downtown batavia

City officials seemed pleased with the results of Thursday’s auction for the abandoned JC Penney’s site at 40 Batavia City Centre.

Such a mortgage foreclosure auction was a first for Batavia Development Corp. Executive Director Tammy Hathaway, she said, noting that it was “pretty interesting.”

“It went rather quickly. I took the public notice, and I did an email blast to all of the developers that we work with, but also the developers that we invite on our tours and to participate in the knowledge of what’s going on economically throughout Batavia,” she said at the second-floor waiting area of Genesee County Courts Facility. “There’s probably five or six individuals here today that have actually, I’ve personally walked through the building because it was listed with a real estate agent.”

Although the lobby was full of people — some there for court matters and others for the auction — only two active bidders stepped out from the group. Batavia business owner Matt Gray opened the action with a $2,000 bid, and the bank, represented by Ted Kwiatowski of Smart Serve, countered with $3,000. Gray then offered $25,000, and was upped by the bank to $26,000.

Gray and the bank went from $100,000 to $101,000, countered by new bidder Bill Baskin with $102,000. Gray then bid $125,000, countered by Baskin for $150,000. Gray offered $175,000, and after going one, two, three times, the auction was closed, with Gray getting the property — assessed at $400,000 — for a final bid of $175,000. 

Hathaway talked excitedly about what her dream scenario would be for the site while Gray, Kwiatowski and legal representative Michael Ranzenhofer went to take care of paperwork. 

Her vision is some type of live musical and entertainment venue with housing and apartments on the third and fourth floors, she said. As for who has purchased the property, she believes it is now in good hands.

“I mean, Matty is successful in his endeavors; he’s proven that. So I could not even find a complaint if I wanted to,” she said. “I took a phone call this morning from a developer that works in Syracuse that is very familiar with the area and had one who was looking at purchasing the Harvester campus, and he called this morning, and he’s like, I can’t be there at the auction but please, the second you know who purchases it, let us know. Because he’s like, I have a group of individuals, from developers to a whole variety of folks who are interested in having the conversation with whoever does purchase it. 

“So creating that network, that’s really what it’s about,” she said. “So here’s a plan, how do we put the plan in action?”

Gray said that he bought the property on behalf of longtime business partner Matthew Boyd and himself. At first blush, he said nothing has been discussed, though “there’s a lot of possibilities.”

“I think you guys already know what I like. I like a vibrant downtown. I like city living. I love residential above our commercial,” he said. “As far as that building goes, it's been a vacant hole in our downtown, and it needs to have something there. So it was just a way of moving the ball forward.”

He will be working with Hathaway and is excited about the acquisition, he said.

The property has been vacant since Penney’s closed in the fall of 2020 and was purchased by California developer Yong Guang Ye in February 2021 for $500,000. Ye defaulted on payments, owing more than $179,000, and the property was put up for mortgage foreclosure by the out-of-state lending bank.

In a series of seven steps, successful downtown business owner Matt Gray scooped up the former JC Penney’s department store in a fairly quick auction Thursday morning at the Genesee County Courts Facility.

Gray purchased the property for $175,000, bidding against the bank and Bill Baskin, who stepped in toward the end with a bid of $150,000.

The property has been vacant since Penney’s closed in the fall of 2020 and was purchased by a California developer in February 2021 for $500,000. He defaulted on payments, and the property was put up for mortgage foreclosure by the out-of-state lending bank.

Gray said he has no definite plans but said that he likes a vibrant downtown with a mix of commercial and housing options.

Visitors from near -- and very far -- stopped by The Batavian's booth outside of Adam Miller Toys & Bicycles Saturday during a toy and food drive for Salvation Army. Even Santa and Mrs. Claus said hello on their way into the toy and bicycle shop in downtown Batavia to greet children during the afternoon. 

The collection reaped more than $1,500 worth of goods, many in the form of anonymous donations, and all from generous community members. 

