How can we help local restaurants? Take the Poll!
Also, Jacob Houston, Plant Sale, More!
By Darren Johnson
Journal & Press
Let’s start today’s newsletter with a poll.
This is inspired by some recent Facebook posts I’ve seen about area restaurant closings, following a larger trend where most food-based businesses can’t get a foothold here, especially since the pandemic.
We at the Journal & Press did a big food series this spring, visiting about 20 area eateries, trying to help them with free publicity.
But it appears many local restauranteurs struggle here in Washington County, even in the summer, when we have second homeowners and the occasional day trippers to maybe fill empty booths. What do you think the problem is?
None of the above is meant to be critical, and some restaurants are doing quite well here, but, many more are apparently struggling.
When I was very young, my parents opened a bar/restaurant in Rome, NY, that didn’t last very long. It seemed to have a country western theme sometimes, but other memories suggest it had go-go dancers.
I have a copy of their old menu. It’s pretty haphazard and miscellaneous. I’d looked back in newspaper archives to see if they ran ads in the newspaper there; they mostly didn’t. I found one tiny ad that didn’t really capture the imagination.
Later, someone else took over the property, went with a night-club dance theme and the place was wildly popular with a packed parking lot night after night. I went a few times when I was in high school — it was frenetic, loud and sweaty. The owner was making big bucks.
In college, I worked in a restaurant and learned to cook via that experience. Gun to my head, I think I could run a small restaurant. But I also know it’s a hell of a lot of work. Work I don’t want to do at this point in my life.
Really, it’s not about the food — that’s the mistake I think a lot of restauranteurs are making — I see they only post food pics online — but it’s really about the experience.
A vacated bar/restaurant not far from where I live in Clarks Mills has been languishing on the market, its asking price continuing to drop.
I drive by and try to wrap my head around what it would be like to own it. To create a venue that is comfortable enough to get year-round local business, but not too comfortable that it just becomes a dive for the same handful of regulars — who then scare away visitors from outside the area. The place would have to be interesting and inviting enough so that out-of-towners might come, but not so pretentious and overpriced that the people who live in the area feel disrespected.
It’s a near-impossible balancing act.
(Owning a local newspaper requires a similar balancing act.)
And how would people hear about this business? It seems most local businesses just post on Facebook and not much else when it comes to marketing. But Facebook can be an echo chamber; someone posting thinks they are getting the word out, but really it’s the same 12 people you’re reaching.
I’d probably do a combination of PR, regular newspaper advertising and video storytelling to get the word out. Add in some publicity stunts, say a kite-flying contest with Elvis impersonators parachuting in. Sponsor everything. People see business sponsorship logos in support of local charities. I’m surprised I don’t see more such logos on charity posters in town.
Though the vast majority of businesses do fail — everywhere in the USA — especially restaurants (and newspapers, though more slowly) — so let’s not think this is a local problem only.
Just perhaps some of the above could be considered friendly advice for any local readers who do own a business and would like to get a few more customers.
I admire those who give it a try, like my parents did.
Especially considering traditional office jobs may soon be extinct due to AI, we all may want to consider starting a business!
Heritage Hunters
Heritage Hunters will meet Saturday, July 19th, at 1 pm at the Town of Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring St. in Schuylerville. Bobbi Reno, historian for the town of East Greenbush, will present the program “The Illegal Execution of Pvt. Samuel Helms.” Samuel Helms, stationed in Ulster County during the War of 1812, was arrested and charged with desertion in 1813 and brought to the U. S. Army post, the Greenbush Cantonment, to face a court martial. His execution took place later in 1813. Bobbie’s 15 year research shows that he should only have been charged with going AWOL. She is determined to have his name cleared and to locate his grave. Public is welcome. For information call 518-885-9309.
Jacob Houston Popup
Greenwich artist Jacob Houston has been busy the past couple of years building a future art gallery with his dad and others at 65 Bypass Road in Greenwich. It is something that he has dreamed about since he began his art business as a young teenager. Soon he will have a place to display his many works permanently in an inviting setting. Opening of the Jacob Houston Art Gallery is anticipated for late April of 2026.
Until then, Jacob will continue his Pop Up Art Shows at 2432 State Route 29 in Greenwich. The next scheduled show will be on Saturday and Sunday, July 26th and 27th from 11am to 4 pm. There will be a display of new art as well as other originals, prints, greeting cards, note cards, postcards, Christmas cards and his popular 2026 calendar. You can also check out the progress of his future gallery while here.
Jacob is also pleased to report that the book by author Marie Grimmke entitled Winter of the Green Ghost will be released shortly. The cover of this wonderful book was created by Jacob. Marie Grimmke brings in many recognizable Greenwich sites and some of its history as she weaves an engaging tale filled with danger, romance, and small town kindness.
Plant Sale
Hudson Crossing Park will host their yearly Pollinator Plant Sale and Workshop on Sunday, July 20th, 2025 from 9 am-12pm. Hudson Crossing Park gardening experts will be onsite to provide guidance on plant selection.and will lead a tour through the gardens and allee of oaks at 10am.
Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase from a selection of over 30 different species of native plants. The plants available have been grown from locally sourced seeds, including some from Hudson Crossing Park’s very own gardens. The plant selection includes a variety of light and moisture conditions, heights, colors, flower shapes, and bloom times. Marsh Marigold, Northern Blueflag, Turtlehead, varieties of Aster and Coneflower, and much, much more will be available for purchase.
This plant sale and tour, part of the On the Canals program sponsored by the New York State Canal Corporation, is free to the public to attend. All abilities and disabilities are welcome. Please go to the Hudson Crossing Park website for more information on accessibility.
And Now for the Comics — ‘Gasoline Alley’ by Jim Scancarelli
More tomorrow!
As far as the restaurants go, I am philosophically opposed to eating factory farmed meat and products that are made from GMO corn and soybeans (which is mostly every processed food or ingredient there is) so I try to avoid them whenever possible. Unless it’s a farm to table type of place where I trust their sources, that leaves me with only vegetarian options. Many local restaurants do not offer more than a salad or something like mac and cheese, and who wants to go out for salad?