Tag Archives: Local businesses

The village sparkles this time of year

21 Dec

It was a beautiful night for a walk last night, so in between football games, my husband and I extracted ourselves from the couch and wandered down into the village to check out the sights.

I love how Webster looks at holiday time. It just sparkles from end to end, making an already charming village look even more so. If you haven’t walked along Main Street after dark recently, you owe it to yourself to do so; it will help brighten what for most of us is a pretty bleak holiday season.

But there’s also another reason to make the trip: many of the local merchants are participating in a Christmas Decorating Contest. Community members are invited to drive or walk through the village to check out all the decorations, then go online to the BID website to vote for the most colorful, the most creative and the one which most embraces the spirit of the season. You can also see photos of the entries on the BID website.

Here are several photos I took on our walk.

And here’s a quick note about a Webster Public Library program which the whole family will enjoy.

It’s a “Holiday Storytime Extravaganza,” a staff-wide holiday storytime special. It premieres Monday night at 7 p.m. on YouTube. Click here to join the fun.

This is the first time the library has done anything like this, so it should be filled with a lot of surprises. Get your kids in their PJs, boot up the laptop, and tune in.

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The village is open for business!

13 Jun

Things are far from being back to normal, but our village businesses are showing some signs of life.

Especially now that we have reached Phase III, village businesses are beginning to open their doors to retail sales again. What’s different is that staff members will be wearing masks (and customers should be as well), and there might be one-way tape marks on the floor and in front of the registers encouraging proper social distancing.

However, what hasn’t changed is that the same friendly owners and staff members will be there to welcome you, and they’ll be very happy to see you.

Frankly, I’m relieved to see that most of our village businesses were able to weather the pandemic. The one notable exception is The Pickled Paintbrush, which closed for good about a month ago. (But even that unfortunate news has a happy upside, which I’ll mention later.)

You, the loyal customers, are the main reason these businesses are still here. John Bucci, owner of The Music Store, 18 E. Main St., was blown away by the support his shop received while he was closed, making purchases via email, phone calls or online.

John Music Shop

John Bucci behind the counter at The Music Store

“Everybody was just being amazing,” he said. “People who needed a set of guitar strings, buying three or four, saying ‘We gotta keep you here, I gotta do what I can.’ Whatever they wanted, if I was even close to what they needed they were fine.”

He’s been in business for 31 years, he added, and always wondered “Does it matter? Then to hear the phone calls and the people going ‘Yeah, we got to keep you in business.'”

I also stopped by Nest Things, 11 E. Main, where owner Gail Maier took a few minutes to show me the beautiful garden she’s created behind her shop. Stop by for yourself and she’s be happy to give you a tour.

The Village Quilt Shoppe, 21 East Main, one of Webster’s newest shops, is also back in business after staying busy helping craft thousands of face masks for healthcare workers and social agencies.

Working on projects at the Village Quilt Shoppe

Chandeliers and Performance Hobbies are also up and running again, and I’ve seen people popping in and out of The North Bee on North Ave.

Staff members of Chandeliers Boutique

But probably the most exciting news comes from LaLa of Webster, at 38 E. Main. After only a little more than a year and a half in business, LaLa not only weathered the storm, but is expanding.

Owner Lisa Schlonski will be expanding into the former Pickled Paintbrush space, which is right next door to her current shop. It will more than double the floor space she already has, including adding a third floor, which will become a clothing boutique.

Lisa hopes to finish renovations in just a few weeks, so watch for notice of a grand reopening party.

It doesn;t look like much now, but this is going to be LaLa’s new clothing boutique
The first floor of the former Pickled Paintbrush, soon to be the expanded LaLa.

Plus, of course, the restaurants are opening up. I saw some brand new, beautiful patio seating at The Filling Station, and Barry’s outdoor patio is getting so busy that they’re taking reservations.

So let’s keep supporting our local businesses and show them how much we appreciate them.

