The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Livingood’s Restaurant, one of the City of Plattsburgh’s most popular downtown eateries, plans to open its doors in Peru. The Town of Peru Planning Board approved the site plan filed by Jessica and Matthew Ray at its Wednesday, September 11, 2013 meeting. The Rays plan to open Livingoods’s Restaurant and Brewery by late November in the 697 Bear Swamp Rd. building once occupied by Cricket’s Restaurant. Their Plattsburgh restaurant will remain open until the transition to Peru is complete.

Interviewed following the Planning Board’s unanimous and enthusiastic approval, the Rays said their new restaurant would have a brewpub atmosphere in contrast to their current restaurant, which Matt Ray described as upscale casual. Ray explained, “We need room to grow and our current location doesn’t lend itself to brewing beer.” Matt Ray is especially enthusiastic about opening a brewery. Prior to opening the Plattsburgh restaurant in 2005, he was Head Brewer at the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery and Head of Brewery Operations for a Colorado brewer.

The plans submitted to the Planning Board included provision for a pool table, televisions, couches, a recreation room and live music. Matt Ray explained, ” Music will be incorporated into the brewpub. We will not be open late. We want the restaurant to be family and kid friendly. We want to make it more than a restaurant. We want to make it a spot for everyone to go at all times of the year.”

Livingoods’s should also bring additional employment opportunities to Peru. The Plattsburgh restaurant currently has a 20-person full and parttime staff. The Rays hope to grow that to at least 40 in Peru.  Building renovations have begun and the pace of the work will pick up next week.

Jessica and Matt Ray have two children ages seven and three and reside in Peru. They look forward to bringing a new business and employment opportunities to Peru.