The end of last week was quite a busy one.

FRIDAY
We delivered the site plans and permit application to the New York State Department of Health. (That’s a slice of the plan above…) We now have a couple weeks wait while the DOH review the plans.

SATURDAY
It was a trip to New Jersey for research. First off, dropped by Bourbon BBQ in Wyckoff, NJ for lunch and to get some ideas for the Hut. Same concept we are setting up: order here – pick up there, no plates/glasses just paper cups and baskets lined with wax paper. I had the brisket sandwich with a side of beans and slaw. Cherie went with the pulled pork and mac & cheese. Everything was pretty good (a little dry but good). The sides were a little bland, but certainly fine for what they were. Only one house sauce – a nice spicy sweet tomato based one. I picked up a pint of their rib rub because it was packages in a Chinese takeout box. Thinking I might “borrow” that idea for the Cha Cha Hut rubs.

Next up: IKEA. Probably the best – and least expensive – way to get the counters and furniture we need. Of course, going on a Saturday may not have been the wisest choice, but we did find everything we need to furnish the Hut. Once we have the DOH approval on our plan, we’ll be renting a truck and making a return trip to purchase – though we’ll be making that trip on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

SUNDAY
Our landlords are a group of folks who own several properties along Bridge Street. We had not met half of the partners until Sunday and they wanted to discuss our cook house. The meeting went great – much discussion of BBQ and our plans for the space. In the end, they gave us the go ahead to start the build on the cook house. We’re hoping to have the poles in this week and a completed smokehouse around Thanksgiving.

So now it is a waiting game. Waiting for the DOH to give it’s approval to our plan. Waiting for the cook house to be built. Waiting to see if we can find more funding. We’re finishing up the menu (keep tweaking the selection/pricing), shopping around for signage and continuing work on our recipes.

When: November 12, 2009 – 5:30pm
Where: Roxbury Arts Group, Vega Mountain Rd.
Contact: 607-326-7908

On Thursday November 12th, we’ll be bringing Stewbilation 2 to the Roxbury Arts Group for the Sponsors Dinner – an event RAG hosts for area businesses and organizations to promote sponsorship of the arts in our region.

If you are a local business owner – big or small – or interested in sponsoring arts in the Roxbury area, come to the Roxbury Arts Center on Vega Mtn. Road at 5:30pm. We’ll be serving Catskill Stew, Black Bean Stoup, smoked chicken wings, pulled chicken and – of course – our famous pulled pork. Wine and Beer will also be served along with other appetizers as RAG discusses their annual sponsorship program. This is all in an effort to convince you that becoming a Roxbury Arts Group Business Sponsor has lots of hidden benefits.

Call 607-326-7908 for more information about this exciting event.

We’ve signed the lease.
We have the keys.

…and now it begins…

We’re opening the Cha Cha Hut in Roxbury, NY – next to The Roxbury in the old deli location. We’ll be updating this site with our progress – from submitting our plans to painting to the building of the cook house and beyond. Here’s your chance to watch the Cha Cha Hut as it becomes a reality.