Untitled - Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce

It doesn’t matter if
it’s spring, summer,
winter or fall, there
are many great
reasons to visit East
Aurora every season!
WHAT’S inside:
INSIDE:
what’s
Main Street Reconstruction Project
4
Popular Festivals Enliven Spring and Summer
6
When the Temperature Drops, Festival Fun Heats Up
8
State Scenic Byway Status Conferred
on Southtowns Loop
10
Map of East Aurora
12
Visitors Have a Ball at the Toy Loft
14
antique stores and art galleries;
The Aurora Players:
Creating a Community of Theater
16
experience our fine restaurants,
Take a Bite Out of History at Riley Street Station
17
Things to Do in East Aurora
18
Must-see Attractions
20
Surrounding Communities
20
Dining Destinations
21
East Aurora’s Farmers’ Market
22
Important Phone Numbers
22
Accommodations
23
Whether you come to browse
our collection of exquisite shops,
historic sites and museums; or
stroll our tree-lined streets and
parks or take part in our many
community events and festivals …
we look forward to welcoming you
back time and time again!
For information on the unique
people, places and events that set
East Aurora apart from the rest,
please call the Greater East
Aurora Chamber of Commerce at
(716) 652-8444, or visit
www.VisitEastAurora.com
We look forward to
your visit…for any
reason, in any season!
About the Visitors Guide
This publication was prepared by the Marketing Department of
The Bu�alo News. For more information, contact The Bu�alo
News, One News Plaza, P.O. Box 100, Bu�alo, N.Y. 14240.
Graphic Design: Norm Boyer
Photographer: James Lesinski
Content: Kirchmyer Media
Advertising: Jennifer Lattimore
© 2010 The Bu�alo News
For more information on East Aurora:
The Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
652 Main St., East Aurora, N.Y. 14052-1783
Phone: (716) 652-8444 Fax: (716) 652-8384
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.eanycc.com
Gary Grote, Executive Director; [email protected]
Plan your visit online: www.eanycc.com • www.VisitEastAurora.com
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4
MAIN STREET
RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT:
OLD-TIME CHARM MEETS STATE-OF-THE-ART WORKMANSHIP
By Terri Parsell Hilmey
Come down to Main Street in East Aurora, and you’ll see something
new. In fact, nearly everything is new. The entire length of Main
Street has been under reconstruction since spring of 2008, with
upgrades done from the traffic circle at the end of Main Street to
the East Village line – from the utilities buried deep underground,
all the way up to the period street lamps that shine above.
The street itself has been resurfaced with brick pavers from
Riley Street to Pine Street, continuous landscaping areas (twice as
many trees as before), benches and pocket parks. The stone wall
in front of the Roycroft has been restored, and the sidewalks are
now smooth and level and perfect for a stroll. You can thank the
East Aurora Garden Club for the lovely planters and flowers.
The project has been a long time coming. The planning aspects
of the Main Street project began back in 1999, with the New York
State Department of Transportation (DOT) recognizing and
determining the needs along Main Street. It was put on hold
in 2001 due to shortfalls in state funding, but the Village itself
formed a task force in 2002 to work with the DOT on the project,
and lobby for the restoration of funding. The bidding process
finally began in 2007, and construction started in 2008.
Paul Gasewicz, the special project coordinator, had a unique
position in the project. He was a DOT employee and part of the
design team that planned the project. Then in June 2008, upon
his retirement after 38 years with the DOT, the Village hired him
to see the project through to completion.
“It was great being the designer on the project, and then being
able to follow through with my design and make sure things were
done the best way possible,” he said. “We wanted to make sure
Main Street met the needs of everyone who was impacted by it,
so we constantly talked with Village Board members, business
owners, the Garden Club, the firemen, the police, the Historical
Society. It was a real collaboration.”
That collaboration extended to the various utilities as well, as
the DOT coordinated its e�orts with National Fuel, Verizon, and
sewer and water authorities to upgrade equipment underground
while everything was already dug up, ensuring that from top-tobottom, the Main Street project was state-of-the art.
But, it wasn’t all easy going. Construction necessarily brings
tra�c snarls, utility interruptions and headaches in general.
“Everybody had Paul’s cell phone number,” said Kim Reichert,
the Village administrator who supervised Gasewicz ’s e�orts for
While the going was rough during construction, East Aurora’s Main Street is prettier and
more functional than ever. New streetlamps were designed from original historical specs.
the Village. “It was printed on the brochure, and I don’t think he turned it o�
unless he was sleeping.”
It was going to be especially di�cult, at the very least, for the business
owners along Main Street, “but we acknowledged that,” said Gary Grote,
executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the
Main Street Reconstruction Task Force. “Paul always walked up and down
the street, letting everybody know when the water was being turned o�,
when the lights were going o�, and when everything would be back on, so
people could plan.”
Meetings were held every Monday for anyone who had suggestions, or just
needed to sound o�, and, surprisingly, everything moved extremely smoothly
and the project was finished ahead of schedule. A ribbon-cutting attended by
more than 100 people, celebrating the end of construction, was held on Dec.
14, 2009, attended by Main Street business owners, representatives of the
DOT and Village, along with such notables at Congressman Brian Higgins,
State Assemblywoman Jane Corwin and State Senator Dale Volker.
East Aurora’s history is still a big part of its present, and an enormous
part of its charm. The Village was founded in 1804 and has been home to
such world-renowned figures as President Millard Fillmore, Elbert Hubbard
of the Roycroft Arts & Crafts movement, and such international companies
as Fisher-Price Toys. East Aurora has a unique small-town charm, combined
with world-class shops, restaurants and museums, and it was crucial to all
involved that the final outcome of the reconstruction would add to that rich
history and improve upon what was already there.
“We were very conscious of the historical impact,” said Reichert. “A lot
of people went to a lot of trouble to make sure that things were done well.
Through research, we discovered that the manufacturer of the original
streetlights on Main Street still had the specs in their files. So, our new
streetlights have the same charm and appearance of the originals, but they
are up-to-date and built to last. We’re extremely happy with entire outcome.
It’s got an inviting and friendly look.”
“It’s going to be great for East Aurora,” said Clark Crook, the mayor who
shepherded the project. “Now that it’s been upgraded, it’s wonderful, and
it’s attracting more investment – we’re already seeing storefronts that were
empty filling up. It was pretty before, so it’s hard to imagine, but it’s even
prettier now.”
“We’re thrilled,” said Beverly Vidler, of the Village’s Main Street linchpin,
Vidler’s 5 & 10. “They really did a fabulous job. It looks tremendous and I
just love the brick pavers and the old-fashioned, charming look. A lot of
places now don’t really have a Main Street, or a center, and it’s great to live
in a place like East Aurora, where you have such a tremendous sense of
community and pride in where you live.”
For everyone involved, the consensus is: Job well done!
Unleash Your
Creativity
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• Fabrics • Notions
• Classes • Machines
• Service & More!
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Terri Parsell Hilmey is a freelance writer from nearby Williamsville.
A tra�c circle keeps vehicles moving around one end of the village.
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6
Popular festivals enliven spring
and summer with all kinds of fun
By Cindy Mantai
“Last summer I discovered
I’m good at volleyball, skateboarding
and reading!”
