Black Bear Restaurant under new ownership

POTTERSVILLE | A beloved local eatery off of Exit 26 on the Northway that has stood the test of time has finally changed hands, and as luck would have it, the new owners already know a thing or two about running a successful restaurant. Dave Sweeney and Amy Quant are now the proprietors of the Black Bear and will be bringing their expertise to the table. "We truly understand what the Black Bear means to this community," Quant assured. "We respect the legacy that Butch, Patti, and the Stetson family created. We feel their success every time someone talks to us about the history of the Black Bear." In the 1950s, Bill and Delva Stetson purchased the property previously owned by the Meade family and turned it into the Black Bear Restaurant. It would remain in the family for generations, with Robert "Butch" Stetson and his wife Patti being the last family members to own and operate the local institution. "I read an article on the wall at the restaurant, and the last line Butch said that when they sell the business it wouldn't be to the family, and he said that would be tough," Quant shared. "We want to build something that will make Butch and his late wife Patti proud." When the opportunity to purchase the Black Bear came up, it seemed to be an obvious move. Having patronized the business a handful of times themselves, Quant and Sweeney observed that the bar was always full of local faces, and with the heavy flow of Northway and campsite traffic, the location was ideal to retain valued regulars, attract new patrons, and cement another successful business for the Adirondacks. According to Sweeney, this far, the reception from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, fueling the couple's eagerness to deliver on their promise of keeping a tradition not only alive, but seeing it thrive and deliver a high-quality dining experience. "It's been unbelievable, way beyond what we ever expected," Sweeney expressed. "People are very excited; we have met quite a few and they have been very welcoming." Sweeney and Quant are well-known for their Indian Lake establishment that they have operated since 2021, Sweeney's Irish Pub. Acclaimed for its signature dishes like their in-house cooked turkey and fresh corned beef, fish and chips, Shepard's Pie, Irish Rodeo Burger, and signature Irish eggrolls. Aware of the legacy they are taking on and the established customer base's firmly rooted expectations, they will be looking to build on what has worked for years with tried-and-true favorites, while adding their own flair to the business. "If you have visited the Pub, you know we have delicious food, great cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere," Quant said. "Our hope is that we can bring those same elements that have made us successful to our new location." The menu from Indian Lake will now be incorporated at the Black Bear, in addition to the favorite dishes that Black Bear customers enjoyed. Draft beer will be available for the first time, with eight different taps carrying Guinness, Smithwick's Irish Ale, some local breweries such as Paradox, and other popular selections. Drinks will be enjoyed at the new bar top that Sweeney installed himself, as well as the new floor. Quant envisions a full bar menu with craft cocktails, as well as Margarita Mondays and other fun varieties during the week. Karaoke and open mic will continue, and new activities will be added as time goes on. Just like always, beginning at 6:30 a.m., the dining area will be open for breakfast, with the kitchen open seven days a week until 9 p.m. Sweeney noted that in the post-COVID era, the restaurant industry has been faced with new hardships, such as finding and retaining reliable staff and rising operating costs. And though their business has not been immune to those same challenges, Sweeney and Quant have been able to keep Sweeney's Irish Pub a profitable and busy location and will bring that same formula to the Black Bear. "Restaurants are not the only ones hurting, it can be seen in every field," Sweeney observed. "The work ethic has slipped from America. That is why a lot of people have cut down on being open three or four days a week. But you can't have a successful business on three to four days a week, you have the coolers and freezers that are constantly running 24/7, National Grid is sky high and so are gas and propane prices. It is a lot and it is expensive." That being said, both Sweeney and Quant will continue to be strong presences at both restaurants, recognizing that establishments with strong owner and managerial involvement in the trenches with their employees are the ones that thrive. "There will always be obstacles, but the most important thing is to have satisfied customers," Sweeney said. And at the Black Bear, all the previous staff members who wanted to stay on under the new ownership team were welcomed, their loyalty and familiar faces appreciated on the new adventure. New staff members for both front-of-house and back-of-house are also looking to be added. Quant said the focus going forward in Pottersville, just as in Indian Lake, will be customer retention. "We really pride ourselves on good food, good hospitality, good cocktails, and being a very welcoming place for people to come back to," she said. "I always say, 'You will come back. It may not be this week, it may be two or three years from now, but you will come back.' That is what we want to accomplish." Those interested in a position at Sweeney's Irish Pub 2 and the Black Bear Restaurant are encouraged to reach out to Quant at amysquant@yahoo.com. The restaurant is located at 7882 State Route 9, Pottersville, NY 12860.

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Black Bear Restaurant under new ownership

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