Maura Rosner is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Quarry Steakhouse on Route 26, once one of Coxsackie’s most popular restaurants until three years ago, will be demolished, town officials said. For many years, the Quarry Steakhouse — under the ownership of the Merchant family — was the site of numerous fundraisers and celebrations, from Girl Scout parties to political dinners. The town board in June voted unanimously in favor of demolishing the fire-damaged structure. The board informed the current property owner, Long Island businessman Joseph Pasqualone, of its decision shortly thereafter. In its current condition, the property violates of the town of Coxsackie’s unsafe buildings code, according to the letter. Under that code, structures damaged by fire, as well as unsafe fire-damaged buildings must be demolished, or repairs initiated within 30 days of the fire. Coxsackie town officials have received many complaints and the property has been inspected in accordance with the town code. Town Code Enforcement Officer Edward Pebler has deemed the building unsafe and in danger of collapse. The restaurant has been closed since it was sold in 2018. “It’s very sad,” Town Supervisor Rick Hanse said three years ago. “We had a lot of very enjoyable times there over the years and it’s a sad thing to see the source of so many great memories go up in smoke.” The Quarry Steakhouse was originally established by former Coxsackie Mayor Henry Rausch on his 20th birthday in April 1973. The following year, a banquet hall was added on to the restaurant. In 1984, the restaurant was sold to the Merchant family, who operated it for the next 34 years. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.