There’s a new eatery developing in the former location of the White Wolf restaurant, which closed its doors in November. Christine Shamro-Schiff is going in with two other locals, Larry and Jan Wagner, and plans to change the place in ways that will emphasize comfort and warmth.

The new restaurant will be The Paper Mill, reflecting Napanoch’s longstanding former employer and industrial center. Shamro-Schiff said, “We were sitting around talking about the name and it just made perfect sense. The paper mill was the major company here from 1830 to 1980. We want to serve hardworking people and we want the people of Napanoch to feel like this is home for them.”

So, food? “We’re looking at German-style food, but with Catskills character.”

Comfort then and not tiny artistic arrays of veggies delicately placed on enormous plates?

“Seriously,” said Shamro-Schiff, with a few chuckles. “There will be a little bit of everything and it’s early days.”

Indeed, they are still interviewing chefs. However, Shamro-Schiff noted that this is the Catskills, this is deer-hunting territory, and so she wants to have a menu with gamebirds and venison, and other seasonal treats from field and stream.

On the other end of the spectrum, she said, “I know about vegans, my daughters are vegan, so we will cater to them, too.”

The interior of the White Wolf was known for some of its intricate etched glass art, but the interior will look a bit different once Shamro-Schiff is finished. For fans of the previous décor, don’t worry, the glass pieces have found a new home. “Most of the etched glass is going. It’s been sold,” she said. “We will have a nice country feel, warming the place up.”

There will be a wide selection of wines and lots of local beers; the bar is also being reworked to have more big screens and big sports. Shamro-Schiff noted that she has two event coordinators on board, Bridget Kleinberger and Dana Mankin, so The Paper Mill will be able to host everything from big weddings to small gathers.

Shamro-Schiff, who graduated from Ellenville High School and went on to have a career in politics, working for former Republican Congressman Chris Gibson, knows the area as well as anyone and is working very hard to get the new restaurant into shape for a launch in mid-January.

More details, including a dedicated website, to come.