Skip Norsic Buys Le Chef Building, Partners With Plaza Cafe Owner Doug Gulija for New Venture

While many commercial properties in Southampton Village and across the East End have been bought up by big-name real estate developers with deep pockets and New York City ties in recent years, at least one small building on Jobs Lane with a storied tradition will remain firmly in local hands.

Emil “Skip” Norsic, a third-generation Southampton resident, bought the building that, for decades, was home to Le Chef restaurant from Frank and Amy Lenihan in January, for $2.3 million.

Norsic said earlier this week that he is partnering with Plaza Cafe chef/owner Doug Guilja to open a new restaurant in the space. Norsic and Gulija are cousins — their grandmothers were sisters — and Norsic said he decided to purchase the building because he admires Gulija and his culinary talents and figured it was a good opportunity to make something happen in a location with a long and rich history.

Le Chef was a popular French bistro that earned a devoted following during its 40 years in business in the village. It closed on December 30, right before the start of the new year.

Frank Lenihan opened the restaurant in the village in 1980 and moved it into its current location, at 75 Jobs Lane, across from Agawam Park, in 1987.

For decades, the cozy and intimate space gathered a devoted following, people with discerning tastes who appreciated not only the French staples like the pâté appetizer and a rotation of delicious soups, but also the relative affordability, particularly of the popular prix fixe.

Gulija has been operating the Plaza Cafe at 61 Hill Street for the past 26 years, but said earlier this year that he’s “always looking for a new place,” keeping his eyes open for a possible change of location for the past decade-plus.

He signed a short-term lease earlier this year with his landlord, which will run out on September 1.

“I think Doug is a genius as a chef,” Norsic said. “He has some ideas about what he wants to do with the place.

“I can make a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich, but that’s about it,” Norsic added with a laugh.

Norsic said they have submitted plans to the village, and are meeting with village officials later this week, as well as with other contractors, to get more of a clear sense about what they can do with the space.