Environmental impact would be disastrous if Stewart’s replaced Smitty’s

To the Editor:

I am writing to clarify some things in the letter to the editor I recently wrote regarding Stewart’s Shops pursuing the purchasing of Smith’s Tavern and the Mobil Station in the village of Voorheesville.  I do believe that Jon McClelland and John Mellen, the owners of Smith’s (otherwise fondly known as Smitty’s) have the right to sell their restaurant.

They have both worked hard at Smitty’s, and I wish them nothing but the best.  But as a resident of the village, I just do not feel that that site is a good fit for a new Stewart’s Shop.

Presently, Smith’s Tavern is the only bar/restaurant in the town of New Scotland, and the village of Voorheesville. Correct me if I am wrong, but the town of New Scotland has Stewart’s Shops in Voorheesville, Slingerlands, Feura Bush, and Clarksville, and, in the towns surrounding us, I can think of another six.

Do we really need another Stewart’s, and a big-box Stewart’s in our quaint village at that? Will I be sad if and when the doors of Smitty’s close forever? Absolutely.

However, the point that I am making is that that site is just not right for Stewart’s Shops, and I feel that the environmental impact would be disastrous. We don’t know what the impact to the fantastic trout stream running behind the tavern would be if the site were to be torn up and built on; this must be taken into account.

If this were to happen in another town, to another iconic restaurant and site that has been a part of the community for decades, I believe that the community would respond in the same way.  The petition that has been circulating is not to stop the sale of Smitty’s, but is to simply let Stewart’s Shops know that the community does not support their vision and would like to see them seek another location.

Just as John and Jon have the right to sell their business, we as a community have the right to voice our opinion about the type of business that might possibly replace the only business of its kind in town.  I just think that there is a better solution; Stewart’s is not the answer.

Janis Dunham Relyea

Voorheesville

More Letters to the Editor

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.