Business

If you like good wine, you'll love a new event coming to downtown Batavia in early October. The premier of the "Taste of Fall Wine Walk" will introduce you to 15 of the finest wines produced in Western New York.

And it will give you a chance to take your own sweet time visiting 15 participating businesses and see what they have to offer. Mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 2, anytime from 5 until 9 p.m.

Tickets are $15. The Wine Walk ends with a raffle for prizes.

It is sponsored by the Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

The self-guided tour begins at the chamber office -- at 210 E. Main St. -- where each person will be given an etched wine glass and a program to guide them from location to location.

There will be plenty of hors d'oeuvres to sample along the way, too.

In preparation, businesses will be going autumnal in decor. BID Executive Director Don Burkel said that he and the BID Promotional Committee hope to get started with decorating after Sept. 11.

Burkel also said that anyone who'd like to help decorate is more than welcome.

"Just give us a call," he said, adding, "We'd like to see the businesses get creative with this. For example, each business might have a different type of scarecrow to distinguish itself."

Michael Anthony's Salon & All-Star Barbershop is way ahead of things. The proprietor has gone well beyond scarecrows, creating stunningly beautiful wreaths and floral arrangements that he made himself. He also sells the needful beauties. Many are on display in the salon and he crafts custom-made ones as well.

The impetus behind the Wine Walk, according to Dawn Ireland-Monsees, the chamber's tourism information coordinator, is to promote Batavia as "a great place to be in the Fall."

"It's also a great social opportunity and a reason for people to get together in small groups," Ireland-Monsees said. "Wine tours have always proven to be very popular."

Did you know that Western New York is second only to California in wine-grape production in the United States? And it offers wines that can stand up to long-famous European vintners, particularly its white varieties.

The regional portfolio includes perennial favorites like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, but also Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Pinot Gris, and more.

Forget about "forward" "nose," "finish" and other wine terminology used by aficionados. Most wine experts say a good wine is simply one you enjoy. Price does not necessarily dictate taste.

Tickets can be purchased on the evening of the event, in advance at the chamber or at these businesses:

• Adam Miller's Toys & Bicycle, 8 Center St.
• Michael Anthony's Salon, 43 Jackson St.
• Next Level Fitness, 85 Main St.
• The Daily Grind, 85 Main St.
• Valle Jewelers, 21 Jackson St.

You may also reserve your tickets by calling the BID at 344-0900 or the chamber at 343-7440.

For more information, visit www.downtownbataviany.com.

Three Monroe County businessmen who bought the former Pontillo's location on East Main Street, Batavia, and reopened the legendary location as "Pontillo's" have drawn the ire of the Rochester wing of the Pontillo's family.

Pontillo's Family Pizza, Inc., led by David Pontillo, nephew and son of the Pontillo's founders, has filed a trademark infringement suit against Batavia Pizza, LLC, owned by Thomas Masaschi, Jeffrey Reddish and Jason Teller.

The trio bought the 500 E. Main Street building and land late in 2009 from a firm that had acquired it in foreclosure. Then they reopened it as Pontillo's Pizzeria in April, hiring one of Salvatore Pontillo's son's, Sam Pontillo, to manage it.

Pontillo's Family Pizza, which overseas the operations of more than a dozen Pontillo's locations in the Rochester area, is claiming that Batavia Pizza never asked for, nor received, permission to use the Pontillo's name.

David's father, Anthony Pontillo, brother of Salvatore, filed for and received a federally registered trademark for "Pontillo's" in 1984.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for damaged business reputation, as well as all revenue and any profits of the new Batavia Pontillo's, plus any damages that might be awarded at trial, plus attorney's fees.

The suit also seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction against Batavia Pizza prohibiting the use of the Pontillo's name by the ownership group.

The Pontillo brothers founded one of the first post-war pizzerias in the United States in Batavia in 1947, and a few years later, Anthony headed out for Rochester to start a chain of pizzerias under the same name.

According to John and Paul Pontillo, there was an agreement between families not to infringe on each other's territory so long as Pontlllo's remained a family business.

In the lawsuit, Pontillo's Family Pizza contends that contrary to an early presentation by the Monroe County businessmen, Sam Pontillo, is not a partner in Batavia Pizza, and even if he were, Pontillo's Family Pizza would not have given him permission to use the Pontillo's trade name in a re-established Batavia enterprise.

