PARKSVILLE, NY — Nestled next to the New Memories event space, the Double Up is a delicious and inventive dining spot that is making waves in Parksville. It combines delicious food, a creative spirit and a dash of nostalgia. 

The owner of this unique restaurant, Rob Rayevsky, the owner of the now-closed Rolling River Cafe, has brought a culinary dream to life with a fun, one-of-a-kind twist: a retrofitted 1980 Bristol bus. 

Rayevsky has a history of contributing to restaurants in Sullivan County. He ran the Rolling River Cafe for 10 years; it closed in 2018. He helped launch the kitchen for Upward Brewing in 2019 and stayed on for about two-and-a-half years before launching the Double Up in May 2025. 

A dream come true 

“It’s been a dream of ours for a long time, and we are thrilled to be back in Parksville, where we’ve been so involved with the community,” said Rayevsky. He and his wife Kim Rayevsky are active in the Parksville Priorities Committee (PPC), which has been beautifying Parksville with art—including four murals that Rayevsky installed on Main Street, as well as the colorful retaining wall you can see on Parksville Road. 

Their deep connection to the area makes this new venture even more special. 

“We wanted something casual, with great food and quality ingredients, without the challenges or constraints that come with a traditional restaurant,” said Rayevsky. 

Double Up is far from traditional, considering that it is located in a renovated double-decker bus. In 2022, the Rayevskys bought the bus—a retired tour bus from Philadelphia—which was also Kim Rayevsky’s hometown.

 He first painted the bus, and then with the help of another local business—D.C. Fabrication & Welding—they transformed the bus into a commercial kitchen with cozy seating on the second floor. 

It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. The duo faced their fair share of challenges because the unique idea falls between Health Department categories, but their determination paid off when they finally got the green light to open just in time for Memorial Day last year.

All-season dining 

Since opening, the restaurant has quickly become a local favorite. The outdoor seating area is perfect for the warmer months, while the cozy indoor space offers a great atmosphere for year-round dining. The menu is as eclectic as the bus itself and is designed to encourage sharing and trying something new. You can find specials depending on the season, such as buckwheat soba noodles with different broth choices, perfect for a cold winter day. 

One standout dish is the Georgian khachapouri, which demonstrates Rob Rayevsky’s love for the diversity of the region’s cuisine: Mediterranean influences meld with inspiration from Asia, the Middle East and Turkey. Rayevsky, who was born in Moscow, traveled all over what was then the Soviet Union, and he brings inspiration to his menu from the different republics and their diverse cuisines. 

The team that moves the bus 

Another member of the Double Up team is Justin Edwards, a local full-time baker leveling up the menu with his skills. He not only bakes the bread (including a delicious gluten-free option) but also makes the stand-out lamb dumplings for the restaurant.  

Rayevsky, who also has a background as an illustrator and designer, said “I cook what I love, and I want the food to be as visually appealing as it is delicious.” He brings his artistic and creative spirit to both the ambiance of the space and each dish. 

At the heart of the operation is Kim Rayevsky, who is behind the scenes, keeping everything running smoothly. Their daughter Miriam provides the fun with board games from her own local business, Jitterbug, which you can visit in Livingston Manor. 

The restaurant offers dine-in and take-out, and is also available to rent for private parties. With enough notice, the staff is also able to offer catering for pick-up as well. They have a full liquor license with wine, beer and special drink options. 

As they prepare for their second summer season, the owners are excited to continue welcoming customers six days a week for both dine-in and take-out. This new spot in Parksville is sure to satisfy both your appetite and your sense of adventure. Don’t sleep on visiting the Double Up!