By Pamela Fisher
After 57 years in operation, The Montcalm Restaurant, located at Route 9 off Exit 20 in Queensbury, will close its current location. The establishment’s owner, Dean Beckos, said the restaurant will remain open for a final summer season, and the official closing will likely happen after Labor Day.
“A developer has purchased the property and we understand there are plans for a retail shopping center, but we don’t know that for sure,” said Beckos. “While we sold the property and the building, we have not sold the trademark, the menu, or the restaurant’s contents.”
Beckos said he and his staff have intentions to stay in the restaurant business, relocate, remain in the general area and operate as a full year-round establishment. He also intends to keep many of the current establishment’s details in the next location, by including the same artwork, pine cabinets, and painting the ceiling red.
“I tell my customers you will never know you are in a different restaurant,” he said. “We probably won’t find a log cabin,” Beckos said, “But we are looking to open a restaurant with a cocktail lounge. We will probably go with a smaller scale operation of about 65 seats plus some bar seating.”
The Montcalm Restaurant originally opened in 1956 under the supervision of Beckos’ parents, Josie and Gus Beckos, and has remained in the family ever since. In the 1970s, the Beckos family ran the Montcalm North and Montcalm South, but closed the Montcalm North to focus on the one restaurant.
The Montcalm Restaurant sits near the French Mountain Commons section of the Lake George Factory Outlets, an area that is popular with tourists during the summer months. Beckos said his customers have offered “tremendous support” since he announced the property has been purchased.
“It is our intent to resurface somewhere else,” said Beckos. “And leaving has been a heartwarming experience, for sure.”
The Montcalm Restaurant is still open seven days a week for lunch and dinner until its closing. For more information call 793-6601.