Wolff's Biergarten opening in downtown Schenectady

When Matt Baumgartner opened Wolff's Biergarten, a restaurant with draft beer, a menu of authentic German food and a basket of peanuts on every table, Albany, New York's warehouse district wasn't a destination for the restaurant crowd.

Today, there are at least five restaurants and bars in walking distance of the beer garden. Baumgartner, who owns six restaurants in the Albany area, sees similar revitalization potential on Erie Boulevard in Schenectady, where he and three business partners are opening the second Wolff's Biergarten Wednesday.

"It feels like this section of the street is starting to pop," he says.

Baumgartner, Mark Graydon, Greta Graydon and Mark Fichera signed the lease for the building at 165 Erie Boulevard this spring and began renovating the space, formerly a KEM Cleaners. Baumgartner declined to say how much had been invested in the renovation. Most of the decor inside the restaurant was purchased at Silver Fox Salvage in Albany.

It is furnished similarly to the Albany location with picnic tables lining the middle of the space and door frames and window boxes on the walls.

By Tuesday, the restaurant was nearly ready for its Wednesday opening. Workers outside the restaurant assembled a flag pole for both the U.S. and German flag, while Baumgartner, Mark Graydon and Fichera, were inside, putting the finishing touches on the beer garden, which offers 24 draft beers and a menu with German sausage and pulled pork. The restaurant also has outdoor seating and parking.

Graydon, the general manager at the Albany beer garden, says they've already had people stop by to visit without realizing the restaurant had not yet opened.

Megan reports breaking news and covers education.