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Serving Food & Beverages
from Historic Pennsylvania
Railroad Station Built in 1907
The Gow School Summer Program is for boys and girls
ages 8-16, who possess the potential to excel, despite
academic difficulties, or having been diagnosed with
dyslexia or specific learning differences.
Available for Private
Parties and Catering
• Morning Academics
• Afternoon Activities
• Weekend Trips
Enjoy our new
glass-enclosed
dining room offering
a landscape view!
Live Music Every
Saturday
Open Mic Every
Tuesday
Pub trivia every
Wednesday
wifi Accessible
27 Riley St., East Aurora (716) 655-4948
www.RileyStreetStation.com
For more information, call: 716 652-3450,
email: [email protected] or visit: www.gow.org
There’s simply no arguing that the spring
and summer seasons are beautiful in
Western New York, and there are many fun
ways to enjoy the outdoors. One of the most
popular warm weather activities in East
Aurora is attending the many wonderful
summertime festivals the community offers.
Western New York ushers in spring with the Holland Tulip Festival, held
each year during the second weekend of May. There are tulips, of course
— literally hundreds and hundreds of them — as well as a parade, rides, a
craft show, food concessions and the Queen Pageant.
For two consecutive weekends (June 5 & 6, 12 & 13) , the architectural
splendor of St. Matthias Episcopal Church on the corner of Main and
Maple streets, is the backdrop for the Roycroft Chamber Music Festival.
Since the festival began in 1994, nationally and internationally renowned
musicians have traveled to East Aurora each year to participate. The
programs celebrate everything from the baroque to the 20th century, and
chamber music masterpieces by Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mahler and others
are beautifully showcased within the church’s wonderful acoustics. Saturday
concerts begin at 8 p.m., Sunday concerts at 7 p.m.
In 2010, the Chamber Music Festival will include a special fundraising
luncheon at The Roycroft Inn, featuring a guest performance by a contestant
from the annual International Guitar Concerto Competition led by Bu�alo
Philharmonic Orchestra music director/conductor JoAnn Falletta.
If you’re in East Aurora on June 9, you won’t be able to miss the delicious
aroma of chicken wafting from Hamlin Park. The East Aurora Kiwanis holds
its annual barbecue every year in the park and the event is so popular that
the Kiwanis plans to serve up around 5,000 dinners. While you’re enjoying
your barbecue, you’ll be able to enjoy music, a baseball game and more.
Chicken dinners are available for takeout, too.
Don’t miss the Roycrofters-at-Large Summer Festival on June 26 & 27 on
the historic Roycroft Campus. View works of juried artisans, peruse antiques
and enjoy entertainment and refreshments.
Each summer on the last Saturday of July, a real treat is the East Aurora
Street Festival and Sidewalk Sale, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the center
of the village on Main Street between Olean Road and Riley Street. During
the daylong festival, sponsored by Absolut Care of Aurora Park, local
merchants from East Aurora and the surrounding communities showcase
their finest wares. Food stands dot the sidewalk. There are demonstrations
and performances by local bands and other musicians throughout the day.
A wonderful highlight of the festival every year is performances by the
Rince Na Tiarna Irish dancers.
The whole family will enjoy two special aspects of the Street Festival:
The Aurora Recreation Department puts on a Chalk Walk during which
kids can draw murals on the street; also the Chamber of Commerce
sponsors Operation Kids, an educational program designed to promote
entrepreneurial skills in youngsters ages 6 to 15. In this fun, hands-on event, a
special section of Main Street is dedicated to these young business owners,
who spend the day selling their own products.
So come on out and join the fun. You’ll be coming back year after year!
Cindy Mantai is a freelance writer from Bu�alo.
LEAVE
YOUR
MARK:
Purchase your piece
of history today!
Appian Way Walkway on the Historic
Roycroft Campus, East Aurora, NY
716-655-7252
8
When the temperature drops,
festival fun heats up By Carrie Howe
Although in years past it might have fallen o� the radar screen,
the Colden Festival is back. Nestled in the picturesque foothills of ski
country, approximately 10 miles south of East Aurora, the Sept. 11-12
festival is a big opportunity for this small town to show o� a little.
It originally began in the 1960s as the Colden Valley Art Festival,
and over the years has drawn crowds of at least 5,000 people from the
surrounding areas. Construction and town improvements kept the town
from holding the festival in recent years, but according to co-chair Greg
Culver, the addition of new bridges, sidewalks, lampposts and other
renovations is complete and the town is ready to host the event again.
Culver said they’re trying to restore the festival to its former glory in
hopes that people will realize what a gem the town really is. Tying in with
Colden’s Bicentennial, the festival showcases the talent of local artists
and artisans, such as the carvers, blacksmiths, alpaca farmers, restaurants
with great food and more.
“There is a lot of talent to be seen here,” he said, noting that
area vendors will also have product displays similar to a trade show
atmosphere. Services available in the town will also be spotlighted.
“The school and churches will be open so people can get a flavor for
what life in Colden is all about,” Culver explained.
Visitors can expect a wide range of events and attractions, including
rides, food, vendors and local business displays. There will be
entertainment throughout the day, as well as feature acts performing
at the Colden Inn.
Other festival events include favorites like a chili cook-o� and pieeating contest – harkening back to the town’s bicentennial origins – as
well as a Kan Jam tournament and a special snowboarding event, with
truckloads of snow brought in.
Fifty-fifty ra�es will be ongoing up until the event date, and are $5
each, sold through shops and local businesses. Look for more information
on www.coldenfestival.com.
Culver said that the eighth annual Colden Fall Car Show will take
place at the same time, which is another big draw for crowds. Sponsored
by the Southern Tier Auto Bu�s, the show will be at the Colden Fire
Hall on Route 240 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 12, rain or shine.
Tickets are $7. Highlights include food, refreshments, 50/50 drawings
and a basket auction. A fireman’s breakfast will be available from 7 to 11
a.m. or until sold out.
One event that has remained a strong local tradition is the annual
East Aurora Carolcade, slated this year from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday,
Dec. 18. Whether you’re finishing your Christmas shopping or just out
for a wintry stroll, this event – now in its 38th year – is not to be missed,
and is sure to warm your heart and get you in the holiday spirit. To warm
the rest of you, there will be plenty of hot cocoa and other goodies
to enjoy along the way, as well as a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus for
the kids.
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Don’t miss a trip to our unique country store & gift shop...
...more than 150 years old.
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Be sure to visit our historical museum
& see the beautiful Porter Music Box!
Open Everyday!
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Corner of Bullis, Marilla • 655-1031
www.marillacountrystore.com
Led by the Salvation Army Band and a chorale director, carolers will stroll up and down historic
Main Street, spreading good cheer. And don’t worry, if you forget the words, there are song sheets for
everyone.
Beverly Vidler said that her father, Ed, thought of the idea nearly four decades ago when he saw a
group of Girl Scouts caroling up and down Main Street in front of local businesses. He put an ad in the
East Aurora Advertiser the following year promising a free box of candy to any Girl Scouts who caroled
in front of the store.
And so the Carolcade was born.
