TRR photo by Tom Kane Steve and Lisa Sauer stand at the counter of their new store called Reilly’s. (Click for larger image)

Reilly’s has reopened

By TOM KANE

COCHECTON, NY — The name may still be Reilly’s, but the former ice cream parlor and museum has begun a new life.

Steve and Lisa Sauer, a Town of Cochecton couple, have taken over the former summer destination point from its former owners, Bob and Mary Ann White. It is a general store, deli, luncheonette and, in the spring, an ice cream parlor.

The ice cream parlor, which has been closed for two years, was enormously popular and was visited by people from all over the country, White said.

“Reilly is an old-time Cochecton name,” Bob White said. “The Reilly family owned Cochecton Mills and this store for years. The store has a wonderful tradition that Steve and Lisa want to maintain. It’s great.”

White is sure that the energetic, hard-working couple can make the store popular again.

Cochecton has no local store since the Cochecton General Store closed last year.

“We need a convenience store where people can buy incidentals and not have to go to Callicoon or Narrowsburg,” said Cochecton Postmaster Tom Bury. “It’s also a great place for community people to sit down and talk to each other.”

“We’ve always had an interest in working for ourselves and working together,” Steve said. “We believe if you work hard, at the end of your life you’re going to be rewarded. There’s more to life than making a lot of money. If you pay your bills, you can lead a good life and set good examples for our children. They need to understand what it’s like to have your own business, work hard and reap the benefits from it.”

Steve and Lisa have three children: Maegan, 13; Austin, 10; and Cassidy, 7.

“When we retire, we’ll be able to do for another young couple what Bob and Mary Ann did for us,” Steve said.

The Sauers promise to maintain the unique museum of local memorabilia in the rear of the store. Many historic items, like the face of the old Cochecton post office counter, a barber shop with stripped pole, a typical living room parlor at the turn of the century, a lady’s sewing room with old dresses and old tools are preserved

“Some of these items will decorate the walls of the store along with old photographs of the area,” Lisa said.

“In a few weeks, we open for breakfast and lunch,” Steve said. “We’ll maintain a deli and sell some grocery items. In the spring, we’ll open the ice cream parlor.”

The store is located on 79 County Road 114, near the railroad overpass.