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Five years on top: Tompkins Insurance honored as a 'best practices' agency

By Press Release

Press Release:

In a significant milestone, Tompkins Insurance Agencies has been designated a “Best Practices” Agency, recognizing it as part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies across the United States for the fifth consecutive year. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has included the Batavia-based agency in its “Best Practices” group for five years running. After a full review of its financial stability and operational excellence, Tompkins Insurance was one of the 282 agencies to qualify, chosen from more than 2,600 independent agencies nationwide that were nominated. 

The Big “I” and Reagan Consulting of Atlanta, GA have collaborated since 1993 to conduct this annual study of industry-leading independent insurance agencies. The study focuses on business practices including revenue growth and profitability, financial stability, expense management, and sales and operations productivity.

“We are incredibly honored to be named a ‘Best Practices’ agency for five years in a row,” said David S. Boyce, president and CEO of Tompkins Insurance. “The five-year milestone is significant and tells us that our goal of serving communities within Western New York, Central New York and Southeastern Pennsylvania with personalized, premium and local services is working. And we will continue working to serve those clients well in the many years to come.”

This recognition joins another: Tompkins Insurance has again been ranked #79 of the Top 100 commercial insurance agencies in the U.S., by Insurance Journal.

Former luthier at Roxy's, and a partner, bring music retail back to Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
Logan Music Store Jeremy Logan
Jeremy Logan, luthier and co-owner of a new music shop in Batavia, Logan's Music.
Photo by Howard Owens.

The way Jeremy Logan sees it, Batavia needs a music store. 

A community this size needs a place not just to buy instruments but all of the accessories musicians sometimes need on short notice, from strings and reeds to picks and drumsticks.

Logan worked for 13 years at Roxy's Music Store, and after Rose Caccamise died and the store closed, he knew there was a void to fill.  He worked from home repairing guitars for former Roxy's customers and continued taking guitar lessons from Paul Runfola at St. Anthony's.

Going to a lesson one day, he drove by a recently vacated storefront next to Southside Deli on Ellicott Street and thought it might be a good location to start a music store.  A few days later, there was a for-rent sign in the window.

He spoke to Runfola about it, and they decided to form a partnership and open a store.

In less than two weeks, Logan's Music has already started generating buzz among local musicians, and a lot of players are stopping by to say hello and check out the store. He's even made a few sales.

Currently, the store is stocked with second-hand guitars, from a gold-top Gibson Les Paul to custom Telecasters, along with lower-end models, as well as a few guitars Logan built or customized himself.

Logan, born in Batavia and raised on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, fell in love with guitar at an early age. As he grew older, he wanted to find a way to make a living in the music business.

"I've loved guitar since I was kid, you know, but I wasn't good enough of a player to go further," Logan said. "I could play in local bands, but I wanted something consistent."

In 2000, he enrolled in the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix and, after his studies, moved to Eugene, Oregon and worked for a company making graphite guitar necks.  

Then he returned home and eventually took a job at Guitar Center in Buffalo, first in sales and then as a luthier when the company decided to open a repair shop.

One day he happened to Roxy's and met Rose.

"I was just talking with her and told her what I did and everything, and she said, 'Come over here,' and we sat down in the corner we talked for about a good hour about what I was doing. The next day, she gave me a call and offered me a job.

Logan liked holding down a job closer to town, and he gained a reputation among local guitarists as an expert luthier.  

He became a luthier because he loved tinkering with guitars but also because he wanted to build custom guitars himself.

"I've always wanted to make my own kind of crazy designs," Logan said.

There's also satisfaction, he said, in bringing a broken guitar back to life, whether that is for a customer who drops by with a damaged instrument or if he finds a crippled axe at a flea market or garage sale, giving him an opportunity to turn it into something that brings joy to a customer.

"I like fixing guitars, taking a perfect junk guitar and making it playable and getting it to somebody who can use it," Logan said. "That's always really cool.  I like the look on someone's face when they get a guitar. It's always the same feeling. I like just bringing a guitar back to life and getting it out to people to where they're it's to be played and not just sitting in a pile of junk."

The selection of second-hand guitars in the shop offers shoppers a wide variety of choices.  He has buyers who go out and find them, and now that he has a storefront, customers will bring in guitars to sell.  That makes the selection always eclectic and always changing, making the store a bit of a paradise for local guitar players who haven't had a place in Batavia to browse a variety of guitars for a couple of years.

He's still building his stock but has no plans in his current small space to stock many other instruments.  He does intend to carry supplies to support all kinds and levels of musicians in the community and is open to suggestions. 

"I had a music teacher from John Kennedy come in, and he was talking to me and asked me if I was going to carry certain stuff, and I said I don't really know what to carry for schools, so he sat down, and he gave me a whole list of what he needed," Logan said. "He said he would send over a teacher from Batavia High School, too.  That was cool because everybody has been ready to give me advice and what is needed for the community. That is what I've wanted. It's going to be hard to take the place of Roxy's, but there was nothing here for the community, so it's cool (to get advice)."

Logan's Music is at 302 Ellicott St., Batavia. The store is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The phone number is 585-201-7133.

