Business notebook: Manhattan style at 10 Railraod Avenue

Warwick - Pepe Freijo was once a manager at the world famous Manhattan restaurant, Elaine’s. So it was no surprise that he would bring a little “Manhattan style” to Warwick when, in the early 1990s, he first opened his restaurant, 10 Railroad Avenue, at that particular address. Freijo is a native of northern Spain, and 10 Railroad Avenue, a favorite lunch and dinner spot for local residents as well as visitors, has been serving Spanish-Italian cuisine for more than 15 years. The Zagat-rated restaurant, housed in a building that was originally a hotel built in 1865, features a roomy, yet cozy, upstairs dining room along with a bar and café on the lower level. Recently, at the suggestion of his wife, Betsy, Freijo renovated portions of the downstairs area to create an intimate café with live weekend entertainment. Residents and visitors are discovering that it’s the place to be on Friday and Saturday evenings from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Freijo also is planning to open the area between the café and the bar; in warmer weather, the interior of the new café will open to connect with sidewalk tables facing the Village Park on Railroad Avenue. Ten Railroad Avenue also has changed its menu to offer more specials and lighter fare as well as some old favorites. The upstairs dining room, with its stone walls and fireplace, will, however, continue to offer more formal dining or be available for private parties. Ten Railroad Avenue is open for lunch weekdays, except Tuesdays when the restaurant is closed, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5-10 p.m. The hours on weekends are Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays noon to 8:30 p.m. Chamber news On Tuesday, Jan. 15, the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a “Power Networking Buffet Dinner” at the Iron Forge Inn in Bellvale from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will be open to all businesses in the area and, according to Executive Director Michael Johndrow, promises to provide a unique forum to up-sell individual businesses. The dinner is hosted by the Program Committee of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce. Each participant will be invited to speak about his or her business and what products or services each has to offer. This event is part of a monthly series of structured networking activities inclusive of breakfasts, lunches and after hour mixers. The fee for current chamber members will be $25. Non-members are also welcome at $35 per person. Advance reservations are required no later than Friday, Jan. 11. After that date, the cost for all will be $35. To make a reservation or to assist the program committee with future events, call Johndrow at the Chamber office at 986-2720 or e-mail: info@warwickcc.org or Paul@prcpa.biz. Business year in review Like most years, the Warwick business community saw openings, closings, good news and sad news in 2007. At the risk of missing a few, here is a sample of some of the highlights. When the year began, Mary Beth Schlichting had just assumed her new role as chair of the Warwick Merchants’ Guild. WTBQ launched its “Our Town” news show and, on a lighter note, Phoenician Palace introduced belly dancing on Saturday nights. There were some closings, including Port of Call, The Liquor Store of Warwick and The Card Spot, a business that had been on Main Street since 1926. But there were also new openings including La Montiel Dance, Diane Pell’s Photography Studio, Style Counsel Men, Country Life, Mama’s Boy, Iyengar Yoga Center of Warwick, Orchard Grove Animal Hospital, C&D Old World Bagels in Pine Island, Queen Village Nail & Spa, Mulberry Tree Learning and Silken Wool Home. In addition there were ownership or management changed at Curves, Ye Jolly Onion Inn, Raynor Country Real Estate and the Backyard Grill. Milestones included the 50th anniversary of Peck’s Wines and Spirits, celebrated by its 20-year owners Bill and Debbie Iurato. Creative Kids pre-school entered its 20th year. Jean Claude’s Artisan Bakery and Dessert Café celebrated its 10th and B. Page & Co., The Best of Everything along with Track 7 Postal Center celebrated their all-important first year anniversaries. Some businesses simply moved. Jubilee Presents Multi Cultural Arts and Dance is now at 87 Ronald Reagan Blvd. and its next door neighbor is Warwick Radio WTBQ (1110 AM). Contractor Robert Knebel moved from Warwick to a building in the Village of Florida, which he had completely restored. People in the news included Duane Albro who came on board as president and CEO of WVT Communications. Linda Glohs resigned her 10-year term as executive director of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce and after a careful search, the Chamber selected Michael Johndrow to fill that important position. In August, Warwick celebrated its 10th Ladies Night Out and the merchants selected Betty Garrison, a tireless volunteer, to be this year’s Queen for a Day. The importance of local businesses to the viability of Warwick did not go unnoticed. In October, WVT Communications’ Albro joined local officials to announce a joint initiative titled The Warwick Development Coalition. That same month State Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt hosted a small business forum at Town Hall and later launched a “Shop Local, Buy Local,” campaign. In 2007 Warwick also mourned the passing of Bill Raynor, 86, owner of Raynor’s Market and part owner of Raynor Realty, and George Antoniades, co-owner of G’s Restaurant.