Comments on: BREAKING NEWS: Bentleys Shuttered; Fire Stones, Too

By: margie robinson

margie robinson — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 02:10:34 +0000

More good memories…went there “before kids” and then went with kids…amazing times…remember how the ceiling rolled back, the painting was removed and the dj started playing the music? Coolest thing ever! My dad, Herb Hirschland, had a favorite spot at the bar. He’s looking down now and wondering how this could happen…but wishing you well Dave and Bill.

By: paulette osborne

paulette osborne — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:36:39 +0000

Lila and Ann, I have know Bill and Dave for over 36 years. They have always been too trusting. Even though, people in their lives proved untrustworthy, they never lost that quality. They always believed the best of people. If all those figures quoted are correct, they have may have been irresponsible but they are not the perpetrators. Time will tell. I think we are applauding the great job they have done in the community for 37 years. not their business acumen.

By: Roxanne (Caddick) Sessions

Roxanne (Caddick) Sessions — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 23:31:53 +0000

Wow, this horrible news has traveled to CT where I moved to 28 years ago when I left the Bentley’s/Rosalita’s family. Bill and David, it truly broke my heart to have heard the news that after putting your heart and soul into your work after this many years has come to an end. I know Woodstock and Quechee won’t feel the same to me when I travel there again. I hope your future finds you happy and satisfied with whatever it is you plan to do in “semi-retirement.” Loved reading all the old memories and seeing all the old names that I haven’t heard in so many years! I, too, had some fantastic memories of the great parties we’d all get to celebrate together there! Best of luck to you, Bill and David, and THANK YOU for being the best guys I’ve ever worked for! Much love to you.

By: Betsy Willcox

Betsy Willcox — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:41:40 +0000

Oh my, reading everyone’s memories brings tears to my eyes. I never, never in my life had so much fun. The family developed, was and is, unlike I’ve ever known. We all, including the owners themselves, pitched in to help each other; the salad maker, dishwasher, cooks, bus people, bartenders, everyone !! I vividely remember going to the diswasher helping load and or unload. It was all so crazy at times I wondered how we would get through it. But because the teamwork, we were all able to end the evening more bonded than ever with one another and party our hearts out. Dave & Bill were at the center of it all. They “did” host a wonderful party for so many years.
I look forward to seeing everyone all together again and lets not let the party die! Love & hugs.

By: Allison Cesario Paton

Allison Cesario Paton — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 22:27:26 +0000

What a shame to learn Bentleys has closed its doors! The corner where all roads meet in Woodstock will be sorely missed. I can’t tell you how often readers of MRS BUNDLE TAKES A HIKE mention how much they enjoy the chapter when Mrs. Bundle meets a future client–at Bentleys, a place known to anyone who has ever visited Woodstock! Best of everything to Bill and Dave.
Allison Cesario Paton

By: Lila Manne

Lila Manne — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 00:13:20 +0000

Does no one else find that fact that this business is so arrears in taxes, state and federal? It was reported in the Valley News that
the two creditors at both restaurants with the biggest claims are the IRS and the Vermont Department of Taxes. Along with the Vermont Department of Labor, which collects employment taxes, the agencies are owed a total of $649,107 at Bentleys and a total of $539,568 at Fire Stones, the filings show. A number of other creditors holding unsecured claims are owed about $850,000 at Bentleys and $600,000 at Fire Stones, the records show. This is not something to be celebrated.

By: paulette osborne

paulette osborne — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:16:26 +0000

Ok, so I was talking with Colleen and she took the ball and ran with it. See her invitation for a party June 15. I guess details to follow. You can still email me with ideas. Was hoping it would be an employees’ reunion. i think there are a few people around that weren’t. lol

By: Ann Meade

Ann Meade — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:05:12 +0000

I hate to be the voice of reason but these gentleman owe a lot of money in back taxes, not forwarding payroll deductions to the state does not say much for how employees are valued. They have nearly lost the property in Quechee for not paying propery taxes. This kind of behavior in the business community is nothing to applaud or condone.

By: paulette osborne

paulette osborne — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:44:22 +0000

I love seeing so many comments and memories here. I have always thought we should have a reunion for Bentleys employees. and some people agree. Maybe now is the time. Well not right now, but thinking sometime in June. maybe around the WUHS reunion on June 15. Unfortunately Sunday is Father’s Day and maybe that would make some people unavailable. I would love to hear from you regarding ideas. This could be a lot of fun!! You can post here or email me: osbornepaulette@hotmail.com.

By: Colleen Hammond

Colleen Hammond — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:46:52 +0000

OMG!.. Bill and Dave can’t seem to catch a break. It simply isn’t fair that these to wonderful people have to end their life-long careers on such a horrible note, with no fault of their own.

I was one of many who was employed at Bentley’s over the years and still cannot fathom the Woodstock landmark being closed. We were not just employees but family, who worked and played hard together. Where else would I have met and received signatures from; Billy Joel, Danny Devito, Christie Brinkley, Margot Kidder, Neil Diamond, Judge Judy, Michael J. Fox & wife Tracey Pollan, Charles Bronson & wife Jill Ireland, Christopher Lloyd, and I even danced with Christopher Reeves. And lastly, let’s not forget our dear friend, producer Frank Marshall.

