Tag Archives: Local business

Fresh Mediterranean flavors are coming to the heart of the village

3 Jul

The Village of Webster’s newest restaurant is bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to Main Street.

The new Tabbouleh Mediterranean Restaurant is poised to open early next week at 3 East Main Street, in the easternmost half of the old Jeff’s Computer shop.

The restaurant is owned by cousins Halat Hama and Harda Hamagharib, both Iraqi Kurds, with help from their friend, Blnd Abdullah.

While none of them has owned his own place before, Halat has worked in several different restaurants. It was he who suggested to his cousin that they open their own business “in a nice neighborhood.” Last December, when he was Ubering a customer to the village, he noticed the “for lease” sign in the computer shop window. He contacted the landlord, signed the papers, and by February, renovations had begun.  

Transforming the old computer shop into a family restaurant has truly been a labor of love, requiring floor-to-ceiling renovations from repainting, to tearing out carpeting and counters, to drywalling. And that was all before installing new kitchen equipment.

“We did everything by hand,” Blnd said. “Every nail, every drywall, every mistake was ours. There were days filled with drywall and mud and a problem turned into ten problems and then there were days where you didn’t know what to do because there were so many things to do.” 

“It definitely was not easy,” he continued, “but … we learned to appreciate the process that we put into it. We appreciate the empty pizza boxes, the cold coffees that we didn’t get to finish drinking, the wounds we got from making mistakes. I’m sure if we had hired contractors to do the work for us we would not have loved the place as much as we do.”

What they’ve created is a cozy, bright, welcoming atmosphere which somehow seems to lighten your day as soon as you walk through the front door. It’s not a big place, but there are chairs and benches to fit 28 people comfortably, and proprietors who will welcome you with big smiles that reflect their sincere pride at being part of our country and the Webster community.

“We have a vision for this restaurant,” Blnd said. “We want everybody to feel welcome. Somebody who’s had a very rough day or a mom with a lot of kids, they deserve to feel seen, to be heard. A lot of time people go about their day not feeling heard.”

The menu features a wide variety of salads, pastas, soups, appetizers, pita pockets, specialty plates and more, including vegetarian and gluten-free options — and tabbouleh, of course. All Mediterranean, but with a Kurdish twist.

They don’t have a liquor license, but patrons are welcome to bring their own beer, wine or other alcoholic drinks; the owners will hand you a glass and ice and you can pour it yourself. Or you can choose from a variety of American and international soft drinks in the cooler.

Halat and Harda display their hearts on their sleeves — and their walls. The photos hung throughout the restaurant are of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, their home towns in the Kurdistan region of Iraq; vintage photos of their shop on Main Street; and right when you walk in the front door, prints of Betsy Ross, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton.

They’re thrilled to be part of the Webster community and deeply touched by the warm welcome they’ve received.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of love we’ve gotten,” Blnd said. “One of the biggest things about Webster is how the community hugs one another. Everyone knows everyone. We want to be part of that family.”

“We had a big dream with a small idea and small pockets. We are happy to turn it into something like this.” 

They’re still finalizing a few minor details, but Halat and Harda hope to be able to open their doors this coming Monday or Tuesday July 6 or 7. Let’s make sure they feel as welcome as they want us to feel.

Tabbouleh Mediterranean Restaurant is located at 3 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. You’ll find them on Instagram (@dineattabbouleh) and soon on their website, Facebook and Reddit (but they haven’t been set up yet).

Check out the slides below for a look inside the restaurant and a look at the whole menu:

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(posted 7/3/2026)

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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JF Jones celebrates Grand Opening

22 Jun

Congratulations to Brittany Jones and her new jewelry store, JF Jones Jewelers, which celebrated its grand opening last Friday morning with an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Several family members, friends and local officials attended the gala event. It celebrated the next chapter for the family-owned business, which has a history that stretches back to 1928 when Brittany’s grandfather, Joseph F. Jones, founded the business. It also marks the first time JF Jones has operated on the east side of Rochester, after decades — and many locations — in Greece. (Read more about the JF Jones story in this blog.)

