Trending
In today's edition, reporter Sara Holthouse checked in with two businesses profiled in our pages earlier this year.
Stories about area businesses are always among the most-read stories on post-journal.com every year, ranking just as high as major economic development news like Cummins Inc. bringing a new engine line to its Jamestown Engine Plant or a new lithium battery maker opening a new factory in Ellicott.
This year was no exception.
Among the business stories readers found interesting this year was Eric Tichy's June story on Andrew and Amber Carlson's efforts to develop 100-120 N. Main St. into the Ballroom On Main, an extension of the Chop House on Main that the pair own next door.
"We are committed to downtown and really growing," Andrew Carlson said. "All of the people that were in here before, I really thank them all for their services because we get a lot of business from all of them, which is great. But it's up to us, too, to wow people coming in downtown. We want to be part of what they're talking about when they're going home and talking about Jamestown. I think we've done a pretty good job at that and we will continue to moving forward."
Also popular was Greg Bacon's May report on CHQ Marketplace, the brainchild of Morgan and Matthew Dinger. The two business people were recently working in the Pittsburgh market and enjoyed vacationing in Chautauqua. Morgan has a relative who stays in Chautauqua Institution and fell in love with the area, buying a vacation home in Lakewood.
They learned that Reverie Creamery at 3943 Rt. 394 was up for sale. It seemed like the perfect location for a new restaurant, gift shop and more. The business has a Mayville address and is located in the town of North Harmony, across the street from Camp Chautauqua. The Dingers have not only opened a restaurant in the building but a market that features second locations for area businesses looking to expand their reach.
Readers also flocked to a story by Holthouse about the opening of the Compass Bar and Grille opening in Findley Lake. The building has been in the area since 1977, last being used as Rustic Ridge before closing 22 years ago. Before that it was known as Country Classic.
Elizabeth Odell-McKinley used to work at Rustic Ridge before it closed, and a dream of hers has always been to open the building back up. She owned a catering business with Megan Odell-McKinley for about a year and a half and the two decided to go into this business together.
"This place was not for sale for a long time," Elizabeth Odell-McKinley said. "I worked here in 2001 before it closed and it has been my dream to open it back up. There is the Peek'n Peak and the French Creek Tavern, but we thought the area needed more options."
New ownership of a landmark Lakewood business was also a reader favorite. Community staple Schuyler's Kitchen has recently opened under new management after being part of the community for the past 13 years.
Amy and Marc Martis, owners of Lake Life Cafe in Bemus Point, along with their general manager, Joe Gerace, recently bought and took over the business from previous owner, Deb Schuyler. Gerace said the sale came about after looking for new business ventures.
"I was looking into expanding into a new business venture with Marc and Amy, and we had a few other things that we looked into that didn't work out," Gerace said. "We found out that Deb was looking for a buyer and to keep the restaurant open. We sat down and talked with her and it turned out to be a wonderful fit for both of us."
Gerace said that people do not have to worry about major changes being made to the restaurant under their ownership. The plans are to keep the staff and food the same, and the only changes that will be made will be on the small scale such as a new point-of-sale system.
"In the restaurant industry people are everything," Gerace said. "Both the people and food that were already here are wonderful."