You don’t need to book a flight to grab a meal at Paula’s Runway Café, although it certainly couldn’t hurt.
Located at the Hudson Valley Regional Airport on New Hackensack Road in Wappingers Falls, the café is a new endeavor for Paula Young-Borra, the owner of Paula’s Public House down the road. Young jumped on the chance to submit a proposal for the terminal space, formerly Tail Winds Café, after Dutchess County put out word to restaurateurs in the region. After receiving the okay from the county, she began renovations to open the eatery to the Hudson Valley community this fall.
Paula’s Breakfast
Open for business since October 21, Paula’s Runway Café channels the pub-style spirit of the public house to offer familiar dishes at accessible prices.
“It is a comfortable and attractive place for families and friends to join together — a place for ladies who lunch, for moms and their kids, for the working guy and the businessperson to grab a bite, for seniors to catch up with each other — a place that will welcome people from all places and all walks of life with open arms,” Young-Borra enthuses.
She and her team made every effort to perfect the finishing touches on the interior, which seats between 50 and 60. Young-Borra collaborated with David Lawrence, a designer and costume maker on Broadway, to nail down the café’s vibrant colors, which pair well with the warm breakfast and lunch spreads. In addition to morning and afternoon fare, she hopes to roll out a curated Sunday brunch for locals who want a treat on the weekends.
Treats at Paula’s
Ideal for travelers and Hudson Valleyites alike, Paula’s Runway Café is something of a passion project for Young-Borra, who has fond memories of traveling as a child.
“I always think of [airports] as places full of life and love. Airports are places that hold endless possibilities, the start of adventures, and the home base for return,” she says. With the opening behind her, she plans to further her stake at the airport with Paula’s Jet Set Lounge, a bar and lounge area scheduled to open in late spring 2020. A similar size as the café, it will be an easy spot for drinks and light bites in a relatively quiet corner of Dutchess County.
At both spaces, Young-Borra looks forward to planning the events that draw the Hudson Valley community to Paula’s Public House during the week. In addition to hosting local artists and crafting nights, she anticipates using the venue for fundraising events to benefit local charities.
Will you grab a bite at Paula’s Runway Café? Let us know in the comments!