The gala event featured a whimsical Alice in Wonderland theme, complete with a “tea party.” After all, Brittany explained, “Growing up in a jewelry store was kind of like growing up in my own little wonderland,” so the theme seemed like a natural fit.

Welcome to Webster, Brittany and JF Jones!

JF Jones Jewelers is located at 1170 Ridge Rd., next to Heart to Heart Bride.

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(posted 6/22/2026)

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SMT Mobile Notary named Webster Chamber Business of the Month

13 Jun

Congratulations to Susan Tripp and SMT Mobile Notary, honored as the June 2026 Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

Tripp founded SMT Mobile Notary in March, 2024 out of a desire to make notarization services easier and more accessible for individuals who might not be able to travel to a bank, attorney’s office or town clerk. By bringing professional notary services directly to the clients, Susan has built a business centered around convenience, reliability, flexibility, and compassionate customer care. Those services include document notarization, real estate closings, loan signings and more. 

What Susan enjoys most about her work is the opportunity to meet new people and hear their stories. She likes to say, “every document has a story.” Some of those stories are joyful milestones, such as adoption paperwork or loan documents for first-time home buyers. Other times, her work takes her to hospitals or care facilities, where she helps individuals complete important documents during difficult moments of their lives. In every situation. Susan takes pride in helping provide peace of mind, and one less thing for her clients to worry about.

As a proud “solopreneur,” Susan operates the business independently and has quickly become known for going wherever her customers need her. That flexibility has led to some memorable experiences over the past two years. One of her favorite stories is when she was called to a Wayne County football field, where a coach urgently needed a certification notarized before practice could begin. Susan arrived with clipboard in hand, completed the notarization right on the field, and practice was able to continue.

“I feel incredibly lucky to do work that I genuinely love,” Susan said. “I get to help people during some of the most important moments in their lives — whether it’s buying a home, caring for family members, planning for the future, or handling difficult situations. Being trusted in these moments is something I never take lightly.”

Beyond her business services, Susan is deeply involved in the community. She serves on the board of directors for both the Webster Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and is an active member of the Webster Chamber’s events and Honors Committee. She volunteers with the Ontario Clothes Closet and Ontario Food Pantry, is a member of the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly, and regularly donates her time and notary services to individuals in the community who are unable to afford them, including visits to hospitals, shelters and adult living communities. 

The Webster Chamber of Commerce Events and Honors Committee presents a Business of the Month award to one of their member businesses at each of their monthly breakfast meetings. Less than 3% of the members are chosen annually.

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(posted 6/13/2026)

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Webster community mailbag

27 May

A couple of new items for today’s mailbag, and reminders of other special events coming down the pike.

First, you may have noticed that the Village of Webster has started re-surfacing the parking lot behind Village Hall and the Fire Department. Milling began this week and is scheduled to continue through Friday. Paving will take place between June 9 to 12. While this work is being done, much of the lot will be closed (see the map), and parking lot access will be closed at Corning Park and South Ave. You’ll still be able to access the smaller part of the lot from West Main.

Next, Sage Harbor at the Baywinde senior living community on Bay Rd. will be holding their second annual bake sale this Sunday, May 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. This is a cause that’s obviously important to the staff and residents at Baywinde, but also one that has touched many of our lives.

Sage Harbor is located at 100 Kidd Castle Way, off of Bay Rd.

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The Friends of the Webster Public Library will hold another one of their popular Vintage Book Sales on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the library, 980 Ridge Rd., at the back of Webster Plaza.

Shop more than 200 fiction and non-fiction books, published between the 19th century and the early 21st century. Some titles include first editions, early printings, and books that appear to have been signed by the author. Many include dust jackets and nearly all books are in good or better condition. Prices start at $8; prices are firm. Proceeds from the sale support the library. 

