By MATT LINDSEY

PARISHVILLE -- The new owner of the Timber Tavern says his number one priority is changing the stigma and reputation of the establishment from a ‘rough party venue’ to a 21st Century pub appealing to a larger demographic.

The Timber Tavern, 2024 State Highway 72, is tentatively scheduled to open the second week of June serving food, and plans to start selling alcohol sometime around July 1, according to owner Ben Clicquennoi of Potsdam. The opening date, he says, hinges on licenses and permits.

“I am 27 years old and own a bar and restaurant, things definitely could be worse…this has been a goal of mine for some time now,” Clicquennoi said.

The Parishville landmark has had several owners over the years, including the last owner John Blevins, who officially sold the establishment to Clicquennoi April 15.

“Once I heard it was available I knew I was interested. It was a great deal that included the existing business, acreage and a commercial septic system. I couldn't have built it for what I paid,” he said.

Clicquennoi said he attended Emory University in Atlanta, GA, earning a degree in entrepreneurship, and learned the ins-and-outs of the restaurant business from his father Bruce, who owns Eben’s Hearth in Potsdam.

“It was too good of a situation to pass up…things fell into place and I had a lot of positive feedback from the community about buying it,” he said.

Clicquennoi says he plans to use local connections including his ties to Eben’s to help in getting started. They may use the “Big Beer’ system which rewards frequent customers with discounts and more.

The menu will be progressive, modern American food with fresh ingredients and featuring several choices of burgers, steaks, wings and sandwiches as well as a variety of appetizers, he said.

The changes don't end with the menu as renovations have been done to give a new look and feel to the establishment.

“It was pretty rough inside…we installed new flooring, a bar top and updated signage,” he said. “For the first time ever, the place will offer a point-of-sale (POS) system.”

Clicquennoi sees the Timber Tavern as 50 percent bar and 50 percent restaurant.

“I want this to be a place where there is something for everyone, he said.

Four or five televisions are expected to be installed soon and would be used to screen a variety of sporting events.

“In the past the Timber has been open and closed off and on…we will be open year-round providing permanent jobs here in the North Country. I think it is important to provide work for people and a good place to go out and eat at,” he said.

Clicquennoi anticipates employing around a dozen employees and says he will be a hands-on owner.

The Timber Tavern plans to operate noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to midnight on weekends.

“I think having a restaurant-oriented person running it should help the business do well. I want this place be very clean and respectable…no fights, no beer bottles in the parking lot; things like that,” he said.