Tag Archives: Local business

Lots of Webster businesses are in contention for Rochester’s best

11 Sep

You might have read a few days ago in my blog that Sweet Shenanigans bakery on East Main St. in the village has been nominated them in the Best Bakery category of this year’s Rochester Community’s Choice Awards.

Well, as I was going online yesterday to vote for them again (guess what? You can vote EVERY DAY!) I noticed that they are not the only Webster business included in the list of nominees, by far.

I took a quick walk through the list last night and this is what I came up with. I’ve identified them by their category, so when you vote, look for the category to find them. See if there’s a business in here that you’d like to support, and after you’ve read through them all, I’ll tell you again how to go about voting.

Beauty and Health

  • Joe’s Barbershop
  • Lattimore Physical Therapy
  • Burds Physical Therapy

Dining (various sub-categories)

  • Proietti’s Italian Restaurant
  • Royal Dynasty
  • Sweet Shenanigans
  • Mama Lor’s Cafe
  • Bill Gray’s
  • Charlie Riedel’s
  • Tom Wahl’s
  • Uncle Buck’s Catering
  • BC’s Chicken Coop
  • Abbott’s Frozen Custard
  • Bruster’s
  • Salvatore’s
  • Castaways

Entertainment and Leisure

  • Play-a-Latte

Kids and Education

  • DK Dance
  • Northern Hemisphere Gymnastics
  • St. Rita School (preschool)
  • Webster Thomas High School

Pets

  • Ruff Day Pet Resport

Services

  • Ace Swim & Leisure

Shopping

  • Orville’s Home Appliances
  • Heart to Heart Bride
  • Warren’s Decorating
  • Kittelberger Florist
  • Sunscape Farms
  • JF Jones Jewelers

If, as you go through the nominations, you see that I’ve missed anyone, please let me know and I’ll add them to the list.

Here’s how to vote:

  • Go to Rochester Community’s Choice Awards and click “Vote Now.” If you hit a Democrat and Chronicle paywall, don’t worry. Just back out of that screen and hit “Vote Now” again and it should let you through.
  • The voting instructions are there, but basically they’ll make you register before you make your first vote, then you’ll breeze through the next time you log on.
  • Scroll down to the category you want.
  • Click on the category and the nominated businesses will show up. Just click “vote” next to your selection.

As I mentioned, you can do this every day through Sept. 23, so basically, you can stuff the ballot box. So log on and let’s vote for Webster!

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(posted 9/11/2026)

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

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Webster business bits

9 Sep

I’ve had occasion recently to visit several of our town and village’s small business owners. My main purpose was to solicit donations for the Women’s Club of Webster’s upcoming Card and Game Party, and of course everyone was very generous, as our small business owners always are. But it was also a great chance for me to check in on these businesses, and chat with the owners to see how things are going.

In the process, I learned about all sorts of special events and new offerings, several of which I would now like to share with you.

We’re going to start with some BIG NEWS from Sweet Shenanigans at 15 East Main St. in the village. This little bake shop is barely six months old — they only opened in April — but it has already become a village favorite.

So much so that our sweets-loving Webster community has nominated them in the Best Bakery category of this year’s Rochester Community’s Choice Awards.

The Community’s Choice Awards is a nationwide program which celebrates the best businesses and organizations across the country. Community members nominate and vote for their favorite companies in more than 100 categories. Sweet Shanigans is vying against six other Rochester-area bakeries, including some big names you will definitely recognize. And this is just the first round; if they get enough votes, their category will be whittled down to five semi-finalists, then three finalists.

Voting is open now through September 23, so log on soon to cast your vote for Webster’s very own Sweet Shenanigans. Click this link to go to the voting page, click on the “Dining” tab, then “Bakery.”

And this is the kind of thing that has made Sweet Shenanigans a favorite:

They’ve just introduced a really fun new concept, the “Shenanigans Surprise Bags.” Basically, if you’re undecided about what to choose from the delightful variety of goodies in their display cases, you can order a surprise bag. They’ll choose around eight items from the cases and the bread rack — generally a $25-$30 value — and pack them up all ready to go. Your cost is only $20.