Held every year the Saturday before Christmas, an entire town block is closed as the group of carolers
meets outside under the familiar red and white awning of Vidler’s 5 & 10. The band plays outside the store
while a public address system broadcasts the music.
Vidler said that the event is especially well-attended, literally by thousands from the surrounding areas
as well as local residents. “Once you go to it, you get hooked,” she said. Many families make it a yearly
tradition by going out to dinner beforehand, attending the Carolcade and then traveling on to friends’
houses in town for more holiday merriment.
Vidler said that the event has that special Americana feel to it – “like something from a Currier and Ives
or Norman Rockwell painting.” Sometimes it’s snowing, and some patrons dress
in period costume to make the event even more special.
She noted that it has a very nice small village feel to it, and
is what many feel Christmas and the holiday season is all
about. “It feels good to be part of it,” Vidler added.
Carrie Howe is a freelance writer and mother of three
who lives in the Town of Aurora.
When the leaves begin to turn and temperatures
drop, Colden is the perfect place to head to
for fall and winter activities.
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10
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State Scenic
Byway Status
Conferred on
Conferred
Southtowns Loop
There’s more to Ski Country than skiing. In fact,
there are four seasons of natural beauty and so-
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cial recreation to be enjoyed in the hill country
south of Buffalo. That’s the message Bob Lennartz wanted to get out, and he did it in a most
unusual and extraordinary way: He united a trio
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of Western New York communities to work to-
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gether on a common goal, and he prodded New
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York State to take action on the idea.
That alone should be worthy of an award. But Lennartz did more. Chair
of the Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway Steering Committee,
he helped put together an award-winning plan for creation of the scenic
byway that is expected to boost tourism and promote economic activity in
one of the least appreciated recreational regions of New York.
Lennartz’s original goal was to have the portion of Route 219 between
Orchard Park and Springville designated an o�cial State Scenic Byway. “I
used to travel south on the 219 all the time to go trout fishing, and I was
always going on about how beautiful it is,” he said. “My wife remembered
hearing about a scenic byways program started by ‘Lady Bird’ Johnson,
which turned out to be the National Recreation Trail, and that’s what got
me started.”
That was in 2002. Six years later, the New York State Department of
Transportation approved the plan and the governor signed into law a bill
creating the WNY Southtowns Scenic Byway. By then the plan has grown
to include East Aurora, creating a “triangle” running from Orchard Park
through East Aurora along Big Tree Road (Route 20A); then south from
East Aurora, through West Falls, to Springville along Mill Road and Route
240; and then back north via Route 219, through the Town of Boston, to
Orchard Park; with Route 277 running through the middle of the circuit.
The State Department of Transportation, which administers the program,
is supposed to start erecting signs along the route in time for this year’s peak
travel season — if the current budget crunch doesn’t postpone the project
for yet another year. But Lennartz is prepared to wait. Patience is what got
the plan this far.
Earning the designation has already paid benefits in the form of a federal
highway grant for $66,000 to place interpretive signs along the byway,
allowing visitors to take a self-guided tour of the many significant historical,
cultural and natural sites that line the route.
The WNY Southtowns Byway is one of 18 state-designated scenic
byways in New York, but it is the first to be selected from Western New York.
In addition to historic sites like the Millard Fillmore Home, the Roycroft
Campus and the Quaker Meeting House, the route ties together about
a dozen state and county parks and forests, Gri�s Sculpture Park, fine
dining and shopping experiences, the amazing Zoar Valley, myriad roadside
attractions, produce markets, seasonal festivals and smaller, picturesque
communities such as West Falls and the Town of Boston.
Lennartz said he modeled the plan on the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, a
454-mile National Recreational Trail that runs along Lake Erie from Ripley
to the Niagara River, then along the southern shore of Lake Ontario and the
St. Lawrence River to its terminus in Massena in northern New York. He calls
the Seaway Trail an “absolutely superb, extremely well-run organization that
has helped us out quite a bit.”
The Southtowns Scenic Byway Steering Committee enlisted the aid of
professors and graduate students from the University at Bu�alo Urban
Design Program to come up with a Project Corridor Management Plan
that not only earned New York State’s approval, it also won a Best Practices
Award from the American Planning Association.
“I didn’t want to go to some big New York City consulting firm and pay a
huge fee,” said Lennartz. “We got it done with local people, local input and
local resources rather than using outside professionals.”
The group has secured funding for the project from communities on the
trail, Erie County and New York State, but the goal now is to start generating
its own revenue. Recently, the group inaugurated a Discount Card program
featuring businesses along the route. Purchasing one of the cards is a winwin-win situation that saves the visitor money, drives customers to local
businesses, and helps make the Southtowns Byway Committee solvent.
Funding has been used to create a Web site (www.wnyssb.org), which
will be featured on about 500,000 brochures to be printed and distributed
by the Department of Transportation, said Lennartz, giving participating
businesses that much more exposure at no additional expense. The group
is also in the process of getting legal trademark status for its tagline: “The
O�cial Sponsor of the Four Seasons.”
Lennartz continues his e�orts to put the Southtowns on the map for
year-round recreation in the Empire State. “My mantra has been that
if we can increase awareness of what we have here in Western New York
— our historical, cultural and natural assets — we can increase tra�c, and
that’s going to create a demand and
encourage entrepreneurship,” he said.
“What nobody wants to see is a lot of
boarded-up storefronts. And nobody’s
going to help us. You have to pick
yourself up by your bootstraps.”
For more information about the
route and participating in the Discount
Card program, go to the WNY
Southtowns Scenic Byway Web site at
www.wnyssb.org.
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NORTH
BL
A
KE
HILL
14
Visitors from near and far
have a ball at the Toy Loft
By Lauren Kirchmyer
“Smencils” and “Bubber.” Even the names of these new,
popular toys are fun to say. And if you’re looking for fun in
East Aurora, then the Toy Loft is the place for you.
“My mother opened the store in July 1978,” explained current owner Linda Coletti, who bought the
Toy Loft from her mother three years ago. “It started as a very small toy store above a country store, and
it really was located in a loft. Then the store kept growing and moving.”
From the outside, there’s an attention-grabbing red awning, a yellow storefront and windows filled with
toys. When you walk in, you feel as though you’ve entered a spectacular land of toys. Items are stocked on
all of the shelves; there are building toys, learning toys, books, arts and crafts, and much more. In the back
left corner you’ll see blue boxes holding toy trains and boats, items meant to attract the attention of young
boys who visit the store. Over to the right are dresses, jewelry, dolls and all things “sugar and spice.” There’s
also a section on the back wall filled with toys and stu�ed animals just for babies.
The Toy Loft sells popular traditional toys such as Lego, Playmobil, Calico Critters and a variety
of dolls. Items come in a wide range of prices to fit any budget. Unsure if your child will like a toy?
There are several on display for kids to play with, including a toy train set and a beautiful doll house
inside the store’s indoor gazebo.
“Currently, the popular toys are Smencils and Bubber,” said Coletti. “Smencils are scented
pencils made out of recycled paper and Bubber is a Play Dough-like toy.” But not all of the toys at
the Toy Loft are just for the little ones. “I had a school counselor come in and buy a tub of Bubber
to put on her desk. The next week she came in and bought several more tubs”
because her students just couldn’t put it down. Unlike Play Dough, Bubber
doesn’t dry out, so you can have it sitting out for months and months and still
use it. It’s also gluten free, just in case your child decides that he or she wants
to take a bite out of it.