"Because of his tax problems, Pontillo's Family Pizza, Inc., will not give Mr. Sam C. Pontillo the right to use PONTILLO'S to operate a pizzeria," reads a letter dated June 18 and written by attorney Stephan B. Salai to an attorney representing Masaschi and his partners.

It was one of two letters the ownership group received from the Rochester Pontillo's demanding that Masaschi and his partners stop using the Pontillo's name.

Sam and Paul Pontillo were operating the Batavia location when mounting debts and tax bills apparently forced them to close the store in November 2008. John Pontillo had also been involved in the operation at one time, and all three brother's dispute just how the family business fell into failure.

Sam has continued to operate the Le Roy Pontillo's, though John has made attempts to acquire it.

There is a pending lawsuit filed by the estate of Elizabeth Pontillo against Sam and Paul.

Previously:

• Pontillo v. Pontillo opens window on finances of legendary family business
• Dave's Produce has barely survived the alleged bad debt from Pontillo's
• Motions denied in Pontillo's lawsuit
• And for the rest of our previous coverage, going back to November 2008, click here.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is perfect; at least, according to a group that describes itself as bi-partisan and pro business.

Hawley was only one of two Assembly members to receive a 100 percent score from Unshackle Upstate.

The group scored legislators based on their votes on a series of business and tax bills.

Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate, said in a statement that the scorecard is designed to help voters understand how their legislators are spending their money and whether they support lower taxes and a pro-business environment.

“This is an educational tool,” Sampson said. “We simply can’t blindly vote for the same people we have year after year, or else we’ll get the same government we’ve had for year after year.”

Hawley issued a press release Tuesday touting the perfect score. The text follows the jump:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C – Batavia) was recently issued a perfect score on Unshackle Upstate’s 2009-10 legislative scorecards. Hawley received all 100 possible points based on his voting record on legislation impacting businesses in Upstate New York. Of the 212 members in the New York State Legislature, Hawley is one of only two legislators to be honored with a spotless record.

“The key to restoring the health of New York’s economy is to afford our state’s businesses with every opportunity to succeed so that they can provide employment to the people of New York,” said Hawley. “This can only be accomplished through an unwavering commitment to protecting businesses here in Upstate New York, fostering a climate that attracts businesses to our region and keeps them here in the future.”

Unshackle Upstate, a bi-partisan coalition supporting pro-business reforms in Albany, rated legislators based on their voting and sponsorship records on budget bills and other legislation that the organization has taken a stance on.

The scorecards are used to show voters where their representatives stand on the issues most important to the health and growth of business in Upstate New York. Hawley, who was also recently named the most pro-business assemblyman in Western New York by the National Federation of Independent Business New York Chapter, is hopeful that these scorecards will serve as a wake-up call for legislators and constituents alike.

“Unshackle Upstate is providing a valuable tool to empower New York voters that are sick of the double talk and inconsistency they receive from their elected officials,” Hawley said. “The issue is crystal clear; either you support Upstate New York businesses when it counts the most, or you wilt under the pressure and abandon the New York economy. I will continue to support all legislation that will bolster economic development and sustainable job growth for the dedicated and hardworking citizens of Upstate New York.”

After learning to sew only a year ago, and despite being derailed by a car accident, an Alexander girl won third place and $5,000 cash in a national sewing competition.

The sponsor, Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts, announced the winners earlier this month.

Grace Raines, the daughter of Eric and Heidi Raines, was one of more than 112,000 applicants in the prom-outfit contest. Her prize was $5,000 cash and a $250 Jo-Ann store gift card.

"Well, to be honest, I was a little disappointed because I spent a lot of time on it," Grace said. "I thought I would get first place. But I'm proud."

She's also bright, ambitious and more than a little talented. The newly minted grad of Alexander High School is attending Genesee Community College this fall with plans on earning a degree in business.

"I've always known I wanted to be in business for myself," she said.

Her motivation and competitiveness can serve her well. They certainly did in this case.

"I love contests, I've always loved contests," Grace said.

The whole thing started when Grace went to the fabric store with her mother about a year ago to get some cloth for a crazy quilt. The clerk put a brochure about the prom-outfit sewing contest in the bag.

Watching her mom sew inspired her to try it and soon she was making crazy-quilt pillows and working on a design for the contest. She hit upon an "oceanic/mermaid theme," using colors she loves like aqua, orange, pink and deep blue.

While driving to her grandparents' house in January to show them her design, she got into a car accident. Although not seriously injured, the incident spooked her and sidelined her from sewing temporarily.

