Village of Lewiston: Hibbard's expansion, food collections approved

by Joshua Maloni

Everyone got something at Monday's Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees meeting.

Three project expansions - most notably, one for Hibbard's Custard - were approved. Three different organizations received permission to collect food and monetary donations this summer. Even the clerk's office benefited, with an OK to upgrade computer equipment ... for the first time in 25 years.

Trustees signed off on development plans for D'Avolio, Waste Technology Services and Hibbard's Custard after all three were approved by the Planning Board/Historic Preservation Committee prior to the Village Board meeting.

D'Avolio, 449 Center St., will expand 400 feet in the back to accommodate the addition of specialty foods. Owner Dan Gagliardo said the remodeled olive oil store will resemble his Williamsville location and may include a cold deli.

WTS, Lower River Road and Mohawk Street, was granted permission to add a 60-by-120-foot tennis court. The facility will be for employee use.

Hibbard's Custard, at Portage Road and Center Street, will add a 16-by-20-foot facility to be used as an indoor eating area. Architect David Giusiana said the eatery would incorporate a lunch and dinner menu. Kris (Hibbard) Trunzo said the idea is to add in items such as charcoal-grilled hot dogs and premium steak burgers, while enabling the business to remain open beyond the warm-weather months.

"I think it's a great idea; very exciting," said Planning Board member Jamie Symmonds.

Trustee Vic Eydt expressed some concern about Hibbard's "cutting up" its well-known brand.

"I just think it looks like it should be out on Transit Road and not in the village," he said of the new, '50s-esque design.

In response, Harold G. Hibbard said, "It's time for an upgrade. We feel this is the best way to do it.

"The building needs to be updated."

The board approved the project by a 4-0 vote (Deputy Mayor Bruce Sutherland was excused).

The addition, estimated at between $40,000 and $45,000, would square off the building on the Natural Link side. Both the custard stand and the butcher would utilize new kitchen space.

Charitable Contributions

Lewiston resident Claudia Marasco, who, along with resident Mamie Simonson, has led efforts the past two summers to collect food and monetary donations for Community Missions and Heart, Love and Soul Food Pantry, said she spoke with two other organizations seeking to solicit contributions during Artpark's "Tuesday in the Park" concert series. Trustees were hesitant to grant her group sole permission to collect on those nights, when thousands of people visit the Lewiston performing arts venue.

Marasco said her team will collect outside of Artpark's South Fourth Street entrance each week, while Lewiston Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 will seek donations on Center Street on six non-consecutive nights, and the Ransomville Food Pantry will collect weekly by Artpark's Portage Road entrance. 

"We did get a hold of the fire representatives ... and Debbie Parker ... who is with the Ransomville food pantry," Marasco said. "We are not going to start a problem between two great organizations, because we both serve people."

"We are on the same page with helping people," she said.

All volunteers will work from roughly 5 until 8:15 p.m.

Board members were pleased all sides came to an amicable solution.

"I'm glad you worked it out - that's what we're all after," said Trustee Ernie Krell.

"I appreciate you guys," Eydt said, as Mayor Terry Collesano announced, "Both sides are happy, and we have a satisfied board, too."

News and Notes

•The board approved a 50 percent down payment ($16,529) to Harris Computer Systems for new equipment for the village clerk's office. The other 50 percent will come from next year's budget.

"I think this is something we've been putting off for far too long," Collesano said. He described the current equipment as being in "deplorable condition."

•The State Supreme Court date for the Article 78 lawsuit businessman Jerome Williams filed against the Village of Lewiston and Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours was pushed back until the end of March. Williams is contesting variances granted for the project and its ability to exist within the municipality's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.