavern.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Nantucket Island Resorts for comment. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.