Pictured are firefighters after a fire broke out at the Ye Hare 'n Hounds Inn in May 2017. After a plan to reopen the restaurant fell through the building is now scheduled for demolition. P-J file photo

BEMUS POINT — Historic restaurant Ye Hare ‘n Hounds Inn has been through a lot. After decades of serving locals and tourists, the fine-dining establishment caught fire in 1974 and 2017, tranforming it for better and worse. Now, after former Jamestown residents had expressed interest in buying and rebooting the business, a change of plans will lead to the demolition of the building, scheduled tentatively for next week.

R. Patti Concrete and Excavating filed for permits from the Bemus Point offices Thursday to demolish the building. The permits are in the process of being filled out, which is why no exact date for the demolition has been set.

Former owners Jennifer and Mike Garrett had sold the establishment to Tom Meyers, owner of The Fish restaurant across the street. There has been no confirmation as to what will replace Hare ‘n Hounds. Meyers declined to comment on the situation when contacted.

This switch in plans for the restaurant comes after former Jamestown residents Robert Cusimano and Chris Olsen had planned to purchase Hare ‘n Hounds and re-open it for business. The establishment had closed in May 2017 after a major fire caused damage to the restaurant.

Cusimano and Olsen had been hopeful in planning to keep Hare ‘n Hounds up and running, but ultimately, they were unable to figure out a way forward, Olsen said.

Bob Samuelson, code enforcement officer for Bemus Point, mentioned that fire damage was likely the reason a plan to re-open Hare ‘n Hounds had transformed into an upcoming demolition.

The restaurant has been closed since May 24, 2017, after an exhaust chimney pipe deteriorated in the kitchen, allowing for heat from the broiler to get into the wall and cause a fire. About 100 firefighters from six fire departments battled the blaze for several hours.

Leading up to the demolition, the Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department used the former restaurant as training grounds for practice drills. Locals were also encouraged to visit the establishment earlier this week to pick up remaining fixtures, furniture and kitchen items so that the building would be empty for the demolition. Those who took items were encouraged to donate to the volunteer fire department.

“It’s going to be a big loss for the village,” Samuelson said.

Former owners Peggy and Albert Schmidt ran the business from 1961 to 1977 and are sad to see it go. Peggy married Albert in 1964 and had immediately gone to work as a cook and bookkeeper.

“I was so sad to hear this news,” Peggy said.

The demolition of the business she shared with her husband Albert comes nearly a year after he, at the age of 91, died July 5, 2017. Peggy chooses to remember the times she shared with her family and employees at Hare ‘n Hounds.

“We had great times, and we certainly were successful,” she said.

Peggy specifically highlighted the local youth who worked for her, which included future owner Jennifer Garrett. She appreciated their work ethic immensely and recalled numerous occassions in which they went the extra mile.

“We were so lucky to have the local kids that we had,” Peggy said. “They just gave it there all.”

The 1974 fire reduced the inn from three floors to two floors, and Peggy remembers the Bemus Point VFD being careful enough that the restaurant was ready to reopen in 30 days’ time.

The Bemus Point-Stow Ferry was also remembered as a crucial element to making the summer restaurant what it was. If the ferry did not run for a day, it interfered with reservations as this was before the Veterans Memorial Bridge was constructed, connecting Bemus Point to Stow.

Peggy and Albert worked hard to make the inn a summer location from May to September. A hand-carved sculpture above the restaurant’s fireplace detailed a story of people who came to visit.

“I just can’t imagine someone bulldozing it,” Peggy said.

Peggy and Albert’s son Eric Schmidt rememberd fondly the days he spent at the restaurant as a child. He is devastated by the scheduled demoltion of the establishment.

“I’m really sad about that. It’s been a staple in the Bemus Point and Chautauqua Lake community for a very long time,” Eric said.

After spending five months out of each year his parents owned the restaurant, Eric became connected to the memories more than the food Hare ‘n Hounds served.

“It’s really sad to see that just go away,” Eric said. “It’s sad to see such a historic landmark in that area be bulldozed.”

Eric said that if he had won the lottery, he would have came back to Bemus Point, bought the property and turned it into a summer house.