Residents Concerned About New Burger Bar Coming to Hudson Valley

Owners of a new restaurant scheduled to open in the Hudson Valley are clapping back at online critics.

The proposed burger bar plans to serve grass-fed burgers, salads, craft beer, milkshakes and other menu items in a fun, casual atmosphere. While most people would see this as great news for the Hudson Valley, some residents have been critical of the new restaurant.

Owners of the Santa Fe Burger Bar say that the criticism is unfair and took to Facebook to set the record straight. The restaurant is scheduled to open this Fall in the building that used to occupy the Red Brick Tavern in Rosendale. Some residents voiced their concerns about a "chain" restaurant catering to non-residents taking over this historic spot. The building dates back to the 1890s and has become a local landmark.

Santa Fe co-owner, Annie Demosthenes, posted a lengthy message to the community on behalf of the restaurant explaining why they believe the criticism is unfair. While Santa Fe does operate four restaurants in the area, they say that they are far from a "chain." According to Demosthenes, each restaurant maintains its own variation of the menu, and have a different, unique atmosphere and decor.

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The post went on to address an article where one of the owners was quoted as saying they were looking forward to hosting hikers and weekenders at the new burger bar. Demosthenes says this was a mischaracterization of the restaurant's true goal of being a neighborhood spot that welcomes locals just as much as out-of-towners.

We are THRILLED to be welcomed into the Rosendale community and cannot wait to welcome Rosendale residents and Red Brick regulars to the Burger Bar. Additionally, we look forward to welcoming anyone into our restaurant. We are not interested in becoming exclusive to anyone.

The Santa Fe Burger Bar is scheduled to open up this Fall. Owners say they have signed a five-year lease on the building and hope to exercise an option to buy the property next year. You can read the entirety of the owner's lengthy comments addressing the criticism on their Facebook page.

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