Devon Power and her father, Pete, will open BestCellar Book Bar, a bookstore and bar in a plaza on Main Street in Clarence.
BestCellar Book Bar opens Tuesday
Bookworms across Western New York, rejoice! BestCellar Book Bar will open its doors Tuesday at 9560 Main St., Clarence.
BestCellar is a new concept to the region, and a rare one anywhere. The business is a mashup of a bookstore and a bar, with books for sale on one side of the room, a bar on the other, and tables and seating in between.
It’s the brainchild of Devon Powers, a nurse practitioner from Snyder who has gone into business with her father, Peter Powers.
“I love to read in public by myself, but I just didn’t ever feel like there was a space that was comfortable enough,” she said.
The bar will serve wine, beer, cider and mocktails, as well as coffee drinks.
People are also reading…
The book selection will feature new titles and bestsellers, historical fiction, romance, fantasy, young adult, history and science nonfiction. The wall across from the bar will be covered in bookshelves, while other movable bookshelves will be on wheels so the space can be reconfigured for such events as author appearances, trivia nights and book signings. A communal space in the back will be available for book clubs to reserve.
The rest of the space is filled with benches, tables and workspaces throughout. Decor is “calm and moody,” Devon Powers said.
“I would describe it best as kind of like one of those antique libraries with a moody spin on it,” Devon Powers said.
BestCellar’s storefront in Clarence.
Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy – from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.
New Starbucks coming to Amherst
The new Shake Shack restaurant expected to open on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst next year will have a new Starbucks for a neighbor.
The outparcel, in the Boulevard South retail plaza in front of Homegoods, will have a 2,500-square-foot space for a Starbucks cafe with a drive-thru.
Starbucks already has another location half a mile to the north of the new location on Niagara Falls Boulevard, as well as a licensed cafe in the Barnes and Noble store just a short walk across Romney Road.
Jersey Mike’s Subs opens in Hamburg
Jersey Mike’s Subs, a New Jersey-based fast-food chain, has opened a location at 5340 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg. The franchise owner is Evan Mayer.
Customers can place orders in the store or for pickup through the website or through the Jersey Mike’s app. Delivery is available in most areas through the Jersey Mike’s app or through third-party delivery partners. Curbside pickup is available for orders placed in the Jersey Mike’s app.
The store is still hiring.
It’s really goodbye to Bye’s Popcorn
Bye’s Popcorn, a beloved popcorn stand in Olcott, closed last year after the death of owner Patricia Drews. Now, the contents of the business and her estate have gone up for auction.
Separate lots in the auction include the usual machinery and equipment to be expected, such as a metal popcorn maker. But there are also antique cars, such as an antique 1930 Ford Model A with a “Hooray for Hoover” sticker and a Bye’s Popcorn logo on the side, as well as an antique dress form, vintage beverage signs, blow-mold Christmas decorations and other collectibles.
The Lockport Olcott Road business had been in operation since 1923, making it to a century in business before it closed. Drews bought the business in 1969, and ended up owning the company longer than the Bye family did.
The business contents and estate are listed with Auctions International.
Mister Christmas moves, expands
Just in time for the holiday rush, Mister Christmas has moved and expanded at the Eastern Hills Mall.
The year-round Christmas holiday store has relocated to the former Dave & Buster’s arcade, more than doubling its space. The store has an exterior entrance, so isn’t expected to be affected by any construction at the mall as it makes its transition to a town center.
Mister Christmas, which sells all things Christmas, such as artificial trees and holiday decorations, is owned by Keith and Lisa Mann.
AAA awards “Four Diamond” ratings
AAA has awarded its prestigious “Four Diamond” ratings to local hotels and restaurants. Most awards go to establishments in the New York City area, but Western New York had a respectable showing this year.
In Buffalo, awards went to the Westin Buffalo Hotel and the Mansion on Delaware Avenue, as well as to Oliver’s Restaurant. Awards also went to the Lake House on Canandaigua, the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls and the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca.
Spirit Halloween testing Christmas locations
Spirit Halloween, the Halloween retailer known for filling vacant real estate with its seasonal pop-up retail concept, will test another holiday concept with Spirit of Christmas stores this year.
None of the eight Spirit of Christmas pilot stores will open in Western New York, but those interested in making the trip can find one at the Mill Creek Mall in Erie, Pa. That location was most recently filled by Spirit Halloween.
THE LATEST
The Sumitomo tire plant in the Town of Tonawanda is closing, dealing a blow to the region’s manufacturing base and prompting local officials to react. A union leader said he was shocked by the decision, as was Mark Poloncarz. Gov. Kathy Hochul pledged to aid the plant’s workers.
National Fuel Gas has scrapped a controversial pipeline project.
Parking is emerging as the main point of neighborhood resistance to the proposed $80 million redevelopment of the former Voelker’s Bowling Center.
Larkin Development Group has acquired another group of properties on Seneca Street as it seeks to expand the Larkinville neighborhood.
Bradley Chapman has been named president of Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital.
The value of the Buffalo Sabres is soaring.
Repair work has started on the closed hostel in downtown Buffalo, and the group that runs it hopes to be able to reopen next spring.
Moog Inc. is getting a boost from rising military spending in Europe.
Paychecks are starting to rise faster across the Buffalo Niagara region.
Kissing Bridge has a new owner.
UAW leaders want Gov. Kathy Hochul to talk to General Motors executives about its planned expansion in the Town of Tonawanda.
ICYMI
Five reads from Buffalo Next:
1. A lot goes into getting local grocery stores ready for the Thanksgiving shopping rush.
2. Buffalo officials are considering whether to impose more restrictions on short-term rentals.
3. How retailers try to entice shoppers to do their holiday buying early.
4. Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman is quickly hauling in sponsorship deals.
5. Habitat for Humanity is taking a new approach to building homes. It could lead to new development in the Buffalo Niagara region.
The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to [email protected] or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week.
Email tips to [email protected].
This post was originally published on here
