New Businesses Coming to Middleburgh

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Several new businesses are ready to open in the Village of Middleburgh in the next few months.

A new ice cream parlor on Railroad Avenue, a new restaurant at the corner of Wells Avenue and Main Street, a health remedy and yoga shop on Main Street, and more are in the works.

The finishing touches are being put on the Forget Me Not Soda Shoppe on Railroad Avenue, in the rear of the same building as Lisa Tenneson's real estate office.

Other new businesses were discussed at Monday night's village board meeting.

Code Enforcement Officer Rick Fink said applications have been received to open a health remedy and food shop and yoga shop in the former location of the Green Wolf on Main Street.

He has also received applications for a new restaurant/bar at the corner of Wells Avenue and Main Street at the former location of the Green Iguana/Hen and the Hound/Valley View Liquidators, and the Middleburgh library.

The restaurant would only be allowed to serve wine and beer but not hard alcohol since it is so close to two churches, Mr. Fink noted. The owners have applied for a liquor license.

There was some discussion on the lack of parking for the location.

Trustee Bob Tinker noted that the owners of the Hen and the Hound, which closed during the pandemic, had an arrangement with the Catholic Church to use the parking lot behind the restaurant, as did the Green Iguana. A similar arrangement may be set up for the new restaurant, which is being opened by the owners of Valley View Liquidators on Main Street.

Mr. Fink noted that some people parked on the street when the other restaurants were open at the location and there were some complaints about the parking.

Trustee Bob Tinker said there seemed to be a lot of work going on at the restaurant location and items were being taken out.

Mr. Fink said he checked with the owners and they said only painting is being done. If more work is being done, a stop work order could be issued.

In addition to those three businesses, the town village/town planning board has given approval for a Middle Eastern convenience store across from the former Grand Union/mattress store, the mushroom grower in the former Mill Farm may open a retail establishment, and a warehouse is being eyed for the former Grand Union location.