Youngstown Business & Professional Association celebrating 50-year anniversary

Then and now: A look at village businesses from 1976-2026

Submitted by the Youngstown Business and Professional Association

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association was incorporated in 1976. At that time, the YBPA president was Victor Szarejko, DDS. Originally, the purpose of YBPA was to be able to offer health insurance to various businesses in Youngstown. That job later went to the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce, but the YBPA continued on as an association serving the community.

In 1976, there were two physicians, two dentists and an attorney available in the Village of Youngstown. There was even an appointed “Welcome Wagon Hostess” to welcome newcomers. At one point, there was a Marine Midland bank in the form of a trailer in the B-Kwik parking lot. Soon, there was an HSBC bank on second street, which then became First Niagara Bank then finally KeyBank (which closed in 2018).

The many businesses then and now have undergone many changes. There were 49 listed businesses in 1976. Not all were YBPA members. Today, we’ve grown to 82 members. Not all are brick and mortar.

Cheryl Buter was here during that time frame, as was Dotty Riordan, who helped with this timeline. In the 1970s, there was a restaurant known as The Fyfe & Drum located at 440 Main St. It offered fine dining as well as live music on occasion. Unfortunately, there was a fire and the restaurant was closed. In its place today is the Hill of Beans Coffee Stop, with many newly built apartments in the rear.

In 1976, there was Comerford’s Riverview Inn, offering fine dining and a view of the Niagara River. Following the death of Mr. Comerford, the restaurant closed and today is a fitness center, Hardened Art Tattoo Studio, offices and some available B&B rentals.

What was then Dirty Harry’s restaurant, at 930 Lake Road, today is Bandana’s Bar & Grill. Cheryl’s uncle, Jim, and her aunt, Jackie (Emma) Lampman, owned and operated Jimmy’s Pizzeria at 425 Main St., which, today, is the very popular Youngstown Village Diner.

At 431, then was Emma’s Ice Cream (part of Jimmy’s Pizzeria). That, today, is Petey’s Treats ice cream shop. Back then, there were two businesses – Captain’s Galley at 412 Main St., and 418 Main St., Phillip’s Place.

In the 1980s, those two buildings were combined to become Brennan’s Irish Pub, then The Irish Rose, and finally The Mug and Musket. 400 Main St., for years (per Dotty), was a grocery store called Reeds Market, which then became Jo Marie’s Hairstyling and then became Nadine’s clothing shop and later Ashker’s Coffee Shop, The Youngstown Galley, and currently the Sister and Brother Children’s Apparel clothing store.

At 311 Main St., was Nolan’s Exxon, which later became the location of Main Street Pizzeria. At 201 Lockport St., was then Ventry’s Automotive, which became Heritage Auto, and today is A/M Automotive.

Then and now, located at 128 Lockport St., is Dan and Lucy Realtors. In 1976, housed at 120 Lockport St., was the Town of Porter offices and Village Library, which, later (for 30 years), was Dr. Rama Bojedla and, for a short time, became Happy Tails dog grooming following the doctor’s retirement. Today it’s a brand-new business called Three Little Hens Baking Company.

A look at the 1976 YBPA brochure. (Courtesy of the Youngstown Business and Professional Association)

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The Ontario House, aka “Stone Jug,” has always been a hotel, restaurant and bar. The Jug is the oldest standing building in Youngstown. It was once owned by the Wojcik family, but now is owned and operated by the Costello family.

Ye Old Fort Inn, at 110 Main St., was well known for great dining but, today, has been turned into a duplex. 200 Lockport St. was B-Kwik, but then became Melloni’s Market, and today is the site of Griffon Brewery. In 1976, 214 Lockport St., was the location of Barnum’s Pharmacy, which later became Rite Aid (which closed in 2024). Then, on the east end, there was Danny’s Restaurant and Ice Cream, which, for some years, was the Baptist church and today is Youngstown Marketside. In the former Rite Aid space plans are being discussed for a new retail shopping store.

At 409 Main St., was Dan’s Grooming and Style for many years. Today, it is the location of Peace of Mind Wellness & Counseling Services. At 140 Lockport St., was The Settlement Cleaners of Youngstown, which was also a laundromat. Today, it is the location of Legacy X Fitness. In 1976, located at 113 Lockport St. (originally the village post office), was Yankee Spirits Liquors & Wines, which relocated to North Tonawanda and, in 2003, the store became Anchor Spirits & Wines. At 435 Main St., was then Youngstown Design Center but, today, it is the location of The Dory Trading Post.

On the waterfront back then was Pierce Marine, which offered ferry service to Niagara on the Lake in Canada. It was a small motorboat that offered that service for a mere 25 cents and, for 50 cents, you could bring your bicycle! (9/11 changed that). Now at that location is The Wicked Worm LLC bait and tackle shop. RCR Yacht’s Inc. was then and still is located at 223 Lockport St. The Youngstown Yacht Club was and still is located at 491 Water St. In 1976, the Youngstown Cold Storage, at 701 Nancy Price Drive, was active, but that has since been demolished and now is the site of the new Riverview Landing condominiums.

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association has always been supportive of the local events such as “Christmas in the Village,” the Labor Day parade (including the once-popular Labor Day field day), even the Youngstown community picnic and fishing derby.

Currently, the YBPA sponsors the Neil Riordan St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March, the Here Comes Summer Street Dance & Car Cruise in June, the YBPA golf tournament fundraiser and, in September, we celebrate the Youngstown/Porter Business of the Year and Community Service Award ceremony.

Last year, we made donations to the Inter Community Services food pantry in Ransomville for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Every year, we apply for the William G. Mayne, Jr. Business/Community Enhancement Program. The money is matching funds put toward beautification of brick-and-mortar projects. One of those projects was the pretty blue and white Christmas snowflake lights that adorn Main Street, Lockport Street and inside Falkner Park.

This year, we will be making improvements to the Falkner Park pavilion in time to celebrate the summer free concerts organized by Dotty and enjoyed by everyone!

Submitted by Cheryl Irish-Butera (board member) and Dotty Riordan (vice president) for Youngstown Business and Professional Association Inc.

Main Street in Youngstown today.