Smiles and Social Distancing in Greater Schroon for Retail and Restaurants

Town Store owner Patti Mehm (center) says she was “overwhelmed” by the response from customers when they opened their doors Friday.

Thursday’s announcement by Governor Cuomo  -- allowing al fresco dining  -- had Paradox Brewery scrambling. The brew crew managed to open for outside drinking and worked overtime to set up a tent and tables. By Friday afternoon, brewery founder Paul Mrocka said a steady stream of locals and visitors were enjoying a pint.

“We had a few folks on their way to Lake Placid stop in for a pint and cans to go, Folks were very happy we are open and it’s great to welcome them back,” Paul said”

 High top tables are set up on their deck  -- to enjoy fantastic views of the high peaks -- and picnic tables are set up in the front. The new regulations call for tables to  be spaced six feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings and customers must also wear face coverings when not seated.

 Curbside pickup is still available and if you are not  wearing a face covering, you will not be admitted. This weekend’s hours: Saturday 12-6pm, Sunday 12-4pm. (518) 351-5036.

At the Town Store owner Patti Mehm  says she was “overwhelmed” by the response from customers.

“It was so good to see people come out. People here are very supportive. We had our regulars and some new faces.”

For folks wanting their fix of the Town Store, but may be uncomfortable entering the space, Patti is developing an online store and special window displays.

“We are going to have shelves featuring merchandise with a number, and people can order that way. We are trying everything to accommodate everyone”. Store hours: Friday & Saturday 10 - 4pm, Sunday 1am 1-4pm. Everyday hours will be announced towards the end of June.

Sticks and Stones Friday night. Photo courtesy Tom Patrick.

And it was a perfect Friday night for outside dining at Sticks and Stones. They have a protocol in place about how their new system works, which you can read here. You can follow what’s happening with all Schroon Lake area businesses on the Chamber of Commerce website, by clicking here.

Schroon Lake Cares Campaign Launched to Help Local Businesses

Pitkin’s owners Adam McCall and Bridgett Mather are featured in a new Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce video

A campaign by the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce to help save local businesses impacted by the pandemic has raised more than $12,000 in just ten days.

The influx of cash follows a recently launched Schroon Lake Cares Fundraising Campaign and two videos asking for donations. And the Chamber hopes to potentially have $72,000 at the ready by mid-July, according to a post on their Facebook Page:

“Response to the Schroon Lake Cares fundraiser has been fantastic, with over $12,000 raised in just 10 days...thanks to all who have already given. We hope to keep up - or exceed - this pace in order to really make a difference for our local businesses. The video campaign will continue next week with a new message...can we raise another $50,000 by mid-July? Every donation helps, so please consider making your gift today”.

You can click here to make a gift and watch the videos.

The “Schroon Lake Cares” fundraising campaign is led by Board members Darren Woods, who appears in the videos, David Peterson and Matt Curren.  More from the Chamber:

“Schroon Lake Cares is asking those who live in, visit, and love the Schroon Lake area to think about how much they would spend on dining, lodging, shopping and activities during the summer season, and then make a gift to directly support our local member businesses. The campaign will run through mid-July”

Schroon Starting To Look Like Schroon Pre-Pandemic!

“Oh, what a night, early June in 2020, Steve and Gary were so happy to see, dine in customers that were forced to flee, back on their patio.”.

That slightly mangled version of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ hit, sums up what was happening at Sticks and Stones Thursday night: Patio dining — for up to 60 people — open for all. (And Dogs).

After 79 days of curbside pick-up -- which is still available --  the restaurant’s out door dining reopening is one of the first signs Schroon is returning back to a modified version of “normal.”

Sticks is the trail blazer. leading the way for a number  of Schroon area businesses starting to embrace life in the pandemic and get ready to open their doors for customers.

The new beer Pavilion at Paradox brewery.

As of this writing, The Town Store, Pinecone Mercantile and the Paradox Brewery are among businesses finalizing plans to have their guests on their premises next week.

UPDATE: Brewery open as of 4/4/2020

At Paradox’s brewery in North Hudson, a new pavilion featuring picnic tables is in the final stages of completion, founders Paul and Joan Mrocka tell us.

“We will be opening  our outside taps station. We will be following all of the guidelines of social distancing and hand sanitizing,” Joan told us.

“We will have our picnic tables out and are encouraging folks to bring their own chairs and picnic blankets. We have plenty of space. We believe we can follow the rules of social distancing and create a safe and inviting environment.”

Paul says he’s been hearing from customers who miss the social interaction with their staff.

“We can accomplish and abide by the rules. We are looking forward to seeing the many people who have stayed in place, who are anxious to come see us.”

Paul says for now the tasting room will remain closed. An exact date of the re-opening will be announced next week.

Patti Mehm can’t wait to welcome new and old faces and  is over the moon to tell us that Town Store is opening Friday,

From Patti:

WELL WE DID IT.... OPENING Friday, June 4th, we are Covid ready for you! Normally, I would call this a soft opening, but this year I would say... welcome to our Rough opening! Unfortunately, most inventory has been delayed (they were paused also) but it's coming in every day now... we look forward to seeing you! Current hours: Friday & Saturday 10 - 4pm, Sunday 11-4pm”

Pine Cone Mercantile anticipates re-opening for walk-in business next Friday, June 12th. Proprietor Lisa Hess Marks has  a ton of new inventory. From Lisa:

“We're sprucing things up... getting new items in... and most importantly... PREPARING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT to welcome you back! More updates to follow!

Got news about re-openings in our area? Share in comments.

Breaking News: Breaking Ground on Schroon’s New Community Church Announced

We have some very good news to report this morning: the date for a ground breaking ceremony for Schroon’s new Community Church has been set: June, 3, 2020 at 10am. . And even better news? Construction starts the very next day. Here is the official announcement from the church: