Valle Jewelers is celebrating its 60th year in business today with sales, prize drawings and refreshments. There was a good number of people in the store this morning when we stopped by.
Previously: Three generations and 60 years later, Valle family business still sparkles
As a third-generation Valle working in the family business, Stephen Valle says he's really come to understand what time and jewelry mean to each other.
Valle helps many first-time customers select the perfect diamond ring, a ring that may get passed down from mother to daughter, as well provide the service needed to preserve memories for customers who bought what has become a family heirloom from Stephen's grandfather, Dominic Valle.
"I see the sentimental value of a piece of jewelry and it gives me a respect for the business, maybe one I didn’t have when I first started," Stephen said. "You might have an older lady who received an engagement ring from grandpa in 1967 or 1958 and she’s bringing in her grandson to buy a ring. Slowly and surely I've come to appreciate how long the business has been around."
Dominic Valle first opened the doors of Valle Jewelers May 3, 1951, in what was once the Carey Mansion (now torn down, but used to be across the street from City Church on East Main Street).
At one time or another, pretty much every member of the Valle family has worked in Valle Jewelers over the past 60 years, and it was the birth of a new generation of Valles that kept the family from celebrating the store's 60th anniversary in May, so they're doing it this month.
Though all of June, there is a storewide sale -- with some items discounted as much as 60 percent. But the big celebration is Saturday when store guests can register for prize drawings (no purchase necessary on many of the prizes), with refreshments thoughout the day, hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch and a live broadcast from the store by WBTA from 10 a.m. to noon.
"I think most importantly the anniversary is a tribute to my father-in-law and my family and how a family can survive through difficult financial times," Mary Valle said. "We’ve been so blessed, but it’s because of the community. We’ve been trusted and patronized by customers and friends."
Mary's husband Dom Valle, Dominic's son, said his dad, who passed away in 2005, was probably attracted to the jewelry business because he always liked the finer things in life. As a soldier stationed in Cairo during World War II, while his comrades sent home war souvenirs, Dominic Valle was buying things like Persian rugs and sending them back to Batavia.
"We still have a few of those rugs in the family," Dom said.
After the war, Dominic went to work for Reed Jewelers in Niagara Falls. A couple of years later, he returned to Batavia to work for Ways Jewelry. He then worked for local jeweler Herb Brenner about a month before deciding to open his own store.
The store has been in several locations through the years -- 90 E. Main St., 122 E. Main St., the Genesee Country Mall and starting in 2000, its current location at 19 Jackson St., Batavia.
At each step of the way, the business has grown, Dom said.
"For as much as a white elephant the mall turned out to be, our business did really good there," Dom said. "The mall has always had its drawbacks from day one to the present. But strangely enough, our business improved every year we were there. Not by leaps and bounds, but we were blessed to say that we had even just a little increase every year."
In 1999, when the building on Jackson Street came up at auction, the Valles decided to put in a bid, and it was a good thing they got the building at a good price, Dom said, because they've put "a ton of money" into its restoration.
But it's proven to be a good business move, Dom said, and Valle Jewelers has continued to prosper on Jackson Street.
"There was nothing pushing us out of the mall," Dom said. "We just wanted a change of scenery."
With the move to Jackson Street, Mary Valle, who had a 26-year career as a registered nurse, started working in the store.
In 2003, Stephen Valle decided to enter the business. Like his father, he went to school to learn goldsmithing and diamond setting, and to become a GIA certified diamond grader. He then returned to assume a spot on the repair bench right next to Dom.
"My father got to see the third genration come in and that made him happy," Dom said. "Futurewise, what I would hope for Stephen is that some day he'll have a son and a fourth generation will go into the business. That would be pretty nice."
Like father like son -- both Dom and Stephen were attracted to the business because they were around it and saw what their fathers' did.
For Dom, it was coming in after school and helping out by sweeping the floor or cleaning windows.
But when his father needed heart surgery when he was in eighth grade, it was really impressed upon him that Valles was a whole family business. While Dominic recovered, Dom's sisters pitched in and his uncle ran the store.
As he grew older, there was just no question Dom would follow Dominic into the jewelry trade.
