Since its opening in 1787, Old Chatham Country Store has served as a community epicenter, whether operating as a general store, restaurant, or both. Today, the Columbia County mainstay continues to honor its legacy by providing a place for locals and tourists alike to gather and celebrate the bounty of the Hudson Valley. From dinners made from local ingredients to shelves stocked with regional produce and meats, the Old Chatham destination is passionate about nourishing food.
A functioning market and restaurant, Old Chatham Country Store offers farm-to-table fare and a rotating dinner menu alongside specialty grocery items and food from local farms. Although some things may have changed from its inception, the store and restaurant remains the heart of the community under its new ownership.
Woman-owned and family-operated, the all-in-one hotspot has placed an emphasis on seasonal dining since owner Caroline Jaquiss took over in early 2023. As someone who always had one foot in the door in the hospitality industry, it wasn’t a hard decision for Jacquiss to make the purchase when the Old Chatham Country Store hit the market in 2021. With a dream to open her own restaurant as a way to connect with people and be involved in her local community, Jacquiss was finally able to make this a reality with the store.
Even though she’s not exactly a Hudson Valley native — she grew up nearby in the Berkshires — Jacquiss quickly became a fan after spending a few years in the region studying at Poughkeepsie’s Vassar College. “My four years at school affirmed my love for the Hudson Valley and I knew that someday, if I was lucky, I would build a life here,” she shares.
Now, it seems that all is going according to plan with her restaurant-market combination. If you’re dining in at Old Chatham Country Store, a café-style menu excites during the day, with items like fresh salads, sandwiches (try the roasted chicken sandwich on homemade focaccia), and soups, while dinnertime offers a rotating menu of shareable plates that range from light snacks to heartier dishes. You’ll want to try out the menu’s only mainstay, a fried chicken sandwich with cornichon and pickled cabbage, or dig into seasonal favorites like the trout rillettes with pickled peppers and aioli dip.
Don’t forget drinks and dessert! Take a peek at the restaurant’s killer wine list or ask for the reserve list if you’re a true enthusiast. For sweets, a pastry case features house-made baked goods, and warm cookies and milk are always in season after dinner…