To my extended family: Bill, Dave, Nikki, Paulette, Pam, Heidi, Suzy, Cari, John S, Todd, Linda, Deb, Stacey, Adrianne, Stephanie, Aaron, Tom, Biella, Dean & Sarah, Bud & Steve , Jay & Linda, Steve D, Paul, Steve M, Peter, John, Donna, Bubba, Betsy, Becky, Lisa, Tim & Maureen, Susan, Jim, Gretchen, Jonathan, Giovanni, Ruth & Richard, Neiva, Woody, Libby, the numerous kitchen staff/ dishwashers / and office help, and all those my mind simply cannot recall at this time – Thank You!

And thank you as well to the extended community family that supported us through many a HAPPY HOUR, DANCING, CHRISTMAS PARTIES, WASSILS, CATILLIONS, WEDDINGS, GRADUATIONS, SHOWERS, and so much more.

Today I call one last staff meeting starring Bill & Dave – WooWoo’s to you!

By: Colleen Hammond

Colleen Hammond — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:14:32 +0000

OMG!.. Bill and Dave can’t seem to catch a break. It simply isn’t fair that these to wonderful people have to end their life-long careers on such a horrible note, with no fault of their own.

And thank you as well to the extended community family that supported us through many a HAPPY HOUR, DANCING, CHRISTMAS PARTIES, WASSILS, CATILLIONS, WEDDINGS, GRADUATIONS, SHOWERS, and so much more.

Today I call one last staff meeting starring Bill & Dave – WooWoo’s to you! You will both be greatly missed and remembered by many.

By: Steven Cary

Steven Cary — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:50:57 +0000

Say it ain’t so!! I’d rather hear that the Washington Monument is being torn down. Bill and David, congratulations for the longest running show on Broadway. Whatever “semi-retirement” means, I hope it brings you health and happiness.

By: Janice Prindle

Janice Prindle — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:07:23 +0000

I learned of this with great sadness (and a bit of hope David and Bill will be able to step back from the brink once again). I have so many happy memories of this place, where many friends have worked at different times, and Dave and Bill are really good people. They were so kind to my dear late husband Geoffrey Stokes when he was ill, and to me. I wish them the best future possible whatever they do next, and thank them for the hospitality they’ve provided my family and friends over so many years.

By: Caroline Favre-Gilly Law

Caroline Favre-Gilly Law — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:03:05 +0000

Yes, thousands of us have Bentleys on our resume. I am dating myself saying I was part of the first group of Bill & David’s rockin’ team. The restaurant blazed— After hours we perfected our dance moves on the ‘Mezz’. Such fun we had! Thank you Bill and David. We’ll miss you!

By: Rich Pompei

Rich Pompei — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 02:39:22 +0000

Bentley’s is where my wife and I would sit and eat and drink and laugh every summer with two of the greatest people in the world, Aunt Deb and Uncle Steve, in our favorite spot on earth, Woodstock. Thank you Careen for your smile and fabulous drinks! We will forever miss this little slice of our lives.

By: KMK

KMK — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:50:52 +0000

I was another Friday and Saturday night “regular” in the late 80s into mid 90s…more memories than I could possibly list, but always good times when the ceiling rolled back and the lights came up for dancing until they almost had to throw us out for the night. Thanks, Dave and Bill. Those were the days.

By: Steven Thomas

Steven Thomas — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:45:14 +0000

Let’s see: I worked there in 1976 and on and off for many years. My first wife and I worked there. I met me second wife, Deb, and the love of my life there. I filled in one night at the bar in 1977 for Dave and Bill and left the place–unlocked!–to go dancing at the Bethel Inn. Dancing on the bar in the early days, mouth Sundays in the plant store, the crazy people from southern Vermont (forget the restaurant they owned) who we would wait on in the plant store. The omelet room upstairs and the endless flight of stairs. Tom Spanbauer! Vacuuming the restaurant before work for $1.78/hour. Mushrooms growing through the floor in the back room; ski trail signs in the freezer. Hot chocolate souffles dreamed up by Bill via the microwave. YOUTH!!! Randy–where is he? Caroline Favre-Gilly. Vinnie and Tom behind the bar in the early days. Jack’s Joke Shop. Linda Caruso. Meetings in the omelet room. Swaz!!!! Jim Harley! Coming back from roads trips and being hired once again. Thank you! Ellen and I singing in the small room in the plant room-echo chamber a la Lesley Gore. Michael Olive. Fonda. Many firsts. Time to get a watch. Falling in and out of love. Falling in love for good. “Our famous hamburger” (famous–how?–from the first day they opened). Dick McCormick on “the Mez.” That guy that played the oldies in the 70′s–Jim??. David and the endless parlsey. The garage door. Those rooms upstairs! Steve Carey. Molly. Blender drinks! Rum Raisin ice cream. Dancing!!! All the people, all the memories. The flow of life. Samsara. THANK YOU!

By: Todd French

Todd French — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:05:36 +0000

Sad indeed, so many folks impacted by these closings.

By: Donna & Ed Durgin

Donna & Ed Durgin — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:31:52 +0000

A little reminiscing: I managed Bentley’s Flower Shop in the early 90′s and it was here where I met my dear friend, Jeanne Matos, who was managing the cafe. I made weekly trips to the Boston Flower Market to purchase flowers for beautiful floral displays. Jeanne created culinary delights for the cafe for locals and visitors alike. WOW! It was quite the gathering place and Bill and Dave were always most appreciative and supportive. We will miss seeing the familiar faces and we will miss Nikki’s martinis!

By: Liz Fobes Cragg

Liz Fobes Cragg — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:10:04 +0000

So sorry to hear this news…Bill and David have been a wonderful
part of my Sister’s life and probably saved her life…Lots of love to both of you….Liz