There is a limited amount of Surprise Bags available, and they’re only offered on Thursdays.

This adorable little “Trinket Trade Box” is located outside Oh Bella, a charming boutique located at 24 East Main St.

Owner Isabella Proietti got the idea from a shop she came across in Orlando and installed hers at the beginning of summer. The idea is kind of like a Little Free Library, but in this case children can place little trinkets, toys or stickers in it, and take what they’d like. Isabella says it’s been very popular, with both children and adults alike.

It’s pretty adorable. Make sure to check it out next time you’re in the village.

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Never Say Never Stables, located at 906 Maple Dr. in West Webster, has recently introduced a brand new “Horse Hangout” experience for adults.

It’s part of the Barnside Social Club, a welcoming place to relax, connect, and enjoy the company of horses, without the pressure of riding, lessons, or need of experience.

The Never Say Never website explains,

Many of the horses at Never Say Never Stables are enjoying their senior years. After spending their lives teaching, carrying, and caring for people, they’ve earned a softer landing. While they’re no longer suited for regular adult riding, they still thrive on connection. They love being groomed, pampered, hand-grazed, talked to, photographed, and simply enjoyed for who they are. And as it turns out, many adults are looking for exactly that.

The Barnside Social Club was created for those who miss being around horses, dream of owning one someday, once rode years ago, or simply find peace in their presence. Here, there is no pressure to ride, perform, or know anything about horses. Just come as you are and enjoy authentic connection with these wonderful animals—and with other people who appreciate them, too.
Because sometimes the best part of the horse isn’t riding.

The program offers participants the opportunity to meet and connect with the horses in a relaxed barn atmosphere. You can meet fellow horse lovers and enjoy light refreshments or BYO, depending on the event. No riding experience is necessary.

New adventures are scheduled every month. Click here for more information and to check availability.

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

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(posted 9/15/2026)

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Happy anniversary Village Quilt Shoppe!

1 Sep

I’m embarrassed to say that this occasion almost completely passed me by. But an email I got this morning from The Village Quilt Shoppe reminded me that this cute little shop turns seven years old this week. With all the business comings and goings of late, and all the empty storefronts, I’m happy to see a village business thriving.

That’s especially the case here, because owners Vanetta Parshall and Monique Liberti had a very rocky start. Just three months after they opened their doors in August 2019, a water leak from the apartment above the shop came through the floor and destroyed much of their merchandise. They had to close for almost a month. Then, a year later, COVID struck — and you know how difficult it was for small businesses to navigate that.

But thanks to a solid core of loyal customers, they navigated both of these major obstacles and came back stronger each time. And now this week they’re celebrating seven years in business.

Vanetta and Monique have several special events up their sleeves to celebrate the anniversary, most notably, Birthday Bingo TODAY (Tuesday Sept. 1) at 1 p.m. and Thursday at 11:30 a.m. They’ll be handing out free gifts with every purchase all week, and treats for all. Plus, they’ll have a prize wheel which you can spin for extra discounts.

They promise more fun surprises all week, so make sure to stop by the shop.

The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 21 E. Main St. in the Village of Webster, at the corner of Lapham Park.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 9/1/2026)

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Serenity Life opens creative new extension

28 Aug

A huge Webster welcome to the Village’s newest — and most creative — business, Serenity Life Creative Studio.

Located at 10 North Ave. (formerly Mabel Jane’s Vintage Shop), the new Serenity Life Creative Studio is an extension of Serenity Life Counseling Services, which already has established locations at 93 West Main St. and 98 North Ave. Owned and operated by professional therapist Mattye McKibben, the studio is the realization of her long-time vision to bring a community-driven art therapy space to life.

She’s delivered that in a big way. Step inside the new studio and you’ll find a bright, open, welcoming atmosphere, enveloped in warm tones with vibrant splashes of color. It’s an environment which Mattye says is “built around the concept of Open Studio Art Therapy, an approach that combines the freedom and joy of creating art with the presence and support of trained creative arts therapists in a welcoming, community-centered environment.”

