New life for historic hamlet restaurant

Yes, the rumor is true. The old Freehold House has reopened. Since 1795 the historic inn at the corner of Routes 67 and 32 has seen many owners and welcomed an endless number of guests. Today, after several years of dark dining rooms and cold ovens, the local landmark has a new proprietor and a new name. Hamlet at the Freehold House is now under the guidance and supervision of Chef J. Lance Moore and his family. The name comes from both Moores love of Shakespeare and the fact that the restaurant is located in a quaint hamlet. I really want this to become part of the community, said Moore. And I cannot say enough about the welcome weve received. If you think Moores name sounds familiar, you are probably right. The Voorheesville resident brings more than 40 years of fine dining experience to Hamlet, including working as a chef at the Rensselaerville Institute and founding Justins on Lark Street in downtown Albany. Moore is no stranger to Freehold either he learned to fly airplanes at the Freehold airport some 40 years ago. I have an affinity for Greene County, said Moore. I saw an opportunity here. In 2011 Moore got a call from a friend in Rensselaerville letting him know about a prospect for a new restaurant. At the request of the Town of Greenville, the Greene County Industrial Development Agency had recently acquired the Freehold House at no cost from a New York City lender that had foreclosed and was looking for a tax writeoff. Town officials had requested the IDA get involved in lieu of the property being handed over to a tax-exempt religious group. The IDA, while also holding an exempt status, is currently paying taxes. Under federal tax law, since the property was obtained at no cost, the IDA is prohibited from selling for five years. In

Chef J. Lance Moore (left) is the new proprietor of the old Freehold House at the corner of Routes 67 and 32. Moore and his family, including his wife April (right of Moore), have named the new restaurant Hamlet.

the meantime, IDA officials were looking to lease the restaurant to a potential buyer who would be a good, longterm fit for the community. The Greene IDA was fortunate that Lance expressed interest in helping us restore a viable business at the property and allow us to keep our commitment to the community that the property would not be removed from the tax rolls, said Rene VanShaack, interim executive director of the IDA. Startup of a restaurant is a significant undertaking even in the best of economies and we will continue to work with Lance to help make the inn the success it was in the past. After meeting with IDA officials, Moore signed a lease, was handed the keys and got to work a lot of work. More than a year later, Hamlet opened this past Christmas week. We were going for a soft opening so everyone could get their feet wet, Moore said, noting that he started

with a limited menu and did not advertise so the staff of 17 had time to adjust. We opened on Thursday, December 20 and right after Christmas I thought would be nice and slow, Moore said. He was wrong. Friday was mobbed it seemed like anyone who was anyone was here. We flipped the dining room two and a half times, said Moore. We were not up to par yet so I apologize to anyone not taken care of properly, and we look forward to having a second chance. Currently Hamlet is open Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a pub menu and happy hour from 9 to 11 p.m. The menu is still limited, but there is plenty to choose from, including burgers, salads, sandwiches and soups for lunch, and steaks, chicken, pasta and fresh seafood for dinner. Small parties or meetings can be held in a private room

within the restaurant. Moore is also planning a pick-up station for take-out orders where patrons can call ahead for an order and stay in their warm car. Wifi is also available, The atmosphere at Hamlet is reflective of the welcoming warmth of a colonial inn and the restaurants catchphrase from Shakespeares Taming of the Shrew, eat and drink as friends. For more information, check o ut H a m le t s we b s it e sites.google.com/site/ hamletfoodatfreeholdhouse, find them on Facebook at Hamlet Food at the Freehold House, shoot them at e ma i l a t h a m let.freeholdhouse@gmail.com or call 518-634-2440.

Published in The Greenville Pioneer on January 25, 2013.