How does a toy store in the small Village of East Aurora keep up with the
national toy trends? “I read a ton, especially toy magazines,” explained Coletti.
“I attend toy shows and I watch my own kids to see what children their age like.
I also belong to ASTRA — the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association.”
Through ASTRA, Coletti exchanges e-mails with members from all over
the country. “I’ll find out what’s popular on the West Coast, which helps me
prepare for what to expect here on the East Coast where we’re a little behind.”
If you’re looking for a gift for someone, the store also provides free gift
wrapping. “A customer can come in, buy a gift, get it wrapped and leave for
the party.”
The recent renovations on and around Main Street should help attract
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more visitors and customers to the area, Coletti said. “The renovations will
take some time to help. Time and publicity. People from nearby cities are
probably still afraid of the orange cones because they saw them here for a
long time. But it is beautiful now that they’re done, and a lot more people are
out walking the streets.
“Lots of out-of-town visitors come and visit East Aurora, especially during
the summer. They’re interested in the Roycroft Campus and the Arts and
Crafts movement. There are also a lot of weddings and families visiting
families.”
What else attracts customers to the Toy Loft? The unique and hugely
popular Vidler’s 5 & 10 right next door. “It’s crazy how many people come to
East Aurora to visit Vidler’s, which helps the surrounding stores. I hate saying
this as a store owner but I’m not sure how the Toy Loft would survive without
Vidler’s. We really appreciate the store and all the people they attract.”
Coletti loves running a “community store for families,” adding that
she hopes the customers who visit her toy store, “come and have a great
experience. I hope they leave with a smile on their face. We have great
customer service with knowledgeable employees.”
The Toy Loft, located at 700 Main St., is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday through Saturday. They also have extended hours through holiday
seasons as well as Sunday hours.
For more information, call the store at (716) 652-3277.
Lauren Kirchmyer is a freelance writer from West Seneca and a
Communication Studies major at Bu�alo State College.
Relax and enjoy a delicious
dinner entree from our
impressive menu. We offer a
variety of steak, fresh pasta
and chicken dishes, and
daily seafood specials.
Come join us for lunch! Try
our soup sampler and a
variety of tempting salads.
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16
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The Aurora
Players:
CREATING A COMMUNITY OF THEATER
By Lyndsey D’Arcangelo
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When you think of East Aurora, these things come to
mind: Fisher-Price toys, Roycroft founder Elbert Hubbard,
and Millard Fillmore, the 13th president of the United States.
But there are many other notable and cultural associations
that are unique to this quaint little village. The Aurora Players,
one of the oldest and most active community theater groups
in the nation, is located right here in East Aurora, and they
have been entertaining the Western New York community
for more than 70 years.
“We just celebrated our 75th anniversary this past summer
at Knox Farm State Park,” said Peter Taylor, treasurer of the
Aurora Players. Taylor has been a member of the famed
theater groups since 1985, and helps to design and build sets
for upcoming performances.
The Aurora Players come from humble beginnings.
Formed in 1934 as a simple study group, meetings were often
held in members’ living rooms where everyone could engage
in dramatic readings and role-playing. “The group quickly
grew from 11 members to over 250 members,” said Taylor.
“And in 1935, they put on their first play, ‘Take My Advice.’”
From that first play emerged a slew of performances, all
held in the East Aurora Middle School auditorium and at the
Masonic Lodge. Eventually, the Aurora Players began to use
the Roycroft Pavilion as their main stage. “It was an outdoor
theater,” said Taylor, “so they could only perform during the
summer months.”
In 1941, the group received special permission to upgrade
the pavilion and transform it into a theater. The building was
ultimately enclosed and turned into a meager playhouse.
“At first, the Aurora Players only performed comedies
and dramatic plays,” Taylor explained. “But in 1956, they
performed their first musical, The Merry Widow.”
For the next 30 years, the Aurora Players evolved and
expanded even further, performing three di�erent shows
each year. In 1975, they added a green room, bathrooms and
another dressing room to the Roycroft Pavilion, continuing to
improve the theater. “Previously, actors had to crawl through
the window in order to get on stage,” said Taylor. “There just
wasn’t enough room backstage.”
In 2008, the Roycroft Pavilion was updated significantly
by adding a lobby with public bathrooms and a new box
o�ce. “The total cost of the project was about $365,000,”
said Taylor. “It wouldn’t have been completed without the
generous support of the community. Now, we can serve
cookies and co�ee in the lobby during intermission. The
addition provides a more comfortable setting, and a better
theater experience for everyone.”
Though it took many years, the Aurora Players have
successfully transformed an open-air picnic shelter into
a present-day theater, comfortably seating 200 people.
The group currently performs three shows per year at the
Roycroft Pavilion, including a musical, a comedy, and a
drama or mystery; and they have earned a solid reputation
for giving quality performances year after year. Their hard
work and cultural investment has also helped to transform
the East Aurora community.
“Over the years, the Aurora Players have represented
the culture aspect of East Aurora as well as other towns
throughout Western New York,” said Taylor. “Actors, writers
and audience members come from all over. We try to put
on a broad selection of plays in order to bring in the average
family. As a result, we get about 4,000 people a year in to
see our shows.”
Auditions for plays and musicals are open to everyone,
and you do not need to be a member of the Aurora Players
to participate. If you are interested in becoming a member,
there are di�erent membership levels available. The group
also welcomes anyone who is interested in volunteering,
acting, backstage work, costume design, set design and
construction, ticket booth and concession stand work, and a
variety of behind-the-scenes administrative duties.
You can even participate in an Aurora Players acting
workshop, learning such crucial aspects as how to audition,
take stage direction and more. “We started the workshop last
year,” said Taylor. “It’s a great way for any aspiring actor to
learn important acting skills.”
Many current actors and actresses have gotten their start
with the Aurora Players, including Christine Estabrook, a
television and film actress who has been featured in several
movies including, “Grind,” “Spider-Man 2” and “Catch
That Kid.”
There’s also Project Stage, which is an organizational e�ort
to introduce young children and adolescents to the world
of acting through association with the Aurora Players. Kids
between the ages of 8 and 14 attend a two-week workshop
where they learn everything that goes into creating a show.
“They get to experience auditions, casting, set building and
rehearsals,” said Taylor. “And at the end of the two weeks,
they put on a play.”
The Aurora Players have certainly come a long way since
gathering in each other’s living rooms in 1934. Their overall
mission was to “create interest in, and to foster enthusiasm
for, the study of the dramatic arts; and to provide a medium
of expression for those who have a natural love for the
theater in any of its phases.”
Now, an entire generation of new and dedicated Aurora
Players work tirelessly behind the curtain to continually
bring the joy of theater to the community of East Aurora
and beyond.
In other words, mission accomplished.
For more information about the Aurora Players, please
visit www.auroraplayers.org.
Lyndsey D’Arcangelo is a freelance writer and author who
lives in Eden. She is the author of the Golden Crown Literary
Society Award-winning book, “The Trouble with Emily
Dickinson,” and “The Crabapple Tree.”