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And now, here are some quick reminders of events I previously posted about:

  • On Thursday May 28 from 5 to 7 p.m., Lala of Webster (at 38 E. Main St.) will host a “Sip, Shop and Savor” event to benefit the Webster Arboretum. Shop three floors of value at Lala’s, and choose an item valued at $15 or more to donate to The Webster Arboretum. As a thank-you, you’ll get 20% the rest of your purchases. Then take your receipt next door to Jojo’s Bistro and Wine Bar, and get 20% off there, too. Jojo’s always has live music on Thursdays, so it’s a great opportunity for a date night!
  • The Webster Comfort Care Home will be the beneficiary of the Webster Masonic Temple’s monthly spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Friday, June 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. The meal includes salad, bread, spaghetti with your choice of sauce, meatballs, ice cream, a cookie, and a drink. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children and can be purchased in advance (click here) or at the door. There’ll also be a bake sale and raffles.
  • ALSO from the Webster Comfort Care Home, the community is invited to their new “Yoga in the Yard” classes, which will be held on Sundays June 7, July 12 and August 16 from 9 to 10 a.m. Registration is not necessary, and there’s no charge for these sessions, but donations would be gratefully accepted.
  • ALSO ALSO, the Comfort Care Home is holding a Father’s Day raffle. The winner will be chosen June 14. The Grand prize is a “Thrill of the Grill” bundle which includes a 28-inch Blackstone grill, two camp chairs, and much more. Tickets are one for $25, three for $30 and six for $100. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets.
  • The Webster Recreation Center is inviting interested community members to join their Fitness Focus Group, which will help shape the future of the Rec Center’s program, facilities and group exercise options. The group will meet periodically, with the goal of keeping the time commitment to a minimum. If you’re interested in participating, email Jay Verna at jverna@websterny.gov with a brief note about why you’d like to participate. Submissions are open through May 31.

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(posted 5/27/2026)

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Sip and thrift at the Village of Webster’s new mocktail bar

26 May

For weeks now, word has been spreading around town: a new mocktail bar is coming to West Main Street in the Village of Webster. While everyone seems very excited about the concept, the name, Threads and Tonic, has definitely raised some curious eyebrows. It’s an intriguing choice for a bar, leaving many to wonder: what’s with the “threads” part?

Everyone will soon find out that the unusual name is actually a very accurate representation of the unique concept that is Threads and Tonic: a healthy, no-alcohol social gathering place combined with a casual vintage clothing shopping experience.

Owner Tracy Adkins found a brilliant way to blend two of her greatest passions: bartending and thrifting. With 20 years of experience in the bar industry, Tracy is widely known for her incredible homemade juices. But her talents don’t stop at the bar; her close friends have long relied on her uncanny ability to track down the perfect piece of vintage clothing for any special event.

And now, starting this week, all of Webster will benefit from Tracy’s expertise.

Threads and Tonic will be officially opening this Thursday, May 28 at 20 West Main St. in the Village of Webster. Patrons will enjoy a variety of craft mocktails, non-alcoholic spirits, NA beers, specialty teas, and healthy beverage options including fresh juices. Light food items are also available. And of course, as you enjoy your mocktail you can browse some vintage threads.

Tracy describes her new place as a place where she blends “secondhand treasures with zero-proof pleasures. … We’re all about sipping on delicious mocktails while rocking unique thrift finds that scream personality. Whether you’re here for a refreshing drink or to score some one-of-a-kind threads, we’ve got the perfect mix to keep your spirits high and your style on point. Come chill with us and discover your new favorite hangout spot.”

Step inside Threads and Tonic, and you’ll find a spacious, welcoming main room with comfortable seating and a curated selection of vintage clothing racks. In the adjacent room, the bar offers plenty of additional seating, complete with a fantastic view of life passing by on Main Street.

It’s a concept that I think is going to be very popular. More and more these days, people are choosing to drink less alcohol when they go out, but still like the social aspect of going to a bar. Threads and Tonic is the perfect solution.

As Tracy said, “It’s just a different type of space where you can hang out. Plus, you can go buy something you know for a holiday or birthday, or just yourself.”

After all, she added, “Retail therapy is a thing.”