"I associated the accident with the project," she says in hindsight.

But with a July deadline fixed ahead, she gained new momentum and spent countless hours perfecting the dress and a neckless to go with it.

The design features a ruched top, shaped like two seashells, made of orange silk. The midriff is a sparkling, intricately beaded triangle. The lower part of the dress is crazy-quilt style, made up of 24 different expensive types of brocades, jacquards, satins, etc. The top of the back is "all bright and glittery," made of sheer, mesh-like fabric, decorated with Swarovski Crystals.

Predictably, putting in the zipper was the toughest part.

She also designed the necklace she wore to the prom with the gown. It's made of hand-crocheted gold wire, with orange, aqua and pink beads, and a fish-shaped pendant dangling in the middle.

Total cost of the outfit was about $400, though she admits she bought more materials than she ended up needing.

Grace says she's set for college, so she plans to use her winnings to one day establish a business of her own. But she's already an entrepreneur, cleaning house for a regular clientele of 10 and counting.

Business Facilities Magazine has named Genesee County the nation’s second-best location for food production and processing.

Along with Livingston County, Genesee was highlighted for having a number of assets important to the food-production and processing industry. Both counties' agricultural strengths make them a prime place for food-processing companies to locate and operate.

This is the second-consecutive year that Genesee County has been widely recognized for its food-processing capabilities. Half of the county’s land is used for food production and it is its #1 industry.

Agri-business has been one of the main markets targeted by the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC). This award underscores those efforts.

GCEDC operates the Agri-Business Park, located near OATKA Milk Products, which boasts more than 200 acres of prime land for the development of food production, processing, packaging and distribution.

The area's exceptional natural resources are also key to its success. Reliable freshwater sources are very important to food processers and the Agri-Business Park has an advantage over other regions in this regard. It is not only located by the Great Lakes, but above a large natural aquifer.

Another important local advantage is the availability of transportation. The Agri-Business Park offers railroad lines and is within a day’s drive from one-third of the United States' and Canada's population.

The building is 120 years old, and lately it's been showing its age. But the Odd Fellow's Hall building at four corners in Stafford -- the former location of the Stafford Trading Post -- is such a central part of the community that members of the Stafford Historical Society are fretting over its future.

Owner Terry Platt has set a Sept. 2 auction date to sell the parcel to the highest bidder over $20,000.

Members of the historical society are concerned a new owner might tear down the structure, which is on the National Historic Registry.

"A lot of people think that because it's a historic landmark, it can't be torn down," said Laura Giacchino. "That's not the case, at least not in this town."

"I realize it's a historic piece of property -- at least the awning part, the front of the structure -- I'm not sure about the whole building," said Platt. "But it's an investment for me. It always has been."

Stafford values its history. Giacchino said the community has always had a sense of continuity and there are many families in Stafford that have lived there for generations, 200 years or more.

"We've been here 25 years and we're considered newbies," Giacchino said.

And the Odd Fellow's Hall -- which Giacchino remembers as a post office and place that sold groceries and guns many years ago -- has been a community gathering spot and community store location as far back as anybody can remember.

But for Platt, who's owned the property for more than 20 years, it's just time to move on.

Platt said with the business vacancies, and particularly since the Stafford Trading Post moved to its new location, its time get the property out of his portfolio and use whatever proceeds come from a sale to reinvest in his other holdings.

He said, "I'm getting older," and he doesn't want to take the time or spend the money on needed repairs to the building.

And it likely needs some substantial repairs, acknowledged Giacchino.

"We know it needs a new roof, and there's likely water damage in the basement," she said.

Members of the historical society are very interested putting together a group of investors -- and Giacchino indicted there are people with money to invest who are interested -- to buy the property. But with all of the unknowns about the shape of the building and less than a week until the auction, there just isn't enough time to commit to buying the property.

Platt said he had the building up for sale for some time with no takers, but he's still open to making a deal.

"I'm still willing to hold the paper if the number is high enough," Platt said. "So if somebody wants to buy it, they can do what they want with it. If somebody wants to save it ... Is somebody going to buy it and tear it down? I don't know."

For more on the Stafford Village Historic District, click here.

Johnny's on Ellicott Street Road sure stands out these days.

Bartender Linda -- who wouldn't stand in our picture because she doesn't want any publicity for this -- said she doesn't really like drab colors.

For who knows how many years, the outside walls of Johnny's have been white.

