COMMACK, NY – September 1, 2026
Catfish Annie’s is not permanently closing.
The clarification comes after longtime owner Kathleen Annunziato announced in August that she was retiring after decades at the Commack restaurant and fish market.
“Just to be clear, Kathleen is in the process of selling our business so we ask everybody to be patient and we will update you as soon as we know and can share more,” Catfish Annie’s wrote in an updated post.
Catfish Annie’s is located at 116 Commack Road in Commack.
An Announcement That Sounded Like Goodbye
Annunziato’s original announcement on August 6 thanked the community for “45 Years of love, friendship, and laughs” and said she planned to hang up her apron at the end of August.
“I plan to close our doors by the end of August 2026,” she wrote, asking customers with unused gift certificates to redeem them before the end of the month.
When the announcement was shared in the Huntington Matters Community Forum, neighbors responded with decades of memories and well wishes. Some recalled eating there in the 1990s or being brought there by their parents more than 30 years ago. Others remembered favorite shrimp, lobster, steamers and fresh fish.
“You will be missed so much,” one member wrote.
Another recalled, “We used to be regulars in the 90’s and were big fans of your steamers.”
Catfish Annie’s Clarifies Its Future
A subsequent update from Catfish Annie’s emphasized that the business is “NOT permanently closing.”
“Instead, our amazing owner is retiring after all of her hard work and dedication,” the family wrote. “But don’t worry – you’ll still see the same friendly faces you know and love, along with some new faces joining our Catfish Annie’s family!”
“We’re excited for this next chapter and can’t wait to share more with you.”
A Family Business
Annunziato and her late husband, Anthony, built Catfish Annie’s together. After Anthony died in 2024, her children, nephews and longtime employees helped her continue the business.
Huntington Matters saw that family tradition firsthand during an August 2024 visit. Three generations were working together, with Kathleen in the kitchen, daughter Kristy Ranieri serving customers and Kristy’s daughter helping in the dining room. We called Catfish Annie’s “a treasure in my town,” praising its fresh seafood and family atmosphere.
“Many kids had their first job with us and have gone on to great careers,” Annunziato wrote in her retirement message. “We always work as a family.”
For updates on what comes next, follow Catfish Annie’s on Facebook as the family shares more about the restaurant’s next chapter.
Photography by June Margolin.
