Former inn on 104 gets new life as Tavern on the Ridge

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Chad Pike and his partner Julia Hopkins stand in the dining room of the former Village Inn at Childs, which they have taken over and renamed Tavern on the Ridge.

CHILDS – One of the most historic structures on the entire Ridge Road is again serving the public after being closed for more than two years.

The restaurant formerly known as Tillman’s Village Inn, has reopened under new ownership and a new name, the Tavern on the Ridge. The building is the last remaining stage coach stop on Ridge Road.

New restauranteurs are chef Chad Pike, a 1997 graduate of Albion High School, and his partner (in life and business) Julia Hopkins. She grew up in Rochester and the two met while working at a restaurant in Perinton.

Most recently, Pike was chef at Shelridge Country Club in Medina, where he leased the bar and restaurant for seven years and Julia tended bar.

“The contract with my partner and I was coming up and Julia was ready to step back, so we didn’t renew it,” Pike said. “We had heard Laura Bentley had purchased this place and was looking for someone to breathe new life into it. We began talking to her in the summer of 2022.”

“That Christmas we decided to go for it,” Hopkins said. “We redid the floors, cleaned and painted.”

“We want to honor what the Tillmans had here since 1952,” Pike said. “We hope to make our own history here.”

The historic former Village Inn at the intersection of Routes 104 and 98 in Childs has reopened under new management and a new name, the Tavern on the Ridge.

The couple spent months planning menus and developing their plan of business. In January they began doing takeout-only while waiting for their liquor license and. The food proved popular.

Pike wanted a menu that was smaller, reasonable and flexible, so he could change courses with the seasons. A Polish platter has emerged as a favorite and it will probably stay on the menu.

“People were so happy we are serving food here again,” Pike said.

Menu entrees are priced in the low $20, while sandwiches are in the $13 range.

Eat-in dining began the week before Mother’s Day.

“We were very busy,” Pike said.

Currently, the restaurant is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Beginning Sunday they plan to serve brunch every other Sunday.

Hopkins said they are working on their website, building up the bar menu and developing a full menu.

“We want to focus on consistency and quality,” Pike said. “It was hard to leave Shelridge, but we hope to develop here what we had there.”

Eventually, they hope to add a lunch menu and catering.

Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are appreciated by calling (585) 283-4332 or (585) 297-4416.