"I've always been happy to be in the business," Dom said.
Even though it hasn't always been easy -- especially with the long hours required in retail and the demands of raising a family -- Dom said, he found a way to make it work.
"I always say I broke the cardinal rule of retailing to take Saturdays off to go to Stephen's hockey games," Dom said. "I always said I wasn’t going to let these times pass me by, so I didn’t work on Saturdays."
Over the years, Stephen has worked with aunts, cousins and sisters. And with each family member getting a say in how the business is run, there isn't always total agreement, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
"At end of the day, we have lot of family and sometimes it’s a little too many chiefs, but we all have the same goal," Stephen said. "We may not always see things the same way every day, but at the end of every month it seems to work out."
The future of the business is in the hands of Stephan and his sister, Carrie Lawrence, and Mary feels pretty good about that.
“I actually feel that he is capable of taking it to even a higher level than we have,” Mary said. “I believe that his motivation and passion, and with the help of his sister, with her business background, her good taste, organization skills and leadership, the two of them can make it even a better place than it’s been through all of these years.”
Photos of Stephen Valle working at the bench by Howard Owens. Bottom photo submitted by Valle Jewelers. Pictured are Carrie Lawrence, left, staff member Adam Luckenbach, Mary Valle, Dom Valle Jr., office manager Mary Louise Fridmann and Stephen Valle.
Crews have been working yesterday and today to remove the concrete and plants that once made a little park between the HSBC building and South Beach Restaurant.
South Beach owner Ken Mistler acquired the strip of land from the city in order to create a BBQ pit and outdoor dining area for his restaurant.
The new space will also contain a greenway with a walking path and bricks inlayed as a fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club (the park was formerly known as Kiwanis Park).
We've hired new marketing and sales coordinator at The Batavian.
She's Lisa Ace, a resident of Batavia who has a wealth of experience in marketing and graphic design.
Ace, originally from Utica, moved to Batavia 13 years ago to attend GCC. She stayed after meeting Chris, a native of Stafford.
After they got married, they decided to stay in Genesee County.
Ace has worked locally at the Batavia Daily News and p.w. minor in marketing and graphics. She's also done free-lance work for a variety of clients.
She has a degree in design from Buffalo State College.
Her hobbies include making beaded jewelry, baking and her two cats.
Ace replaces Ethan Thompson, who has accepted a one-year scholarship for a Christian education opportunity in the Adriondacks.
So, best wishes and congratulations to Ethan and welcome, Lisa!
It's back to the drawing board for the parcel subdivision of the proposed Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.
Because the first confirmed tenant for the park -- Bogata, Colombia-based Alpina Products -- has set its sights on a different plot of land than originally thought, the subdivision boundaries need to be reset.
Tuesday night, the Town of Batavia Planning Board set 7:30 p.m., June 21, as the time and date for a public hearing on the revised boundaries.
Members of the Genesee County Economic Development Center will also make a presentation about the project to the board that night.
Zoning Enforcement Officer Bruce Gerould also told the board that the revised parcel plan will include a two-acre plot right on Route 5 for an office complex for an advertising agency.
Because the agency specializes in marketing for agricultural businesses, it apparently fits the requirements of the agri-business park, Gerould said.
Artist Sean Walker stands in front of a mural he's painting inside the new art gallery at Glass Roots on Center Street.
Walker, a fine arts student at GCC, has a show in the gallery of some of his original artwork.
Remember when businesses had painted signs on the sides of their buildings?
Vic Marchese is going old school with the sign he hired Vinny DelPlato to paint for him on the back of Main St. Pizza Company.
DelPlato is responsible for many of the murals you see around town.
Here's a piece we did on him when he was working on the mural at Next Level Fitness.
A South American-based dairy processing company will get $767,096 in tax incentives to help the company establish a new yogurt factory in Batavia, the Genesee County Economic Development Center announced.
The incentive package for Alpina Products includes a property tax abatement, a sales tax exemption and a reduction of mortgage taxes.
GCEDC announced in April that Alpina agreed to become the first tenant for the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park off Route 5 in Batavia.
