LIBERTY, NY — Foster Supply Hospitality, the team behind The Arnold House, North Branch Inn, Nine River Road, The DeBruce and most recently, The Cabin at Hessinger–Lare, will now also operate Piccolo Paese Ristorante, a northern Italian restaurant.

Set to re-open in April 2019, Foster Supply Hospitality co-founders and owners, Sims and Kirsten Foster will partner with Piccolo Paese’s long-time executive chef Baco Vulaj to reimagine the space and culinary programming. “It is a privilege to be able to partner with Chef Baco and reintroduce this Sullivan County institution to those who might have been coming to the restaurant for years, and welcome new visitors who are just discovering the county,” said Kirsten.

Vulaj lived and worked in New York City for many years, at restaurants including Piccolo Mondo, Gian Marino and Da Tommaso. He shops for ingredients in the city, picking up seafood from Hunts Point Market, according to the restaurant’s website.

Additionally, Western Sullivan Properties, a real estate company affiliated with Foster Supply Hospitality, also announced recently that it will take over Sullivan County Golf and Country Club from owner/manager Brian Rourke, Town of Liberty supervisor. This project will be led by managing partner Christopher Monello and partners Damon Sabatini and Sims Foster. Western Sullivan Properties will continue golf course operations without disruption for the 2019 season, while exploring larger development opportunities for the property and restaurant facilities in the near future.

Rourke said that he’s excited for this group to be assuming control of the course.

“As someone that cares very much about the future of the Town of Liberty, I cannot think of a better group to be exploring the development potential of the Sullivan County Golf and Country Club,” Rourke said. “Their vision and energy is exactly what Liberty needs to help attract visitors and to provide new opportunities for Liberty residents.”