The Greater Lewiston Restaurant Group returns stronger than ever

Members hear on new Lewiston restaurants

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 10, 2004

Area restaurant owners and community partners from Greater Lewiston pose for a photo at their meeting this past week at the Village Bake Shop. Back row from left to right: Carmelo Raimondi of Carmelo's Coat of Arms, John DiBernardo, Waterstreet Landing, Ken Bryan, Tin Pan Alley, Patty Bud North Country Deli, Phil Inglima and Jack Soldano, Villa Fortunata's of Lewiston, Skip Mazenaeur of Niagara Frontier Publications, Bridget Schroeder, The Village Bake Shoppe, Maureen Kellick of Artpark and Dee Dee Litt also of NFP. In the front row: Mike Freedman, Artpark and Diane Rothberg of Pigasus Roasters. Camera shy was Shannon Briggs of Apple Granny Restaurant. (photo by Sandra Hays-Mies).

The Greater Lewiston Restaurant Group has been revived and is now back and stronger than ever.

The restaurant group in Lewiston disbanded over a year ago but is back in full swing, as evidenced by the strong turnout of restaurant owners at their most recent meeting held at the Village Bake Shoppe in Lewiston on Wednesday morning this past week.

Sandra Hays-Mies, executive director of the Greater Lewiston Business and Professional Association, noting how this group has expanded its presence on the northern Niagara County scene said, "One of the most significant changes is that the group now encompasses all restaurants and food service establishments in Lewiston, Youngstown, Ransomville and Sanborn. With so many new and long established restaurants in our community, we believed that there are many ways to work together. The enthusiasm was overwhelming and as a result, the group will continue to meet on a regular basis to share successes and challenges."

All restaurateurs whose business is located in Lewiston, Youngstown, Sanborn and Ransomville are encouraged to attend future meetings.

Many Advantages

While in one sense the restaurants are competitors, they are also a special interest group that sees advantages in working together. The GLBPA and Artpark have strengthened their commitment to work together in developing programs and packages that would encourage patrons to dine before and after the theatre productions.

Artpark was well represented at the meeting. As a result of open dialogue, restaurateurs and Artpark officials will also join forces to create group advertising initiatives.

As noted the April meeting was held at the Village Bake Shoppe, an award winning business located on Center Street. Owner Bridget Schroeder treated other restaurateurs to delectable sweets and coffee and took the opportunity to showcase her new line of gourmet cakes. She also offered to work with other restaurant owners in creating signature desserts for their establishments.

Ken Bryan, a partner in Tin Pan Alley shared with the group that he has indeed purchased the former Brew House and is working with his partner in developing a theme and new image for the Center Street landmark. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet John DiBernardo, a partner in the new Lewiston Waterstreet Landing.

Also at the session Hays-Mies presented the group with the list of 2004 events where there are vending opportunities.

Smelt Fest Coming Up

The first big event of the season is the Annual Smelt Festival. In addition to the "fish fun" at the Lewiston Waterfront, co-hosted by the GLBPA, the Niagara River Anglers and the Silo Restaurant, many of our Lewiston restaurants will be serving up their own variation of smelt during the weekend of May 7-9.

Nearly every restaurant will be participating with the exception of our bakeries. Smelt shortcake anyone?

For further information on these and other events coming up in 2004, log on to www.northofthefalls.com.