The plant, when completed, is expected to add 50 jobs to the local economy and if successful, Alpina officials said they would expect to expand their operations in Batavia.
More than half of the tax incentive package comes in the form of a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) arrangement that will reduce the amount of anticipated property taxes paid by Alpina by more than $458,000 over 10 years.
Alpina will pay property taxes on the current assessed value of its 10-acre facility, but because building the plant will increase the land's value, Alpina will get a break on that increased assessment for 10 years. During the first five years, Alpina will pay no taxes on the difference between the current assessed value and the new assessed value. Starting in year six through year 10, Alpina will pay 50 percent of the increase in additional taxes, and pay 100 percent from that point forward.
The sales tax exemption of $260,000 will be on construction materials and office equipment, but not manufacturing equipment.
The mortgage tax exemption is $48,750.
The anticipated economic benefit to Genesee County is expected to exceed $30 million over 10 years.
Alpina will invest $15 million to purchase the 10-acre parcel and construct the plant.
In other GCEDC news, Wellsville Carpet Town at 3990 Call Parkway, Batavia, will receive a $14,375 mortgage tax exemption to help the company refinance its current $1.5 million real estate loan. GCEDC says the abatement will help retain 45 jobs in the county.
Last week, we reported an update on the downtown gull situation.
BID Director Don Burkel asked that we share the following information with readers:
If you are having a problem with gulls landing / nesting on your building there are some possible solutions by the USDA Wildlife Services:
If you need some advise on your particular gull problem, Carl Cranker, biologist for the USDA Wildlife Services, would be willing to visit your property. There is no fee for consultation and accessing your situation. If you want the Wildlife Services to perform a service, i.e. remove nests or eggs, there would be a fee involved. You can contact him directly by calling (315) 532-4835 (cell) or email: carl.c.cranker@aphis.usda.gov .
A Batavia Nursing Home employee who earlier today was reportedly the subject of a police response to the facility is in jail tonight, accused of threatening to shoot a supervisor.
Parris L. Bryant, 50, of 218 State St., Batavia, was charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd, and jailed on $1,000 bail.
According to Sgt. John Peck, Bryant was the suspect in a case earlier today involving an employee who showed up at the facility drunk and angry over not getting paid, as scheduled.
Police officers who responded to that call convinced Bryant to leave and go home.
According to Peck, Bryant didn't bother any of his coworkers again until about 5:30 p.m., at which time he allegedly initiated a series of calls to a nursing supervisor threatening to shoot her over the non-pay issue.
When police responded to his house, Peck said, there were no guns visible and it's not clear that Bryant actually has access to a gun.
However, because Bryant is still an employee of the nursing home, has access to the building, and was allegedly in a violent frame of mind, police officers were concerned for the safety of the staff, Peck said.
"He must have been stewing about it all day," Peck said.
Peck said nursing home staff told officers that Bryant made five or six calls this evening.
Additional previous articles:
Three Batavia Nursing home employees have contacted The Batavian today to report that once again, they're not getting their paychecks as scheduled.
A fourth, unidentified employee, showed up at the facility around 12:30 p.m. and was allegedly drunk and disorderly. Batavia police were called, but did not make an arrest, telling the obviously drunk older gentleman to move along.
A police officer confirmed the man was upset about not getting paid today.
Meanwhile, the home's owner, Marc Korn, was in a Buffalo Federal Court yesterday to answer to fraud charges, but his case was continued because he did not have an attorney. The judge gave him until June 14 to hire an attorney.
Korn, who owns two nursing homes and a house in East Amherst, according to WIVB, may not be able to afford an attorney and may require court-appointed counsel.
Two weeks ago, employees received checks, according to sources, but were told not to cash them until the following Thursday. This past Friday, employees were not paid, according to sources, but received their checks on Wednesday.
State health officials have been unwilling to confirm with The Batavian that the nursing home may be taken over by the state, but WIVB reports that they've been told that is the case.
A spokesman for the health department said the state is dealing with several issues at the facility.
Inset photo, Mark Korn, courtesy WIVB.
It's possible Verizon has conquered the sea gull problem it had on its Center Street building.
