Over at 36 Main St. there is a new German restaurant and pub run by an owner who happily serves the people of New Paltz, a town he grew up in and loves dearly.
Jeremy Phillips is his name and Schatzi’s is his game, as well as the name of this new establishment known for their German food and beer, a niche previously unfilled in the town. This is Schatzi’s second location, their first being in Poughkeepsie. Both locations retain relatively the same food and atmosphere, save for this new location opening up three hours earlier at noon for lunchtime on weekends.
“It’s always been my goal to open up another location here in New Paltz where I grew up,” Phillips said, who went to the nearby middle school and high school. Phillips worked for corporate American for 10 years and hated it. Now, he’s working for himself and loves every moment of it. “I’ve never worked so hard and had so little free time but I love working for no one but myself.”
His work paid off too. At around 7:30 p.m. on a Monday night there were about 30 people sitting down talking and eating at the tables, which fit about 40. At the bar, there were six people drinking and chatting, filling almost but not quite half the room at the bar.
The atmosphere in Schatzi’s is closely identical to a typical pub or speakeasy, with dim lighting and light rock-and-roll hits playing in the background like “Float On” by Modest Mouse. “No complaints,” said Phillips when asked about how business is going. He thanks his friends for having his back and frequenting his place often as well as spreading the good word.
Phillips describes Schatzi’s as the place to go to for hanging out while eating good food and drinking good beer, something he mentions not many places offer these days.
As a former P & G’s employee, Phillips said the clubs had good beer but no food and the cafes had good food but no beer, only wine.
The name “Schatzi’s” was suggested by Phillip’s friends and also resembled the patch his father wore on his pilot uniform while in the Air Force. The patch was a skunk surrounded by hearts because “schatzi” means “sweetheart” in German.
Germany is dear to Phillips’ heart, a place he frequented a few times. “Everything seemed homey there,” Phillips said. Schatzi’s has four dedicated German beers on constant tap lines: Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse, Spaten Oktoberfestbier Ur-Märzen, Hofbräu Dunkel and Reissdorf Kölsch, save for the remaining 12 lines used for American craft beers.
Although Phillips has a soft spot for Germany, he considers himself a “hop head,” crazy for hoppy IPAs. The food featured at Schatzi’s goes beyond German delicacies, such as the “Food Truck Taco,” a best seller in New Paltz. “We’re not a taco place by all means, mind you,” chuckled Phillips, explaining other foods were incorporated into the menu to satisfy all tastes.
On Mondays in particular, Schatzi’s has “Mondays are the Wurst!” serving one German sausage, with one topping and one sauce, for $6.50. The food was unique, displayed nicely on the dish and tastes splendid. The fries, known as Frites, were scrumptious as well, both meals harmonizing with the Reissdorf Kölsch.
Going forward, Schatzi’s plans on creating a patio with a walk through wooden trestle, similar to the one Hokkaido has. There will be an Oktoberfest celebration at their location in Poughkeepsie and Phillips plans on bringing the same to the New Paltz location when space becomes available. Additionally, the establishment plans to incorporate Hawk Dollars to appeal to SUNY New Paltz students.
“It’s been such a great turnout,” Phillips said. “Coming from this town I owe a huge thanks to New Paltz.”