Rather than feeling like a traditional therapy office or a typical paint-and-sip studio, we’re trying to create something that blends the best of both worlds. We want people to be able to stop in for a girls’ night, a parent-child outing, a date, a family activity, or simply an hour of quiet creativity, while also knowing that licensed Creative Arts Therapists are part of the environment should they want a deeper therapeutic experience. Our hope is to bridge the gap between clinical art therapy and everyday community life, making creative wellness feel approachable, welcoming, and accessible for everyone.

The concept is simple. When you walk in, you step up to the “art bar,” peruse the menu and select an art box stocked with supplies for your favorite medium — watercolor, acrylic, clay, oil pastel, pencil sketching and more. Each box includes all the art supplies you need, with optional add-ons. Grab some paper at the Paper Bar, find a comfortable spot to work (at a table, on a couch, or you can even sit in the front window) and start creating. There are even options for “little artists,” children 10 and under.

If you don’t have your own ideas and aren’t sure where to start, you can get inspired by one of the creative ideas posted in the studio. Or just experiment. You’ve got 90 minutes to work at your own pace, and licensed creative arts therapists are on hand at all times to help with materials, offer creative guidance or provide a little extra support.

Mattye describes the experience as “an approachable way to get some emotional wellness. It’s not a clinical environment.” Rather, “it’s ‘therapy-forward,’ more an open-structure art therapy.” And who couldn’t use a little therapy once in a while, especially when family and friends are part of the fun? What a great way to relax and put life’s problems aside for just a little while.

Serenity Life Creative Studio is located at 10 North Ave. in the Village of Webster. Find out more on their website, where you can also reserve a time to visit. Or just walk in during open studio hours. You can also follow the studio on Facebook and Instagram. And stay tuned for news about upcoming special events, like Ladies’ Nights and Teen Tuesdays.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/28/2026)

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Even more to love from M.O. Pasta

25 Aug

It’s really kind of hard to believe, but M.O. Pasta, that great little pasta shop on East Main St. in the Village of Webster, just celebrated its third anniversary.

Since opening in Webster in April 2023, M.O. Pasta has become a local favorite for authentic, handcrafted fresh pastas, small-batch sauces, take-and-bake kits, pastries, and fresh breads. Owner Mike Oldfield built a loyal following even before launching the storefront, and that community has grown steadily over the past three years through glowing word of mouth.

And now, M.O. Pasta is getting even better.

About a month ago, Mike expanded his services next door into the former Fella’s Tattoo and Gift Shop at 7 East Main, which moved out in April. It was perfect timing, opening up a spot for Mike to start offering pasta classes and private events (like dinners and team-building classes), something which was always in his long-range plans.

So it’s not so much an expansion as it is additional space. The room is long and thin, measuring about 800 square feet. On one wall hang photos from his trips to Italy, and on the other, a collection of pasta-making tools. A handsome table extends the length of the room, long enough to sit 14 comfortably, but leaving plenty of room for Mike to stack the bags of flour he imports straight from Italy. Some day he’d also like to set up a table in the front window and make pasta, “just like you’d see in Italy.”

Mike’s already hosted several classes in the short time since the classroom opened, and his September and October schedules are already filling up. If you’re interested in joining a class or scheduling one for your friends or co-workers, contact Mike through his website, Facebook page or Instagram to check availability. Or better yet, stop into the shop.

M.O. Pasta is located at 5-7 East Main St. in the Village of Webster.

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(posted 8/25/2026)

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

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Webster community mailbag

14 Aug

Next Town of Webster “community office hours”

Join Town Supervisor Scialdone and other Webster representatives to talk about the local issues that matter most to you. The next scheduled dates are

  • Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the  Webster Town Board Room, 1000 Ridge Rd.
  • Monday, Aug. 31 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the  Webster Town Board Room

If you can’t make it to either of these dates, no sweat; they’re scheduled regularly. Details are posted on the Town of Webster website.