Logan Music Store Jeremy Logan
Alan E. Rose, formerly of Nashville, stopped in at Logan's to buy a new guitar and amp last week. He said he was really happy to find the store, another blessing, he said, in a string of recent blessings. He moved to Batavia so his daughter could help care for him after he became partially paralyzed. He hadn't been able to play guitar for three years and could only recently pick up an instrument again.  With a voice like Waylon Jenning's and some fine flat-picking, he put on a little show playing his political novelty songs based on familiar tunes.
Photo by Howard Owens.

NEXgistics marks construction progress of new distribution facility in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens
topping off ceremony
NEXgistics employees listen to speakers at the construction site for their company's new distribution center in Pembroke during a topping-off ceremony to mark progress in the project. 
Photo by Howard Owens.

Press release:

NEXgistics, a leading name in logistics and supply chain solutions, celebrated a significant milestone today in the construction of its new corporate headquarters. In a time-honored tradition, the final piece of steel was hoisted 50 feet above a cheering crowd during a topping-out ceremony signaling the next phase of construction.

The event was attended by key company stakeholders, local officials, and other project partners, united in their efforts to secure NEXgistics’ long-term future. Scheduled to open by the end of 2023, the new 140,000-square-foot facility ushers in a new era at NEXgistics.

Steve Northman, President of NEXgistics, addressed the crowd by saying, "We are thrilled to reach this significant milestone for our new headquarters. This modern facility will embody our company values of innovation, collaboration, and growth. It will serve as a hub for our talented team to better serve our clients as we grow right here in Western New York."

Town Supervisor Tom Schneider said, "Creating good-paying jobs is an essential part of our plans to move the Town of Pembroke forward. The logistics industry is a growing sector in our regional economy, and businesses like NEXgistics are creating more jobs for local workers. I thank NEXgistics for their investment and look forward to their future success and growth."

The new NEXgistics headquarters, being completed by Montante Construction, reflects the company's commitment to investing in its future. With state-of-the-art features and a design that prioritizes sustainability and functionality, the headquarters will house various departments, including executive and collaborative offices and warehouse spaces.

“Reaching the topping-off milestone is an exciting accomplishment, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with NEXgistics to bring their vision to life,” said Doug Elia, President of Montante Construction. “We are proud to create a space that enables NEXgistics to grow and invest in our community for years to come.”

The construction project is estimated to cost $17.6 million and is a generator of significant economic activity in Corfu, NY and beyond. The facility will support 24 jobs and result in additional direct and indirect benefits to the region.

"NEXgistics is a family business that has grown by leveraging technology, expertise, and strategic partnerships to drive innovation and supply chain efficiencies,” said Steve Hyde, Genesee County Economic Development Center president and CEO. “This project builds on their success and affirms our strategic investment in key sectors of the Genessee County economy to create cutting-edge products and jobs."

NEXgistics topping off ceremony
Steve Northman, President of NEXgistics
Photo by Howard Owens
NEXgistics topping off ceremony
Steve Hyde, CEO of GCEDC.
Photo by Howard Owens.
NEXgistics topping off ceremony
Photo by Howard Owens.
NEXgistics topping off ceremony
Photo by Howard Owens.

Six Flags Darien Lake Hiring for Fright Fest

By Press Release

Press Release:

Six Flags Darien Lake is looking for bone-chilling and eerie individuals to join the Entertainment team! 200 team members are needed for the 2023 Fall Season. Scare actors, ghouls, make-up artists, Boo Fest Attendants, Costumers, and Ushers are just a few of the positions available for the ghoulish job in town!

Enjoy frightfully fun team member perks like in-park discounts, rewards, recognitions, exclusive team member events, and more.

Open auditions and interviews will be held every Tuesday and Saturday now through September 2, from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Six Flags Darien Human Resources Building. Interested applicants should bring their Social Security Card and a current Photo ID with proof of age OR a school ID & Birth Certificate.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online at any time by visiting sixflags.com/darienlake/jobs. From first-time job seekers to retirees looking for part-time work, Six Flags has something for everyone. For questions, call the Six Flags Darien Lake Human Resources office at 585 599 5108, Monday – Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Alleghany Farm Services celebrates 40 years of hard work, family, and good customers

By Howard B. Owens
Allegheny ribbon cutting 40th anniversary
Thursday's Ribbon Cutting at Alleghany Farm Services. From left, Brian Cousins, president of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Chad Klotzbach, Dianne Klotzbach, Drew Klotzbach, Harriett Klotzbach, Morgan Wagner, and Craig Wagner.
Photo by Howard Owens.

"Hard work and a good wife" is the answer that quickly came to mind to Drew Klotzbach when asked why a company he founded 40 years ago with a backhoe and a bulldozer is still going into its second generation of ownership.

Now Alleghany Farm Services uses the most advanced equipment in the business to precisely install farm field drainage systems, laying more than five million feet of pipe a year, and now employing more than 30 people in the Town of Alabama and in Delaware.

Located at 7342 Alleghany Road in Basom, Alleghany Farm Services celebrated its four decades in business with a party, equipment and history displays, a back-hoe "certification" practice for kids, and an adult backhoe competition, along with a catered lunch and ice cream.