Howard Owens, publisher of The Batavian, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for all who participated in this collection, and the many others that take place throughout the area. All contributions to Salvation Army in Batavia remain in Genesee County. 

"We were happy to do our part and help out Salvation Army's annual Christmas program to provide food and toys to families in need," Owens said. "Thank you to those who donated money, food and toys to the cause, and to John Roche for offering a discount on toys at his store. This is a great community, and we enjoy being part of it." 

Press Release:

Let the Holidays begin! Christmas in the City is Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, from 2 to 6 p.m. in Downtown Batavia. Our local shops and organizations will be offering holiday specials and family fun activities. 

Events held in the mall will go from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and include "Our Hometown Craft Show," Pictures
with Santa and so much more. 

Stay downtown, take a carriage ride, listen to carolers, and see what all of our businesses have to offer. You won’t want to miss the Holiday Parade down Main Street starting at 6 p.m. More than 1,000 people pack the streets of Downtown every year for this great event as it kicks our community into the holiday season.

We would love to invite you to be a part of this year’s event. There are several opportunities to participate:

• Enter your business or group into the Holiday Parade. Parade participants can walk or drive a vehicle or float decorated for the holiday season. We ask that no one puts a Santa on their float, as he has already committed to the event.
• Sponsor the event.
• Volunteer to help with organizing the event and/or assisting with parade line up.

Without our kind and generous sponsors and volunteers this event would not be possible.

For more information and full list of participating businesses and activities check out our Facebook page, visit our website at www.bataviabid.com or contact us at director@downtownbataviany.com

While 6-year-old Joseph Robinson continued to fill his Batman bag with sweet loot Saturday afternoon, his folks had the opportunity to learn about new places they hadn't seen before during the annual Business Improvement District Trick-or-Treat event in downtown Batavia. 

Derek and Mary Beth Robinson, of Batavia, brought their son for some fun trick-or-treating, and also took a tour of the newly built Main St. Theater inside Batavia City Centre. 

"It's really good, it's awesome," Mary Beth said.  "We got the brochure, so we plan on coming back."

That was a cabaret to Coburn's ears, you could say. They had an estimated 200 visitors throughout the two-hour event, and some "didn't know we existed," she said. 

"That's our reason for participating," she said. "That's our mission, to make theater accessible for people, and they can't attend if they don't know we exist."

She wanted to remind the public that a "Spooky Cabaret" is coming up in time for the season. It's at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, and tickets are $10. 

Just outside the theater, Matteo Spink was with his dad, Michael, from Oakfield. They believed this was their fourth year attending, and it was mainly about the fun more than learning about the merchants since his family's experience had already been "dipped" in many of the local businesses, he said. 

"I have friends that work at some of these businesses, and my daughter has been in a youth program here," Michael said, motioning to the theater. 

Nearly 40 BID merchants sponsored the event, which drew families from throughout Genesee County and beyond, including Batavia, Oakfield, Le Roy and Varysburg.

While a wine bar and waste disposal company may seem as opposite as you can get for entrepreneurial pursuits, they each have qualified for a $20,000 Revolving Loan Fund grant and city leaders' encouragement as worthwhile endeavors in the city of Batavia.

City Council approved the grant requests from Jon Waggoner of Waggoner Holdings for building improvements at 41 Jackson St., which will be home to Shush Wine Bar, LLC, and to Jean Lucas of Enercon Systems Inc., doing business as Eco Waste Solutions at 109 Cedar St.

Eco Waste Solutions is a government contractor that converts waste to energy, especially in remote job locations where sewer systems and waste removal do not exist, City Manager Rachael Tabelski said during Monday’s council meeting at City Hall. 

“Rather than burning waste or burying waste or disposing of it in other ways, they have advanced technology used by the military, natural resource companies and remote communities,” Tabelski said. “They have purchased a building on Cedar Street and would like to do exterior renovations. And I believe, Tammy, correct me if I'm wrong, this location is the U.S. headquarters for research, development, manufacturing and assembly.”