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Take a Bite Out
of History at
Riley Street Station
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By Brenda Alesii
Consuelo “Babe” Ne� has gone through a number of transitions in her
professional life, ranging from restaurant owner to a New York Telephone customer
service manager to an American Airlines flight attendant.
The East Aurora restaurant Ne� currently owns has had almost as many
transformations. The Riley Street Station occupies the former site of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Station o� Main Street in the heart of the quaint village.
From 1867 through 1973, Riley Street operated as a commuter train station.
Originally built in the late 1880s and made entirely of wood, the station was
renovated in an English Baroque style, a design village fathers deemed more
welcoming and appropriate for travelers visiting their community.
On New Year’s Eve in 1973, the last passenger train left the station, ending more
than a century of commuter rail service in East Aurora, and closing of a chapter in
American transportation history. Several small businesses came and went in the
Riley Street Station; none succeeded and the landmark sat vacant until 1987.
David Ne�, with four decades of restaurant ownership experience, saw potential
in the station and leased the building in 1987 before eventually buying it. He and
his wife had a vision for the building that had fallen into disrepair and needed a
complete overhaul. The Ne�s renovated the entire structure and mapped out a
plan to bring the station back to life in a manner that would honor its storied past.
In the meantime, Babe was developing an a�ordable menu with influences
drawn from her parents. “My mother’s family was from Sicily and my dad’s folks
came from Spain,” she recalled. “We never ate mayonnaise. I remember the kids in
school would never want to trade their lunch with mine,” Babe said with a chuckle.
“When we opened Riley Street, I decided to serve American cuisine with an ethnic
flair,” she noted.
A few months ago, David McKenzie, who trained at the Culinary Institute of
America, was hired as the executive chef. “David and I have the same vision for the
food we serve here; whether it’s bar food or full-course meals like filet mignon and
salmon, he presents it beautifully.”
The extensive menu has a definite railroad theme: Steam Engine starters include
queso dips, loaded fries, train wreck nachos, whistle stop wings, grand central
sandwiches and boxcar burgers. Under “Dining Car entrees,” the Station’s signature
dish, chicken paillard (created by McKenzie), is listed alongside steaks, seafood,
pasta and even pierogi, made by longtime chefs Joyce and Tim Chrostowski, who
lease the kitchen at Riley Street and oversee the food service.
“The expansion of the restaurant and sports bar is all due to Babe’s vision,”
McKenzie said. Under her direction, Riley Street Station continues to evolve.
After the death of her husband three years ago, Babe said she relies on her children,
sta� and business owners in the tight-knit community. “Other restaurant owners as
well as members of the village board have been so helpful to me, especially with the
many questions I asked as we were starting out,” Babe said.
Last summer she oversaw the conversion of the outdoor patio into a glass-
Continued on Page 19
Serving
Lunch, Dinners
& Late-Night
Snacks
Open 7 Days
a Week
652-4221
711 Main Street
East Aurora
Full menu available
for take-out
18
AURORA
DO IN
THINGStoTOdo
aurora
east
inEAST
things
May – Nov. 20
East Aurora Farmers Market
7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays,
Aurora Village Shopping Center, 123 Grey St.
June 5-6, 12-13
17th Annual Roycroft
Chamber Music Festival
Chamber music masterpieces will be
performed by internationally renowned
musicians who travel to East Aurora for the
Festival at St. Matthias Church, Main and
Maple. Call (716) 652-4413 for tickets.
June 14
Greater East Aurora Chamber/
East Aurora Kiwanis Golf Outing
Annual golf outing supporting the scholarship funds of the Chamber of Commerce
and Kiwanis Club, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.,
Holland Hills Country Club, GlenwoodHolland Road, Holland. Phone (716) 6528444 or e-mail [email protected].
June 19
Birds of Prey at Hawk Creek
Experience first-hand the techniques used
by Hawk Creek’s handlers to enrich the lives
of more than 90 raptors and other animals.
A fun and informative behind-the-scenes look
for all ages. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hawk
Creek Wildlife Center, 655 Luther Road. Visit
www.hawkcreek.org or call (716) 652-8646.
June 24-26
Friends of the Aurora Town
Public Library Annual Book Sale
Thousands of donated books for children
and adults. Also DVDs, CDs, audio books
and puzzles. Presale for friends of the library
Thursday, June 24, 5 to 8 p.m. (membership
available); public sale Friday, 9 a.m. to 8:30
p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; half-price
sale beginning at noon Saturday. First Presbyterian Church, Main and Paine. Call (716)
652-4067.
June 26-27
East Aurora Art Society’s Annual
Outdoor Show and Sale of Fine Art
More than 100 artists display and sell their
artwork, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Aurora Main
Street School Campus. Call (716) 652-2167.
June 26-27
Roycroft Summer Arts
& Crafts Festival
July 24-25
35th Annual East Aurora
Carriage Drive and Competition
The Roycrofters At Large Association hosts
the annual Roycroft Summer Arts & Crafts
Festival in East Aurora. More than 90 juried
artisans will participate in various medias
(stained glass, clay, wood, book arts, metal,
jewelry, etc.). Food and entertainment from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.ralaweb.com or
call (716) 655-7252.
Held at the Neil and Barbara Chur Family
Equestrian Center, Knox Farm State Park, from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Horses, ponies and very small
equine, Novice and Junior Divisions, will hitch
to carts and carriages, both antique and reproductions, and compete in a variety of pleasure
driving classes. Visit www.EastAuroraDrivingSociety.org for details.
June 29 - July 2
58th Annual International Junior
Masters Golf Tournament
August 28
Wild Photo Day at Hawk Creek
Wildlife Center
Boys 13 to 17 from all over the world have
participated in this competition at the East
Aurora Country Club, 300 Girdle Road.
Spectators welcome; free admission. Call
(716) 652-6800 or visit www.internationaljuniormasters.com.
July 17-18, 24-25
Hawk Creek’s Wildlife &
Renaissance Festival
Celebrate man’s 4,000-year history with raptors by going back to the Medieval period
when falconry reigned. Enjoy up close
encounters, flying bird shows, barn owl
releases and more than 90 animals. Featuring a dragon exhibit, live music, Medieval
reenactments, games for the kids and stunning original artwork. Visit www.hawkcreek.
org or call (716) 652-8646. From 11 a.m. to
4 p.m., Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, 655
Luther Road.
July 23
East Aurora Rotary Reunion Party
7 to 11 p.m., Firemen’s Field, 1 Pine St. Extension. East Aurora High School graduates
reunite; food and music available. Call (716)
652-3102.
July 24
East Aurora Street
and Sidewalk Sale
Festival
Vendors sell and display their products on a
closed portion of Main Street, between Olean
Road and Riley Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit tomorrow’s young entrepreneurs at
Operation Kids during the Festival — a real life
learning experience for youngsters 6 to 15.
Entertainment, demonstrations and more.
Call (716) 652-8444 or visit www.eanycc.com.
Space is limited for this popular event, from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hawk Creek Wildlife Center,
655 Luther Road. Ticket prices and information
available at www.hawkcreek.org or by calling
(716) 652-8646.