The mobile phone and internet company brought in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove birds and eggs two weeks ago, and today, employees spread netting on the roof to discourage the return of the birds.
Meanwhile, gulls continue to menace cars and pedestrians from their roosts atop the old Latina's market building on Ellicott Street, though their numbers seem fewer than last spring and summer.
Owner Vito Gautieri said he's done everything the state Department of Environmental Conservation has told him he can do, but the gulls have not completed vacated the premises.
"We've spent a ton of money," Gautieri said.
He said he's deployed fake owls and pelicans, installed noise makers and sends employees up to the top of the roof at least twice a week.
"Two days later they get used it (the decoys and noise) and they're back," Gautieri said.
Both Gautieri and Verizon received code violations for alleged failure to maintain their properties, according to City Manager Jason Molino.
The owners were advised to keep the premises clean in order to comply with city code.
Local business owners say the problem was unusually acute on School Street this summer, largely because of the migration of the birds to the Verizon building. One store owner said the problem has seemed to lessen in the past two weeks.
Michael DeFelice, owner of Michael Anthony's Salon, said last summer he could safely park his car in the lot off School Street, but this summer, there has been no safe place to park.
Gautieri said the gull problem is an entire city problem and city officials need to address it as a citywide problem.
"They (the gulls) are going to continue to be a problem for all of us unless the city gets involved and the agency that protects them gets involved," Gautieri said.
Molino said it's not that simple. It's not like the city can go around cleaning up properties for landowners. The gull problem is a basic maintenance issue, he said.
"It's like mowing your lawn," Molino said. "It's easy, but you've still got to do it."
Molino said the city hasn't had problems with gulls on City Centre for three years, since it started getting the permits necessary to take care of the problem (removing the eggs) and keeping the roof properly maintained.
As for the old Latina's building, Gautieri said he remains hopeful he could have new tenants soon. He said he's also been discussing the idea of turning the building into an office complex and recruiting firms with offices in Rochester and Buffalo to consolidate their offices in Batavia.
"That would be great for downtown," Gautieri said.
Another option for the building is to add another six or eight feet of height (which is possible because the building was originally constructed to have warehouse space on the second floor), which would make it possible to turn the second floor into apartments. If he did that, Gautieri said, he would add a steeple roof, which would keep the gulls from nesting on the roof.
With its owner facing legal problems and employees complaining about not getting paid, the New York Department of Health is aware of "issues" at the Batavia Nursing Home, but isn't giving out any information about the status of the facility.
"Our priority is the care and safety of the residents," said Jeffrey Hammond, spokesman for the department. "We are working through several issues with the nursing home."
The state health department is the regulatory agency that overseas New York's nursing homes.
Hammond referred nearly every question The Batavian had about the home to his two-sentence his statement.
Jerry Fasano's mother is a resident at the home and he visits her daily. He said recently a representative of the Department of Health has been at the home every day. He had a chance to speak with the representative on Monday and she told him the state has begun a receivership process (take custody of the nursing home).
Asked specifically about whether receivership proceedings were under way, Hammond referred to his previous statement.
Today, employees received their paychecks that were due last Friday.
One employee immediately cashed the check at her credit union and between the time she cashed it and got home, her home phone caller ID showed three missed calls from the credit union. She won't be able to call the credit union until tomorrow to find out what the calls were about.
Rather than deposit the check, she said, she took the cash, "because I've got bills to pay and groceries to buy." She wanted to make sure she had the money.
When the nursing home supervsor told employees today they would get paid, she said, "We were running down the halls. It was like Christmas for us."
Even so, she said, another three or four employees have quit and if paychecks are delayed this Friday, even more may walk off the job.
Fasano said he's impressed with the professionalism of the remaining staff.
"It should also be noted that even though the staff is not being paid they are continuing to give the residents the care they need and deserve," Fasano said. "This includes all of the staff from maintenance and housekeeping to the hospital administrator.
"I feel that I can give an accurate description of the staff, in that I have come to know them all very well as I am there each and every morning to visit my mother," Fasano added.
Owner Marc Korn, who has been accused by federal authorities of fraud, visited the facility today -- entering by the back door, according to sources. He visited the home's administrator and left, saying nothing to staff.
