Another Westchester restaurant has quietly closed after six years in business while an eight-year-old tavern will serve its last meal June 29. Both, however, will be turned into different dining establishments.
There was no social media post about Hudson Anchor's demise; their Instagram has disappeared and their Facebook page says "permanently closed" with the last post on May 3. Ceiling Anchor
In its place — and set to open sometime in the next two months — will be North River Oyster Bar, a new seafood eatery with an industrial decor from longtime restaurateurs Floria and Gino Uli who own Divino Cucina Italiana in Hastings and Hudson Prime in Irvington.
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The 75-seat Hudson Anchor opened in March 2018 with a nautical themed restaurant but after a year in business, the menu was changed to be more land-centric along with more diverse flavors.
First, the good news: This will still be a restaurant. New owners have bought it and word on the street is that it will be a kosher spot but that's not confirmed yet by The Journal News/lohud.
North End Tavern Owner Russ Baldasssarre said the sale has been in the works for a while and that he's selling — after eight years in business with mixed emotions. "It is overwhelmingly a positive thing," he said. "As unfortunately so many restaurants are simply closing due to lack of business, we have, for numerous reasons, chosen to just move on at this point. We had considerable interest in our space and were ultimately able to strike a deal with a new restaurant group."
The last day is June 29.
Baldasssarre, who's been in the business since he was 23 (he's turning 59 soon), said he has the energy but has lost some of the desire and willingness to devote the hours it takes to make a restaurant operate correctly. His restaurant was particularly hit hard during the pandemic when then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo deemed the Wykagyl area a containment zone. The neighborhood, at the time, became akin to a ghost town, though they helped feed first-responders and upped their takeout business.
Baldasssarre is particularly proud of how he and his staff got through what was definitely the worst of times. "North End Tavern has been great but not without its challenges," he said. "Surviving the pandemic first and foremost. Restaurant owners were probably put in the worst position of all. We are proud that we came through despitethe supply chain issues, rising food costs, staffing issues, and overbearing regulations."
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He added that the people of New Rochelle and the surrounding communities have been incredibly supportive over the years. "The amount of messages through Instagram, Facebook, and texts we have received since announcing our closure is gratifying. Aside from doing this for a living it tells us that we added to the community in a positive way. I will miss that."
The new restaurant group will be taking over the space July 1 and is planning approximately six weeks of renovation.
Email JRMuchnick@gannett.com with information about openings and closings.
Carriage Head Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.