Linda said she suggested to the owners that they paint it red and blue. That idea was rejected, so the "compromise" was lime green.

Linda doesn't know how long Johnny's has been around -- the current owners have operated it since 1955, and it was a bar before that, she said.

But I bet it's never been lime green before.

Margarita's Mexican Restaurant, 15 Jackson St., Batavia, shut down nine days ago over an alleged failure to pay state taxes, will reopen at noon, Saturday.

Owner Carlos Hernandez received the keys back to his restaurant today and was busy late this afternoon, working with his staff, getting the restaurant ready to reopen.

He said he's very happy to get the issue resolved.

Through an interpreter, Hernandez said the tax issue was an oversight.

"It was a misunderstanding with the accountants."

Tax officials claimed he owned more than $32,000 in unpaid sales and corporate taxes.

Hernandez hired an attorney to help him straighten the matter out and reached an agreement with New York so he could start serving fajitas and burritos again.

Hernandez also made a point of noting all the positive comments about Margarita's on The Batavian. He appreciates the support.

Here's a news release sent today from Assemblyman Steve Hawley's office.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley toured local businesses and met with local business leaders earlier this week to discuss ways to improve economic development in Western New York.

During the 2010 Legislative Session, economic development programs statewide were charged new fees and saw development funding significantly decreased, which Assemblyman Hawley voted against.

“As a local business owner in Western New York, I know firsthand how difficult and unfriendly New York State is for businesses, especially small businesses,” Hawley said. “Over the years, Albany has increased taxes, fees, and regulations to the point that starting or maintaining a business here is almost impossible.

"It is my hope that by working with local business leaders we can create a grassroots movement to tell Albany that it needs to stop its tax-and-overspend policies. We need to start investing in job creation and economic development programs.”

Hawley’s local business tours started earlier this month with a visit to Willow Specialties in Batavia on Aug. 6 to meet with CEO Bernie Skalny. Willow Specialties produces baskets and packing supplies for hotels, restaurants and supermarkets across the country.

On Aug. 17, Hawley met with Jim Lines, president and CEO, and Jeffrey Glajch, CFO, of the Graham Corp. in Batavia, a leading designer and manufacturer of vacuum and heat transfer equipment for energy markets and process industries.

On Aug. 24, Hawley met with Peter Milicia, president of BMP America, Inc., in Medina. BMP America specializes in manufacturing and converting technical non-woven textiles and engineered polyurethane elastomers.

Hawley’s local business tour will continue with planned visits to TREK, Inc., in Medina, Precision Packaging Products in Holley, and Allen’s Canning – Birdseye in Oakfield.

Earlier this month, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) released its 2009-2010 Voting Record, which outlines the voting record of legislators regarding critical economic development and job creating legislation in New York.

While 79 of 150 Assembly members voted against business interests 80 percent of the time during 2009 and 2010, Hawley was rated among the most business-friendly legislators in the state with a pro-business voting record of 91 percent.

After a few years of being unemployed, Mary Holmes decided it was time to open her own store.

"I just finally got tired of working for other people," Holmes said.

The Batavia resident and Attica native owned a crafts store in Albany during her 25 years living there, but with her family's background in flea markets, it was natural that the store would carry a variety of used merchandise.

The primary focus, however, as the name of the store says, is books. The business name is Anything Goes Books and More. It is located in the Harvester Center right on Harvester Avenue.

Holmes has amazing, impressive array of items to sell, but as she expected, most of her customers to this point have been buying books.

She opened the store the first week of August.

And the outlet is a family affair. Some of the merchandise comes from her father's estate and her two bothers and sister help by going to garage sales and flea markets looking for more used items to sell in the store.

"I need the help," Holmes said. "I can't be out there picking stuff and be in here, too."

Right now, the store occupies three office-sized spaces in the Harvester Center. Holmes said it's her dream to see the store expand and carry even more items, or even when its doing well enough to move to Main Street.

She acknowledged that the Harvest Center is a little out of the way for some people, but with the recent addition of some other new businesses in the complex, it's helped her business a lot, she said.

Construction -- or rather, destruction -- has begun on the Masse Gateway Project.

The project is intended to turn the old factory buildings of Masse-Harris/Harvester into modern office and light industrial space. The first phase involves knocking down the buildings at the end of Masse Place to create an entryway into the facility.

The project is expected to cost $3.1 million and is being partially funded by a $1.5 million RestoreNY grant. Mancuso Development Group, the property owner, will cover the balance of expenses.