October 16
Soar with Aurora Craft Fair
This craft show, sponsored by the Aurora
Women’s Club, benefits the community projects fund. Light refreshments available. From
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the East Aurora Nativity
Lutheran Church, 970 Main St. Call (716) 5158209 for details.
October 23
Bids for Kids Auction
The Bids for Kids Auction is a fundraiser for the
Boys & Girls Club of East Aurora. From 7 to 11
p.m. at the Club, located on Paine Street, this
event is for adults, parents, community members
and friends. Ticket information is available at (716)
652-4180. Includes dinner, auctions and more.
November 27
Village Tree Lighting
The holiday season begins at 7 p.m. with this
event, to be held at 292 Main St. in East Aurora.
December 4
Handel’s Messiah, 31st Anniversary
of Community Advent Chorale
Featuring professional soloists and the chamber orchestra, under the direction of Gregory
White, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church on Main Street.
Free-will o�erings accepted. Contact (716)
655-2147 for information.
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December 4-5
Aurora Historical Society’s 38th
Annual Christmas Sale
Handcrafted Christmas items made by Abigail’s Craft Group of the Aurora Historical Society. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the
Millard Fillmore House Museum, 24 Shearer Ave. Call (716) 652-8525 for details.
December 4-5
Roycroft Winter Arts
& Crafts Festival
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From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 35 juried artisans, mostly Roycroft Renaissance artisans, will sell their exquisite wares for your holiday shopping at East Aurora
Middle School, 430 Main St. With holiday music and food, this event is sponsored by the Roycrofters at Large Association (RALA). Call (716) 655-7252
or visit www.ralaweb.com.
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December 4-5
Elbert Hubbard Roycroft
Museum Holiday Book Sale
Book sale with 10 to 50 percent o� at the Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum, 363 Oakwood Ave. Hour are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and noon to
3 p.m. Sunday. Call (716) 652-8525 for information.
December 18
38th Annual Carolcade
Holiday caroling from 7 to 8 p.m. on a closed portion of Main Street between
Olean and Riley. Hot chocolate, donuts, song sheets, the Salvation Army
Band, and a visit from Santa Claus. Call (716) 652-8444 for details.
Continued from Page 17
RILEY STREET STATION
enclosed dining room, replete with a fireplace and lacquered tables featuring
an imprinted original photo of a Pennsylvania Railroad Station in Western New
York. The mahogany cabinets at the server’s station and exposed brick walls are
consistent with the look of the original building.
“My son, Axel, who is an engineer, designed the server area. Even the black
and silver design in our floor was something that was painstaking to lay down, but
worth the time and e�ort,” she added. The back windows of the dining room face
a railroad track which still sees a train pass by two times a day.
The dining room facelift wasn’t the last project on Babe’s list. She converted
a former storage room into the Gandy Dancer Martini Bar, open on Fridays,
Saturdays and for private parties.
David Ne�’s crown molding design is showcased behind the bar reflected
in a rich, dark wood. The original keystone and Pennsylvania railroad logo is
intact. Babe explained that “Gandy dancer” is railroad slang for the laborers who
constructed and maintained the railroads across North America. Hand tools,
known as “gandies,” were used to place rail tracks into position, while the term
“dancer” referred to the worker’s job of placing the heavy steel rails at di�erent
intervals.
All of the renovation of the building and the menu have paid o�. Riley Street
Station has become a go-to spot for patrons of its roomy sports bar along with
locals and tourists alike who enjoy a reasonably priced meal with Babe’s handpicked
wine list.
No matter what a guest at Riley Street Station orders, they can be sure that a lot
of history will be on the menu.
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Brenda Alesii is a local freelance writer with extensive experience
in print and electronic journalism.
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20
attractions
must-see
MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS
The Aurora Players, Inc.
www.auroraplayers.org
(716) 687-6727
One of the nation’s oldest active community theater groups. The Aurora
Players perform three shows per year.
Baker Memorial United
Methodist Church
http://bakerchurch.org
345 Main St. • (716) 652-0500
Baker’s sanctuary is known for its 17
Ti�any windows, six of which are
signed. Tours can be arranged Monday through Friday; special arrangements on weekends.
Byrncliff Resort &
Conference Center
www.byrncli�.com
Route 20A & Humphrey Road
Varysburg • (585) 535-7300
Motel units, 18-hole golf course, driving range, miniature golf, outdoor
swimming pool, tennis, cross-country skiing, full-service restaurant and
banquet facilities. Just 13 miles east of
East Aurora via Route 20A.
Elbert Hubbard —
Roycroft Museum
www.roycrofter.com
363 Oakwood Ave. • (716) 652-4735
A Craftsman bungalow house is filled
with artifacts of Elbert Hubbard, publisher and founder of one of America’s
most successful Arts and Crafts colonies. Open June 1 through Oct. 31,
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday;
1 to 4 p.m. Closed holidays.
Explore & More …
A Children’s Museum
www.exploreandmore.org
300 Gleed Ave. • (716) 655-5131
A fun museum designed for the many
ways kids learn for children ages one
to 10. Open Wednesday through
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and
Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Free for
museum members, babies under the
age of one and WIC families.
Holland International
Speedway
www.hollandspeedway.com
Two North Main St., Holland
(716) 537-2272
A NASCAR Division Track open
seasonally, o�ering some of the most
exciting auto racing in the Northeast!
Knox Farm State Park
http://friendsofknoxpark.org
437 Bu�alo Road • (716) 655-7200
Located adjacent to the historic village
of East Aurora. The former country
estate of Bu�alo’s Knox family spans
633 acres.
Millard Fillmore House
24 Shearer Ave., East Aurora
(716) 652-3280
A National Historic Landmark house
built by the 13th president of the
United States, Millard Fillmore, and
furnished and restored in the 1826
era. Open June 1 through Oct. 31,
1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and
Sunday. Closed holidays.
Roycroft Campus
www.roycrofter.com
40 South Grove St.
(716) 652-3333 or (800) ROYCRFT
A National Historic Landmark, the
14-building (nine public) Roycroft
Campus attracts thousands annually.
The Roycroft Inn and Shops, as they
were historically known, are famous
once again.
The Roycroft Inn
www.roycroftinn.com
40 South Grove St. • (716) 652-5552
The beautiful Roycroft Inn has been
completely restored and is open to the
public for dining and accommodations.
Sinking Ponds
Wildlife Sanctuary
Pine Street, East Aurora
A beautiful preserve dedicated to the
conservation of nature.
Time Warner Cable
Classic Rink
www.thinkrink.org
41 Riley St. • (716) 628-0036
On Jan. 1, 2008, history was made in
Bu�alo when Ralph Wilson Stadium
hosted the first ever NHL “Winter
Classic.” The Aurora Ice Association
(AIA) later purchased the ice-making equipment from the NHL Winter
Classic and created a new seasonal
outdoor rink in East Aurora.
Vidler’s 5&10 Store
www.vidlers5and10.com
690 Main St. • (716) 652-0481
Take a step back in time as you enjoy
the atmosphere of an old five and
dime. Family owned since 1930, the
circa 1890 building features yarn,
needlecrafts, housewares, crafts, a
frame and card shop, and a toy counter. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday through Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and noon
to 4 p.m. Sunday. Closed holidays.
surrounding
COMMUNITIES
SURROUNDINGcommunities
There are 40,000 people
throughout the Village of East
Aurora and six local townships.