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

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Webster Community Blood Drive returns — with a twist

28 May

The Webster Community Blood Drive is back — next Wednesday June 3 and Thursday June 4 at the Webster Recreation Center — but it’s going to look a little different this year.

You know this drive as the one advertised by those big white signs that are placed throughout town at crossroads and in front of some of the drive’s business sponsors. It’s the one where every donor is handed a bunch of raffle tickets, which can be used to try to win any of dozens of prizes.

In large part because of those raffle prizes, the two-day drive is always one of the most popular and well-attended drives of the entire year. But of course, business owners are clearly in no position to donate raffle prizes right now. So this year the drive’s organizers have decided to turn the tables.

To show appreciation for all the business owners who have so faithfully supported this annual drive, donors are encouraged to support them instead — and at the same time show some love to our first responders.

This year, donors are being asked to consider purchasing a gift certificate from a Webster business and bring it along to the drive, or make a cash donation, all of which will be collected and distributed to our local first responders as a thank you for all they’re doing.

Donation boxes will be set up outside the Recreation Center during the entire two-day drive, so even those who are unable to donate blood for any reason can still drive by and drop off their donations. Organizers will also have posters at the drop-off site, where people can write their personal messages of appreciation.

Checks may be made out to North East Quadrant Advanced Life Support, the Webster Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc., or the West Webster Volunteer Firemen’s Association.

This year’s Webster Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Wednesday June 3 and Thursday June 4, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive. Donors will need to make an appointment. To do so, visit RedCrossBlood.org and search for the sponsor code “WebsterCommunity,” or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

For more information, you can also call Monroe County Legislator Matthew Terp at (585) 753-1922.

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

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Support our local restaurants and get some good eats to go

27 Mar

small town

Holy cow, does the Village of Webster have a lot of great restaurants. I came to that realization when I started to come up with a list for this blog.

Somebody asked me a little while ago if I knew of any village restaurants offering take-out. At the time I only knew for sure about a few of them, but I knew there must be many others.

There sure are. Here’s a list. I’m hoping this will be a good resource for all of us who are getting sick and tired of making dinner at home every night and REALLY need to get some take-out. You can stop by for take-out or most of these places will deliver (check the websites for details).

To make this easier on me, I did not include hours of operation or menus. You can also find that information on their web or Facebook pages.  Also remember that many of these restaurants do use food delivery services like DoorDash and UberEats, so look into that option.

First, here’s the short list of restaurants which DON’T appear to be offering take-out at this time: The Filling Station, The Coach, Golden Boys (couldn’t find any info on their websites) and Burke’s Grill (the information is sketchy. Best to call them at 585-265-1370). If I’m wrong about any of these, let me know.

Restaurants

Barry’s Old School Irish, 2 W. Main St. Offering their homemade menu and homemade Irish cream. 585-545-4258.

BC’s Chicken Coop, 159 W. Main St. They just started offering low-cost delivery even outside the Webster area. Call (585) 265-1185.

Brimont Bistro, 24 W. Main St. “We will be here for to go orders and larger take out catering orders as we have always done. Lunch menu will be served during dinner hours as well as lunch hours, entree prices will be reduced by $3 to $5 during this time.” Call
585-872-3170.

Jojo Bistro & Wine Bar, 42 East Main St. Just started up their to-go options on Thursday. Order through their website, restaurantjojo.com. They also have a wine special going on and are accepting cash tips to split among their displaced employees.

eat localMaria’s Mexican  Restaurant, 75 W. Main St. They’re open Wed. through Saturday 3 to 8 p.m. You can order on the web at mariasmexican.weborder.net, and if you have any problems you can call 585-872-1237 or 585-872-5753. They’re also preparing take-our margaritas!

Pub 235, 235 North Ave. Pick-ups will be available 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They’re also filling growlers, selling 32-ounce mason jars, and wine by the bottle. Call 585-216-1750 for delivery (Webster-Ontario-Penfield, $10) or for pick-up.