From the Webster Chamber of Commerce

The Webster Chamber of Commerce‘s next Eat, Drink, & Connect event will be held Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Ryndock Realty, 1250 State Route 104.

The event is open to Webster Chamber members and prospective members. Opportunities to host an event are a Chamber member benefit, earning increased visibility for the host business. Bring a door prize to increase your business’ visibility and maybe win a prize for yourself. There is no fee to attend, but registration is required.      

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 25 for Webster Night with the Rochester Red Wings. First pitch is at 6:45 p.m., and two of Webster’s very own will be involved; Jerry Christopher will perform the National Anthem, and Chamber president/CEO Barry Howard has the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Purchase your tickets by clicking here, and use promo code WEBSTER26.

The Chamber’s health insurance enrollment service, rocENROLL HEALTH, is sponsoring the Village Gazebo concert on Friday, August 28. The concert will feature The Earthtones beginning at 6:45 p.m. Bring your lawn chair, relax with family and friends, and enjoy a wonderful summer evening.

The Chamber’s next monthly meeting will be on Friday, Aug. 28 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club. The program will be “AI – How Your Business Can Use it Effectively.”

The monthly meetings are opportunities to network, meet new contacts, develop current business relationships, learn, and earn visibility for your business or organization. This is the largest monthly Chamber networking event within the Greater Rochester area, with 85-110 attendees. Bring a door prize for visibility and your business card, to take your chances on winning a door prize! Online reservations are required by 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.

Learn about composting

The folks at Color Webster Green have a pretty interesting class coming up next week.

It’s all about Backyard Composting and will be held at the Webster Recreation Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Participants will learn step-by-step instructions, tips for composting with limited space, how to use compost, and much more.

This is a free event and family-friendly, so children ages 8+ are welcome to join. For more information and to register, click here.

Rabies vaccination clinic

The Town of Webster, in cooperation with the Monroe County Dept. of Public Health, is sponsoring a free Rabies Vaccine Clinic on Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Highway Department, 1005 Picture Parkway.

Dogs, cats and ferrets are all welcome. Remember that New York State and the Town of Webster require proof of a current rabies vaccination to legally license your dog.

Health and Wellness Fair needs vendors

The Webster Business Improvement District (BID) is looking for vendors to participate in their 4th annual Webster Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, September 12.

The fair is designed to showcase businesses and professionals throughout our community that address all aspects of health and wellness. It will be held at Lattimore Physical Therapy, 70 Barrett Dr. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this time, vendors will have a table where participants can learn about the services you offer and your role within their health and well-being. From 10 a.m. to noon there will also be a free shredding event.

Businesses and professionals who focus on all aspects of health and wellness, including but not limited to physical, mental, environmental, social and financial health, are encouraged to participate.

RSVP by Friday, August 21 at info@websterbid.com

Cars and beers

Save the date for this year’s Main Street Car Show and Beer Walk, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19 in the Village of Webster.

Registration is now open to car owners who want to sign up to show off their old and/or fancy vehicles. Registration is required, and space is limited. Click here to register.  

Beer Walk tickets will be available soon on the Webster Business Improvement District website: 

From the Recreation Center

The Webster Recreation Center invites everyone to a Say So Long to Summer end-of-summer event at Rochester Challenger Miracle Field on Friday, Aug. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. It will be an evening of games, music, food trucks, temporary tattoos, and community groups. The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.

Miracle Field is located at 1008 Ridge Road.

And these events are especially for community members ages 55+: (click here for more information on all of these)

  • Marvelous Monarchs Trip to the Strong Museum — Monday Aug. 24, 11 a.m. (cost $20)
  • Summer Sizzler — Wednesday Aug. 19 at the Arboretum (cost $10)
  • Salute to Seniors at Ontario Beach Park — Friday Aug. 21 (free)
  • Program on Hearing Loss and Cognition — Monday Aug. 24 (free)
  • Dave Ruch concert: The Erie Canal — Tuesday Aug. 25, 4 p.m. (free)
  • Red Wings trip –Wednesday Aug. 26 (1 p.m. game start)

And while we’re talking about the Rec Center, word has just crossed my email that the annual Mud Run is coming up on Saturday, Sept. 19.

