In all the excitement about the Village Bakery opening recently, it was easy to miss the sad news about a few other Webster businesses who are closing (or have closed) their doors.
I found out through an article in the D&C that — after two years in business — Sweet Wood Barbecue on Main Street in the Village of Webster would be closing. Its last day was Saturday.
You can click on the article above to read a little more about owner Eugene Giordano and his feelings about having to close his business. But what that article doesn’t really address in what a loss this is for the village.
The Village of Webster has several eating establishments, but in my opinion there aren’t a whole lot of low-cost, kid-friendly alternatives for families (aside from fast food). Sweet Wood was one of them. Great food, comfortable surroundings, reasonable price.
On top of that, the village is losing a staunch supporter. An active member of the village’s Business Improvement District, you could count on Giordano and Sweet Wood to play a part in pretty much every village event, like the Jazz Fest, Wine Walks, and the Trick or Treat Trail.
Losing Sweet Wood is a loss for just West Main Street, but the whole village itself.
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Did you hear that Rite Aid on Ridge Road is closing?
Ever since Walgreen’s purchased the store, it was probably just a matter of time. It was unlikely Walgreen’s would keep two stores open within a mile of each other. But I was frankly surprised about how long it took to lower the hammer.
I first heard the news from my daughter, who works there as a shift supervisor. (You’ll know her as the one with the funky hair, permanent smile, bouncy personality and mile-a-minute chatter.) To their credit, Walgreen’s management appears to be trying to find new positions for as many of the displaced employees as possible. My daughter, for example, will be working at a Walgreen’s in Fairport.
The official closing date is still several weeks away (the pharmacy will be closing before the rest of the store). In the meantime, stop in regularly, because already lots of things are clearance priced, and those discounts will become greater as the date nears.
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Finally, I just learned today that CrossFit Webster (CFW), on near Bay and Empire, is also closing.
If you’re not into CrossFit, you probably don’t care about this news. But it affects a lot of people close to me, and many others for whom CFW has become what my friend Peter called “a place that has been a bedrock of support, refuge, and solace for many.”
I was even a member for a while. I was there when they opened in 2013 to try out their free welcome-to-CrossFit bootcamp class, and I briefly fell in love with the regimen’s focus on short, intense workouts.
I didn’t stick with it for long, but I know others who did, and CFW has changed their bodies — and their lives — for the better. It has built much more than strong muscle; the “box” (as these gyms are affectionately) has also built friendships and self-confidence.
I don’t know the story behind CFW’s closing. But I hope that for the benefit of all those who have become CFW family, the box will soon find a new home, and in the meantime, everyone can find another CrossFit box where they can continue their workouts and their friendships.
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It has come to my attention in the last few days that in my blogs about all the 5Ks coming to our little town of Webster, I have neglected to mention one.
This Tuesday, August 21, the village will host its last Tuesday Movie Night of the season, featuring Disney’s Big Friendly Giant.
at the Wine Walks, this is a great chance to visit local restaurants and merchants and sample some beer and spirits.
webster on the web 