Batavia Development Corporation Director Tammy Hathaway revised that to say manufacturing is “actually done in Ohio,” and assembly is performed on Cedar Street. It’s a Canadian company with a CEO who lives in Hamilton.

“It's a very interesting story. The CEO was actually traveling with her and her husband with their muscle car to a car show in Syracuse. They stopped here in the City Centre when I was going to have lunch and fell in love with Batavia, so they drove around. This was two years ago when they found the site was released on Cedar Street; it was the old Verizon building. And a year later, started the motions to purchase the building,” Hathaway said. “They do have a contract with the Department of Defense, and the incinerators are used — soldiers cannot, but they have to dispose of their trash when they're deployed overseas. They were using jet fuel and it was giving a burn lung syndrome, and so this eliminates that.

“They're very interesting units to see. It's like the back of a box truck, a small delivery truck. They assemble into three components. You can put a tire on one side that comes out clean air on the other,” she said. “They also use it in expeditions. They have smaller units for expeditions, the Andes and different places, so that there's no trash (left behind).”

The company project is for $65,000 of renovations, Tabelski said, and CEO Jean Lucas requested a $20,000 from the city’s Revolving Loan Fund. The BDC reviewed and approved the request, which was now before council for a vote.

“I’d like to also add that this is a two-part project. This is for the exterior renovations,” Hathaway said. “They will have a project that will be for interior renovations as well that they will not apply for funding for.”

City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. added a point about the fund’s origins.

“I think that's the original intent of it, was to improve the outward appearance of various businesses and the storefronts,” he said, encouraging any council questions.

Councilman Bob Bialkowski asked if any of the manufacturing would be done on the premises, and Hathaway said that’s all done in Ohio. There are “research technicians and engineers; they’re putting it all together” here in Batavia, she said.

“There’s a lot of components on the inside,” Hathaway said, as Tabelski added, “and so higher-end jobs and more of the R&D high-end assembly; it’s here.”

The current staff is 10 to 12 people, and “they probably don’t really expect to have many more than that,” Hathaway said. One unit will be assembled on the inside of the building and tested outside at the rear, per the space available, she said, and to ensure that “everything is done absolutely to perfection.”

A key piece to an outside company being located here is that it has used local contractors since the beginning of the lease, she said.

“Anyone that they needed for fabricating, an electrician, they used all locals,” she said. “At one point, the CEO had logged 28 local companies from the city of Batavia and the surrounding area.”

The Batavian first wrote about Eco Waste Solutions being located at Cedar Street in August 2023 after speaking with an employee at the site and it soon after was awarded a $100,000 Empire State Development grant and $180,000 in excelsior jobs tax credits to manufacture its waste disposal systems as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $27 million financial package.

The other project would also require an investment of $65,000 but is “a little bit different,” Hathaway said, in that it would involve more interior renovation, including a “rearrangement of where the kitchen was” at 41 Jackson St., which is the older, longtime Salvania’s Restaurant and the more recent Gilliana’s Diner. 

The building has “received about a quarter of a million dollars of private investment thus far,” Tabelski said, and property owner Jon Waggoner of Waggoner Holdings has requested the $20,000 from the Revolving Loan Fund. 

The renovations are in preparation for Shush Wine Bar LLC to move in and open by early next year, business manager Rob Credi said during a previous interview with The Batavian. 

City Council approved both grants during a business meeting that followed.

Although a recent meeting between VJ Gautieri Constructors Inc. and tenant John Hedlund, the franchisee of Save-A-Lot at 45-47 Ellicott St., had no definitive outcome, Vito Gautieri says the store is apparently closing as of Saturday, per a crudely written sign on the downtown Batavia door.

In speaking with Save-A-Lot corporate, it seems that company leaders would like to keep a presence in Batavia, Gautieri said. He is hopeful that his company can find another franchisee to fill the 18,000-square-foot space.

