The concrete has been poured for the new South Beach patio and owner Ken Mistler said the patio will be open for business in two weeks "at tops."
After the concrete was poured and hardened a bit, it needed to be watered for several hours to help it dry slower and set harder.
Below, pictures submitted by Mistler of the work in progress.
First goal after leaving the court house around noon -- getting a pulled pork sandwich from Alston's at the Downtown Public Market. Second goal, photos at the market.
Both goals accomplished.
And I also learned that Alston's now participates in the Genesee Country Farmers Market at Batavia Downs. That market is open on Tuesdays and Fridays, but Alston's is only there on Fridays.
The downtown market appears to be doing very well this year. There was certainly a great selection New York fruits and vegetables to "heart."
Kelly Kubala from Go Art! opened the 2011 Ramble Music and Arts Fest in Downtown Batavia shortly after 11 this morning.
The Ghost Riders followed and more musical acts will be performing throughout the day, plus there's food, crafts and arts.
Parking is available off School, Jackson and Center streets.
The event goes until 9 p.m.
UPDATE: Video shot by Steve Ognibene:
The summer concert series in Jackson Square, Downtown Batavia, sponsored by the Business Improvement District, kicked off this evening with a show by 78 RPM.
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
It's always fun to take pictures of musicians playing live and so with Kay McMahon, Jim Catino and Bill MacDonald laying down some countrified grooves on the patio of Larry's Steakhouse this evening, I thought I should stop by.
The trio plays an acoustic set at Larry's each Thursday through the summer.
And Bill wanted me to remind everybody that the Ramble Music and Arts Fest is coming. Mark your calendars for July 2.
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).
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.
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 new group of international students from GCC were getting the grand tour of Batavia today, and I happened across them at Main and Center streets.
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.
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.
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.
Did you see the guy in the pink gorilla suit on East Main Street, Batavia? It's apparently a publicity stunt. First thing I said to the guy was, "What, lose a bet?" He said he was only allowed to answer, "Coming soon." He said he was hired to walk up and down Main Street in the suit.
The annual Downtown Carnival is taking place on Jackson Street this weekend. It continues this afternoon.
More pictures after the jump:
Members of the Batavia Downtown Business Improvement District gathered Friday for a luncheon and awards presentation to a few of the people who supported downtown in 2010.
Charles Men's Shop received the “Spirit of Downtown” award. Above Don Brown, left, and Dave Howe, second from left, accept the award from Victor Gautieri, outgoing president of the BID board, and Don Burkel, BID director.
Jeffrey Gillard, who could not be at the luncheon, was honored as BID member Volunteer of the Year.
Krysia Mager and Leanna DiRisio, pictured below, received Community Volunteer awards.
Victor Gautieri, above, finished his term as president and by BID rules must take a break from serving on the board. Paul Marchese, below, finished his term as vice president and is also termed out of the board.
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