Taking Over Small Town America One Cup of Coffee At A Time...

The "big" news around here is that Starbucks is finally going to open a shop in the Greater Jamestown Area AKA in the town of Ellicott. While I've been saying for over five years that I would be thrilled if a Starbucks came to town, I'm feeling a little guilty since we just discovered that one of the local shops, Rider's Cup, is now open on Fridays and Saturdays until 10:30pm. They also offer free DSL hook-up for lap-top users whereas Starbucks charges for this perk.

Either way, it will be nice to have another choice in town, even if I don't like the coffee at Starbucks.

Here's the news story:

Starbucks Coffee Will Soon Be Brewing In West Ellicott

By STEVEN M. SWEENEY

WEST ELLICOTT - Developers for Starbucks are getting ready to fulfill Jamestowners thirst for high-test java.

According to Ellicott officials, the internationally recognized coffee house chain will put up shop on Chautauqua County's commercial strip at the corner of Fairmount and Wicks Avenues - site of the former Owl's Nest gift store.

"We've known about it for a year and a half," said Pat Tyler, Ellicott town supervisor. "Starbucks is one of the originals that had expressed interest in that site. Anytime you can develop a site in the town, it's great."

Lamparelli Properties, Inc., is the Buffalo-area owner of the land and developer for the project which initially included a Starbucks and a Montana Mills bakery.

"We didn't know what was happening, but it was kept alive in all that confusion," said Randy Woodbury, Ellicott's code enforcement officer. He was speaking of the confusion that resulted from the changes in site plans when the second franchise withdrew. The developer is now clear for one building.

"They've been through the planning and zoning boards and through several appearances and several changes," Woodbury said. "There is going to be a drive-through with an entrance and exit off of Wicks Avenue. Their plan is code compliant."

Attempts to reach the company were unsuccessful. Minutes of board meetings indicate the company's agent, Fred LoFaso, has frequently appeared to answer questions before the zoning and planning boards on issues ranging from drainage to store hours for nearly a year and a half to satisfaction.

Woodbury said the finished building will be approximately 50 by 24 feet or 1,200 square feet excluding accompanying parking. Lamparelli Properties will also seek approval for more than one sign.

"They've chosen to have their sign on the building,'' he said. ''If they want a sign on a pole or elsewhere, they will need a variance."

Ellicott's zoning board of appeals is holding a mandatory public hearing on the matter at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in the town's office on S. Work Street in Falconer.

It's merely a another step on the road to future development - a trend Tyler hopes to continue.

"Anytime you have a choice to do things'' they go at them, Tyler said. ''New businesses bring new money. We keep pursuing them."