It’s not the first time for the real estate developer to come through for downtown city dwellers, as Gautieri worked to fill gaps left first by Jubilee and then Latina’s, to then fill the void with Save-A-Lot in August 2011. 

When Save-A-Lot opened 13 years ago, Hedlund owned four grocery stores with business partner Bill Larson in Pennsylvania and New York. 

In 2021, Hedlund opted to extend his Batavia lease and make some major renovations — about $300,000 worth — when Victor Gautieri, president of VJ Gautieri Constructors, began the extensive project of adding market-rate apartments to an upper floor of the building. 

Vito Gautieri is hopeful that another grocery store, ideally Save-A-Lot, will want to move into that corner spot at Jackson and Ellicott streets.

There are 38 Business Improvement District merchants in downtown Batavia set for the Annual Trick-or-Treat event on Saturday, October 26 from 1 - 3 p.m. 

Refer to the map and prior article for details.

See previous coverage here.

Business Improvement District merchants in downtown Batavia invite families in the community to participate in the Annual Business to Business Trick or Treat this month.

This is a fun and safe way to trick or treat and get to know area businesses and the services they offer, merchants say. This event is from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 26. It is free to the community and is sponsored by the participating BID businesses, which will be identified by a purple sign in their establishments.

Look for a full list of participants at bataviabid.com. Grab your mask and come downtown for a fun-filled day.

Press Release:

The theme for this year’s annual downtown Wine Walk is "masquerade," and the Batavia Business Improvement Distric invites you to join us for an evening of fun and entertainment during the event from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5 in Batavia.

Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU) will host registration from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m., and ticket holders can stroll, sip, and shop 23 participating downtown businesses during the four-hour walk.

Only 600 tickets are being sold and they are going fast, BID Director Shannon Maute says.

“Come downtown, taste great wine, meet new people, see old friends, and create memories while you shop small and support your local businesses,” she said. “You must be 21 years of age or older to attend, and please no children.”

Tickets are $35 and are available at Yngodess Shop, TVFCU, Adam Miller Toys & Bicycles and at Eventbrite. For more information, go to BID’s Facebook page for the link and details.

Sometimes, circumstances align just enough to make it seem that your idea was destined to happen at the right time and place. 

That’s how the location of Shush Wine Bar LLC was found, Rob Credi says. With him as business manager for proprietor Bonnie Woodward, her two daughters Stephanie Mahoney and Karie Credi and daughter-in-law Michelle Woodward, the plan seemed to fall into place after Gilliana’s Diner closed permanently.

“Bonnie and I were talking since this spring and were looking for properties that made sense for what we wanted to do — open a nice meeting place for drinks — and we were looking for properties, just kind of keeping an eye on the market to see if anything came up that would make sense. And we looked at a couple other ones that came up but never really fit exactly what we were looking to do with it,” Credi said during an interview with The Batavian. “Then I saw Gilliana’s was closing online, and it was a surprise, but then I thought it was a perfect location. There are lots of bars but nobody focuses on wine. We are very aware of our demographic here. We want to cater to them so everyone can enjoy what we have to offer. So that was a big thing for us, to be able to bring something different with an elevated experience that’s not too posh or too expensive.”

The business partners worked with Gavin Townsend and pitched an offer to property owner Jack Waggoner for the former Gilliana’s diner spot, tucked between Michael Anthony’s Salon and Block, Longo, LaMarca & Brzezinski law offices, with a computer repair office and other tenants in adjacent properties, near the corner of Jackson and School streets in downtown Batavia. 

They struck a deal and are leasing the 52-by-20 spot for Shush Wine Bar LLC at 41 Jackson St.

Yes, downtown may seem like a popular niche for beer, but Credi, Woodward and her family believe there’s plenty of room for an assortment of good quality, affordable wines to sip in a cozy atmosphere, perhaps with some live soft jazz at some point down the road, and tasting events, no doubt.

