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YBPA Secretary Mark Butera presents a proclamation to Somewhere's Pat Stack. (Photo by K&D Action Photo and Aerial Imaging)
YBPA Secretary Mark Butera presents a proclamation to Somewhere's Pat Stack. (Photo by K&D Action Photo and Aerial Imaging)

YBPA: Somewhere recognized as 2020 Business of the Year

Fri, Oct 15th 2021 10:00 am

Special tributes to Somewhere offered at YBPA meeting

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

It’s been a long time coming.

Tuesday evening, the Youngstown Business and Professional Association held a formal get-together at Fort Niagara’s Officer’s Club.

It marked the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that many of YBPA’s roughly 80 active members were even able to gather and meet. Tuesday’s session included discussion on a whole range of topics – such as the recent Youngstown Labor Day Parade, the many new faces on the village business strip, the upcoming holiday season, St. Patrick’s Day and many exciting activities in the works for the coming months and next spring.

Oh, and there was one leftover task – YBPA’s recognition of a Youngstown area business.

“As you know, the board of directors has decided to uniquely honor our selected Business of the Year for 2020 and 2021, and we are going to be doing that tonight. This is going to be a slow roll, and we are starting that now,” YBPA Secretary Mark Butera said.

With that, YBPA revealed its selection of the Somewhere Bar on Blairville Road as the association’s Business of the Year.

Operated by the retired Niagara Falls Police detective Pat Stack, this small, off-track country bar – in a relatively short time – has become one of the more popular destinations for many in northern Niagara.

In her conversations in praise of Somewhere, frequent patron and YBPA President Cheryl Irish Butera said the business is unlike any other. She went on to describe Somewhere as full of colorful conversation, unique personalities, tasty foods and drink, Irish culture and truly different experiences.

Some of the happenings at Somewhere include its popular sandlot soccer games on summer nights, those neat food plates, cultural gatherings and happenings, the Sunday concerts, motorcycle rides and of course, you can’t forget St. Patrick’s Day.

“He’s always doing such great things for the community,” she said.

Mark Butera went into some of the background behind YBPA’s selection of Somewhere. He said that, following a top-three selection of members’ ballots from the 2020 winter meeting at Ray’s Tavern, the group voted in Somewhere.

“In January 2020, we opened the ballot and, low and behold, loud and clear, Pat Stack’s Somewhere was selected as the Business of the Year,” he said. “This truly is a process that is written by the members. We want (everyone) to understand how really important and wonderful that is to be selected by your peers, your professionals, your business operators. And it couldn’t be more deserving.”

In her remarks, YBPA board member Colleen Mary Summerville said, “I’m not surprised you’re a winner, because you are a winner. Think I like about Pat is that he is always a hard worker. I first met Pat when he was a detective … he was a Niagara Falls Police detective who worked narcotics, was an undercover narcotics detective. He retired in 2013 and opened Somewhere in fall of 2014.

“What do you get from Somewhere? You get free drinks. Pat started creating a menu, homemade bread and those meatballs. He’s continued to surprise us, mentioning Somewhere’s new kitchen offerings, the Sunday concerts, the motorcycle rides. He’s very active in the community and I really like you Pat, I really do.”

“One of my favorite things about Somewhere is that Pat hands you the mic and you can sing your favorite song like you’re the star of the show. He treats his customers that way. But what I really love the best is his St. Patrick’s Day Party. It’s gotta be because I’m Irish, but it’s the best day ever, daring over 1,000 people at a time.

“In ending, I just want to say that Pat is very kind and thoughtful. I just can’t think of a better person to win this award.”

Village of Youngstown Trustee Stu Comerford said, “I’m really excited about this 2020 proclamation to honor Somewhere – our business of the year. It is both with pride and appreciation that we honor Somewhere as the 2020 Youngstown Business of the Year during one of most difficult business years on record.”

Comerford then read a proclamation presented by Mayor Raleigh Reynolds and the Board of Trustees. He spoke of Somewhere’s record of supporting local events and contributing to the community.

Similar testimonials came from Porter Councilman Tim Adamson and First District Niagara County Legislator Irene Myers.

Stack said, “A lot of what we have here is something special,” and he thanked the YBPA for the honor. He made special mention of the Somewhere family: his wife, Cathy; children Josh and Sam; employees Kenny, Eddie and Zubra; the Irish Wake Band; the many, many faithful patrons.

“It’s been a great eight years – many memories. We couldn’t do it without you,” Stack said.

YBPA officers with Pat Stack and his Somewhere family. (Photo by K&D Action Photo and Aerial Imaging)

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