Stewart’s shops threatened to sue if Voorheesville’s planning commission required an in-depth environmental review of its proposal to build a store with gas pumps in the village, which the company calls an unlawful delaying tactic. Nevertheless, the commission proceeded; its chairwoman said of Stewart’s, “They can sue us or decide to work with us.”

Stewart’s Shops has exercised its option to buy Smith’s Tavern although the special-use permit that would allow for gas pumps has not been decided upon.

Susan Hawkes-Teeter, Berne

A lawyer representing the owners said, “Smitty’s is going to close. Period. What is going in there...will not drastically affect village lives.” 

Stewart’s Shops has yet to open a store in the Hilltowns, but is set to announce a new location in either Berne or Knox by next month. Both town supervisors are vying for the spot, saying that it would help their town, while local businesses are wary of competitors.

Gertrude Smith will celebrate her 88th birthday in the place she considers her second home — Smith’s Tavern. She and her husband ran the Voorheesville eatery for decades.

Stewart’s Shops, which had inspired controversy in two neighboring villages, is now doing an upgrade in its Altamont store, having been turned down on an expansion plan there.

Wednesday night, the village board deferred taking action on a moratorium that would have suspended the construction of gas stations in Voorheesville for six months.

Stewart’s has bought the house next to its Altamont store. A year ago, the village board declined to change the zoning of that parcel from residential to commercial, nixing plans Stewart’s had for expansion.

Stewart’s Shops planned to buy Smith’s Tavern, a popular Voorheesville eatery, and put a gas station and convenience store on Maple Avenue but now, says Chuck Marshall, representing Stewart’s, the village wants to block the project with a moratorium on gas stations while it searches for a new well site.