The new place has been busy since day one, but it just wasn't in the cards for a formal ribbon cutting and grand opening at a local fine eatery.

Doors opened at the Tamaqua Station Restaurant in late April and customers have been giving it rave reviews, even if there was no official launch.It wasn't that owners John and Melanie Ross didn't want to host that type of celebration. But not everything was in place. Certain details were out of their control - such as acquisition of a liquor license.But today is a new day, and all of the hurdles have been cleared. And so the depot restaurant, chugging at full steam, is inviting the community to join in on a Customer Appreciation Week, set for Nov. 1 to 6."We want to thank the community for welcoming us and for their support," John said on Sunday.Melanie said a schedule of treats and surprises is planned."It'll be a big week of fun," she said."It's not a ribbon cutting, but it's our way of saying thanks for helping us to be very successful."The restaurant will host happy hour all week and will feature special promotions.Melanie provided a sneak peek at what will take place. There will be complimentary lunchtime desserts from Tuesday through Saturday.Tuesday evening will feature wine tasting with a local vineyard.The new liquor license will be celebrated via introduction of a full martini menu, expected to be available as a regular staple henceforth.Wednesday will bring half-price surprises and special appetizers in the evening.Thursday night will feature all-you-can-eat lobster tails while Friday's offering will be free live entertainment from 7-10 p.m.Those partaking of Saturday dinner will be eligible for surprise giveaways, to include fun raffles and gift certificates from local enterprises."We want to promote other local businesses as well," Melanie said.One of the newest places is a bakery called Late Night Broulee LLC."The owner of this new business is our sous chef and is the master of our creme brulee, peanut butter cream pie, and vanilla cheesecake," Melanie said.On Nov. 6, the eatery will provide free coffee mugs with the purchase of a hot beverage. Another novelty, the Bloody Mary Bar, will allow patrons to be creative and build their own brunch drink.Melanie said one of their secrets to their success has been a staff she says is outstanding."Our staff is the best. They work as a team."The Rosses are seasoned veterans of the food business. They previously owned and operated Madeline's Restaurant in Orwigsburg, a casual, fine-dining eatery voted Best Restaurant in Schuylkill County by a Schuylkill Living magazine poll three years in a row.The establishment opened in 2007 and won top county honors in 2009, 2010 and 2011.In Tamaqua, their establishment occupies the former site of Vonz Restaurant, which closed New Year's Eve 2015 after a run of 2½ years. Before that, the location was known as the Restaurant at the Station, operated for eight years by Bill and Sheri Beltz, closing in December 2012.The arrival of the new restaurant inside the historic 1874 Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Passenger Depot is drawing a strong following by many former patrons of Madeline's."From the start, we've been having a lot of customers from the Pottsville area and that end of the county," Melanie said.For more information:

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