BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG – The Window eatery will be coming to the Ogdensburg Dobisky Center soon.

Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly said he was pleased to get someone back in the visitors center eatery, which has been open only a handful of seasons over the past decade.

City council unanimously approved a lease agreement to Matthew Rose for six months at a cost of $250 a month following a public hearing which drew no comments from the public at a special meeting May 18.

Rose plans to sell burgers, turkey melts, loaded fries and other “simple food done well.” He also plans to get a license to sell beer and wine.

He said he intends to keep the restaurant open year round, however the city’s six month lease is intended to allow him the opportunity to determine the feasibility of operating in the off season.

Rose said he hopes to be open the first week of June, but said there could be more hurdles to clear before he can pin down a date.

The owner said he decided to pull the trigger on The Window because of his experience working in kitchens.

“I feel like any and everyone who has ever worked in a restaurant always talks about what they would if they had their own place and I guess I’m the same. I remember when I first moved back to Ogdensburg about 3 years ago and heard they rent that out, I walked into the center and told them I’d like to rent it out,” he said.

Rose said he was born and raised in Ogdensburg and remembers Sno Cone Joes was the spot he hung out as a kid.

“I’d honestly be honored to help bring some flavor back to the greenbelt where I’d spend every day after school running around with the crew,” he said.

Rose said he intends to keep the restaurant very clean as it’s particularly important to him, but he also hopes to have fun with the menu.

“I won’t be sending anything out the window if it’s not up to par. I’m not looking to sell a gimmick or something new and fancy just to draw people in. Don’t get me wrong, next year for Cinco de Mayo The Window will have the best Mexican food this side of the St. Lawrence,” he said.

Rose also hopes to have a food challenge.

“The Window will have one of St. Lawrence County’s biggest eating challenges which he calls “The Contender,” he said.

Rose says the county’s top eaters can try to eat four “Hulk Hoagies,” which he says are “fat cheesy subs” in 30 minutes.

The Window will offer a limited breakfast menu from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a larger menu for the rest of the day. He intends to be open seven days a week.