By Rod Bacon
A restaurant channeling the cruizin’ culture of the ‘50s and ‘60s, and paying homage to a popular song originated by Big Joe Turner that was covered by Bill Haley & His Comets, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and even The Beatles, among others, opened last month in Queensbury.
Shake, Rattle & Roll, owned by Fort Ann concrete contractor Dale Baldwin, has been taking shape for the past five years.
“We worked on it in the winter when concrete work was slow,” said Baldwin.
The 3,024-square-foot building was erected by Peterson Builders Framing Contractors of Charlotte, N.C. Baldwin’s son, Travis, did all the finish carpentry and his daughter, Amanda, performed the painting and staining tasks. Glens Falls-based E&T O’Connor did the site work and DE Contracting of Lake George did the paving. Cerrone Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning of Queensbury installed the plumbing and heating.
The restaurant, which will be open from April through November, serves hamburgers and “Hound Dog” hot dogs, with sides of french fries, mac-and-cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans. Twelve flavors of ice cream that can be ordered in cones, sundaes, floats, or banana splits, are offered for dessert. The ice cream, which can also be ordered from a walk-up ice cream window, is from King Brothers Dairy in Schuylerville.
The restaurant can seat approximately 66 people.
The chef is Steve LaBarge, whose professional background includes stints at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City and the Holiday Inn in Lake George.
Baldwin’s daughter-in-law, Shannon Baldwin, is the manager.
Patrons will be impressed by Baldwin’s display of automobile-themed memorabilia, which he has been collecting for more than 30 years.
“Some of what I have is over a hundred years old,” he said. “Everything is original.”
Baldwin notes he chose the name of the restaurant based on the popular song. He hopes to host events featuring antique and classic cars as the eatery gains popularity. In fact, he has been approached by a 200-member Model T club that plans to make his venue a stop during a rally next year that will start at Fort William Henry in Lake George and tour throughout the Adirondacks and Vermont.
His personal collection includes two Model Ts and a Model A.
“I’ve always liked old cars,” he said. “I’ve had them since I was a kid.”
Now that Shake, Rattle & Roll is up and rolling, Baldwin is moving on to his next project. Throughout the coming winter he will be working on a separate building that will house a Farm Market that will offer a selection of vegetables, fruit, pies, cider donuts, jellies, maple syrup, and honey, among other delectable foods. Plans call for Amanda to oversee that enterprise. Baldwin hopes to have it open in spring 2026.
Even after the market is completed, Baldwin doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels. The property at the corner of Routes 149 and 9 L encompasses 25 acres. Baldwin said he might build a strip mall at the rear of the property.
“I’ve had several people express interest in renting a spot in one,” he said.
Baldwin & Sons Concrete Contracting was started by Dale’s father, Ken, in 1967. The business then passed to Dale, and his sons, Travis and Zack, now oversee day-to-day operations.
Ken had an entrepreneurial spirit like Dale’s and started Hillbilly Fun Park in West Fort Ann in 1989. He operated it with his wife, Milly, until he sold it.
Radio station WCKM hosted a grand opening celebration for the restaurant on August 23, which featured Morning Club personalities Pete Cloutier and Dan Miner.
Shake, Rattle & Roll’s hours are 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., seven days a week.