Korn is due back in federal court tomorrow.
The Amherst-based businessman has not returned calls nor answered emails from The Batavian seeking clarification or comment.
The Department of Health conducted an inspection of the Batavia Nursing Home in May and found 23 deficiencies, according to online records. That matches the statewide average. Hammond said as of this morning all of the deficiencies had been corrected.
None of the deficiencies constituted actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
The owner of the Batavia Nursing Home has been accused by federal authorities of committing wire fraud to help fund a "lavish" lifestyle.
Meanwhile, two employees of the nursing home on State Street have contacted The Batavian to say they've either not been paid or were paid late.
Marc L. Korn, 54, of East Amherst faces a possible 20 years in prison or a $250,000 fine or both. He was arraigned a week ago in federal court and is scheduled to appear again on June 2.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gretchen L. Wylegala, who is handling the case, said that Korn devised a scheme to obtain funds from a charitable organization he headed, the American Friends of Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, an organization which raised funds to support a medical center in Israel.
An IRS investigator told the Buffalo News he's diverted as much as $1 million for his personal use and has also kept employee payroll taxes.
For employees of the nursing home, they're wondering what's going on. Today, they were told there was no money in the payroll account so no checks would be issued.
"We've been told we would be paid, but we don't know when," an employee said.
This has happened before, according to another employee, who said two weeks ago the employees were given checks but told they couldn't cash them until the following week.
Korn could not be reached for comment.
One of the employees said that the Department of Labor has visited the facility, but she's not aware of any action beging taken.
She said all deliveries -- including food for residents -- are now C.O.D. (collect on delivery)
"The residents have their Social Security checks sent to the nursing home," she said. "Where's the money going?"
A relative of hers is a resident at the facility and the family is trying to move her, but she said she doesn't think the community really understands what's going on at the nursing home.
Five people quit today, she said. She figures she will start pulling 80-hour work weeks to keep up with the work load.
She continues her employment there, she said, because she believes it would be unethical to leave the residents without care.
Her husband's income has also been uneven lately, she said, so times are tough.
"I have to go home and tell my kids we may not eat today," she said.
She said all of the employees are facing similar difficulties, including falling behind on mortgages and car payments.
The woman said employees have been told Korn is trying to sell the facility, but they're not aware of any progress on that front.
We tried Korn's pager number, but it's disconnected. We also emailed him and asked for comment.
The Rathod family of Batavia has a new business venture -- they've taken over the Sunco gas station and West Main Mini Mart at 3845 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.
Raveen Rathod is running the store with help from his brothers, Nick (above, left) and Sunny.
On Friday and Saturday, the family will celebrate the grand opening of their new business. The draw for customers includes 5 cents off a gallon of gas (but not diesel), free slice of pizza with a $5 gas purchase along with drawings and giveaways.
The store will be open both days from 6 a.m to 10 p.m.
Remember the pink gorilla we saw wandering on Main Street on May 25? It was a marketing ploy of local entrepreneur Tim Walton.
Walton has relaunched his T-shirt and clothing business, former Topline Shirt Company, as Pink Gorilla Tees and Graphics.
The location remains 214 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.
Joe Canzoneri has been named store manager.
Just because the new store has opened doesn't mean the mascot will be retired, Canzoneri said.
"We will continue to send the mascot to events," Canzoneri said. "It's something that we hope the community will enjoy as well. We want to have fun with what we do and Pink Gorilla is just that -- fun and creative just like our shirts"
Pink Gorilla will be open from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
When hair stylist Amanda Lowe, above left, managed a Super Cuts, she said, she was able to double the business of the store and that success got her to thinking -- what could I do if I struck out on my own?
After some time thinking about it, and getting experience in other salons, she recently stopped wondering and started trying.
Last month, she opened Jagged Edge Salon at 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive with her friends Dawn Williams (next to Amanda) and Alisha Foster (right) along with her sister Sarah Lowe (in between Dawn and Alisha).
Combined, the young women have 38 years experience cutting and styling hair.
