Rochester business owner looking to buy abandoned Crescent Beach restaurant
- Community Submission
- 3h
- 2 min read
GREECE, N.Y. – A new contender has emerged with plans for the Crescent Beach Restaurant property, which has been the subject of speculation regarding a potential purchase by the Wegmans family.
Linden Overhiser, owner of a firewood business in Rochester, has expressed interest in acquiring the property despite having no restaurant experience. Overhiser envisions transforming the space into a fine dining restaurant and event venue with a wood-fired theme. He also plans to renovate the dock to allow guests to arrive by boat.
Erin Mahon: “There’s a lot of work to be done on this property. How do you feel about tackling that challenge?”
Overhiser: “Honestly, I thrive in chaos,” Overhiser said. “So the more there is to tackle, the better I feel about it and the better I feel when it’s done and completed.”
Overhiser said he is ready to move forward with the necessary steps to revive the restaurant’s quality and reputation. Overhiser also said he has submitted an intent to purchase to a federal district court in Western, N.Y. in May, but hasn’t heard when or if he’ll get approved. He did receive confirmation from the court they were still accepting offers, and that his did go through.
Mahon: “What are the updates that you’ve gotten either from the receiver or the court on a timeline?”
Overhiser: “Well, that’s that’s kind of the issue that we’re dealing with right now is that the receiver has not been communicative. And the court clerk was very disappointed in the lack of the receiver’s involvement and submission of the appropriate documents and things of that nature.”
The property is currently valued at $2.3 million. Overhiser said he hopes to negotiate a lower price but does not consider it a dealbreaker if he cannot.
Overhiser aims to breathe new life into the space with updates including a fresh coat of paint, a new dock, and roofing repairs. He remains confident in his ability to succeed, citing his experience starting his firewood business with “fifty cents and a business card.”
Turning an abandoned space into a fine dining venue with a wood-fired concept sounds bold and visionary—especially for someone without restaurant experience. It’s inspiring to see someone embrace a steep learning curve and take initiative, much like students who rely on an online class helper to tackle new subjects. With determination and the right support, even the most complex challenges can become success stories. Best of luck to Mr. Overhiser