CLINTON, N.Y. — Charcuterie fans have a new option in Clinton with the opening of The Village Graze, a charcuterie-focused eatery and catering business operated by Melissa and Devyn Morgan. The couple, who were living in Washington state, bought a house in Clinton three years ago and have been splitting their time between the two […]
CLINTON, N.Y. — Charcuterie fans have a new option in Clinton with the opening of The Village Graze, a charcuterie-focused eatery and catering business operated by Melissa and Devyn Morgan.
The couple, who were living in Washington state, bought a house in Clinton three years ago and have been splitting their time between the two states, wintering in New York.
After having children, they decided they really wanted to make Clinton their full-time home, Melissa Morgan tells CNYBJ.
“We wanted to plant roots in the community,” she says.
The Morgans are no strangers to the restaurant industry. They began their food ventures in Washington with a pizza truck and currently operate a fleet of three hot-dog trucks there.
It’s no surprise that while driving around Clinton late last year, the couple saw some space for lease and immediately thought it would be a great spot for an eatery.
By December, they had an idea of what they wanted to do — mixing things up from their other food operations — and The Village Graze officially opened on Feb. 7.
For those dining in, the eatery offers custom-designed charcuterie boards featuring an array of curated meats, cheese, and fruits; a selection of sandwiches; waffles; pancakes; and more. Customers can also place to-go orders online.
The space features tables handmade by Devyn Morgan’s father. He also makes the charcuterie boards they use in the restaurant and crafts additional ones for sale on site. Devyn did most of the renovations on the space, which can seat 14 people at six tables.
“The eatery is almost like a tasting room,” Melissa says. Of course, it’s a place where customers can stop to grab a bite to eat, but it also gives them the option to sample the food for catering.
The catering options are pretty wide-ranging, she says. “We can tailor it to the person who is hosting. It’s not just a set menu.”
The Village Graze specializes in grazing tables – larger scale charcuterie spreads – that can be customized to the event. “The opportunity seems to be endless with how much food you can put on there,” Melissa adds. They can handle events of all sizes from showers to weddings or corporate events.
The Morgans are also working on partnering with local farmers to use local produce in their menu.
Currently, the couple staffs The Village Graze on their own, but they are looking to add a paid intern to the staff. The only requirements are having an entrepreneurial mindset, a passion for food, and an artistic streak.
The Village Graze celebrated its grand opening on Feb. 13 with a ribbon-cutting event.
Response since the opening has been great, Melissa says. “We had no idea people were excited for a new business.” While the heavy snow has impacted things a little bit, The Village Graze has already attracted a handful of regulars, she adds.
Currently, the eatery is open Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Mondays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Morgans hope to add some dinner hours in the future, perhaps through events like a paint and snack event with a local artist or a make-your-own charcuterie board class.
