A Firehouse Turned Halloween Wonderland - LADDER 1 GRILL
Oct 24, 2024 01:41PM ● By REINA ESSER
In the heart of Barre, Vermont, at 8 South Main Street, Ladder 1 Grill stands as a unique restaurant with deep roots in the community’s history. Housed in a former Victorian-style firehouse, Ladder 1 Grill blends the legacy of its building with an inviting dining experience. Owner Valerie WhiteBeaudet purchased the firehouse in 2005 and has since transformed it into a beloved local eatery where every dish tells the story of a firefighter or EMT who has served the community.
Valerie shares the inspiration behind Ladder 1 Grill, reflecting on its fifteen-year journey. “The firehouse was built in 1904. In 2005, I purchased the building and brought over my flower shop. After trying to lease the downstairs space as a restaurant with two failed attempts, I decided to open my own restaurant,” Valerie explains.
The firehouse's rich history and ties to the local firefighting community were the perfect foundation for a restaurant where every dish is connected to a firefighter’s story. One of Valerie’s favorite menu items is “Fred’s Fish and Chips,” named after the late Fred Dessereau, a retired firefighter and devoted Catholic.. “Every Friday, we take a dollar off [the price] of the dish in Fred’s honor,” she says.
Walking into Ladder 1 Grill is like stepping back in time. The walls are adorned with firefighter memorabilia, from floor to ceiling.
“I love Halloween,” Valerie says with enthusiasm. “[The building] is perfect for decorating; the ceilings are so high. This year, we’ve got a huge Beetlejuice presence, along with favorites like The Nightmare Before Christmas and some old-school classics like Frankenstein and Dracula.”
Many of the decorations are interactive, with motion-activated animatronics that surprise and delight guests. “It’s always fun to see people clapping their hands and trying to get the animatronics to move,” Valerie adds.
While the décor is straight out of Fright Night, Valerie ensures the atmosphere remains welcoming for all ages. “Kids absolutely love it, but I try not to make it too scary. I used to have a life-sized Freddy Krueger in the bathroom, but that didn’t go over well with the little ones,” she says with a laugh. “Freddy” now resides elsewhere, but the fun continues with family-friendly decorations that create a whimsical but not-too-spooky environment.
Every Thursday night from 6:00 to 8:30pm, Ladder 1 Grill hosts live music, which adds to the festive ambiance. “We have local talent performing, and the acoustics in the firehouse are amazing,” Valerie says. Regular theme nights like Italian Night on Tuesdays and Mexican Night on Wednesdays keep the menu exciting, with drink specials to complement the food.
As much as Ladder 1 Grill embraces the spirit of Halloween, the restaurant’s roots in the firefighting community remain central year-round, except during Christmas, when Valerie decorates the restaurant with over ten trees. But once the holidays are over, it returns to its traditional firehouse theme until the end of September. “I want people to honor those who risk their lives every day,” she says, referring to the stories behind the dishes and the historical elements placed strategically around the restaurant.
Valerie responds with heartfelt joy when asked what she hopes visitors take away from their Halloween experience. “I love to see the sparkle in the children’s eyes as they watch the animatronics move. It’s magical. I hope they go home and talk about it all night and dream up what they will dress up as for Halloween.”
For adults, the restaurant evokes nostalgia, with many people taking photos and laughing like kids again. Valerie hopes that beyond the fun, visitors will return to enjoy the firehouse’s history and honor the brave men and women who inspire each dish.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LADDER 1 GRILL
LADDER 1 GRILL
8 South Main Street
Barre, VT
