If you are a member of the Facebook group, Patchogue: From the Past to the Present, you certainly noticed the panic caused by the accusation that the new owners of the BrickHouse Brewery, located at 67 West Main Street, had washed away the historic Shand’s mural located on the western exterior wall.

The original post included questions about what was happening, after seeing men on ladders power washing the wall. Multiple posts followed the original post from last week, including memories and photos of the painting and hopes of maintaining its historic value.

According to one of the new owners, James McPeak Jr., the owners fully intend to restore the Shand’s General Store mural. He also apologizes to the group for the distress the work might have caused. He also mentioned he is a Patchogue native and values the rich history himself.

“We would not erase something that is so culturally valuable,” he wrote.

However, several Facebook group members continued to question how they intend to restore it, stating that even if it was repainted, it wouldn’t be the original. Others were happy to hear the painting wasn’t removed and that the owners promised to restore it.

Additionally, though the mural is still visible, it is clearly less visible than it had been previously. According to the owners, that is part of the restoration process. The mural was also located in the same area that was being cleaned up to install a new awning.

“We are doing a lot of research into restoring the mural,” McPeak said, “speaking to various muralists and tracking down historic photos of it.”

“The mural is so clearly visible because it will be there for the next quarter century, and then some,” added former Brickhouse owner and current building co-owner, Tom Keegan. “We used to call the room upstairs the Shand’s Loft, and the only thing different now is we call it The Stateroom. But a few much more exciting things are ahead, and we’re looking forward to the next 25 years of being in the center of life in downtown Patchogue.”

ABOUT THE BUILDING AND THE MURAL

BrickHouse Brewery is the oldest commercial building in Patchogue. The original structure, the J.S. Havens General Store, was destroyed in a fire and rebuilt in brick in 1862. The original owner, John S. Havens, died in 1903 after serving as the Patchogue’s postmaster. People believe that the building was a stop on the underground railroad, where slaves were hidden in the basement.

In 1914, James G. Shand opened Shand’s Hardware Store, which sold to local farmers. After he died in 1961, his family continued the business until 1990. In 1996, the BrickHouse Brewery opened after being remodeled the year prior. They restored the original building’s brick by removing the white painted façade and uncovering the brick. It was at that time the early Shand’s advertising sign on the west wall was uncovered.