People enjoy living here because of the opportunities that
this unique community has to
o�er in an area small enough
that everybody knows you, yet
sophisticated enough to serve
your every need.
There are also many opportunities
for growth in local industrial parks
or in other existing sites throughout
these communities. The Greater
East Aurora area is very unique in
that it combines an active and vital
manufacturing and retail environment with quaint, historic and attractive residential communities. In
addition, there are three high-quality, recognized school districts:
East Aurora: www.eaur.wnyric.org
Holland: www.holland.wnyric.org
Iroquois: www.iroquoiscsd.org
East Aurora
www.east-aurora.ny.us
The historic community of East
Aurora has plenty of distinctive attractions for people searching for a
close, fun-filled daytrip. The Village
of East Aurora and Town of Aurora
have been home to some amazing
people and movements, including
President Millard Fillmore, the Roycroft Arts & Crafts movement and
the founders of the international
toy company, Fisher-Price. East
Aurora’s charming Main Street —
directly o� Route 400, just 25 miles
from downtown Bu�alo — features
a variety of shops, eateries, museums, historic sites and adventures
to meet every family’s requirements
for a full day of fun.
Aurora
www.townofaurora.com
Today the Town Hall “Chapel,” in
addition to serving town government functions, also houses the
Aurora Town Museum which is
maintained by the Aurora Historical
Society. Visitors can stop by (please
call ahead) Hawk Creek Wildlife
Rehabilitation Center, 655 Luther
Road, for a tour of this special facility dedicated to the care, rehabilita-
tion and release of injured and orphaned wildlife. Call 652-8646 for
hours of operation.
Colden
www.erie.gov/colden
Colden is located o� Route 240 and
is a picturesque community formed
in 1827. In the mid-1800s, Colden
became known for its mills which
manufactured washing machines,
spinning wheels, ironing boards and
shingles. Today, visitors can shop at
the famous Colden Country Store
and enjoy a meal at the Colden Mill
Restaurant. Colden is also home to
a number of ski resorts, including
Kissing Bridge and Ski Tamarack.
Elma
www.elmanewyork.com
Elma has attracted several large
nationally and internationally recognized businesses. Moog, an aerospace product manufacturer, has its
corporate headquarters in Elma, and
the town is also home to Steuben
Foods and Servotronics.
Holland
www.erie.gov/holland
Holland, located on Route 16, is
home to a variety of attractions
including antique and collectible
shops and the Holland International
Speedway. It’s also home to the
Holland Tulip Festival, which takes
place the second weekend in May.
Marilla
www.erie.gov/marilla
Marilla, founded in 1853, o�ers
many beautiful agricultural landscapes for those interested in a
scenic drive. Be sure to stop at the
Marilla General Store and Museum
at the corner of Bullis and Two Rod
Road, and attend the Marilla Auto
Show, Western New York’s biggest
auto show, July 24-25, for a look at
some great cars.
Wales
www.townofwales.com
Wales is the earliest town established in Erie County, with settlers
arriving in 1806. This small village
is located on Route 20A, just a few
miles east of Route 400. The village
itself features a country store and a
variety of antique shops.
dining
destinations
DINING DESTINATIONS
Alton’s Restaurant
2221 Transit Road, Elma
(716) 674-1900
www.altonsrestaurant.com
Arriba Tortilla
591 Main St., East Aurora
(716) 687-1115
August 25 Restaurant
12829 Big Tree Road, East Aurora
(716) 652-6520
Bar-Bill Tavern
Mighty Taco
Aurora Village Shopping Center
123 Grey St., East Aurora
Old Orchard Inn
2095 Blakeley Corners Road
East Aurora
(716) 652-4664
www.oldorchardny.com
Pasquale’s Pizza & Subs
242 Main St., East Aurora
(716) 655-0100
185 Main St., East Aurora
(716) 652-7959
www.barbill.com
Pizza Del Aureo’s
Blue Lantern Lounge
Rick’s On Main
6120 Seneca St., Elma
(716) 652-2583
www.bluelanternelma.com
[email protected]
Byrncliff Resort &
Conference Center
Route 20A & Humphrey Road,
Varysburg
(585) 535-7300
Fax: (585) 535-7319
www.byrncli�.com
info@byrncli�.com
40 South Grove St., East Aurora
(716) 652-5552
www.roycroftinn.com
142 Grey St., East Aurora
(716) 655-4646
Taste
634 Main St., East Aurora
(716) 655-1874
Holland Willows
Tony Rome’s Globe Hotel
Iron Kettle Restaurant
1009 Olean Road, East Aurora
(716) 652-5310
John & Mary’s Restaurant
408 Main St., East Aurora
(716) 805-1450
www.myjohnandmarys.com
Kodiak Jacks
3481 Two Rod Road, Marilla
(716) 655-6310
www.kodiak-jacks.com
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634 Main Street, East Aurora
(716) 652-0341
Tim Hortons
177 Savage Road, Holland
(716) 537-9070
www.hollandwillows.com
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The Roycroft Inn
Holland Hills Country Club
120 Rouch Drive, Springville
(716) 537-2345
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27 Riley St., East Aurora
(716) 655-4948
www.rileystreetstation.com
Tantalus Restaurant
Bar & Cafe
5952 Seneca St., Elma
(716) 674-0759
www.giangels.com
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Riley Street Station
The Dog Bar
Giangel’s Cafe & Catering
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687 Main St., East Aurora
(716) 652-1253
www.ricksonmain.com
Sorrentino’s Restaurant
1913 Davis Road, West Falls
(716) 652-5550
[email protected]
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603 Oakwood Square, East Aurora
(716) 655-3345
Charlie The Butcher
495 Main St., East Aurora
Phone: (716) 652-4060
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44 Hamburg St., East Aurora
(716) 655-8467
711 Main St., East Aurora
(716) 652-4221
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Varysburg Hotel
2468 Main St., Varysburg
(585) 535-7692
Wallenwein’s Hotel
641 Oakwood Ave., East Aurora
(716) 652-9801
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22
East Aurora’s Farmers’ Market
East Aurora certainly has more than its share of world-class tourist attractions,
but if you have a little time to spare, you can get a taste of this historic
region — literally — at the East Aurora Farmers’ Market.
You’ll find the Market in the East Aurora Shopping Plaza on Grey
Street. It’s open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m.,
starting the first Saturday in May and going until the Wednesday before
Thanksgiving. Free parking is available in the plaza.
The Market has been a cherished part of the East Aurora community
since a warm July morning more than three decades ago, when a handful
of area farmers paid $3 each for the right to sell their wares at the Market’s
o�cial opening. By the end of that
summer, the number of vendors had
already doubled, as more and more
people turned out for the fresh,
locally grown produce and other
goods.
For many years, before moving to
its current location in the Tops plaza,
the Market operated on Riley Street
in downtown East Aurora. Right
next door was a railroad station for
the former Pennsylvania Railroad,
which at one point was the largest
railroad in the entire country.
Today, the East Aurora Farmers’
Market provides products that are
locally grown and produced.
