From Adrian's to Anderson's: A tradition and transition with heart

By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

It’s a new beginning for two family-owned businesses: Adrian’s Custard & Beef is set to be sold to Anderson’s Frozen Custard.

Anderson’s has a goal to open its seventh store on Grand Island this spring at the former Adrian’s, 2352 Grand Island Blvd.

The roast beef and custard, community and camaraderie remain, the buyer and seller agree.

“The community center – that is what we want to keep,” said new owner Holly Anderson.

A tradition Adrian’s and Anderson’s have shared is the customers’ pleasure of waiting in line at each of the establishments – anticipating the good food and meeting good friends as you wait. From Little League teams to families, the clientele has been varied and loyal at both places.

As Adrian’s, the popular Grand Island restaurant established itself as a favorite community gathering place for “fast casual” dining and good-tasting food. The new owners pledge to keep that tradition going.

Several years ago, Adrian’s owner, ToniMarie Amantia, moved the business from a smaller site across the street that was its home since its founding in 1989.

“To know that – even when we were across the street in that little building, and the lawn was like a postage stamp, the entire community was out there,” Amantia said. “We would look outside and everybody would see their neighbor, and we love that. And coming here, with a big front lawn and all of the picnic tables, it’s the same feeling.”

“There’s still a family-owned restaurant,” Amantia’s son, Patrick Antonelli said, comparing the two businesses. He has been restaurant manager at Adrian’s, working alongside his mother in making the business a success. “It’s not a corporate takeover – we reached out first.”

“We thought this was the best transition for Grand Island,” Amantia added.

Amantia is looking to enjoy retirement after running the restaurant for 19 years. She and her son agreed that it is the right time to make the change, and Anderson’s is the right new owner to take the helm.

Amantia said the similarities between the two businesses make the move a good fit.

“I think it makes an easy transition. I think it makes the most sense for us at Adrian’s,” Amantia said. “I think Anderson’s will be wonderful.”

Anderson, daughter of the founders of Anderson’s Frozen Custard, has owned and operated her family’s business since 1983. She said that, naturally, there are going to be changes to the restaurant, but the community feeling is a shared value that will continue.

The differences will make the establishment conform to the Anderson’s brand, she said. But the transition is definitely a cordial one.

“Why I was so comfortable from the very beginning is that ToniMarie and Patrick have run the business with the same values as we do,” Anderson said.

“We have a mission at Anderson’s, ‘Give and create smiles,’ and they (Adrian’s) might not have had that tag line … but they did their business that way. They wanted to create a space for the community – a meeting ground, a place for great service.”

 It’s the warmth that the businesses share – the rest is just details, Anderson noted.

“I so appreciate them supporting Anderson’s,” she said of Amantia and Antonelli.

She explained the Anderson’s company wants to be “the bridge to the community that’s so loyal” to Adrian’s. “I don’t want it to be that they’re disloyal to them just because they enjoy Anderson’s. I want it to be a smooth transition.”

And as Amantia transitions to retirement, she has memories of Adrian’s that she will cherish.

“I will miss the work, surprisingly,” she said. “I will miss the community – seeing the customers, absolutely – our regular customers. We have some customers that eat here five nights a week.

“But you know what – we’re in this community. So, we’re going to be on that front lawn,” at the restaurant. “That’s important to us. My children are all here on Grand Island. My grandchildren are being raised on Grand Island. We want the Adrian’s tradition to now be the Anderson’s tradition.”

Amantia’s retirement plan is very family-oriented. She has six grandchildren, the newest of whom is Antonelli’s 8-month-old daughter, Juliette. Babysitting is definitely on Amantia’s agenda, and other joys are on the horizon, as well.

“To be home, to be in the community, to not work 60 hours a week – yes!” she said with a smile.

Both Anderson and Amantia said they hope there will be Adrian’s staff members who retrain and remain to become Anderson’s employees.

Anderson’s parents, Carl and Greta, opened their business in 1946.

“My two brothers, husband and I, took it over in 1983 and we expanded it,” she said.

The original location was on Sheridan Drive in Kenmore. The Grand Island site will join others in Amherst, Williamsville, Buffalo, Cheektowaga and Lancaster.

As to details of the sale, neither party wanted to mention a sale price, but said the transaction has been amiable and satisfactory to both buyer and seller.

“I think we’re both happy – we agreed upon it.” Anderson said.

“We’re here,” Antonelli said as proof of the cordial dealings that led to the sale.

“It’s been a longer journey than we thought, but we’re here,” Amantia said.

The talks began in August, she said. Family needs began to overshadow the demands of mother and son working long hours at the restaurant.

Anderson said her company honors the management team they are taking over for.

“ToniMarie and Patrick should be given a great farewell,” she said. “They should be celebrated. We are going to have a retirement party for them, to have the community be able to say farewell.”

“Now they’re on the different side of the window,” she said, referring to the takeout window at the front of the restaurant.

“Anderson’s, with the heartbeat of Adrian’s,” is a phrase coined by one of the publications who also interviewed the leaders of both Adrian’s and Anderson’s. It’s one that both buyer and seller heartily agree with and have said they will adopt as their own.