Burleigh's looks to past, future

TICONDEROGA | Burleigh's Luncheonette called on the past to propel it into the future on Thursday, May 12, cutting the ribbon and unpapering the plate glass windows to reveal a gleaming enclave of black checkerboard, turquoise, neon and chrome that practically begged for a sock hop and a '57 Chevy. "This is a historic moment," said Burleigh's owner Mark Barber, citing the diner's roots in downtown Ticonderoga, which date back to the 1930s. More than 50 people thought the same thing, turning out on a toasty May afternoon to be among the first to get a glimpse of the makeover. "This shows how much community support there is in Ticonderoga," said Assemblyman Matt Simpson. "Small businesses like this are the backbone of the community, and the community needs to support them." Simpson says every time he comes to Ticonderoga he notices positive change. "All you have to do is look up and down the street to see the improvement," he said. Several who spoke characterized Burleigh's not just as a restaurant, but as a rite of passage. "This has a special place in my heart," said Bob Dedrick, whose family owned and worked at the diner for a time. "I'm so excited about this — it will be going for another hundred years." Precluded from attending by a prior commitment, Ti Supervisor Mark Wright issued a proclamation, congratulating the Barber family and offering his own remembrances. "I remember this place from childhood, and the expansion reminds me of those happy days," he said. He also called Burleigh's a centerpiece of downtown revitalization. "It's an exciting time for Ticonderoga; Ti's heartbeat is getting stronger, and we've seen a lot of people thinking outside the box," he said. "The last several years have been a challenge for us all," Barber said "It has certainly also been a challenging experience completely renovating Burleigh's Luncheonette while keeping specific aspects of its historic charm that the community knows and loves. We are honored to be part of such an amazing region and a collaborative business community dedicated to our continued collective success. We love where we live and want to do all we can to assist the community in its continued growth." "We truly are small towns with big opportunities," said Erin Mullen, Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce member service and event manager. "We are so thankful for the constant commitment of our local businesses and organizations as well as our community members and visitors."

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Burleigh's looks to past, future

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