By Patricia Measer
Bruce Scroxton dreamed about buying the See-Zurh House restaurant and bar in Bemus Point for over 30 years. He made three offers to the previous owners, Tom and Cheryl Shagla, during that time, but they weren’t ready to sell. Then last Fall, Bruce made his fourth offer; it seems in this case, the fourth time is the charm! The Shaglas had decided by then to retire, so they accepted. Now the dream is coming true!
Bruce and his business partner, Andrew Haney, have been working hard since then to restore the building and get it ready to re-open. “We wanted to keep as much of the original feel as possible, while adding updates where needed,” says Bruce. “We have both been coming to Bemus Point in the summers since we were children, and we went to the See-Zurh House with our families every week. It’s an icon to us,” he explains.
This three-story building, erected in the 1880s, was originally a boarding house. Don See and Zurh Faulkner purchased it in 1960 and converted it into a restaurant on the first floor, while keeping an apartment and offices upstairs. Zuhr retired a few years later, but Don kept the business going, eventually selling it in 1984 to the Shaglas. They made the second floor into a bar with another kitchen and named that part “Shaggy’s.” It became the place to hang out. “You could find me and my friends there every Thursday,” noted Bruce.
Andrew and Bruce are no strangers to hard work or owning a business. Bruce was in the oil and gas business, and owned and managed several companies, including Tru Gas. Andrew, a chef from Pittsburgh, has opened several different restaurants with other partners. “This will be my eighth opening,” says Andrew proudly. When asked why he decided to do it again, he explained that Bruce is his uncle, not just his partner. “I’m excited to open a restaurant in a place that means so much to us, and to do it with family.”
The bar menu includes favorites like wings, quesadillas, and pretzels. Homemade chili and cheese sauce can be added to the nachos. But Andrew shows off his culinary style with his Nashville Chicken, which is hand-breaded and seasoned with a secret recipe. The seasoning (and it is seasoning, not sauce) can be kicked up a notch upon request. Choices are Original, Mild, Medium, Hot and Damn Hot.
The gentlemen opened the second floor of the See-Zurh House last Saturday as part of the Bemus in Bloom celebration. Renamed from “Shaggy’s” to “14 Main” (which is the address), the upstairs has a refinished floor and bar, a fresh coat of paint, and all new coolers and kitchen appliances. They also added a prep room to provide improved service. A pool table, shuffleboard table and TouchTunes jukebox round out the additions. The enclosed porch upstairs got a makeover with tables from the old dining room and removal of carpet. It’s a great place to sit and people-watch over Main Street.
The main floor will still be known as the See-Zurh House and will re-open once the renovations are complete. This includes an all-new kitchen there, too. The wood floors here are refinished, the bar has been extended for more seating and high-top tables added inside and on the front porch. Distressed wood tables will be added to go with the theme. Bathrooms are being updated and will be made handicapped accessible. The side dining room will be turned into a game room with vintage games. The downstairs will also feature a slightly different menu. The large dining room will remain in the back.
The décor includes memorabilia from around the area. “When people heard what we were trying to do, keep a bit of local history in the See-Zurh House, they started calling and offering items to display,” explains Bruce. They got old business signs for the Hare ‘N Hounds and the Italian Fisherman. Johnny Marsh, owner of Marsh’s Market, donated a Surf Club sign that he got from the club’s 40th anniversary celebration. And they have even acquired an old shuffle bowling machine.
The shuffleboard table is vintage from the 1930s. Bruce had it in the Tru Gas office for years, then sold it when the business closed. He called the person he sold it to, explained that he wanted it in the restaurant and was able to buy it back. He then had it refinished by his son, Eddie, who owns a woodworking business.