ROC Style Chicken & Burger, 5 W. Main. Webster location: “We are still doing takeout and pickup during regular hours. In both locations! Webster and Chili. http://www.roc.style for the details….we (Webster location) are also offering mix and match six packs of to-go beer/cider/white claws as well as half off bottles of wine. Call (585) 236-1902, or order online from Webster at http://www.oowebster.com

Village Bakery, 44 E. Main St. The Village Bakery is accepting online pre-orders only for pick-up or delivery, Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. There’s a $10 delivery fee. They won’t be handling any payments or selling additional items at the store. Place your order at villagebakeries.com.

Waffle Factory, 30 North Ave. Accepting orders for pick up (call 585-626-1152), through GrubHub or DoorDash, or you can step up to their window and order there. Then you can sit in the park next door while you wait!

Webster Hots, 55 E. Main St. Accepting orders by phone (585 -265-0824) and online at websterhots.com. They’re open at 11 a.m. every day, till 11 p.m. on weekdays,  1 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Pizzerias

Of course, pizza is always an easy go to-meal, and most of us order them by phone anyway, so not much different there. Here are some handy phone numbers for reference:

Carl’s Pizza Kitchen, 9 South Ave., 585-236-1819. “No contact free delivery, curbside pickup or take out”

Martino’s Pizzeria, 160 W. Main St., 585-872-4140. Hours for pickup or delivery are 4 to 9 p.m. daily. Curbside pick up and no contact delivery are available.

Marvin Mozzeroni’s, 27 W. Main St.  (585) 872-1990.  “Touchless delivery” and “curbside pickup” are available.

Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria, 195 North Ave., 585-872-2210.  Until March 31, Salvatore’s is also offering 20% off orders for active military, first-responders and health workers with employee IDs.

Rhino’s Pizzeria & Deli, 85 Donovan St., 585-872-3150.

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

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Let’s support our local businesses

26 Mar

shop localLooking for a way to help others during this difficult time? Here’s a great one: support your local businesses by buying gift cards.

Many Village of Webster businesses are offering discounts on their gift cards, so now is a great time to stock up for later or to give to friends for gifts. Here’s the current list, and it’s being updated every day (log onto websterbid.com for the latest information).

Beyond Cuts Salon: 15% added to all Gift Certificates and Gift Cards .. Available in any amount. Call or text 585-872-5531 to purchase.

Savage Chef, A weekly service that provides fully prepared fresh healthy meals for delivery or pickup: Save 10% on all gift certificates and gift cards, available in any amount. Order directly through their website.

Yesterday’s Muse Books, used, new, rare, and collectible books in all subject areas and age ranges: Save 10% on all gift certificates and gift cards, available in any amount.
Digital gift cards available in the shop’s online shopping cart and redeemable on their website. Print gift certificate orders taken by phone (credit card) or email (PayPal), and redeemable in-store once quarantines are lifted. Use this link to order gift cards to use online. Order by phone at (585) 265-9295, Monday-Saturday from 10-1, and leave message if no answer. Or by email: yesterdays.muse@gmail.com

Barry’s Old School Irish gift certificates and gift cards available in any amount. Phone  (585) 545-4258, from Tuesday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.  to 7 p.m. You can email them at
barrysirishpub@gmail.com

Webster Hots: Save 10% on all gift certificates and gift cards, available in any amount. Purchase by phone at (585) 734-5620. They’re open Monday 4 to 11 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Furnari Jewelers, specializing in diamonds and custom made jewelry: Save 10% on all gift certificates and gift cards, available in any amount. Contact Mark at: mark@furnarijewelry.com or call (585) 683-9917.

Finns Garage: Save 10% on all gift certificates and gift cards, available in any amount. Call (585) 265-9620 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Performance Hobbies: Save 10% on all gift certificates and gift cards, available in any amount. Available by calling (585) 872-4990, Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can also email tmcp51d@aol.com.

