Heather O’Neill is leasing the bottom floor of the B.B. Fowler building at 190 Glen St. and will soon open 190 Grille & Cinema, a restaurant with food, movies and entertainment.
BY LIZ WITBECK
Heather O’Neill, a veteran of the restaurant industry in the area, is continuing in that field with a new restaurant in downtown Glens Falls.
O’Neill is leasing the bottom floor of the B.B. Fowler building at 190 Glen Street, the same location that used to house Aimie’s Dinner and Movie.
The restaurant, 190 Grille & Cinema, will feature the same concept of customers eating and watching movies.
“We’re taking the same concept and just going a step further with it,” O’Neill said.
“I have been wanting to be in downtown Glens Falls since the mid-90s,” she said. “It’s a perfect fit. This is a great time to be a part of the downtown community.” Aimie’s Dinner and Movie operated for 12 years downtown. Owners Kerry and Sandy Metivier decided to sell the restaurant to focus more on their thoroughbred horse business.
O’Neill plans to open 190 Grille & Cinema in January. At press time, she was putting the finishing touches on renovations and waiting for the liquor license to be approved.
Wallabee’s Jazz Bar used to operate in the same location. O’Neill is planning on turning that space into a more casual, tavern-style atmosphere. The walls will be repainted, and new seating, including booths, will be added. Inside of the theaters, the seating will be upgraded.
O’Neill will also be utilizing the outdoor area during nice weather months, which was not done under the previous owners.
The menu at 190 Grille & Cinema will be revamped. “It’s going to be upscale, casual food,” said O’Neill.
The restaurant will offer a variety of salads and sandwiches. Kale caesar salad and dishes with arugula will likely be on the menu. O’Neill enjoys macaroni and cheese with unique twists, with some of her favorites being pulled pork macaroni and cheese and butternut squash macaroni and cheese. Guests can also expect flatbread pizzas and crepes.
The cinema will be open for lunch and dinner every day. Additionally, 190 Grille & Cinema will serve brunch on the weekends.
The bar, located in the lobby, will continue to offer beer, wine and mixed drinks.
There are two theaters in the building, both converted from 35mm film to digital technology. At 190 Grille & Cinema, first-run movies will be shown on the big screen. O’Neill plans to run classic movies at the cinema as well, on nights she calls “Throwback Thursdays.”
O’Neill plans to use the theater space in creative ways for more than just film. In February, she is planning to hold a Super Bowl party, where guests can come in, order pizzas, appetizers, and watch the game on large movie screens.
Other potential uses for the space include holding brunches for different groups, conferences, and movie festivals.
“The possibilities are endless with what we can do with the space,” said O’Neill.
O’Neill has owned and operated several restaurants in the Glens Falls area. She is best known for the Olde Post Grille, which she operated for 13 years before closing it late last year.
“Change is good. It’s time to move on. I won’t forget where we came from,” said O’Neill.
She also operates three food trailers, including O’Pablos, a food truck featuring Mexican items, and Cheesy Does It, a truck featuring grilled cheese dishes.