By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

Bill Koessler, the owner of Park Lane Catering, is negotiating with the Williams family to acquire Harry's Harbour Grille in Buffalo.

He confirmed that he is close to wrapping up a deal with local businessman Harry Williams for the 15,000-square-foot restaurant, which offers a picturesque view of the Niagara River and the Canadian shoreline. Harry's is located off Niagara Street near the Black Rock neighborhood.

The deal is for the restaurant only, not the adjoining 125-slip Harbour Place Marine, which Williams will continue to own and operate.

Harry's will remain open and will honor all reservations and pre-booked parties. The transition is expected to be seamless to the general public. Koessler said he expects to close by mid-April.

"This is a great restaurant with a great location," he said. "People are going to be very happy."

The restaurant, which will be renamed and rebranded, will serve lunches and dinners. It's a popular site for private events such as weddings and bridal showers, as well as corporate events.

"I see it as a restaurant, but one with a strong catering element to do it," Koessler said.

The deal gives him a home base.

After selling his Park Lane restaurant to Uniland Development Co., he focused his energies on running Park Lane Catering out of the Statler Tower's Golden Ballroom, Terrace Room and Rendez-Vous room.

The catering operation was forced to leave the Statler after the 18-story landmark was mothballed in January 2010 as part of an involuntary bankruptcy case.

Uniland demolished the Park Lane, a Gates Circle fixture for decades, with long-range plans to construct an upscale condominium building on the property.

Koessler was a member of New Statler Redevelopment LLC, which bid $1.3 million for the building in an August 2009 foreclosure sale. The group was unable to complete the deal and the building was closed.

Park Lane Catering, ironically, initiated the legal action against the Statler's former owner, BSC Buffalo Development, which ultimately lead to the building being closed under court order.

Two weeks ago, local restaurateur and businessman Mark Croce bought the Statler for $200,000.

Since leaving the Statler, Koessler had been looking for a new home base.

He said talks with Williams have been going on for the past year.

Koessler said when he takes over the restaurant, he will set a new menu.

"Probably high-end American cuisine, but the items won't be too far off in left field," he said.

The intent is make the restaurant more attractive to casual diners. Harry's has always been regarded as a special-occasion restaurant.

"We definitely want it to be more casual," Koessler said. "We will have some specialized menu items. It is going to be very exciting."