This non-competitive, family-friendly run is is always great wet, muddy fun that the kids especially will enjoy. The event includes fried cakes and apples from Schutt’s Apple Mill and Herman’s Farm Market and several vendors. Plus, the Webster and West Webster fire departments will be there to rinse you off with their pump truck.

The run is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Rec Center, and you don’t have to register for a specific time. more information to come about this.

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(posted 8/14/2026)

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

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Lala of Webster named Webster Chamber Business of the Month

5 Aug

Congratulations to Lisa Schlonski and Lala of Webster, honored as the August 2026 Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce. 

I am especially pleased to share this news, and agree wholeheartedly with the Chamber’s decision to honor Lala’s as a business of the month. I’ve been a friend of Lala’s — and owner Lisa Schlonski — since the adorable gift shop first opened in November 2018. I knew back then it was an outstanding addition to the Village of Webster, offering a variety of home decor and gift items that couldn’t be found anywhere else.

That’s still the case, but in the years since the shop opened, it’s become so much more. Here’s what the folks at the Chamber of Commerce had to say about Lisa and her shop:

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Located at 38 East Main Street, Lala’s is owned by Lisa Schlonski and has become much more than a place to shop. It is a warm, welcoming part of our community – and its story began during a very difficult time in Lisa’s life. 

After losing her husband in 2015, Lisa knew she needed a project, a purpose, and a reason to put herself back out into the world. She believed that surrounding herself with people – meeting customers, talking with them, and helping bring them a little happiness – would also help lift her up. 

Lisa began by purchasing a gift shop in Bushnell’s Basin, where she remained for two years. When the opportunity arose to open a store in Webster, she closed that location and created what we now know as Lala’s. What Lisa jokingly describes as an “expensive hobby” gradually became a successful business. Lala’s has now been open for nearly eight years and has grown to include eight part-time employees. 

The store offers unique, thoughtful, and affordable gifts, including home decor, jewelry, accessories, cards, seasonal items, gourmet foods, and products made by local vendors. And, of course, it is also a place where you can show your support for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. 

But what makes Lala’s special is the experience Lisa has created. She loves hearing why customers are shopping and helping them find something that feels just right – whether it is thoughtful, funny, sentimental, or something they did not even know they were looking for. Her goal is for every customer to feel welcome and for Lala’s to be a happy little stop in someone’s day. 

That same spirit extends throughout the Webster community. Lisa supports local makers and small businesses, participates in Village events, and created Lala’s Sip & Shop fundraising events in partnership with JoJo’s Bistro. She has volunteered at the Webster Fireman’s Carnival, including working both the hot dog stand and the clam shack, and serves on the board of the Webster Arboretum. 

And then there’s the name. 

“Lala” was Lisa’s childhood nickname because her younger sisters could not pronounce “Lisa.” Over time, the name took on an even deeper meaning: “Laugh and Love, Always.” It reflects how Lisa tries to live her life and what she hopes to teach her son – that even through sadness and difficult times, how we approach each day can make a difference. 

Lala’s is a wonderful example of how something created from a need for purpose and connection can grow into a place that brings happiness to an entire community.

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(posted 8/5/2026)

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

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Webster community mailbag

31 Jul

Christmas in July (in August)

Webster Comfort Care Home’s Christmas in July Market will be open this year to the public for the first time, on Saturday August 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The WCCH folks wrote,

We’ve had so much fun sharing our Christmas in July Market with our staff, volunteers, residents, and their families, and now we’re excited to invite the public to join us for a special shopping event!

Browse a wonderful selection of handmade items created by one of our talented former residents. While you’ll find plenty of Christmas décor and gifts, you’ll also discover beautiful handbags, dolls, and many other special handcrafted treasures. Not everything is Christmas-themed, so there’s truly something for everyone!

