Changes are coming to Orange Inn
Goshen. One of Goshen’s oldest buildings is undergoing renovations; owner Luigi Kapiti expects a summer opening for the Orange Inn, a Boutique Hotel, and restaurant, Limoncello.
| 23 Mar 2021 | 10:56
A pleased Luigi Kapiti stands at the rear of his building on Main Street, Goshen, now undergoing complete renovations. He’s anticipating a summer opening for the hotel, The Orange Inn, a Boutique Hotel, and restaurant, Limoncello. Photos by Geri Corey.
Front view of the Orange Inn facing Main Street, Goshen, now undergoing complete renovation. The new "Orange Inn, a Boutique Hotel” includes Limoncello Restaurant, also being renovated and updated. Early summer opening is anticipated for both.
Fifteen years ago, Luigi Kapiti purchased the building known as the Orange Inn. As one of Goshen’s oldest buildings, the longstanding inn is located prominently on Main Street.
At the time Kapiti purchased the Orange Inn, he opened a fine dining family restaurant with an Italian flair called Limocello that became one of Goshen’s most popular eateries.
Once more Kapiti is upgrading the inn, this time by renovating the entire building—both restaurant and hotel.
“We’ve gutted out the restaurant; everything will be new from the basement up,” said Kapiti. “All will be upscale, brand new with marble floors in the restaurant and in the lounge area, new appliances and an inspiring menu.”
The menu, plus afternoon tea
The focus of the Limoncello menu, with food prepared by an executive chef, will be 80 percent Italian—Northern and Southern cuisine— with Kapiti calling it an “international menu,” a little French, Asian, and other ethnic dishes offered.
Good news for patrons is that the restaurant will be open seven days a week, with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner available from 3 to 11 p.m.
An exciting addition to Limoncello’s menu is “Afternoon Tea,” served from 2 to 4 p.m., seven days a week.
“This specialty will be a traditional tea that includes choice of tea, organic honey, freshly made tea sandwiches, scones, and sweets,” said Kapiti. “We’re looking forward to offering this exciting option to our customers.”
A boutique hotel
The 31-rooms of the newly named “The Orange Inn, a Boutique Hotel,” will be upgraded, state of the art rooms. With sizes ranging from 300 square feet to suites up to 600 square feet, all will include telephones, television, Wi-Fi. An elevator is accessible to reach each of the four floors, including to the 1000 square feet penthouse, with two balconies overlooking Goshen. Fifteen of the 31-rooms have a balcony.
Included in the amenities is 24-hour front desk security, room service, a game room for youngsters, breakfast available in the morning, a bar in the lounge area and outdoor seating. Of course, the hotel will be open 24-hours daily.
Onsite are two large banquet rooms for weddings and other occasions, said Kapiti.
“We’re happy to undergo the complete renovation to offer this wonderful option to the people of Goshen, the surrounding area and visitors from out of tow,” said Kapiti, who is anticipating an early summer opening. “With the owner working here, this will be a more personable experience. You know you’re going to get the best of care during your stay at The Orange Inn, A Boutique Hotel, and have an extraordinary meal at Limoncello.”
A little history
The following information is drawn from the Limoncello at Orange Inn website and past Chronicle articles:
The Orange Inn has been a long-time fixture in the Village of Goshen. A courthouse turned post office, turned inn, in a building that dates back to the 1700s. The inn was one of the oldest operating inns around, up until the early 2000s.
The inn boasted guests from the likes of George Washington to James Cagney. Guests would often stay at the inn during functions, at the then thriving Trotters race track located across the street. Limoncello has been operating out of the historic Orange Inn building for close to ten years.
Through the years, celebrities were known to make appearances in Goshen, including Ulysses S. Grant who, it was thought, came to watch the races. Baseball great Babe Ruth often stopped in at the Orange Inn.
During the Civil War, the Orange Inn was used as a haven for escaped slaves. The building itself is built on the foundation of an old prison. Located across the street from Goshen’s historic race track, many people would come to the inn (especially the bar within the inn) after races.
Now, the restaurant thrives in the walls of history, and memories past, while creating new memories daily with Goshen local residents, and friends from far away.