Evans Discount Liquor & Wines is planning a move on Fairmount Avenue in West Ellicott. Work at the site recently kicked off. Submitted Photo

A West Ellicott liquor store is planning a large expansion project, with a new site almost right across the street.

Ellicott Town Supervisor Pat McLaughlin said recent activity at the former Alfie’s Restaurant at 986 Fairmount Ave. is the beginnings of new construction for Evans Discount Liquor & Wines. Currently located at 1013 Fairmount Ave., the owner has been eyeing a new site with a much larger footprint.

“They will be moving the current liquor store over there when it’s completed,” McLaughlin said. “If you’ve been by here, you’ve noticed they’ve been moving some dirt. They’ve been in to the planning board and have gone through site plan review, so everything is good to go there.”

The site plan was reviewed by the town’s Planning and Zoning Board in May. Dan Evans, owner of Evans Discount Liquor & Wines, is also the chairman of the Planning and Zoning board. He recused himself as a member of the board at the May meeting.

“Once he was given the building permit, of course, he has a year to get that done,” McLaughlin said. “I don’t know how much work they’ll get done over the winter, but I would think when spring breaks, they can really go to town on it. I don’t know this for sure, but I would think that they would want to be open for a majority of the summer so they can get the lake business.”

Evans could not be reached to comment on the large expansion project.

While McLaughlin said town officials were sad to see Alfie’s close, they are glad another business will take over the location.

“It’s huge,” he said. “We’re happy to see it. This will be, as far as this area is concerned — you won’t see another liquor store like it. This is just my opinion, but having seen the drawings, it kind of puts me in mind of a city like Buffalo, with Premier Liquors. That’s what it is going to be like.”

Alfie’s Restaurant closed in July 2019. In November the following year, the building was demolished.