Pitkin’s restaurant, run for decades by Marie Rice and her family, is up for sale. This amazing part of the fabric of Schroon daily life, serving generations of locals and holiday makers, will be sadly missed.

Schroon Laker has learned Marie wants to spend more time with her husband Randy and their family.

The restaurant has a rich history on Main Street, tracing its roots back to 1907. That’s when twins Art and Archie Pitkin opened its doors.

In 1955 Pitkin’s changed hands when Archie Pitkin’s wife sold to John and Gisele Wilson. The Wilsons are Marie’s parents.

Pitkin’s could be a metaphor for Schroon Lake: laid back, super friendly and unpretentious. As regulars know, Pitkin’s reputation is earned from its down-home, good eating. The menu is tasty and affordable, featuring American favorites: from heavenly pancakes, soups, sandwiches, burgers, fries and Texas barbecue.

The Texas flavor was added in 1980, a hat tip to Randy, who is from the lone stare state. And that’s when Randy’s made from scratch barbecue sauce became an instant hit.

There’s so much we will miss about Pitkin’s, from its to die for peanut butter pie, strawberry shortcake, blue berry pancakes and club sandwiches. But above and beyond the menu, it’s the smiling face of Marie and her staff, and their friendly service that is Pitkin’s trademark.

We wish Marie and Randy all the best and look forward to hearing about the plans of the new owners.

The property features the restaurant: dining area, fully equipped kitchen, freezers, coolers, storage and an office.

The sale also includes a second small retail area with Main Street frontage and a large two-bedroom apartment upstairs and two separate apartments on the lower level. There’s also frontage to Mill Brook at the rear of the property.

Friedman’s Realty has the listing. For more information about the sale, click here.