Waggoner is working with Batavia Development Corp. Director Tammy Hathaway for a revolving loan/grant to do “a huge rehabilitation” project at the site, Credi said.

Work is to include taking down walls, upgrading the bathroom, which would include making it Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, putting in new flooring to replace the 60-year-old one that’s taken a severe beating, maybe relocating the kitchen for better workflow and rehabilitating the ceiling and its hidden tin-stamped treasure. They’re also mulling what to do with existing plastic with actual brick behind it and investigating some exposed options.

There will be seating for about 20 in what Bonnie Woodward describes as an intimate atmosphere with a small lounge where folks can stop in for a drink before heading to dinner. 

Credi said a chef will whip up some light fare tapas, appetizers and such to complement the higher-quality wine at affordable prices. His wife Karie said to think of cheese and meat boards and a chocolate board to feed those sweet tooths.

They will also work with Eli Fish to procure a proprietary craft brew for the menu, and will include non-alcoholic and sparkling wines and have applied for a full liquor license to serve cocktails. 

Bonnie is no stranger to the hospitality scene, having been an integral part of Alabama Hotel for decades, and returning to downtown is coming full circle for the family since Karie’s Uncle Pat Woodward owned the once popular Candlelight Restaurant up the street, a location  Bourbon & Burger now occupies. 

“This will be a little more elevated; it won’t be a cookie-cutter bar,” Credi said. “It’s a great alternative for people who don’t want the bar scene. And it will be educational too, for people who want to learn more about wines; we will have tasting events and opportunities for people who want to learn more.”

They still need to work out the details, but they believe Shush will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays to get things going. The Woodward family is excited about this new venture in Batavia, and Credi, who closed his ramen take-out on Harvester Avenue earlier this year,  is also looking forward to having another entertainment option for downtown, he said.

“It’s different, it’s classy,” he said. “It’s a great alternative for people who don’t want that typical bar scene, and it’s perfectly located amongst the busy places in town, like Eli Fish. I think they’ve done an incredible job with their space, and it definitely brings people downtown. So here’s something that’s not too far away for slightly different appeal, but the same quality.” 

If appearances are anything, entrepreneur Rob Credi may be trading ramen for riesling, as he has applied for a liquor license in a new venture for Shush Wine Bar, LLC in downtown Batavia.

The business, listed as a wine bar/cocktail lounge at 41 Jackson St. on his application, would be in the Gilliana’s diner, which is “temporarily closed” according to its online social media site. 

Credi’s application is one of three up for review by City Council on Monday’s conference meeting agenda. The other two are for existing establishments of Kelly’s Holland Inn and La Oaxaquena Taqueria. 

Credi is no stranger to selling food and drinks, as a former owner of Main Street Coffee and current owner of Pub Coffee Hub on Harvester Avenue and of the Crapshoot Kitchen & Commissary, which housed his Xavmen Ramen take-out diner, which is now listed as being temporarily closed on the website.  

Credi was not available for comment Friday afternoon.

Press Release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District is hosting its annual Scarecrow Contest for downtown Batavia as a creative way to add some more fall flavor to downtown decorating. 

The BID invites any business, group or organization to enter the contest. For $20, each business will be provided basic supplies of straw, a post and zip ties, along with their pole assignment. 

Each business can get creative in creating their scarecrow. All voting for favorite scarecrow ends Sunday, October 27. Winners will be announced on Halloween!

Supply pick up will be in Jackson Square on Tuesday, September 17 through Thursday, September 19 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise arranged.

Payment is due before or upon pick up. All
Scarecrows need to be up no later than October 4, and must be taken down by November 2.

The winner will receive a cash prize!

For more information on BID and Downtown events, please email
director@downtownbataviany.com, visit our Facebook Page or our Website at bataviabid.com.

As part of the weekly summer concert series in Jackson Square, the OHMS band took to the stage Friday evening and drew a couple hundred people to downtown Batavia for an evening of entertainment.

