Paddler’s Inn Changes Hands

By Dan Murphy
 
After abruptly closing earlier this summer, Paddler’s Inn is preparing to reopen its doors to Molokai under new management.

The restaurant’s previous owners, Robert and Sharon Spruiell, decided to close the restaurant and bar in early June because they were struggling to run it from their home in Arizona. According to Paddler’s property owner Jerry Johnson, the Spruiells officially turned over the building’s lease and keys to Darrin Abell on Aug. 5.

Abell comes to Molokai from Modesto, Cali where he previously worked in the restaurant business. He hopes to have the restaurant open for business by Sept. 1, Johnson said.

“I think he’ll be really good. I think he’ll give the place the food product it needs to succeed,” Johnson said. “He also has a really great attitude about the community, which is what I was looking for.”

Abell was busy setting up his new business and unavailable for comment.