It was our resident’s heartfelt wish that these handcrafted items be sold to benefit the Home, making each purchase a meaningful way to honor her generosity while supporting our residents and the compassionate, no-cost, end-of-life care we provide.

Whether you’re getting a head start on your holiday shopping or searching for a one-of-a-kind handmade gift, we hope you’ll stop by and support the Home.

The Webster Comfort Care Home is located at 700 Holt Rd., at the corner of Klem.

News from the library

Here are a few August notes from the Webster Public Library:

  • The August Community Exchange is jewelry. This is a great chance to update your bling.
  • The August Donation Station benefits Rescued Treasures Pet Adoptions.
  • The local band Ivy’s Home will present a concert at the library on Monday, Aug. 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. They describe their playlist as “original music and covers that merge folk songwriting with the classic roots of Anericana.” Registration is required.
  • Learn All About Prehistoric Plants on Thursday, Aug. 6 from 4 to 5 p.m., when Jack Kowlack presents a fun and informative program. Are there plants in your yard that dinosaurs munched on? Did prehistoric plants look anything like plants today? Learn the answers to these and more questions. Registration is required.

And don’t forget about the library’s brand new College and Transition Fair. Its goal is to support individuals with disabilities who will no longer get support from the school system for their services; to answer the vexing question, “What do you do when the bus stops coming?”

Among the more than two dozen organizations which will be represented are colleges that have programs for people with disabilities; those offering workforce development options; a few organizations looking for volunteers; some housing, dayhabs and support options, and more.

It’s scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon inside the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd. (at the back of Webster Plaza). There’s no cost and you don’t have to register, but if you would like a reminder, click here to sign up.

These events, by the way, are just a small sampling of all the great activities for children, adults and families going on ALL THE TIME at the library. It’s too hard for me to tell you about all of them, so I highly suggest you sign up for one or two of the library’s emailed newsletters so you get all the details. Click here to sign up.

Cold beer and cool cars

The Webster BID is taking reservations now for the second annual Main Street Car Show & Beer Walk, scheduled for Saturday, September 19.

If you have a fancy or old car you’d like to show off on Main Street, click here to register. Space is limited. Tickets for the Beer Walk will be available soon on the Webster Business Improvement District website. 

This is a hugely fun event, so stay tuned for more details and plan to be there.

Women’s Club meeting scheduled

The Women’s Club of Webster has announced details for its September luncheon meeting.

It will be held on Thursday, Sept. 17 at Capitano’s, 1400 Empire Blvd. The event begins with social hour at 11:15, followed by a short business meeting, lunch and a fun program.

Lunch will be a buffet including a selection of gourmet sandwiches, coffee tea and soda, and assorted desserts. Cost is $25. Please send your check made out to the Women’s Club of Webster to Kim Tauriello, 303 Phillips Rd., Webster, NY 14580, by Sept. 3.

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(posted 7/31/2026)

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

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Creativity as therapy at the new Serenity Life Creative Studio

19 Jul

It was sad to see Mabel Jane’s Vintage Shop close its doors at 10 North Ave. not too long ago. However, it’s nice to know that the storefront won’t stay empty for long, and will soon welcome a new, art-focused proprietor to the village.

The new shop — which will be more like an art studio — will be called Serenity Life Creative Studio. It’s an extension of Serenity Life Counseling Services, which already has two locations at 93 West Main St., and 98 North Ave. Owner Mattye McKibben is working hard to renovate the space so she can introduce it to the Webster community in August.

I asked Mattye to tell me more about her vision for her new studio, and she sent me something so detailed and perfect, I decided I couldn’t write it any better. Here’s what she wrote:

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Serenity Life Creative Studio is built around the concept of Open Studio Art Therapy—an approach that combines the freedom and joy of creating art with the presence and support of trained Creative Arts Therapists in a welcoming, community-centered environment.