Chandeliers Boutique, boutique shopping at affordable prices. Clothing, jewelry, purses, accessories, gifts and more: save 10% on all gift certificates and gift cards, available in any amount.  Order by calling (585) 622-1266.

Professional Nutrition Services/Holistic Health Center, alternative/holistic therapies to help you achieve your best health: Save 10% on all gift certificates and gift cards, available in any amount. Order by calling (585) 787-4251 or emailing Profnutritionstore@yahoo.com. 

Webster Interiors Home Furnishings & Decor, home furnishings, window treatments, and design services. Save 10% on all gift certificates and gift cards, available in any amount. Order by calling (585) 545-4503 or emailing ric@websterinteriors.com

R Salon, save 10% on all gift certificates and gift cards, available in any amount. Email  scott@rsalon.com.

Also, stay tuned everyone, because I’m compiling a list of all of our village restaurants that are offering take-out. I’ll post that in a day or two.

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

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Barry’s Old School Irish gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day

4 Mar

barry's old school

Now that it’s finally March and Valentine’s Day is in the rear-view mirror, planning for St. Patrick’s Day here at our little corner Irish pub is in high gear. And of course, when Danny and Jessica Barry do the planning, the St. Patrick’s Day celebrating can no way be contained to just one day.

Starting Sunday March 8, Barry’s will host a series of events, one almost every day, building up to a full schedule of events on Parade Day and St. Patrick’s Day itself.

You can check the Barry’s Old School Irish Facebook page for more details, and I’ll post more soon, but here are some highlights:

  • Sunday March 8: Whiskey tasting from 2 to 4 p.m.  Cost is $20 per person and registration is required.
  • Tuesday March 10: Our weekly Barry’s Run/Walk,  and free etched pint glasses on the house, courtesy Guinness. 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday March 11: Trivia Night, beginning at 7:15 p.m. Gotta register for this one, too, since table space is limited.
  • Thursday March 12: Open Mic Night at 7 p.m.
  • Friday March 13: Irish Music Sing Along with Kevin Reynolds
  • Saturday March 14 (Parade Day): Music, dance and food all day beginning at 8 a.m. including, for the first time in several years, a return engagement by Barry’s Crossing.
  • Tuesday March 17: More music, dancing, food, great drink, bagpiper, all day.

Check the Barry’s Old School Irish Facebook page for details.

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Great news from the Village Quilt Shoppe

29 Dec

quilt shoppe

As many of you know, the Village Quilt Shoppe on Main St. in Webster, which only opened in September, has been closed for almost a month because of water damage caused by a leak in the ceiling. It was very unfortunate timing, because the shop missed out on White Christmas in the Village, an excellent opportunity for the community to discover this charming new business.

But GOOD NEWS, quilters and cute-new-business lovers: the Village Quilt Shoppe will be re-opening on Tuesday January 7.

Owners Monique Liberti and Vanetta Parshall are celebrating the occasion with what they’re calling their “We’re Back Party,” complete with sales, raffles food and a hot chocolate bar. (Read more about that on their website here.)

Even if you’re not a quilter, it’s worth stopping in to check out this new shop. Monique and Vanetta are incredibly nice people who have created a wonderfully welcoming shop. Please consider popping in during their We’re Back Party just to say hi and welcome to Webster! (Then buy a late Christmas gift for that quilter in your family.)

The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 21 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. Visit their website here and their Facebook page here for more information.

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

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Photos from White Christmas

8 Dec

IMG_2356

Perhaps it was because it wasn’t raining, or windy, or bitterly cold, but it seemed like last night’s White Christmas in the Village festival was the best attended in recent memory.

At least the parade was. Early on, when activities like the book shop mini-concert and story-time started and the festival wagon started making its rounds, the crowds were a little thin.

But as night fell, families started streaming into town in anticipation of the main event, the Electric Parade.

Kudos to Robyn Whittaker and the Webster BID for pulling together another nice event. I especially liked the brand new idea of the gingerbread house-making contest for the businesses and I look forward to this being expanded next year.

