A Warrensburg Landmark Rebuilds

It's a long 4 hour journey going home for the holidays so I usually break in Warrensburg, NY for a shopping spree at the venerable Oscars Smokehouse. I load the car up with smoked German sausage flavored with garlic and slabs of Canadian bacon. But not this time.

Oscars burned to the ground two months ago on Sept. 4th and yours truly conveniently wished it away. When I stopped today, owner Jerry Quintal stood quietly looking over the construction of the new steel frames with a look of optomism in his eyes. Clearly, he was thankful that he wisely decided to take the insurance money and rebuild rather than retire.

"People ask me why and I tell them it's for my sons and all those who worked here as well as my customers."

The delicious meat shop had a loyal fanbase that stretched back 63 years when Jerry's father opened the place. Two years ago, I shot a video segment for the 'Rachael Ray Show' (she too called Jerry with her condolences) and remember taking shots of the dozens of black and white family photos that lined the walls.

"The brick smoking oven is what made all the difference. They don't make smoking ovens like that anymore", said Jerry.

But Jerry intends to harness that wonderful smoky smell from the oven through to the store, enticing everyone who takes a whiff.

The new business will operate with 9,000 square feet of space, plenty more than the last one, including glass windows where customers can watch the curing process. I, for one, will be back for their grand re-opening in January 2010 lined up behind hundreds more hungry folks from all over New York State.