By Ann Genader
GREENWOOD LAKE — The restaurant at 620 Jersey Ave. has been the go to place at Greenwood Lake for winter fests, Oktoberfest and German cuisine.
Today, it has a new name, a new owner and a new menu. The former owners ended their Breezy Point restaurant business on July 1.
Paul Bailey, a former Township of West Milford Councilman and tourism guru is the new proprietor at the lakefront restaurant and motel and he has renamed the place Tortuga.
Working with him are his wife Aileen and their son Morgan.
Tortuga is the name of the Caribbean island that forms part of Haiti off the northwest coast of Hispaniola and was known as a historic haven of Caribbean piracy.
Famous worldwide for its tourist industry after frequently being featured as a background for movies and story locations, it seems fitting that Bailey might choose that name for his business.
As Commissioner of Eco-Tourism in West Milford in 2007 he dedicated his efforts to development of tourism and bringing business to West Milford and the greater Greenwood Lake area.
As a private businessman, he’ll continue working toward these goals and believes that his pirate rendezvous will be a crowd pleaser.
Bailey is an Atlantic Records legacy artist who built a business in music in recording studios in New York City.
He founded, and then built his music businesses with 30 tech professionals while engineering and performing on countless recordings himself.
He has produced movies and edited the Passaic County Film Festival for a decade.
Referring to himself as “Captain Paul,” Bailey had a statement for The West Milford Messenger.
“In buying the Breezy Point Inn, we (Bailey, his wife Aileen and their son Morgan) are an extended family of pirates bringing a fresh bit of excitement to Greenwood Lake,” he said. “The new name Tortuga, famous for where Jack Sparrow went to find his pirate crew in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, will guarantee that there won’t be a quiet evening on the lake. Tortuga is loud, raucous and a lot of fun.”
There will be live music several nights a week. The American shore menu brings shore favorites like Cheese Steak, Hoagies, Italian Hoagies, Sausage and Peppers and BBQ ribs from ports around the world.
"Captain Paul" was tight lipped about specific rib flavors that change weekly, but a lot of coconut is visible. The shore desserts include Key Lime Pie and Cannon Balls (Tortugas own zepoles.)
“Tortuga is not for everybody, but if you have a pirate heart, you have found a home at Tortuga,” Bailey promised.
Former owners Alex and Pete, in a statement said it is with a” heavy heart and much emotion” that they closed the business.
They thanked their dedicated team and patrons for their support over the past 33 years and three months.
“We have been fortunate with great employees and it is sad to think our run is over, but it has been a splendid journey with these colleagues and we wish them Godspeed,” said the joint statement.
“To all our wonderful customers who have shared so many memories at Breezy Point we express our sincere gratitude for your patronage. You have shared your memories here with us. We hope your memories were joyful and put a smile on your face. Danke Schoen and Auf Wiedersehen.”