Economic developer optimistic for future businesses in Batavia

Mr. Burkel,
What is your job, really? You seem to be the social coordinator of Batavia. You have to bring business into town. I see an empty supermarket building right in the center of town and it has been that way for a few years now. I would really like to know what you do all day besides Summer in the City and Concerts downtown. Nobody is going to them because they are too busy shopping at Tops, Walmart, Target and everything else that downtown does not have. Get busy Don and try a little harder, really!! Do my tax dollars pay your salary? Hope not!!!
Donna

I think Mr. Burkel has a noble but impossible job. He'd probably like folks to offer up some good solutions, too. The painful truth is that Batavia's good 'ole days are long gone. All one has to do is move away and return now and then to see that. When the NYS Thruway was completed, Batavia's oxygen supply was cut off. The extremely high taxes are repeated stabs to Batavia's chest. It's hard watching my hometown die. But despite those things, if anyone can think of a profitable business to start in Batavia, please let me know so I can put some cash toward it.

Isn't that what Don is getting paid for?

The Business Improvement District employs Mr. Burkel, which is a group of the downtown business owners. They pay his salary and dictate his job responsibilities.

The problems that you speak of are not limited to Batavia and Don Burkel is far from the cause. This is a regional and National issue. It has issue has been brought on by a change in our society. People prefer to drive and shop at big box stores. Large businesses gravitate to commercial sectors based on traffic and other key factors including low cost shovel ready land. These zones spring up where there is more shovel ready space just on the outside of larger residential areas. The competition from large stores drains small business away from traditional business centers. The last information I have heard is that our area’s commercial center exists in a one-mile circumference around Tops. Don Burkel can’t change that, all he can do is attempt to bring in small specialty business to attract shoppers away from these new commercial zones.

We can all help Don by shopping and eating more often downtown.

OK Howard, where shall we go for dinner and shopping? Now we are talking DOWNTOWN dont forget, We went to Main St Pizza last Friday night and it was good. What else is there? Miss Batavia and Larry's. Thats about it. Shopping, now let me see, Pennys, and House of K is toooo expensive and dont carry my size. Tried Charles Mens Shop and the pants my son wanted, well he got 3 pairs on sale at Macys for the price of one in there. Sorry. Guess we have to go to the west end of town or just keep on driving to Buffalo or turn around and go to Rochester where 2/3 of my family works. Oh by the way, we will be moving there in a year or two so you can try and sell my house. Should have moved years ago but thought Batavia was great. NOT anymore!!!

There's the new restaurant in the mall. Has anyone been there yet? I'd like to try it out.

Donna - I think Batavia is a great place to raise a family. I'm sorry you don't feel the same way. I've often thought about moving my family to Rochester where I work but with the high levels of crime and schools that don't perform nearly as well as Batavia, I'll stay right where I am. Aside from the fact that you can't seem to find affordable clothing in Batavia, what is it that you dislike so much?

Donna,
You didn't talk about Sunny's. It's downtown and a great place to eat.

Donna;

Dinner is easy. You have LOTS of choices.

1. Jackson Street Grill or Margarita's right next door. Both are really good, and family affordable. Salvania's is just down the street, although we've never eaten there so I couldn't say what it's like.

2. The Polka Dot is a landmark diner everyone has to go to a few times if for no other reason than to say you did.

3. Mother's is across the street from that, the food is good but there's almost no seating and the service is horrendously slow.

4. Christina's was a really classy Italian Place before the fire. I don't know if they'll re-open.

5. Sunny's is in the mall. It's a very nice place, you'll get a quality meal and prices reflect it. Based on the times we've eaten there, this seems to be where the established movers and shakers of Batavia tend to go.

6. Never been to Larry's so I don't know. Folks that have tell me it's nice but pretty expensive. This makes the third (maybe fourth) establishment in that space in the past 10 years. Not a good omen.

7. East to West you have the Town and Country, Miss Batavia, Settlers, and Sport o Kings. They're all comparable in menu and price and most folks have their preferences among the four. I'm partial to Settlers but others will swear by one of the other three.

8. Tully's makes for a nice change of pace, if you don't mind a boisterous noisy crowd if there happens to be a sporting event worth watching on or a local team or two happen to have stopped by for a bite. I would agree with their ad claim. Their chicken tenders are better than you'll find just about anywhere else.

9. Alex's is also a nice restaurant with good food. If you're looking for meal with someone special you can't go wrong here either.

10. Bohn's has become the place we go to celebrate something. I've never had a bad meal there and my wife simply adores a couple of their appetizers. Having the wait staff bring the desserts out on a tray after the meal and describing each to you is a nice touch.

11. Terry Hills Restaurant is high-end as well. Attention to detail, great view overlooking the golf course. Their seafood bisque is some of the best I've had anywhere.

I didn't bother with any of the pizza places but as I'm sure you know, there are plenty to choose from. With Pontillo's closed, in my opinion, Main Street has probably separated itself from everyone else since you have a choice of real deep-dish or fire grilled pizza, in addition to the stuff you'll find with any of their competitors. Then again, it's like the four diners I listed in #7, everyone has a favorite.

You make a valid point about shopping, especially for clothes. However, I think that would be tru of just about any medium-sized city.

(Yes, I know we eat out, alot. One of the perks of owning your own business, I guess. I've found it's easier to discuss business over a meal. Far less intimidating for my employees.)

Thanks Andrew. You just made me really hungry! We did Main Street Pizza on Tuesday and Mothers a few weeks ago. Tully's is great for birthdays when I want to embarrass my kids with the employees singing Happy Birthday to them. Free dessert for the birthday girl/boy too. And don't forget TF Browns.

OK I stand corrected. My mistake. We frequent all of the above establishments. We love Margarita's and all the rest. The shopping is another matter you have to agree. When a special event comes up like a wedding, you really have to go to the bigger malls and of course the price is better because they are bigger. I shop at higher end stores believe me. I dont buy clothing at Walmart or Target, not that there is anything wrong with that. Its just that House of K is really out there. We just need more clothing stores and shoe stores like the old days. We just really need a downtown supermarket. Sorry. Born and raised here and stayed here because of the schools and nice small city living. Batavia has just changed so much in the last couple of years, its hard to accept.