By MATT LINDSEY

North Country Now

POTSDAM – Crush Bistro, formerly First Crush, has a new owner and new seasonal menu with an emphasis on local products.

Corey Foster purchased the eatery in November from Geri Barney, the previous owner. Foster, who had worked with Barney in the past during catering events, learned the ropes of owning the business this past fall before taking over.

He said Barney reached out to him and he took the opportunity as owning a business is something he has wanted to do for a long time.

“It’s been great, everything is trending the right way and people seem pleased,” Foster said.

Foster attended Paul Smith’s College before venturing out west to Orange County in California. He has brought back some ideas of the culinary cuisine he experienced while away from St. Lawrence County.

“We want to offer more options for the area,” he said. “Bring something new, new ideas … smaller plates.”

On those plates will be locally sourced beef from his parents’ farm in Canton as well as food from local cheese makers.

The menu will depend on what is fresh at the time.

One other change since Foster took over is that the restaurant is now open on Friday and Saturday for dinner, as well as during the day on Monday.

This past weekend there was duck and tuna steak on the menu for dinner with lunch offerings available too.

Opening on Mondays has been a big hit so far. Quite a few restaurants are closed Mondays and Foster saw a need and an opportunity.

“The hospital has been great,” he said. The café has made deliveries in Canton because of a lack of options there, he said.

The eatery sports a fresh coat of paint and new décor.

New tables and chairs should arrive soon. Upgraded kitchen equipment is also in the works.

Foster said the “patience (of customers) has been incredible during the transition.”