An historic landmark for Massena is reopening. The Hotel Nadeau has had many faces over the years, starting as one of the first school houses in Massena, to a local hotel, and then into a tavern. Now, as our Cara Thomas tells us, there is a new phase for Hotel Nadeau.

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MASSENA, N.Y. -- There's much to be said about the history of Hotel Nadeau's.

“Hotel Nadeau has always been an icon of Massena since 1928 in fact,” said James Hidy, who is not only Massena's Mayor, but also the new manager of Hotel Nadeau. "It dates back to probably one of the oldest continuing running taverns in St. Lawrence County."

And many memories have been made.

"There isn't anybody in Massena or maybe the North Country that hasn't been touched by Nadeau's at one point in time,” said Hidy.

Hidy remembers the times the Holy Family High School would gather at Nadeau's on Thanksgiving night after their annual alumni hockey games. It's memories likes these that inspired Hidy to get Nadeau's back up and running.

Hidy said, “It hadn't had a face lift in probably 40-45 years. So I think that people who knew Nadeau's in the past as certainly going to see a new Nadeau's. I think they're going to be very excited."

The process took three months, but the staff is finally getting ready for their grand opening. With new brighter lights, brighter walls, and a new bar, Hidy said they are ready.

"It's kind of a labor of love to keep it going. Adding more flavor to the downtown community,” said Hidy.

A place to gather and reminisce and that's exactly what the Hotel Nadeau is meant to be. But looking at the big picture, what can Hotel Nadeau do for Massena?

"Well, obviously, it puts people to work,” said Hidy.

At least half a dozen people are on staff now, and Hidy said they plan to start serving pub food down the road, bringing in even more jobs and more customers.

Hidy said, “And we're hoping more people will visit our downtown and it'll bring people to the more downtown locations." It's going to be one of the premier bars in Massena, in fact or in the North Country. We're going to rank up there with some of the better establishments here in Massena."

The hope is to serve food by the end of the Holiday Season.