The six-piece band, consisting of music artists from around Genesee County, was enjoyed by many followers dancing in their seat and around the venue.

Next up in the concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. is Old Hippies on Aug. 23, and it concludes with the Bluesway Band on Aug. 30.

After seven months of converting a gym into a colorful multi-generational nightclub vibe—tanning rooms are now selfie rooms, lockers have been replaced with a fun space to splatter, plus laser tag and glow ball areas—House of Bounce owners Pasquale and Justina Rapone debuted their new location during a grand unveiling Wednesday in downtown Batavia.

Labeling it a "Family Fun Center," Justina shared her excitement with family, friends and community members during a ribbon-cutting in front of the new site at the corner of Main and Jackson streets.

“We wanted this location to be somewhere where you can come on a Friday or a Saturday with your kids, and if you have kids that are real little, and you have some older kids, you guys can all come and have fun,” she said. “Maybe you’ve got a family that you guys always hang out with, and you want to meet up, and the adults can hang out, and the kids can play. We wanted to make it a space where everyone can kind of join together in the community. And also, we wanted it to be a place for the kids to come and have fun, and stay out of trouble. 

“So we started at the Harvester, and … we’re in the downtown area, which is huge. We're super excited. We brought a lot of new things in at our new location,” she said. “You don't have to drive to Buffalo or Rochester, you can come here for an hour before you go grab lunch.  We added laser tag, a glow golf. We added Laser Maze. We still have our splatter room. We also have all of our open play stuff, like we always have bumper cars and the selfie room, so we really have everything for everybody."

House of Bounce opened at Harvester Center more than two years ago before the couple decided to rent the downtown space in December, toiling away in preparation for a soft opening about two weeks ago and a bigger grand opening celebration this week.

And by bigger, it’s 12,000 square feet, so the footprint has grown quite a bit, Rapone said. 

That’s an impressive piece of business news, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce President Brian Cousins said, especially when it fits so well into the downtown scene.

“To see a business expand and grow in their pursuit of prosperity is very exciting.  House of Bounce, I believe, fits one of those niche needs for families in creating a memorable outing that is highly creative in product offerings,” Cousins said. “In touring their facility, they have put together a slate of activities that is attractive for a wide array of ages in a location that can also positively impact other adjacent businesses.  It was inspiring to see the creativity and thought that they put into each of the areas.”

There are two levels of entertainment for all ages, Rapone said, with an upper level for the little ones and downstairs for older kids. 

“It’s needed so much. There's so many kids around here that, you know, for years, didn't really have anywhere in the Batavia area to go, especially Genesee County itself,” she said. “So we really are excited to bring something in for all these kids to do. Come in, have fun, have a family outing right here in town without having to go to Buffalo and Rochester.”

So why the move after being so successful on the city’s east end? Due to the success, “we ran out of space for growth,” she said, “and we felt like moving into the downtown area was kind of the place to be.”

Now that they are part of the Business Improvement District, the business owners plan to participate in BID events, such as Christmas in the City, the Halloween trick-or-treats at each business, and annual cider and wine walks, she said. Other perks are “all the things that downtown has to offer, plus the traffic through here, and it’s just a great place to be seen.”

Within the set hours of the facility, people can just walk in and use it, there’s no need to make a reservation, unless it’s to book the party room, which accommodates up to 70 guests. That’s a change from the Harvester location, Rapone said.

“We were doing full facility shutdowns at the last place, and now we've just kind of outgrown that. We have too many people we're turning away on the weekend. So now it's just, if we're open, come in, no need for a reservation,” she said. “You can book right on our website. We have a booking software on there, so you'll just hit the book now button and look at all of our packages and pricing right on there, and book right online, and put your deposit in.”

Rapone was thoughtful to include “a lot of safety mats” and safety equipment, such as 6,000 square feet of turf, in the play areas for each child’s protection, and is also excited about a new swipe card system and a state-of-the-art prize hub. Other work has included a lot of painting and exclusive murals by a military veteran who she credited for doing “an amazing job” with complementary murals on the purple hued walls.