Rather than feeling like a traditional therapy office or a typical paint-and-sip studio, we’re trying to create something that blends the best of both worlds. We want people to be able to stop in for a girls’ night, a parent-child outing, a date, a family activity, or simply an hour of quiet creativity, while also knowing that licensed Creative Arts Therapists are part of the environment should they want a deeper therapeutic experience. Our hope is to bridge the gap between clinical art therapy and everyday community life, making creative wellness feel approachable, welcoming, and accessible for everyone.

The studio is staffed by a team of licensed Creative Arts Therapists from Serenity Life alongside Studio Peers whose role is centered on hospitality, customer service, and helping artists have a wonderful experience. We often say we’re blending clinical care with hospitality. We want people to feel genuinely welcomed from the moment they walk through the door.

The heart of the studio is what we call our Art Bar. Instead of walking up to a traditional bar to order a drink, guests walk up to the Art Bar to order creativity.

Artists browse our Studio Menu and choose from curated creative experiences like watercolor, acrylic painting, drawing, clay, seasonal collections, and more. From there, our Studio Peers and Creative Arts Therapists help personalize each experience by recommending projects, customizing materials, suggesting creative add-ons, or helping someone discover a medium they may never have tried before. Every creative box is assembled specifically for that artist before they settle into the studio to create.

The Art Bar is designed to make creativity feel approachable. Instead of wondering what supplies to buy or investing hundreds of dollars before knowing what you’ll enjoy, everything has already been thoughtfully curated. Guests simply choose an experience, and we take care of the rest. For parents, it also means all the creativity without all the cleanup. Families can enjoy creating together and leave the paint, glitter, clay, and mess with us.

It’s also where so much of the conversation happens. Questions are asked. Ideas are shared. Kids excitedly choose their next project. Friends compare what they’re making. Parents discover new activities to enjoy with their children. It’s less like checking out at a store and more like being welcomed into a creative community.

Beyond the Art Bar, we’ve intentionally designed the studio to feel less like a classroom and more like your favorite neighborhood coffee house crossed with a cozy library and an inspiring art studio. Warm lighting, books, comfortable seating, music, coffee and tea, vintage furniture, and thoughtfully designed creative spaces encourage people to slow down, linger, and enjoy being together. We want it to feel calm, welcoming, and restorative—not rushed or crowded.

At its heart, though, this is really about connection.

We’re intentionally creating a place where generations naturally share the same creative space. On any given afternoon, you might find grandparents creating with grandchildren, friends gathering for a girls’ night, parents and children spending intentional time together, teenagers sketching after school, or someone simply enjoying a quiet afternoon with a cup of tea and a watercolor set. We believe making art side by side creates conversations and relationships that don’t always happen in everyday life.

Webster has so many wonderful restaurants and gathering places, and we wanted to contribute something different to our community. We often joke that instead of meeting friends to grab a drink, why not meet them to order some art? Our Art Bar is our take on a modern gathering place—a creative destination where people can celebrate birthdays, meet after work, enjoy a date night, or simply unwind together. It’s another option for people looking for meaningful ways to connect outside the traditional restaurant and bar scene, including those embracing alcohol-free lifestyles or simply seeking a slower, more intentional way to spend an evening.

Ultimately, we’re trying to create something that doesn’t really exist in our area—a true fusion of hospitality, creativity, and clinical expertise. Our hope is that creativity becomes the common ground where hospitality, community, and emotional wellness naturally meet.

We’ll be hosting several community “Get to Know Us” events throughout August before officially opening around the start of the school year. During this introductory phase, visitors will be able to explore the studio, experience the Art Bar, and enjoy discounted creative boxes as a way of getting acquainted with the space. We’ll also be gifting a limited-edition keepsake to our first 100 artists as a thank-you for being part of the beginning of this journey.

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Here’s a selection of photos Mattye sent showing part of the building process and her vision of what the studio will look like when it’s all done.

Check out the Serenity Life website to learn more and pre-register in their system. Pre-registering is the best way to receive studio updates, invitations to their opening events, and be among the first to hear when reservations become available.

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(posted 7/19/2026)

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

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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)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

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