'THIS IS WHAT POUGHKEEPSIE NEEDS': THE GOVERNESS, NEW WATERFRONT RESTAURANT, MAKES DEBUT.

Set right on the Hudson River, The Governess is located on a prime spot, with great views from the deck and from the vintage-decorated restaurant and bar.

The Governess had its grand opening on Thursday, July 25, and the community came out to celebrate the long-awaited debut at 1 Main St.

Melanie Lemieux, owner and co-founder of ESS Hospitality, got the keys to the former Ice House in Poughkeepsie in April. With two restaurants in Queens already — The Baroness and The Huntress — this was quite the undertaking in such a short period of time.

However, ESS Hospitality was able to get The Governess up and running. Lemieux said she was glad on Thursday to be able to just enjoy the day after a hectic past few months, and was ready to welcome patrons into the new restaurant.

The City of Poughkeepsie and The Governess: A blooming partnership

The Mayor of Poughkeepsie, Yvonne Flowers, was in attendance for the grand opening and said she likes how The Governess has brought back energy to the waterfront.

"This is something we needed for families around here," she said.

The original request for proposals sent out by the City of Poughkeepsie in October 2023 specified the necessity for a partnership between public and private works, encouraging the use of the venue for events to tie in Waryas Park.

Lemieux already has plans in motion to do just that, with the first event planned for mid-to-late August.

City Administrator Joseph P. Donat said the partnership between The Governess and the City of Poughkeepsie is something the city couldn't be happier about.

"It's going to bring life back down to this little area in a way we haven't seen," Donat said.

What community members have to say about The Governess

Lisa Puleo works at the Poughkeepsie Post Office and delivers to The Governess, so when she heard about the opening coming up she had to come out to support the new venture.

Puleo remembers when the spot used to be the Ice House and the restaurant that was there afterward, but she has a special feeling about The Governess. Puleo said they have a good thing going here.

"I've heard people say, 'Oh, nothing ever makes it there,' but you know what, if anything has a chance of making it, I think it's this place," she said. "I think this is what the city needs."

Jessie Sewell has been boating on the Hudson River for 40 years and has been waiting for this venue to reopen so she can bring her boat up to the dock once again.

"Anything on the water is a goldmine," she said.

Judy Creedon and her husband, Bob Creedon, have lived together in the area for close to 45 years. Judy Creedon said "it's always a shame" when the venue is vacant, so it's wonderful to have The Governess here to bring people together again.

However, she noted it's exciting and encouraging that someone who is not from Poughkeepsie saw the potential in this spot and the value in this location. Creedon said as this is her home, "it's easy for me" to say this spot is worth investing in.

Bob Creedon mentioned the proximity of The Governess to the Walkway Over the Hudson, and how many potential customers they may see with such a huge tourist attraction for the state so close by.

Learn about Lemieux: This Queens brand is expanding in the mid-Hudson Valley

What's next for The Governess?

The first event Lemieux has planned for The Governess in August is one she's done before at The Baroness for the past few years. They host dog beauty pageants, with well-known judges, live entertainment and sponsors in the works, like Tito's.

In the fall, they'll be taking advantage of the patio around Halloween for a festival, decked out with a haybale maze and also host a costume contest. For winter, they're hoping to bring a holiday market to The Governess and Waryas Park, too.

For more information on The Governess, check out the website at thebaronessbar.com/TheGovernessBar.html. They're open six days a week (closed Monday) from 4-11 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: 'This is what Poughkeepsie needs': The Governess, new waterfront restaurant, makes debut.

2024-07-26T18:55:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd