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the Public I

Roxbury's Yesteryear Festival - Daytime BBQ fun in fancy dress!

Winter was HOT - TuTu Tango! - Edie! - Summer Parties! -

Inez Gomez-Lopez, Director of Public Relations for Public Lounge, answers your questions and exposes herself to our customers. Send yours to info@publiclounge.net

Dear Public "I"

I am, like, sooo looking forward to coming to Roxbury on the Fourth! We are staying with some friends nearby and we heard that there is this really fun little lounge right in town where you can eat and really relax with your friends (and get out of the hot kitchen in summer!) But maybe you can help me confirm a rumor: is it true that Public Lounge used to be a brothel? Do you have any ghosts?

Happily Out Of Kitchen Eating Rhubarb

Dear HOOKER

Well the answers to your questions are not so straightforward. It's true that there is a colorful history behind the building housing Public Lounge. Whether or not our founder Dolly Eagen Fuller ever ran a brothel is up for some debate. Given the secret entrance and the dislike the town scolds had for the place, combined with it's enormous success even in the Depression, I would venture a guess that there probably was some real good times had in the upstairs expansion. And even if nothing was official or, should we say, commercial, I'm sure that Dolly would have looked the other way if two consenting adults wanted to have some good clean, dirty fun away from prying eyes.

Now to the question of ghosts: of course! We have a nightly visit by the spirit of Nora, Dolly's cousin (and rumored companion) around 11:30. Though I think she was an upright woman in life, in death she's a nasty bitch. None too happy, I think, that Dolly outlived her by 17 years and ran around with any number of people (of both sexes) well into her seventies. Which explains why, after a number of really creepy incidents, we close the doors at 10pm. Come see for yourself...meet Dolly between noon and 3pm on July 7th at our "Yesteryear" festival!

Cheers!

Dear Public "I"

This weekend was so great at Public Lounge! I mean, your BBQ on Saturday during the "Yesteryear" fair was really fun, and then we even came back for the barbecue in the evening just to sample the skirt steak. I'm wondering though: what's going on with Roxbury? Just a few years ago I don't think anyone could have imagined sidewalk restaurants, fancy lodging, and carriage rides down Bridge Street. What's behind all of this activity?

Dear PEG:

Thank you for the nice letter! I agree this weekend was quite an event. We sold out of nearly everything and we had thought we were over-prepared! It's great to see such a turnout.

There are a number of people working to get things "happening" in Roxbury. The town has a dedicated historian, Peg Ellsworth, who was instrumental in organizing local businesses and securing a Preserve America grant for heritage tourism. There's also an active business community dedicated to seeing our little town reborn into the commercial center that it once was, keeping a link to the past but providing top-notch businesses that surpass anything in the region. We live here too: so our expectations are as high as yours!

Cheers!

Dear Public "I"

Nights at your bar are so cozy - but also so upscale! I love putting on my best "little black dress" and then kicking off my heels as I settle into one of your comfy couches. Thanks for putting another little touch of class in Roxbury - already the classiest town in the Catskills!

Pat

Dear Pat::

We loved having you and your charming outfit at Public a few weeks ago. We don't get many cross dressers in Public (that we know of anyway!) and your stories of years as a NYC cop really helped us understand the moustache and tattoos! Well we always try to be a welcoming place...and as long as you "embrace diversity" (and size 16 Manolos!) we want you in our lounge.

Things are really going to bloom this spring. Look for lots of fun in both Roxbury and at Public. I can't say too much but here's a hint: sidewalk dining!

Cheers!