Tom Ferraro just loves history and old buildings seem to speak to him about the good times that resonate within their walls and the new possibilities they hold for the future. “I have a fondness for beautiful old buildings, and it pains me to see them neglected and falling into ruin,” he told me.

Tom for many years was a commodities broker in the international sugar markets and his wife Teri worked in staffing. They owned and operated Tom’s Deli and Catering in Coldenham in Orange County for seven years before moving to Florida to raise their family but never lost their love for their roots here in New York.

We have family here and we often visited them Tom told me. After retirement Tom had his sites fixed on the historic Bull’s Head Inn and Restaurant in Campbell Hall that was built in 1802. Tom and Teri fully restored the Inn and restaurant and sold it after two very successful years of operation.

Having settled in Sullivan County Tom and Teri bought the landmark Millbrook Inn on Route 97 right on the banks of the Delaware River adjacent to the restored Pond Eddy Bridge. The Inn has quite a storied past, and I learned that in the 1930’s it was a rowdy roadside bar called Dick Mackey’s Bar and Chop Suey Restaurant replete with knives, swords, guns and handcuffs embellishing the Bar’s walls.

Subsequently, for over twenty-five years the Millbrook was a very fine continental German Restaurant owned by Ada and Charles Hotzler who lived above the restaurant with their family. In 1995 the Hotzlers retired to Vermont. After a series of owners, by the time the Ferraro’s bought the Millbrook it had been vacant for almost seven years.

In addition to having a very comfortable bar, the building has a spacious dining room with a fireplace, a lovely lounge area overlooking the river, and a lot of comfortable outdoor seating with some killer river views for drinks and food service.

The Inn also has four bedrooms on the second floor that have been renovated and furnished with antiques and are available for rental on Airbnb. Recently the small shop (formerly an antique store) on the property has been re-opened to provide soft drinks, snacks, beer and supplies for campers and rafters visiting the river.

After reopening in May as the Millbrook Inn by T&T, the spot has rapidly become a favorite place with the local community and visitors traveling along the 97 Scenic Byway. The menu is varied with both classic offerings, an array of appetizers, daily specials and as a “hat tip” to the Hotzler family the menu includes three authentic German dishes, Jagerschnitzel, Weiner Schnitzel and an old school recipe Sauerbraten.

The Bar (sans the swords and handcuffs) is relaxed and cozy and has some great beer on tap. The food service is friendly and attentive and both Tom and Teri are gracious hosts and are always on hand to welcome their guests and make sure everyone is pleased with their visit.

The Millbrook Inn is located at 1774 NY-97 in Pond Eddy and is closed on Monday and Tuesday and is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday Noon until 9 p.m. and Sunday Noon until 8 p.m.

For more information you can visit the website at millbrookinnbytandt.com, on Facebook or call them at (954) 914-3218. For information about the room rentals visit www.airbnb.com Pond Eddy.