The Chesapeake, a surf-and-turf restaurant that was a favorite of many residents in Baldwin-Whitehall and the surrounding area—especially with its seafood buffet special—has been closed for some time at its spot along Streets Run Road in Baldwin Borough.
There is still activity at that property these days with a number of trailers and other work vehicles spotted there frequently, but there are no signs of life coming from the restaurant building, which has been boarded up for years.
If The Chesapeake were to reopen, could it survive? Or would you like to see something else there?
The 1.766-acres property—1965 Streets Run Rd.—is zoned for use as a restaurant, café and/or bar.
In April 2011, Baldwin police Chief Michael Scott said that he had heard that the owner of the property wanted to remodel the restaurant to repurpose it as "an Irish bar" and that some of the work vehicles there may be being used for that remodeling.
Baldwin Borough Manager John Barrett said on Monday, though, that his office has not received any definitive plans from the property owner.
Barrett said that the owner did submit a site plan to the borough for a restaurant about a year ago but that nothing ever came of it.
What would you like to see at The Chesapeake? Give us your best idea in the comments section below.
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Bill Antantis
4:21 pm on Monday, April 30, 2012
I drive by it every day and would love to see another bar restaurant...I ate there a time or too and had my grandmothers wake there. A place like North/South Park clubhouse with a nice bar and good food.
Christina Gruber
6:22 pm on Monday, April 30, 2012
Restaurant would be nice. Also a gas station/convenience store would be great, There are no gas stations on Streets Run Road.
Kaitlin
7:11 am on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
ML, I was just going to post, it's an eyesore. What, with all the traffic on Streets Run, it's a great location! Id love to see a revitalization of the property/building.
William Apel
10:47 am on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
It would great to have a nice resturant with middle of the road dining with a bar. Also a varried menu, not another chain that has the same items all year. However it's an expensive task to open one, the public is so fickle. Good Chefs not cooks are also a hard fine. The traffic light at the top of RT #51 is another deterent.
William Apel
Billie
11:58 am on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
i feel a gas station would do great in that location!!
jennifer crawford
12:03 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I would love to see a restaurant there!!
Janet Vucich
1:28 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Max & Ermas would be great.
Billee
4:04 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
My vision for vacancy would be a Baldwin Whitehall Community Center with a internal volunteer organization. In doing so it may foster a stronger and more unified community while giving back to all areas and or people inside the walls.Volunteer applicants would be approved, registered and obtain proper clearances. This would minimize and help to maintain any legal issues. In the end the district would save on labor costs and or operations of many kinds... May help gain strength for community relations, maintain taxes, increase property values and improve the education of the Baldwin Whitehall students. We could keep our teachers and programs to better prepare our children for college.. Daydream over! Back to reality :(
Marlene Koenig
9:42 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
My family and I had gone to the Chesapeake and other restaurants before it (many celebrations were held there). I would like to see it come back as another great restaurant--we need more in this area. Lots of parking there too.
Marlene
JustMe
12:57 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The place is an eyesore and should be torn down or fixed up. Billie our taxes would have to go up to build a Baldwin Whitehall Community Center. Would need a board there to oversee the place and then they would want reimbursed for everything. You might at the beginning get people to volunteer there but they will quit then you would have to pay staff to keep an eye on the place.
RRH
12:37 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
This is a total dump...of course so is most of Route 51...Baldwin-Whitehall really needs a face-lift anymore. If you grew up here like me, I think you'd agree our once great neighborhood has really been on the decline. It's really sad...even beyond that B-W, we have a mall that completely stinks...there is NO REASON to even venture to Century III. #1. It's shady as ever. #2 There is nothing there besides cheap sunglass huts and low-grade clothing stores. I find myself going to the Waterforont mostly or as far as Robinson or the North Hills as those areas are just more desirable to shop...plus they actually have shops!!! It's just a shame...our little 'hometown' has really went down-hill. Sorry, just hoping someone from our local gov't reads this! I miss my neighborhood =( (tears, sigh)
As far as the Streets Run Road...Why not a GAS STATION??? I cannot believe there isn't a gas station on Streets Run...for as many communters that use this to get to work everyday...would REALLY be nice!!
Sasafras Jackson
1:11 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I agree with you RRH. I would welcome a face lift of Baldwin Boro proper.
I think that a gas station for electric cars would be more beneficial to the environment in this location. However, not that many people have electric cars yet and that may not warrant an electric car gas station. Maybe in a few years’ time it will be the endeavor and we will be proverbial sooth seers if I may be so bold. Haha. Lol.
It would be a good idea as well to morph the idea of an electric car gas station and restaurant since it is already zoned such to have an electric car gas station restaurant. Here you could charge your car and order food from the attendant and then leave to go home or to work.
cc
4:30 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Over the last few years they have been tearing those old buildings down on 51 and replacing with others. I think it is starting to look better. I prefer to go to South Hills Village then shop out in the Century III area. The new owner in the Mall is trying to bring in new business out there and hope that they can.