Pellicano's Marketplace gets approval for modified expansion plan

By Senior Contributing Writer Benjamin Joe

Pellicano’s Marketplace proposal to expand and build at its current property on Niagara Falls Boulevard has been approved by the Town of Wheatfield Planning Board.

On Wednesday, June 3, owners Chris and Paul Pellicano visited the Town of Wheatfield Planning Board where their site plan was voted on. Planning Board Chairperson Susan Agnello-Eberwein abstained from voting on the motion as she said she was close to the Pellicano’s and felt, “it would be better” if she abstained.

The site plan for the property has changed since its original submission. Instead of expanding the current building for space – which was to create room for more equipment, as well as a café and an area for musicians – that building will be used for storage. A new building, just shy of 20,000 square feet, will be erected on the property for customers to shop in and will have additional space for full meal preparation and pasta making.

Chris Pellicano said plans for live music and cooking workshops are still ongoing, just in this new building.

“Same music,” he said. “I’ll probably expand it once I have time to research it more. We’ll have the area to have a little more live music in the store, which is great. My father (Paul) is going to sing.”

“One thing that we want to do and it won’t be right away, because we want to get our feet wet first, is different kinds of cooking classes. Whether it’s pasta, gelato making, how to make sausage, things like that.”

Chris Pellicano also said the new plans were made for cost and “logistical reasons.” He also reported other businesses are interested in moving into the new building, as well.

“We have restaurants that are interested,” he said. “We have other local businesses from other towns that are looking to relocate into Wheatfield. … Potentially a barber shop, and I think what would go nice with a barber shop is a nice salon. …

“What we’re able to do now with the additional space is we’re going to have a full prepared meals area. We’re going to make fresh pasta. We’re going to make gelato. We’re going to have a café.

“We’re going to make fresh sandwiches just like you’d get in Little Italy in New York or the streets of Rome, but get to that you need the bread, so for that we’re going to have a full bakery. … We’re going to expand our produce so we can have more locally grown produce, which is great. … We’re going to have some fresh seafood … expand our meat department … we’re also going to be able to carry commercial cookware.”

There will also be two storage buildings on the property.

Agnello-Eberwein said she was happy the project is going through and all members voted to approve the plans.

“It’s an honor that you’re coming into this community and staying in this community,” she said. “Congratulations; welcome aboard, again.”