The project is expected to lead to productive use of all the old factory buildings in the complex, as can be seen in the artist rendering below. Included in the concept was a portion of the old Wiard Plow factory building, which was destroyed in an alleged arson fire in May. A representation of the destroyed structure can be seen in the lower right of the rendering.

It wasn't easy getting the new Stafford Trading Post location open.

Owner Michelle Macan-Mouery said she had to go through paperwork like you wouldn't believe, most of it dealing with the transfer of her liquor license.

Some applications needed to be filled out multiple times because the ABC was apparently not clear on what it wanted.

“Each application was $35, and I had to fill out three of them,” Macan-Mouery said, “the first one I didn’t fill out right, and the second application they sent me was the wrong one.”

She started filling out paperwork in October of 2009 and it took her until May of 2010 to get her liquor license back.

After 14 years running the Stafford Trading Post at a location in a historic building at the intersection of East Main Street Road and Morganville Road in Stafford, Macan-Mouery decided to move her business less than 50 feet, to a brand-new structure right next door.

Those few feet could have been a hundred miles as far as the state was concerned. The state scrutinized every detail of the liquor license transfer, and according to Macan-Mouery, didn't provide a lot of instruction on how to get it done.

"It was difficult because they didn't tell you exactly what they wanted."

Known to her longtime and loyal customers as "Shell," she opened the new location in February and couldn't sell beer for three months while working things out with the state.

“I lost a lot of business when I didn’t have my license."

Less of a problem, as it turned out, was her decision this summer to stop carrying tobacco products. She balked at paying a $1,000 hike in the license fee to sell cigarettes. But those goods have hardly been missed.

“It hasn’t been a problem, and most people go to the reservation to get cigarettes."

Overall, the move of the Stafford Trading Post, which has served Stafford under various owners for generations, has meant a big boost for the deli and convenience store, Macan-Mouery said.

The friendly atmosphere seems to have moved with the business, and expanded space and a seating area have helped boost food sales, but liquor sales remain half of what they were in the old location.

Macan-Mouery grew up in the Stafford area and worked at the Trading Post when she was 11.

She first decided to move because the building was old and needed many repairs and upgrades.

“This historic site keeps alive the nostalgia of the corner store and makes you feel like you should be purchasing pickles out of a barrel," she said.

But it was no longer meeting customers' needs.

“It wasn’t handicapped accessible and the interior needed a lot of work, and since it is a historic landmark we couldn't change the outside to make it handicapped accessible."

Macan-Mouery has some advice for people that are thinking about moving their business; “you need to know in a year advance that you want to move -- and be sure -- because in New York State you have to start from the beginning.”

At least a half dozen local nonprofits showed up for an open house this afternoon at the former Cristina's Restaurant and Lounge building on Ellicott Street.

Owner Chuck Brumsted says a total of 15 groups have contacted him about a possible donation of the fire-damaged property.

Brumsted, who's still in Florida, wanted to give nonprofit leaders a chance to see the site, taking stock of both its potential and the work that needs to be done to fix it up.

Genesee ARC, GCASA and GCC were among the groups represented today.

For Genesee ARC and GCASA, both organizations are looking at a potential business location to give clients a chance to get work and entrepreneurial experience. 

Maryann Arena from the GCC theater program said she was there to check out the possibility of a downtown theater location. It could give students a chance to learn about a variety of theater production techniques -- bringing more young people downtown in the process.

Pam La Grou, representing GCASA said the site might give her agency's clients a chance to learn how to start and run a business, perhaps a coffeehouse.

"We're just in the exploratory phase," she said.

For Genesee ARC, the location represents the chance to open a retail location for the products the agency's clients produce, from pet beds to baked goods.

"We're always looking for more space," said ARC's Donna Saskowski.

The property obviously needs a lot of work to become something any organization could occupy, and all of the non-profit representatives said that's certainly a consideration before deciding to make a formal application to get ownership.

Saskowski said that Genesee ARC also realizes there are a lot of resources in the community to help reduce costs, such as possibily using the property as an opportunity for construction students at BOCES to practice their trade.

"We certainly have to invest and that is the give-and-take," Saskowski said. "We have to look at the cost per square foot to remodel. It would be an investment. And could this be an investment that we could free up other facilities, or turn another facility over, perhaps that we’re leasing or something like that. It certainly takes a lot of study."

Brumsted said today that given the range of potential applicants for the property, "It's going to be a tough choice."