Walsh adds more features, fun to invigorate historic Medina bar

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Alexandria Purnell, left general manager of the Walsh Hotel, and bar manager Emily Plumb stand in the dining room, where Monday night euchre is going to be offered beginning April 29.

MEDINA – The staff of the Walsh Hotel is going all out to bring new life to the historic building, after an extensive remodeling by Tim Cooper and subsequent purchase by local developer Rollin Hellner.

General manager Alexandria Purnell has announced new features about to be launched, including extended hours, expanded menu and euchre games on Monday nights.

Purnell and bar manager Emily Plumb will welcome guests to the facility which, since 1852 has served the community as a bar, restaurant, hotel and speakeasy.

New hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

“We are getting busier and busier, and that is wonderful,” Purnell said. “We have even booked our first wedding and reception here for October.”

“It is so much fun to see the support from the community,” Plumb said.

Hellner reports that he expects to begin renovation of the upper floors by fall, creating 22 studio and one- or two-bedroom apartments.

Perhaps the most exciting news is the start of euchre games every Monday night. Seating is available for up to 48 players.

Games will begin at 6:30 p.m., and players can earn substantial prize money, based on the number of players.

A veteran euchre player, Lee Smith of Lyndonville will oversee the games and be a substitute player if someone ends up without a partner. No one will have to worry about getting a seat to play, whether they come with a partner or not.

A server will be available to take orders from the card players, so they won’t have to interrupt a game to get a drink. Free coffee and snacks will be provided.

The cost to play will be $5 per person, plus $2 to get in a loner pot. Prizes will be paid for first, second, third and last place.