Anniversary was celebrated several ways this fall
You may have seen some local residents proudly sporting new black t-shirts lately … those shirts bear the logo of The Park Restaurant as it celebrates its 65th anniversary this month.
The restaurant, in business at the same location at 451 Main Street in Highland Falls since John and Ana Pozo opened it in 1956, has hit the third generation mark, with Kevin Pozo now running it in conjunction with his dad, Michael. They, along with Rose and John Pozo, other family members, and friends and customers of the restaurant celebrated the anniversary officially on Halloween night.
The family is thrilled to have made it through the very difficult 2020, and grateful to all of the restaurant’s supporters. Through the pandemic, they say, they converted to a delivery and take-out only model. They note they are thrilled to have their customers back inside both their dining room and bar area, and were certainly ready to celebrate!
The story about the third generation successful business needs to be told, and who better to tell it than Kevin Pozo himself. He also offers up a few thanks:
“1956 was a leap year, and the year John and Anna Pozo took a leap on a dream to turn Cohen’s of Highland Falls into The Park Restaurant we all know and love today.
A legacy now three generations strong, The Park Restaurant has been passed down over the years, from parents, to brothers, to father and son. This weekend we celebrate 65 years surrounded by community and family who support and sustain each other.
From speakeasy to soda fountain from pot roast to Park burger; from grandfather to grandson, The Park is a small town treasure fighting to thrive in delivery-app Americana. This weekend, we commend the journey.
We celebrate those who paved the way for us to be here – John and Anna; Bob and Marge; Robert, Donald, and Denise – and those who continuously allow us the honor to host, serve, cater, and deliver. Please know how important your presence and patronage are to us. Thank you all.
Michael and Kevin would like to mention a few special thanks by name:
Rose Pozo, you are more than the cleaning lady you claim to be when you answer the phone, and we all know it. Thank you, boss.
Enrique, we wouldn’t make it without you. Your expertise, patience, and perseverance hold the line together (and keep Kev out of the kitchen). Thank you.
Andrea and Miss Patti, you are always prepared with a pour and a smile long after the rest of us are ready to tip few back ourselves. Thank you.
Our kitchen staff, servers, drivers, dishwashers, bus persons, and those who show up when the basement floods. You are our heartbeat. Thank you for your service and your smiles. We made it through 2020, and continue to grow and evolve. Thank you.
Our regulars in the dining room, bar stools, and booths; to those who know our voices on the phone, and those who mention us fondly on the internet. You, who ordered take out during shut-down, and persevered through mask-mandates. You, who call in deliveries for your cadets, and reservations for life’s milestones. You, who wait kindly on football weekends, and keep us company on quiet evenings. We wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Honorable mention: John B. Pozo, Quality Control Artist. Thanks for always making sure the chicken and lettuce are good.”
For menus and more about the restaurant, visit www.parkrest.com. For daily specials and more, follow them on Facebook at Park Restaurant. They can be reached at 446-8709. The restaurant is open daily except on Mondays.
As a part of their anniversary celebration, the restaurant hosted a very successful non-perishable food drive during the month of November, with everything collected going to the local food pantries. It’s been extended until today, Friday, Nov. 12. Food items can be dropped off daily.