Tracy will celebrate her grand opening this Thursday morning May 28 at 11 a.m. with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Then hang around and try one of her soon-to-be-famous mocktails. Threads and Tonic is located at 20 West Main St. in the Village of Webster. Found out more on her Facebook page or Instagram (@threadsandtonic).

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(posted 5/26/2026)

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Comfort Care Home’s Father’s Day raffle will make you his favorite

17 May

You know your dad is the best. So how ’bout you try to win a great prize for him in the Webster Comfort Care Home’s Father’s Day Raffle?

Tickets are now available for the raffle, which runs through Sunday, June 14. And the grand prize “Thrill of the Grill” bundle, is amazing, starting with a 28-inch Blackstone grill. Plus, the lucky dad will receive:

• Two camp chairs
• Four-pack of seasonings & spice rubs from The Spice Lab
• Three Dinosaur BBQ sauces
• Headlamp
• Coleman 50-quart rolling cooler
• Life is Good Smashed Burger set

Basically, your dad could host the best tailgate party in the neighborhood.

Tickets are one for $25, three for $30 and six for $100. Click here to get yours.

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Webster Comfort Care Home, located at the corner of Holt and Klem roads, provides free hospice care to the terminally ill of our Webster community. The dedicated staff members and volunteers there uphold the dignity and ease the suffering of its residents, while supporting their loved ones in a warm, home-like atmosphere. It’s an amazing agency that does great things for families experiencing the some of the most difficult times of their lives.

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(posted 5/17/2026)

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The Village’s first Wine Walk of the summer is next weekend

8 May

The first Village of Webster Wine (and Food) Walk for 2026 is coming up fast. It’s scheduled for Saturday May 16 from 4 to 7:00 p.m.

This is always a great time to get together with friends and stroll the streets of the Village of Webster, popping into businesses and sampling so. much. wine. and lots of great snacks. Tickets are $23.18 (including the Eventbrite fee) and are available online only. You’ll need to register ahead of time (click here), and you’ll be provided with a digital ticket which you can present on your phone or print.

This event always sells out, so if you think you want to attend get your tickets soon.

Event check-in will be at Annette’s Restaurant,  (27 West Main St.). PLEASE have your ticket ready and make sure you have your ID, because you will not be allowed to proceed without showing it. At check-in, you’ll receive your souvenir wine glass and a map of the stops. From there, feel free to start wherever you’d like.

The Wine Walks are brought to you by the Webster Business Improvement District (BID). They haven’t published a preview of this stops yet, but you can check the website for updates.

Remember, participants MUST be 21+ and you MUST have your ID.

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(posted 5/8/2026)

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Mother’s Day, brought to you by the Village of Webster

2 May

Looking for a great way to celebrate your mother this Mother’s Day? The Village of Webster’s got you covered. From memorable gifts to delicious desserts to live music and dinner out, the options are … well, not endless, but plentiful.

If you’re looking for a unique gift, start at Lala of Webster. Lala is an adorable gift shop at 38 East Main Street, whose shelves are full of great ideas for Mom, from fashion to jewelry, personal care items to home decor, “I-love-my-pet” stuff, “I love-my-wine” stuff, and so much more. What I especially like about Lala’s is that the prices are reasonable. It would be a great place to bring your kids shopping if they want to get something extra special for Mom.

Jojo Wine & Bistro is right next door to Lala’s on East Main, a great place to take Mom to lunch or dinner. They have live music on Thursday nights, too, in case you want to celebrate Mother’s Day early.

And Jojo is just one of the great restaurants in the village that would make for a memorable Mother’s Day dinner. They include:

If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, there are even more options. Check out my Village Directory for more ideas.

If you’re planning a Mother’s Day brunch, make sure to get your breads and sweet treats from the Village Bakery & Cafe (44 E. Main St.), Sweet Square Bakery (3 W. Main St.), or the brand new Sweet Shenanigans bakery (15 E. Main St.). And never forget The Goodie Shop (83 North Ave.) for hand-made candies, cookies and Mike’s famous three-layer ice cream cakes.