She and her husband hope that people will stop in to see it for themselves, and check out every facet, including the prize hub, and enjoy the facility as a family.

“It's like a vending machine for your prize. It's really cool,” she said. “We're excited to be able to have the whole family here having fun. Adults coming too. We’re trying to get food and drink, and when I say drink, I'm hoping for a beer and wine license so that we can kind of host some more adult night stuff, like do our adult paint night. That is our goal, to make it for everybody, for everyone.”

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. The facility is closed Mondays and Wednesdays. 

For more information, go to House of Bounce.  

Photos by Kara Richenberg

Continuing the Friday night concert series in downtown Batavia was the Free Beer band that performed for a good crowd to captivate some music lovers for family and friends in Jackson Square.

For the past three months, Kate Willson has been giving her business some special treatments before turning her attention to customers, who she now welcomes six days a week for luxury spa services, she says.

Willson first announced in April that she had moved into the former Spa at Artemis site at 206 E. Main St. and was preparing to relaunch it later this year under a new name, look and feel.

“We’ve been working on remodeling the space; we gave it an overall facelift on the inside and on the outside,” Willson said of her new The Beauty Lounge by Meraki in downtown Batavia. “We resurfaced the floors and kept the beautiful historic hardwood; we’ve been working on giving it a good refresh with colors, and the neutral color palette that we like really refreshed the interior to make it a little bit more elevated for a spa, very tranquil. We’ve been working on making the interior aesthetics come together. So it is a very luxurious relaxed spa.”

Splashed in tones of boho modern earth tones, the space has been opened up in front for a reception area and half of it is a boutique for clothing, with another portion dedicated to an assortment of pampering products such as candles, body whips and butters, delicate chains with charms and jewelry with essential oil sprays from local vendors, including Ashli from Freckled Acres, Jewels by Madi, and Desert Moon Earrings by Jess.

The spa also has a jewelry station where customers can have a piece of jewelry soldered on as a bracelet, anklet or necklace to remain as a permanent piece for themselves. That’s the only spa service that does not require an appointment, she said.

The Beauty Lounge boutique had a soft opening this past weekend with the spa’s official opening on Monday, which went really well, Willson said. 

“It was a good day of just getting some spa services in, and we had a lot of people in shopping the boutique. And I would definitely say the energy is high around here,” she said. “All the girls that are working here are so excited, which is definitely helping my energy levels, too, after all of this work. It’s going to be amazing. I would like to say one little shout out, just a thank you to my team for the support of our community at the salon, and just my family and friends leaning in to help with the remodel.

“I like letting people know that we are ready and excited for them to come and enjoy our spa services," she said. "We have a beautiful lounge to come to relax in before and after their services, and definitely amenities that they haven't experienced before in a local spa.” 

Other services include luxury manicures and pedicures, massage, “an amazing list of facials” and facial enhancements, high-frequency dermaplaning, full-body waxing services, and eyelash extensions and services. 

For those who have a Spa at Artemis gift card, Willson is offering 50% of the value of the gift card with proof of purchase or a credit card statement. For those who can’t show proof of purchase but have a gift card, she will give 50% off one service.

“We know a lot of people did buy gift certificates right before they had closed, and so we want to do that so we can offer those people to come in and experience our services,” Willson said. “We have 12 staff members, we have a solid team built right now, and we’ll be planning on adding to that eventually. We’re just trying to build the staple of what the spa is, so really build up the culture before we add more employees. So right now, we have a great fundamental team, and then we will be looking to add to that.”

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays. For more information or to book an appointment, go HERE or call 585-356-0039.

Warm weather, sunny skies and new faces made for a good beginning of a new location of Genesee Country Farmers Market, Manager Rebecca Grela says.

Grela was working the market at its new site in the lot at School and Jackson streets in downtown Batavia Friday.

