The Owego Kitchen, located at 13 Lake St. in Owego, N.Y. opened Nov. 11. A cafe’ style eatery, breakfast, and lunch fare is served every day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
The Owego Kitchen, located at 13 Lake St., is described by its owners as “your new downtown café,” and is an exciting addition to Owego, offering one more choice for residents and visitors amongst the many excellent restaurants and shops already in the village and surrounding community. Opened on Wednesday, Nov. 11, The Owego Kitchen serves breakfast and lunch every day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Owners Ike and Julie Lovelass, former Vestal residents, had visited Owego for the Strawberry Festival and other occasions in the past, but their interest in moving was heightened when they took a walking tour of the village last year.
The Owego Kitchen, located at 13 Lake St. in Owego, N.Y. opened Nov. 11. A historic property, the building dates back to 1873. Renovations included recycling aspects of the original structure and keeping significant elements “period specific.” (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
One thing led to another. Julie explained, “After the walking tour we started looking at homes.”
Next, the couple toured the 13 Lake St. property. Former restaurant owners in the Oneonta / Cooperstown region, the couple immediately fell in love with the history and architecture of the building, which dates back to 1873.
“It’s like the building spoke to us,” Julie said.
According to the April 1872 issue of the “Waverly Advocate,” a fire occurred on Lake Street near Bandler’s clothing store and spread quickly to other businesses including Elliott’s drug store, Ogden’s cigar store, Eday’s saloon, Mrs. Manning’s millinery store, and the business at 13 Lake St., then Ashley’s saloon.
Ashley’s was rebuilt as brick and reopened again as a saloon, according to information provided to Ike and Julie by the New York State Historic Trust and Cornell University. Subsequent businesses at 13 Lake St. included Michael Lynch’s Saloon, Margaret Jackway’s music lessons, the Owego Gaslight Company and Cortwright Photographers, all in the early 1900’s. American Grocery occupied the structure between 1930-1940, and in 1955 Triangle Shoes stepped in for about 13 years, followed by businesses named The Haystack and Woodpile, of which the latter occupied the building until 1975. Prior to their move a few doors down, Original Italian tossed many pizzas at 13 Lake St.
Ike and Julie Lovelass, owners of The Owego Kitchen, located at 13 Lake St. in Owego, N.Y. fell in love with Owego and transformed the historic building into a cafe style eatery. (Provided photo)
Julie explained that work at the property, which began May 1 of this year, started by gutting the entire inside, and that major renovations encompassed numerous hours, seven days a week. The Lovelass family has since moved into the living space on the upper floors of the building.
“It’s been a true labor of love,” Julie said, and added, “We’re excited to be part of the community.”
The couple chose to recycle as much of the original structure as could be reused and kept significant elements of the property as “period specific.” Ike and Julie met with the Owego Historic Preservation Group to discuss their plans, and qualified for assistance for a portion of the historic renovations.
The main dining room floor at The Owego Kitchen, installed around 1872, is original to the building, as are the utility closet and basement doors. The main entrance door and bathroom door, salvaged from Cornell University’s Warren Hall renovation, date back to 1930. Ironically, a salvaged barn door purchased in Binghamton actually originated from a home on Main Street in Owego, and is a perfect addition to the open kitchen area. Part of the main wall inside the café’ is colored wood which was found in an upstairs closet, as was the farmhouse sink now in the bathroom.
Pictured are Ike and Julie Lovelass during the renovation process of The Owego Kitchen, located at 13 Lake St. in Owego, N.Y. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Displayed throughout The Owego Kitchen are items worthy of notice, such as large posters believed to be left from the Triangle Shoes era, and an Empire Photo sign and love note, which were found buried in the ceiling during the renovation process. Also on display are framed wall cases made by 90 year old Lester Lovelass, father of Ike, which showcase several interesting finds. For example, one of Lester’s creative frames describes how a builder / carpenter from the late 1800’s repaired a knothole in a board.
The Owego Kitchen offers a wide selection of breakfast and lunch fare, including breakfast sandwiches, egg dishes made from cage free eggs, fresh bagels and baked goods, homemade daily soups, and salads and sandwich choices that fill three pages of the menu. The Owego Kitchen is sensitive to allergies and dietary needs of their customers and also offers healthier options, including gluten and vegan choices. Special dinner nights by reservation are a future goal.
For additional information, call (607) 223-4209 or view their website, theowegokitchen.com or find them on Facebook.