It’s unfortunate that more people don’t realize that this celebration is not JUST the parade. More people should make White Christmas in the Village an entire afternoon and evening event. Come into the village early when you can actually GET a parking space somewhere, do some shopping, visit the museum, have some dinner, and actually  take part in all of the great family activities.

As usual, I took a ton of photos. Together with a bunch that I received from a few other people, here’s a gallery of more than 150 photos from last night’s activities and the parade. (If you have any additional photos that you would like to share, like of your kids, please email them to me — address below — and I’ll add them to the gallery!)

And by the way, just because White Christmas is over does NOT mean that our village businesses are closed for the holidays. Make sure to come into town and check out all of the gorgeous decorations, and stop by the museum to vote for your favorite Christmas tree!

IMG_20191207_185247

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Two opportunities to help save lives

22 May

The two-day Webster Community Blood Drive is coming up in just a few weeks, on June 5 and 6.

You know the one. It’s the one advertised by the big white signs placed all around town, and where you get raffle tickets just for showing up to win some fabulous prizes from our local business owners.

I’ll get into a bit more detail about that in a minute. But first, in case you can’t make that drive, here’s another opportunity coming up tomorrow, May 23:

200398_3430269The North East Joint Fire District and Webster Volunteer Fire Department are hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s Enderlin Station, 35 South Ave. in the Village of Webster on Thursday fro 1 to 7 p.m.

This annual drive encourages friendly competition between Webster Fire Department and West Webster Fire Department to see which can donate the most units. But of course they’re also hoping that all eligible donors in our community will come out and “answer the call,” and give blood in honor of our everyday heroes.

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The Webster Community Blood Drive will return on Wednesday, June 5 at St. Paul’s Church on Hard Rd. and Thursday June 6 at the Webster Recreation Center. Both days will run from noon to 7 p.m.

Already we have commitment for prizes from Barry’s Old School Irish, Knucklehead Craft Brewing, ROC & Soul Fitness, Beyond Cuts, the Chicken Coop, Webster Hots and Ploty’s (although there will be many more). We’re also pleased to have several new businesses join us this year, including The Pickled Paintbrush, Lala, The North Bee and The Best You Spa. And of course, everyone’s favorite prize, a coupon for a free pint of ice cream from Bruster’s will be handed to every donor who walks through the door!

Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, if you’re a business owner who would like to provide a raffle prize for the community drive, please email me at the address below!

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

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Strike Back Martial Arts wins again

2 May

award

Congratulations to Strike Back Martial Arts, a jujitsu and self-defense studio in the Village of Webster, which was recently awarded the 2019 Best of Webster Award in the martial arts category. What’s especially cool about this is that this is the second year in a row the dojo has received the award.

The “Best of Webster” program recognizes companies which have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category, and looks to highlight companies that enhance the positive image of small business in local communities.

I’ve had the honor of working with the staff at Strike Back on a volunteer basis for four years, so I know firsthand why this dojo is so special. In addition to offering adult and youth jujitsu and self-defense classes, Strike Back also offers martial arts classes for children and young adults with autism and with Down syndrome.

The Jujitsu Buddies program for children on the autism spectrum is the one I lend a hand with, and I see every week what these classes do for these children.  I’ve seen anxieties melt away and self-confidence bloom. I’ve seen unbridled delight on the face of a child who accomplished a skill for the first time. I’ve seen children start to believe in themselves and learn that if they just try, they will succeed.

That is why Strike Back Martial Arts received — and deserves — this award, now two years in a row.

Strike Back Martial Arts is located at 55 East Main Street in Webster.  For more information, log onto www.strikebackmartialarts.com, find them on Facebook, or call (585) 236-1083.

strike-back1

A typical Jujitsu Buddies class at Strike Back Martial Arts. Instructors are (L-R) Dave Nicchitta,  me, Pam Wright and Mike Palmer. 

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

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