“And it's a gorgeous day to start the pop-ups in May on Fridays that were allowed by the city. One of our vendors came up with the idea as like a soft opening to get the public used to being in our new location and to work out any kinks before the full season opens on June 7,” Grela said. “I think it's great. We already have new customers that we've not seen before from a few blocks away. They've walked over for lunch this morning, or they said they'll be back for lunch during the different days of the week, we have different food trucks.

“I think we're a little bit closer to Ellicott Street, so we're gonna get some traffic from there,” she said. “I’m very excited about the new location.”

The market has been next to the former JC Penney store at City Centre for years, but that area will likely get more congested with the construction of a new police station at Alva Place and Bank Street and shifting of parking for customers and business employees.

“I think we will lose some foot traffic from the other place. But with the construction and everything going on over there, I think this is also a safer location. And that's not only safer for the vendors, but also for our consumers,” Grela said. “They bring their families or their dogs, and I feel this is a lot safer parking lot than what we had over there. Definitely different traffic.”

She expects to have up to 16 vendors on Fridays once the full market begins in June. And then it will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Right now, it’s 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays through May. 

“And we have anywhere between six to eight, maybe nine, vendors on the five Fridays in May,” she said. “But we will have three different food trucks in May as well.”
 

Photos by Howard Owens

Sharon Kubiniec, a downtown property owner and spokesperson for a group of businesses affected by construction staging of the new City of Batavia police facility, said Tuesday that a two-phase plan to alleviate a lack of handicap parking is “a step into the right direction.”

City Manager Rachael Tabelski sent the business owners and media a four-page plan and maps that would eventually bring back a first row of parking as one step toward improving the parking situation. 

“The proposed changes will help restore our trust in city government. Going forward we would hope that communication between city planners and  business owners/tenants would be frequent and ongoing,” Kubiniec said to The Batavian. “For instance, we need a plan for snow removal, salting the sidewalks and plowing the sidewalks in a timely matter. We can only hope that as this ever changing situation continues, we are given a chance to be heard. We need some things in writing and we still have some concerns about the final layout.”

Dr. Adam Gregor, a dentist at 180 Washington Ave., said that Phase II “does offer nearby parking,” but that “it’s hard to say that’s an improvement.”

“But, it is the city doing what they originally said they would. And for that, I’m thankful,” Gregor said. “Phase I still has concerns to me. Phase I should only be temporary and will last until June, when the weather won’t have as much of an effect. But I still won’t have any nearby or handicap parking during that time.

“I would suggest one additional curb cut near my office to try to limit patients being dropped off far away or at a potentially dangerous intersection,” he said. “Likewise, I would suggest that multiple spaces near the new access ramp be reserved for handicap parking or patients with limited mobility — they are the ones that need the access ramp the most.” 

Batavia city management sent out a new parking plan Tuesday for the downtown police station staging area in the parking lot at Alva Place and Bank Street. 

A dozen business owners have been without parking adjacent to their offices on the south side alongside the parking lot for the last three weeks, and some have complained to city management, City Council, local media and through a petition circulating on change.org. Those owners have been losing patients and/or getting cancellations and no-show appointments due to the safety issues and inconvenience of parking, they have said.

"Over the past two weeks, City leadership has held several meetings with the construction team and its project representatives, to find options that will allow for use of a portion of the City owned lot on Alva and Bank streets for customers of the adjacent businesses, while still allowing for the Police Station building project to be completed to the scale and scope originally intended,” City Manager Rachael Tabelski said in a letter to Washington Avenue and State Street businesses. “Providing patients and customers access to local businesses is a key priority for the City. This past week, the City issued an emergency change directive to replace the current and proposed configuration of the safety fencing.

“Please encourage your staff to park in the JC Penney lot across Alva Place. We also encourage you to share this parking plan with your customers,” Tabelski said.  “We will keep you apprised as plans for both phases move forward. Thank you for your patience as the construction project proceeds.”