While local residents love the
convenience and selection at the Market, many tourists also stop by to
pick up some flowers, try some fresh fruit and vegetables, and see what
else is for sale that particular day.
So what will you find when you visit the Market? In spring, look for yearround items such as baked goods, along with lots of bushes and flowers.
As the first traditional harvests come around, look for spinach,
strawberries, peas, asparagus and rhubarb. You’ll discover the largest
IMPORTANT
PHONE
NUMBERS
(ALL 716 AREA CODE)
THE GREATER EAST AURORA CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE, INC.
652-8444
844-4444
WEATHER
East Aurora
911
EMERGENCY
MERCY AMBULATORY CARE CENTER
662-0500
(ORCHARD PARK)
POISON CONTROL CENTER
1-800-888-7655 OR 878-7654
selection in summer, including tomatoes, sweet corn, hot peppers and
even okra. Vendors often have customers lined up outside their stalls for
perfectly ripe blueberries, peaches and other favorites.
As the weather starts to cool, Western New York’s famous apples begin
to make an appearance, along with broccoli, grapes, pears, cauliflower
and, of course, lots and lots of pumpkins and gourds — just in time for
Halloween. Even when the snow starts to fall, you won’t want to miss the
last few weeks of the Market, when
you’ll find carrots, onions, beets,
cabbage, turnips and winter squash.
Of course, like any good farmers’
market, the East Aurora version
o�ers more than just produce. Start
with a fresh cup of co�ee, then pick
up some beans to go. There’s fresh
bread and eggs, salsa and spices and
herbs — even pasta and sausage. Or
pick up some natural beef, raised
without antibiotics.
Don’t forget to keep an eye out
for some beeswax candles, which
will look perfect on your dinner
table next to that bottle of blueberry
wine. Pick up some handmade soap
as a gift for a friend, or dog treats
for Fido. And don’t forget about your sweet tooth; the Market is loaded
with honey, syrup and jam — not to mention mouth-watering cookies,
candy and homemade pies that are definitely worth the calories.
Just keep in mind that selections will vary, based on what’s in season.
You’ll find the best overall variety in August and September, when all the
booths are typically filled. And throughout the year, there are usually
more vendors on Saturdays than on Wednesdays.
652-8200
FIRE DEPARTMENT
MAYOR’S OFFICE 652-6000, EXT. 219
652-1111
POLICE DEPARTMENT
RECREATION DEPARTMENT 652-8866
652-7944
TOWN HISTORIAN
652-6000
VILLAGE HALL
652-4440
PUBLIC LIBRARY
652-0172
POST OFFICE
BUFFUM HOMESTEAD MUSEUM
992-4666
RECREATION DEPARTMENT 941-5017
SENIOR CITIZEN’S CENTER 941-6960
Aurora
Holland
TOWN HALL
SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE
COMMUNITY POOL
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
SENIOR CITIZEN’S CENTER
Colden
SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE
TOWN HALL
652-3280
652-7590
652-6980
652-8866
652-7934
941-5022
941-5012
Elma
652-3260
TOWN HALL
652-2719
LIBRARY
SENIOR CITIZEN’S CENTER 652-3374
TOWN HALL
OLD FIRE HALL MUSEUM
TOWN HISTORIAN
Marilla
SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE
LIBRARY
MUSEUM
537-9443
537-2591
537-9443
652-7293
652-7449
652-7608
Wales
SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE
655-1004
Schools
EAST AURORA DISTRICT 687-2300
HOLLAND CENTRAL
537-8200
SCHOOL DISTRICT
IROQUOIS CENTRAL
652-3000
SCHOOL DISTRICT
ORMSBY EDUCATIONAL CENTER
652-8250
652-3450
GOW SCHOOL
Boys & Girls Clubs
EAST AURORA
ELMA, MARILLA, WALES
HOLLAND
652-4180
652-9292
537-9370
accommodations
ACCOMMODATIONS
Beaver Hollow
Conference Center
1083 Pit Road, Java Center
(800) 964-7903
[email protected]
www.beaverhollow.com
Executive-style conference center, 91
guest rooms, team-building facility.
Byrncliff Resort &
Conference Center
Route 20A (East of 77), Varysburg
(585) 535-7300
info@byrncli�.com
www.byrncli�.com
Motel units, golf, driving range, miniature golf, outdoor swimming pool, tennis, cross-country skiing, full-service
restaurant and banquet facilities.
Carriage House
Bed & Breakfast
8697 Supervisor Road, Colden
(716) 941-9047
[email protected]
Two-story former carriage house. Two
bedrooms, one bath, spacious living
room, kitchen and laundry facilities.
Outdoor pool.
Green Glen
Bed & Breakfast
898 Main St., East Aurora
(716) 655-2828
[email protected]
www.green-glen.com
Large, Queen Anne-style house built
in 1892. Four rooms, three acres of
woodland, hearty breakfast.
Hampton Inn & Suites
Oakwood Event Center
49 Olean Road, East Aurora
(716) 655-3300
www.eastaurorahamptoninn.com
Eighty deluxe guest rooms including
eight executive suites with wet bar and
eight Jacuzzi suites with fireplaces.
All with work desks, high-speed
Internet, voicemail, in-room movies,
refrigerators and more! Indoor pool
and Whirlpool. Deluxe complimentary
breakfast and newspaper, and free local phone calls. Banquet and meeting
room facilities available.
Heath Hill
Bed & Breakfast
8669 Heath Road, Colden
(716) 941-6789
[email protected]
www.bed&breakfast.com
A four-room suite with bathroom,
kitchenette, AC and gourmet breakfast.
Private entrance and outdoor hot tub.
Nearby skiing, car racing, golf and
restaurants.
Voted
Best Beef on Weck
and Best Food in WNY!
-Buffalo Spree 2009
The Lilacs
Bed & Breakfast
1028 Big Tree Road, East Aurora
(716) 655-2521
[email protected] • www.thelilacs.com
The Lilacs Bed and Breakfast is one
of the area’s grand old Victorians.
Like the surrounding Western New
York area, it contains a lot of history,
dating back to the early settlement of
the area.
Palmer House in
The Griggs Mansion
871 E. Main St., East Aurora
(716) 984-0098
[email protected]
A quaint bed and breakfast located in
the heart of East Aurora.
Parkedge Farm
Bed & Breakfast
140 Gypsy Lane, East Aurora
(716) 652-5600 • 1-888-579-0772
[email protected]
www.parkedgefarmbb.com
Four rooms, including private carriage
loft suite. Air conditioned, cable TV,
wireless Internet, full breakfast, afternoon tea and adjoining Knox Farm
State Park. Walking distance to Village
of East Aurora. Skiing, hiking, bird
watching, quiet country setting.
The Roycroft Inn
40 South Grove St., East Aurora
(716) 652-5552
[email protected]
www.roycroftinn.com
A restored historic landmark with 28
guest suites. Fine dining facilities,
complimentary breakfast.
Whispering Woods
Bed & Breakfast
11411 Stolle Road, East Aurora
(716) 714-5047
[email protected]
www.whisperingwoodsbb.com
This beautiful Victorian home o�ers
four guest rooms with incredible
charm and all the convenience of a
bed and breakfast in the country.
185 Main Street, East Aurora • 652-7959
www.barbill.com
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