Vermont has its fair share of haunted places and ghostly tales, and this is one that will send shivers down your spine. This haunting is not in your traditional house, but a popular restaurant in downtown Burlington. The Shanty on the Shore may be best known for its fresh seafood, but there is a tale behind the first inhabitant that makes you wonder if he ever left. Let’s take a closer look at this haunted restaurant in VT.

In 1833, Issac Nye ran a successful general store on the Burlington waterfront.

The building was located on the four-lot stretch of land and dock known as Nye’s Wharf.

Today this location is the popular seafood restaurant Shanty on the Shore.

But the tales of the past owner continue to be told.

Nye kept to himself and interacted as little as possible with his patrons.

He had brief conversations with his customers and the family who rented the rooms upstairs, and he became known as "The Hermit of Champlain."

Otherwise, Nye kept to himself.

Suddenly, at the age of 44, Nye announced that business was ‘distasteful’ and he promptly closed his doors, never to open again.

He moved into the small room in the back of the shop and became even more reclusive.

However, Nye would always go out to do his favorite thing…

Attend funerals.

It didn’t matter if Nye knew the deceased or not.

He would stay until the bitter end and the last bit of dirt went onto the coffin before he would get back into his buggy and return home.

When Nye died at the age of 80 he had one final request regarding his own funeral.

He asked that his shop which had been closed for 30 years be opened and his body be laid out on the counter for people to pay their respects.

The 1871 Burlington Free Press details this peculiar funeral:

"The goods in the store when he closed it, remained and mouldered upon the shelves. He would sell nothing of them, and what is left of them are still there."

But that wasn’t the end of good old Issac Nye.

Restaurant staff say that they hear footsteps and lights mysteriously turn on. Glassware rattles despite there not being any breeze, cold chills and moved furniture have been reported as well.

Even the current owner of the Shanty by the Sea believes that Nye’s spirit still lives in the building.

Perhaps he simply couldn’t give up his stunning view.

For more haunted places take this haunted road trip through Vermont... If you dare!