By CHRIS CRUCETTI
Contributing Writer
BM&T management will be introducing another one of its many restaurants to the Pine Hills neighborhood. The new pub is to be called ‘Madison Pour House’ and is currently under renovation, adding a brick façade and siding to make the building more aesthetically pleasing. Madison Pour House has set a tentative opening date of November 25.
The building, located at 1110 Madison Ave., is undergoing a $300,000 two-floor renovation; adding a gasoline fireplace, a full-length bar and small kitchen. The second floor, which was previously an apartment, will contain the fireplace as well additional dining area. The location was previously occupied by a bar named Mahar’s, and operat
ed out of said building for a number of years until BM&T management purchased it on December 28, 2012 for $300,000.
“We wanted to maintain the character of the building,” said Daniel Sanders, the architect overseeing the project. “Adding the apartment was big,” said Sanders, who believes they are on track to meet the tentative opening date. The redesign of the exterior was intended to give the building the appearance old English pub. “We wanted to give it an open feel to take advantage of the two story space,” he said.
BM&T is named for its three partners, Brian Viglucci, Michael Viglucci Jr., and Tony Lounello. BM&T management currently owns Café Madison, The Point, and Junior’s. General Manager of Junior’s, Daniel Savage, is thrilled for the expansion of business in the Pine Hills area.
“All of the management and owners were born and raised in Albany. We’re very involved in corporate responsibility,” said Savage, who will become the general manager of the Madison Pour House when it opens. He stressed the company is helping the community by adding 10 to 15 jobs, most of which include bartenders, a waiting staff, and kitchen aids. According to Viglucci, most of the employees will remain at their original restaurant, not becoming interchangeable with the other establishments. BM&T is excited about their latest venture and hopes it will draw more consumers to the Pine Hills area. “The Pour House will certainly increase business. This is becoming the destination block in Albany,” said Savage.
Viglucci emphasized that his company wanted to keep the style Mahar’s previously maintained, but give it a few updates. Ideas discussed included adding a menu with 35 craft beers, 30 draft beers, over 100 drink options, and food to complement the beverages. Some notable new food items to be incorporated are spicy nuts, deviled eggs, and homemade pickles.
Brian Viglucci also shared the group’s latest idea called a “ploughman’s lunch.” The dish would be served on a long board, and gives customers the option to create their own sandwich or salad with options such as meats, pickles, and sliced apples. “This would be ideal for one customer or a party of 20. It is an inexpensive option we will provide. There is an experience to be had,” said Viglucci.
The company has ties with the Pine Hills neighborhood association, and is part of the Beautify Upper Madison Project (BUMP). Savage highlighted how much the company gets involved in the neighborhood, doing what they can to help it succeed.
“We have been very in sync with BM&T,” said Virginia Hammer, Pine Hills Neighborhood Association president. Hammer expressed BM&T’s commitment to the neighborhood “They come to a number of community meetings if they have ideas to see how the neighborhood would feel about it”. She was impressed that they are a local company who cares about local issues “BM&T has set the tone for the upper Madison area.”
