WELLS RAMPS UP

Wells Enterprises began an expansion at its Dunkirk ice cream plant, a project that seems to keep getting bigger. Gov. Kathy Hochul visited in July to tout what was already a $425 million project, since expanded with an October proposal for an additional $175 million of construction work.

The plant plans to more than double its production output with the project, which will add new production lines and a chocolate-making facility. New employee facilities, like offices and break rooms, are also planned.

The project will reportedly lead to 270 new jobs in the area, while protecting 380 existing positions.

The White Inn is pictured.

NEW HIDEAWAY UNVEILED

Hideaway Bay Resort opened in June after about a year’s worth of construction. The resort, beside Lake Erie in Silver Creek, is on the former site of Hideaway Bay Restaurant.

The resort features 10 villas with balconies, a cabana-style outdoor bar on the beach (in warmer weather), an outdoor hot tub and sauna, and couches and cabanas on the beach. Some of the latter are available for public rental, no resort reservation necessary.

Drift restaurant and bar opened at the resort in July, cementing another attraction at the site,

WHITE INN REOPENS

The village of Fredonia is proud of its White Inn, a grand, pillar-fronted structure on Main Street. However, the building was shut for years, after a previous owner’s mortgage on the property went into foreclosure.

Steve St. George and Devin Jones bought the property with plans to restore it as a mix of classic, old-school luxury and modern conveniences. They completed the task — the White Inn reopened in November after extensive renovations.

Its bar and restaurant has quickly become as popular as it ever was. A brand new kitchen serves its patrons. The suites upstairs were also fully renovated and modernized.

SONIC EYES FREDONIA

The Sonic fast food chain is reportedly planning a restaurant on Route 60 in Fredonia.

The village’s top code enforcement officer, Charles LaBarbera, said in late October that Sonic has submitted a site plan packet. The site of the restaurant would apparently be in what is now part of Lucky Lanes’ parking lot.

Founded in Oklahoma in the 1950s, the chain is famous for sending out food with carhops on roller skates. Local keyboard warriors immediately snickered at the idea of Sonic carhops sliding around a Fredonia winter. The company somehow manages to cope at restaurants in Buffalo, Cheektowaga and Erie, Pa.

STARBUCKS, POPEYES COMING

Sonic is not the only national fast food chain looking at a new spot in the Dunkirk-Fredonia community.

Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen has a restaurant near completion on Route 60 in the town of Dunkirk, a few hundred yards from where the Sonic would get erected. The chain, known for its spicy chicken, is expected to move in shortly.

A new Starbucks coffee shop is in the works at the strip of businesses near the Vineyard Drive main entrance to the Tops Plaza.

FIRESIDE FOR SALE

One sadder local restaurant story is The Fireside Manor. Many special occasions were celebrated at “The Fireside” over the years. However, the Route 5 bar and restaurant is now closed and on the market.

The OBSERVER reported in April that the property was sold for $248,500. However, local real estate agent Michael Healy has since listed it, at an asking price of $399,000.