Customers are welcome to walk-in or make an appointment for highlights, lowlights, perms, styling/updos, treatments, and facial waxing.
"I like having a salon where the girls and the customers can come in and have fun," Lowe said. "I also just like the responsibility of running my own business."
The grand opening is June 18. Guests who stop in between now and then can enter to win prizes, including free haircuts for a year.
Store hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Derek Geib, left, and Michael Highland, will officially open their new downtown bar and eatery Wednesday and have spent the past two evenings preparing by serving speciality hamburgers to a limited number of guests.
With the kinks mostly worked out during the "soft launch," the duo is excited to finally be doing business as Bourbon & Burger Co. at 9 Jackson St., Batavia.
There are about two dozen different types of hamburgers on the menu, and the restaurant is aiming to be known as the best place for a burger in the county.
The menu also includes a variety of sandwiches and appetizers, an extensive beer list plus a full bar.
Some time this summer, downtown will have another outdoor dining venue.
On Monday, the Batavia City Council approved the sale of a small downtown parcel to South Beach Restaurant owner Ken Mistler.
The 1,900-square-foot lot is adjacent the restaurant. Mistler intends to convert a portion of it to a seating area and an outdoor grill.
The lot, currently known as Kiwanis Memorial Park, will be divided so that a portion will remain green space with a six-foot-wide walkway dedicated to the Kiwanis Club.
The purchase price is $1,000, which Mistler said is exactly the appraised value for the lot. He said in order to make the purchase, the city required him to pay for a professional appraisal, which cost $700.
"I think it's going to enhance downtown, and bring more people to downtown," said Fifth Ward Councilwoman Kathy Briggs. "I'm excited about it."
Mistler said that's exactly his goal. He hopes the new place will help promote downtown, generate more revenue for his employees and allow him to add three more staff members.
"This is for downtown," Mistler said. "Batavia is a small community and I like what goes on here."
When completed, the grill will serve customers both inside and outside the dining area. It will also be a place where people can drive to, park at the curb, and get a quick hamburger or hot dog. Walk-up customers will also be welcome.
Still undecided is what alcohol service will be available. If Mistler wants a cash bar outside, he needs to get another liquor license. Or he could knock a hole in the wall behind his current bar and service customers through a window. Or customers could buy liquor inside and bring it out to the patio.
As for the Kiwanis, Mistler said he is offering them the walkway as a place to sell bricks as a fund raiser every five years. He said he will supply the labor to lay the bricks and if the Kiwanis don't sell them, he will, and donate the money to the Kiwanis.
After 17 years of selling and servicing farm equipment at 5563 E. Main St. Road, Batavia, Empire Tractor (former Tri-County Tractor at that location) is moving into a much bigger space about a mile down the road.
The move will allow the company to expand its main building from 8,400 sq. ft. to 22,000 sq. ft., according to company president Tim Call.
"The thing is, farm equipment is getting much bigger," said Call, one of six owners of Empire Tractor, which has locations throughout Western New York. "We couldn't even get some of it into our shop."
The new shop will allow for more repairs to be handled simultaneously and for the bigger equipment to be worked on no matter what the weather.
In anticipation of the move, Empire Tractor has hired three more employees and will hire two or three more after the move is completed.
The new location, formerly a Ford dealership owned by Mike Ognibene, is 5.5 acres and includes two additional buildings (matching in size and function to the buildings at Empire Tractor's current location).
The contiguous space will allow Empire Tractor to consolidate its display and parking space on a single lot. At the current location, for example, some new equipment for sale must be parked across a very busy Route 5.
"This is a lot nicer," Call said. "It's all one side of the road, all blacktop, cleaner, neater. This is a lot nicer."
The location is a bit of a homecoming for Call. One of the buildings on the lot is where his father opened Batavia Farm Equipment in 1960.
Call acquired Tri-County Tractor 17 years ago and eventually merged his company with other farm equipment outlets to form Empire Tractor.
He is anticipating a big year for Empire Tractor. With corn going from $3 a bushel to $7 and milk from $12 to $19, Call said he anticipates the market for farm equipment will increase. He said the company anticipates a 20 to 25 percent increase in sales.
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