Page 22 - JULY2025

Page 22 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM July 2025
Community
By Donna rhoDes
Newfound Welcomes Village Local Kitchen
James and Jennifer Schauer have a long history in the New- found Region, even as they re- located around the country and lived in Germany for a time. Now however, they are pleased to call New Hampshire their permanent home.
While they were raised in Massachusetts, Jennifer’s parents bought the very first condominium unit years ago at Wagon Wheel Condos. She and Jim were even married on the lawn of Wagon Wheel in June 1996. Missing the region, in 2007 they purchased a lakefront condominium of their own in Alexandria. Through the many summers and vacations on Newfound Lake, their young family made many friends and memories here. In fact, they loved the area so much that they eventu- ally sold the condo and bought a second home in Hebron. During the Covid pandemic, they lived in Hebron full time and Jim began working from the lake instead of their primary residence in Mas- sachusetts. With retirement from his job as a financial executive for a large manufacturing company creeping closer, they decided to sell their “second home” as well as their primary residence, and pur- chase a more suitable retirement home in Hebron.
Throughout the years, each time they were in the area, the family said one of their “go-to” places to dine was Village Pizza.
“I was always watching for it to come up for sale,” Jim said. “I always thought of it as an iconic location.”
Approximately nine months ago it did come up for sale and Jim jumped at the chance to buy it. The restaurant was damaged by an electrical fire just as the pre- vious owners were placing it up for sale, but that didn’t deter the Schauers.
Right away they began repairs in the attic area where the fire occurred then spread the renova- tion work to the rest of the build- ing. Jim said they had to strip the building entirely, which involved reframing two exterior walls. Out- side a new well and septic system were installed, then they moved on to air conditioning, heat and even a new hot water system. Moving
Meet the Schaur family, the new owners of Village Local Kitchen on Lake Street in Bristol. From left to right is Jen, their son RJ and Jim. Photo by Donna Rhodes
gluten-free.
Compliments and critique are
important to the family. While Jen loves to mingle with their guests, she also monitors their Facebook page. The family takes all com- ments seriously. Nearly all have been very positive, but if someone is dissatisfied, they do their very best to make things better.
Jim said, “Feedback is every- thing!”
In fact RJ and Jim pointed out that they are committed to buying top quality, mostly locally sourced foods, and even did research on competitive pricing. Due to feed- back they received when they first opened last month, a few prices were adjusted and a few menu items were increased in size.
“I tell my staff, more is better than less,” RJ said.
Besides the restaurant prop- erty, Jim and Jen also purchased the lot next door, home to the popular Cruze night each Friday night during the summer. As that continues, he said the property is really part of the community and anyone who might like to use it for an event or fundraiser is welcome to come talk to them about their ideas.
The Schauer’s also have some ideas of their own that they’ve been considering for the prop- erty. In the future they may host a “drive-in” movie night, a bike night or who knows what else, they said. Focused on the restaurant it- self in these early days, they said when things settle down, they’ll consider their other ideas on ways to become an even bigger part of the Newfound community.
“The community has been phenomenal since we opened and that’s what we’re all about, keep- ing things local,” said Jim, while Jen added, “It really seems like a family here!”
Village Local Kitchen, located at 825 Lake Street in Bristol, is open during the summer seven days a week from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Besides in-house dining, they also provide take-out. Customers can call in their orders at 603-744- 6886. For a look at their menu, go to their website, www.village- localkitchen.com, or visit them on Facebook for updates on what’s happening at Newfound’s newest dining experience.
on to the kitchen, the area was stripped and nearly all the equip- ment is now brand new as well.
Jim was proud to say that every company involved in the renova- tion work are local and did an out- standing job.
Besides the building improve- ments and repairs, the bathrooms were rebuilt, meeting ADA com- pliance, and they added a diaper changing station. Out in front of the building, a porch with a hand- icap ramp was also added.
“We want to meet the needs of everyone,” Jen said.
Once all of that was complete, Jen’s talents for interior design came into play. With the help of their daughter Amanda, they put together a color and design theme. They purchased new din- ing tables, chairs and barstools. They designed a new ordering station by the front door, which is adjoined by a 12-seat bar and fea- tures live edge wood countertops.
“There’s plenty of space here,” said Jen. “We just need to add a little more art and decor, and some acoustic panels because the sound can be loud in the dining room sometimes.”
The expansive dining area however allows people to grab a seat, go over the menu then walk up to the ordering station to put in their requests for food and bev-
erages. While VLK doesn't have designated servers to take orders, when food and drinks are ready, the “hybrid” service they offer fea- tures food runners who deliver ev- erything to the customers. Those who choose to sit at the bar how- ever, where there are flat screen TVs lining the wall, do receive full service since the kitchen is just a few steps away.
Speaking of the bar, Village Local Kitchen’s General Man- ager, co-owner and head chef RJ Schauer, who is the couple's son, is full of praise for his bartenders, FoH and kitchen staff. Together they have come up with some de- licious and creatively named items on the menu.
In addition to typical drinks, the bartender has even created his own specialty cocktail mixes and come up with some signa- ture drinks. Among them are the Espressotini, VLK’s own House- made Sangria and, Jen’s favorite, the Pemi Pomi.
The food menu is not only mouthwatering, but fun to mull over, too. Lake Chips are crispy fried dill pickle chips served with a choice of house made sauces. Sweet potato fries, loaded fries, calamari, pork dumplings, fried pepper jack bites, and wings and tenders with house made sauces are just a few of their starters.
Salads with a variety of “pro- tein add-ons,” are also popular, as
are the list of steak, chicken and seafood entreés available.
Sandwiches, both hot and cold, have some clever names, like “The Newfound Shark” tuna salad and the “Gobfather,” which is “lean and mean and runs the table, stacked with turkey, bacon, let- tuce, tomatoes and mayonnaise.” “Hamageddon,” “Mob Quad,” and “The Piggy Back” are a few of the other cold sandwich choices.
Among the hot sandwiches are chicken, veal or meatball Parme- san, burgers, pastrami, and the “Tannerite Steak Bomb,” (from which locals will get not just a full belly but a good chuckle from its name).
Seafood, steak, and chicken en- treés are also available. But, what everyone has waited for since the former pizzeria closed, are the piz- zas at VLK.
RJ said opening week saw a glitch in the housemade dough, but everything is perfect now and their N.Y. Style pizza is getting rave reviews. In addition to their specialty pizzas like the Village Idiot, there are calzones, pasta (including Jen’s own homemade mac and cheese) and other great dishes for both the meat lover and the vegetarian. Again, keeping ev- eryone’s needs in mind, many of their dishes can also be prepared gluten-free upon request. The housemade meatballs are always