After months of delays, work moves ahead

43 Main St. nearly done; 42-44 coming along

By Manor Ink Staff

Livingston Manor, NY – The end is finally in sight. After a lot of time and sweat, the buildings at 42-44 Main Street in this hamlet are closing in on the end of their construction, while the renovations at 43 Main Street are very near completion.

Both the structures faced numerous hurdles. “The issues with the 42-44 Main Street building were related to the failure of the original contractor to follow the plans, which compromised the integrity of the building,” explained Randy Lewis, principal owner. “It was a complex renovation in the first place, given the desire to save the original 42 Main structure.”

Meanwhile, across the street at 43 Main, problems developed once the work was started when it was discovered that significant work was required to remediate major structural deficiencies in the foundation of the building.

The popular restaurant Café 43 will soon reopen with a brand new kitchen and slightly expanded dining area. The area which was formerly occupied by Manor Pharmacy will be able to accommodate a new commercial tenant.

Across the street, 42 Main will have commercial space on the first level and offices on the second floor. Interestingly, 44 Main, now just a slab, will have a prefab structure dropped onto it to accommodate a new restaurant.

E.S. Builders of Tyler Hill, PA, is the contractor that took over work on the projects. Owner Ethan Sale took Manor Ink through the buildings for a sneak preview. 42 Main was still a work in process, but its space had a bright feel due to large windows that afford views of the Willowmoc Creek and of Main Street. Sale said there will also be decks on the sides and back of the building, adding that the structure has used the latest eco-friendly construction designs.

The Café 43 space in the pharmacy building is nearly complete and was very light and airy, too. “We basically had to replace the floor and all the framing as there was so much rot in there so it set back the new opening to do things right,” Sale said.

“It was a long process, and we are happy and relieved that the buildings are almost complete,” said Randy Lewis. “We look forward to welcoming the public in.”

Reporter Othello St. John contributed to this story.