I’m sure I’m forgetting something, so let me know if I need to add to these lists. There are just so many great village businesses it’s hard to highlight them all.

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(posted 5/2/2026)

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Welch’s Greenhouses: Still growing after 45 years

29 Apr

Now that the weather is finally becoming more spring-like, we’re all beginning to think about planting some flowers and vegetables. When you’re trying to decide where to find a nice selection, remember that Welch’s Greenhouses, on Webster Rd. just south of the village, has got you covered — and has for decades.

Welch’s owners, Bill and Laura Vendel, are celebrating a pretty big anniversary in 2026: 45 years of offering high quality plants and garden supplies to the greater Webster community.

The garden shop’s history actually goes back to 1959, when it first opened as a specialized nursery, growing tomato plants for local farmers to supply area canning factories. When those factories closed, the greenhouses transitioned into the retail garden center we know today, offering flowers and vegetable plants for home gardeners.

Bill and Laura Vendel purchased Welch’s in 1981, and since then have continued to expand its footprint and selection of home gardening plants and supplies. They’ve added two greenhouses and much more retail space inside — about 20,000 sq. feet, by Bill’s estimate, packed to the gills with vegetable plants, flowers and hanging baskets; plus bulk topsoil, gravel, mulch, grass seed, sand, and more. Just about anything a home gardener might need.

Bill and Laura have carved out their own niche in Webster’s crowded garden center scene, where their small, family-run business puts personalized service first.

“We try to make sure people feel comfortable,” Laura said, “and I treat everybody like they’re my friend…. People come back because they get that feeling. They see a familiar face and they get to say hello. When you go places, I don’t think you get to do that very often.”

Bill and Laura also take special pride in being a starting point — a first job — for local youth. Many former employees now stop by with their own children, completing a circle of community support. As Bill puts it, “We’re proud of the fact that we’ve been able to give back,” reflecting on the generations they’ve served.

Welch’s Greenhouses is located at 1271 Webster-Fairport Rd. (Rt. 250), less than a mile south of the village. Stop by, grab some spring flowers, and congratulate Bill and Laura on their anniversary.

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(posted 4/29/2026)

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A quick update on The Coach

23 Apr

If you’ve passed through the Village of Webster recently, you’ve likely noticed that renovations to the The Coach Sports Bar are still a work in progress. Both the inside and outside have a ways to go before the taps start flowing again at the popular local hangout.

It’s been more than a year since the devastating St. Patrick’s Day, 2025 fire that tore through The Coach. It started behind the bar, and while the building remained structurally sound, the heat, smoke and water damage meant that the whole place had to be gutted. Owner Fritz Sierk was originally hoping that he’d be able to reopen in time for the Super Bowl last February (which he fully expected the Bills to be playing in). Clearly, that date came and went as unexpected delays and construction hurdles kept pushing the reopening date down the road.

But things are finally nearing completion and Fritz says he hopes to open in a “couple of weeks.” And when he finally does, the wait will most definitely have been worth it.

Some of the highlights of the new space include a larger, more comfortable bar space with better lighting; a large overhang on the back deck to accommodate smokers, replacing the old “smoking hut” which had to be removed to enlarge the bathrooms; a small, fenced-in patio at the east end of the building, providing additional seating; a 140-inch LED wall replacing the four huge TVs on the west wall of the seating area; and there are two new “garage-door windows,” very much like the one at the Mary Wee Pub across the street.

But Fritz is especially proud of those new bathrooms. They’re much larger and completely updated, and feature individual rooms with doors, rather than stalls.

Fritz is really looking forward to showing off the “new” Coach to the community.

“I’m excited to finally open,” Fritz said. “It’s been long enough. The place is just amazing. It’s certainly not the old Coach but I think it’s got enough personality to be good. I like the openness, the ‘Mary Wee’ windows, the soffit around the bar … and the bathrooms are incredible.”

In the end it’s still going to be the same, familiar Coach that we all know and love. Just a little bit better.

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(posted 4/23/2026)

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