Farmers enjoy growing Freight House's legacy

NORWALK — By maintaining certain elements and cultivating new ideas, one local farming family believes they're planting seeds of success to best grow their latest venture. In May, the Burnhams acquired and reopened The Freight House, 50 N. Prospect St., in Norwalk. They took over this well-known local business from a different owner after it, amid this regime, closed for several months over the past year. "It's gone really well, as good as it could go," said owner Alexis Burnham, who runs the business with her sisters, Julianna and Audrianna, and their father, Joe. They're also part of the Burnham Orchards family, a Berlin Heights-based farm in operation for more than 200 years. "We have been really grateful for all of the support we have received," Alexis said about Freight House. "We are seeing twice as much business as what was happening before us." What's staying the same The Burnhams carried over many aspects first introduced by this restaurant when it debuted. Most notably, this would include the Freight House name. "We want people to think about us in the same way that they loved Freight House for the first 10 years it was open," Alexis said. "It was extremely successful before us, and we didn't want to start from scratch. We didn't want to change too much of something that was well known and successful." Additionally, people can still expect to see all the Cleveland sports-themed memorabilia lining the walls. "We are huge Buckeyes, huge Browns, huge Indians/Guardians fans — and to be in an environment that emphasizes local and Ohio sports just helps show what we believe in and what we stand for," Alexis said. And people can still select staple menu items, like burgers and chicken wings, from an appetizing menu. "We have a decade's worth of recipes that the community loves that we have actually made better," Alexis said. "If you are a burger person or like fried foods, perch or shrimp, it's really worth the time to come and spend half an half-hour with us and get some great food." What's changing While the food remains largely intact, how it's created has completely changed, as Alexis explains. "Yes, the recipes are the same, but what's changed are the ingredients," Alexis said. Under the previous ownership, "He was using normal food vendors. I'm using locals like Sirna & Sons Produce (in Norwalk), Dalton Farms (in Wakeman), Shipwrecked Garlic Co. (a greenhouse out of Vermilion), Chandler Farms (near Toledo) and, of course, Burnham Orchards, and that's giving our customers a fresher, higher-quality taste," Alexis said. "As a farmer myself, I know how hard farmers are working, and we want to give them a spotlight in our environment, and that means so much not only to us but to them as well." Going this farm-to-table route, there's also a lot of preparation and "love" needed before people can order and eat, Alexis said. "We are spending a lot of time in labor and prep," she said. "We have people in here seven days a week getting our food ready, which includes them breading our shrimp," said Alexis, who also added a few Burnham Orchard-related pieces sprinkled in throughout the sports decor. Freight House also offers many specials, including summer seasonal items like a fried bologna sandwich, a strawberry salad and fried porkchops with an apple chutney made with Burnham Orchards apples. "People are liking the new ideas and fresh ingredients we are offering," Alexis said. They also dedicate nights to specific delicacies. For instance, people can receive deals on chicken wings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Freight House operates every day of the week. For a full list of hours, menu items, specials, deals and more, people can visit Facebook and search for "Freight House Tavern." "We are using these first 100 days to perfect our systems and operations," said Alexis, noting the only drawback about operating a restaurant, according to her, revolves around a rash of people dining and dashing. "We, at first, weren't preparing enough food, and we are trying to improve upon that." Though the positives far outweigh the negatives, she said. "Yes, it's been exhausting but also really rewarding," Alexis said. "I've had so many people come in here for family celebrations, baptisms, birthdays, treating this like a place to go celebrate something special, and that really means a lot to us." Rave reviews Many people have left positive reviews for The Freight House Tavern under the Burnham leadership. Among them: • Linda Roth Prosser: First time at the freight house Tavern since it (re)opened. The burger was delicious, done just right, and the fresh beef is very good. Nice selection of burgers to choose from. Sauerkraut balls were very good, too. I do enjoy having the redhead ciders there to choose from. Keep up the good work. • Mel Kreeger Colvin: The burger was amazing. I had the broccoli salad, and my brother had sweet potato fries. Everything was delicious. Our waitress made sure we were filled on drinks and a great personality. Definitely will be back when I'm in town again. Worth a little extra money for a great meal. • Mikayla Neer: Stopped yesterday for lunch for the first time since reopening, and I could've yelled from the rooftops over how good my sandwich was. Their shrimp po' boy is on my top five list now. The service was just as great as it was before, and our food came out quick. We will be back for sure. • Autumn Lewis: The best meal that I've had in a long time. The staff was awesome. • Makenzie Veliz: Came here on a Friday during lunch rush and have absolutely no complaints. Food was delicious, staff were friendly, and the service was fantastic. Highly suggest the garlic cheese curds appetizer and Philly cheesesteak sandwich.