While the pandemic has certainly been the center of many stories of hardship, it has also created opportunities for heartwarming stories of triumph + community — and luckily, this Little Falls restaurant falls under the latter category. The Ties at the Woodford Hall, located at 4 Woodhull Avenue in Little Falls, is a new restaurant, catering hall, and bar that puts a New American twist on classic bar food. But visitors will also be able to share some of the history that became the foundation for this community-gathering place. The establishment exists today because a group of old friends decided to rescue + reinvent the space after catching word that a beloved community center, Russian Hall, was going to be torn down. Read on to learn more about The Ties at the Woodford Hall, its testament to the power of community, and its incredible reinvention.
(Photo credit: @thetiesbar)
The Story of The Ties
The Ties had its grand opening celebration on October 9th, an event that featured a ribbon cutting, food and drink specials, and a full day of live music. The space is located on the premises of the Russian Hall, which dates back to 1916. Many of the restaurant’s owners grew up in the area and had fond memories of the area surrounding the Hall.
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During the ‘70s and ‘80s, teenagers who lived in the Singac section of Little Falls hung out on the railroad tracks between the Passaic River and Little Falls train station. One place was the Ties, located down the street from the Russian Hall. Teenagers gathered year-round at the Ties for music, laughs, and a sense of camaraderie. The name was derived from a railroad tie wall that bordered the wetlands.
(Photo credit: @thetiesbar)
That sense of community and friendship was also felt at the Russian Hall, which served as a community space for a nearby local Russian Orthodox Church. Executive Chef Bogdan Tarnowski said, “It was a little town place where they had classes and community dinners.” Children would play in the front room while their mothers cooked meals for the families.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the use of the Hall dropped, and there were talks that it would be sold, torn down, and become a location for condominiums. Instead, a group of eight friends banded together, bought the space, and resurrected it as The Ties at the Woodford Hall. Their goal was to create a warm place that acknowledged the space’s history, give something back to the community, and honor their “ties” to the original venue. In fact, one of the owners is related to one of its original investors.
(Photo credit: @thetiesbar)
When reimagining the space for their new restaurant, the friends chose the Art Deco/Art Moderne style of the 1920s-1930s. It was a homage to the heyday of Singac when it was a popular getaway destination. While it departs from the rustic look of the original hall, it still retains some touches like the original wood ceiling.
On the Menu
The Ties offers an eclectic variety of food, from traditional bar fare to Eastern and Western European specialty dishes. Items include homemade perogies with grilled kielbasa, sweet and sour cauliflower, and fried avocado tacos. Bogdan’s menu contains many gluten-free options, such as street corn tots made with chipotle mayo, queso fresco, lime, paprika, and cilantro; as well as fish and chips.
(Photo credit: @thetiesbar)
Sunday brunch is available from noon to 4PM and features such tasty picks as mini chicken and waffles along with Nutella French toast with strawberry, banana, toasted coconut, and whipped cream. The bar serves monthly wine and beer specials, signature drinks, and draft and craft beers — including gluten-free selections.
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The space is also a live music venue, and you can catch acts from Friday through Sunday. The catering hall is available for awards dinners, reunions, graduations, Christenings, weddings, fundraisers, and more.