The company remains a family venture.

"We bring my 94-year-old grandmother out," said Chad Kotzbach, Drew's son and now the managing partner. "She does a lot of our mailers, and that keeps us busy."

The other big secret to success, Drew said, is the customers.

"The customer base too, and especially agricultural customers, are great people to work with," Drew said. "Yep, that's really what's made us grow is a great customer base," Chad added, "It's about relationships. This is a relationships business."

Previously:

 

Allegheny ribbon cutting 40th anniversary
Chad Klotzbach with some of the historical artifacts related to Alleghany Farm Service and drainage tiles.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Allegheny ribbon cutting 40th anniversary
Chad Klotzbach shows off an old drainage tile.  Drainage tiles were introduced to the U.S. from Scotland at a farm in Seneca County in 1838.  They were once made from fired clay, with the pipes shaped around a worker's calf (which Klotzbach is explaining).  Installing clay, and later concrete, drainage tiles, was labor intensive. Nearly 60 years ago, plastic, corrugated pipe was introduced, which can be laid in long layers, and now are placed precisely in farm fields with GPS technology.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Allegheny ribbon cutting 40th anniversary
Children who visited Alleghany Farm Services on Thursday could operate a backhoe with the assistance of an experienced adult.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Allegheny ribbon cutting 40th anniversary
Photo by Howard Owens.
Allegheny ribbon cutting 40th anniversary
The adult backhoe competition involved removing basketballs from the top of traffic cones, dumping them in a bucket, and then trying to place the balls back on top of the cones. 
Photo by Howard Owens.
Allegheny ribbon cutting 40th anniversary
Photo by Howard Owens.
Allegheny ribbon cutting 40th anniversary
Photo by Howard Owens.

Windy Brew's second location ready to 'share our love' in Batavia

By Joanne Beck
Bradley and Michelle Snyder
Bradley Snyder and his mom Michelle Snyder, business partners for Windy Brew, open their second location Thursday at 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia.
Submitted photo.

It was a year ago Thursday when Bill and Michelle Snyder spent their wedding anniversary dinner discussing business ambitions to open a second location for Windy Brew, Michelle says.

And a year later, the couple is celebrating its 32nd anniversary and the opening of that location at 56 Harvester Ave. in Batavia. Windy Brew is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

It took some connections in Batavia and the local business world — Rob Credi of Pub Coffee Hub and Crapshoot Commissary, and Tammy Hathaway of Batavia Development Corp., the couple said — and then plans began to unfold.

“And when we were at dinner a year ago, we talked about opening a second location and reached out to some friends in the City of Batavia to see if there were any buildings for sale or for lease, and we came across the Harvester Center through Tammy, and she put us in the direction of talking to Rob … and that's how we got in touch with (Harvester Center Manager) Jarrod Clark and took this space,” Michelle said about the street-level site on the city’s east side. 

“We completely renovated the area that we have. We had some tear-out and things like that. There are two complete new bathrooms. The taproom and bar are all brand new. All the tables and chairs, it’s all brand new. We have shiplap walls, the floor is like a vinyl planking, and the bar was custom-built by a friend of ours. 

“It’s beautiful. I wanted a rustic, industrial look, and I feel like we really captured that with the way the heating and cooling ventilation and our chairs and tables just really came together really nice,” she said.

It’s a family partnership between Michelle and her son Bradley Snyder. They share their story online about how the family-run business began with a passion and love for beer. Someone gave them a beer kit as a gift, and that turned into buying a kettle and going into a full-grain brewing hobby. 

“Then we thought it was time to share our love with others,” the Snyders said. 

The first Windy Brew is on their home property in Strykersville, and the Snyders have been running it for six and a half years. 

There are 15 beers on tap, a cider and, with a full liquor license, there will be mixed drinks and wine available as well at the Batavia location, Michelle said. “But our focus is really our craft beer,” she said. 

“I consider us a brewpub. But the city of Batavia said it has to be a restaurant tap room, so I don't know. They have their own version of what a brewpub is,” she said.

As for the food menu, there will be pulled pork sandwiches made from pork that is smoked at the Strykersville facility, loaded nachos, pretzels with dill pickle dip, chips and dip, a taco basket, and tortilla chips with salsa and guac. 

The long wooden bar in variegated hues of blond is highlighted by the dropped hooded lights that give off a yellow glow. There's a definite juxtaposition of industrial silver ceiling fixtures atop the rustic flooring and weathered side paneling for an eclectic mix of design materials. Adding to the ambiance will be musician Rob Koepf, performing 1980s and 90s rock and classic country from 7 to 10 p.m. this Saturday. 

Michelle is anxiously awaiting for another vendor to open in the other half of the property, as they will be sharing some equipment, and Windy Brew will also be making custom pizzas as part of the menu. That is “coming soon,” Michelle said. 

 “I am just so excited that we are here and able to open at this point. It's been a long road, but it's been well worth it," she said. "I feel it's going to be really great for Batavia to have this location. And customers seem to be very excited about us opening in the Batavia area.” 

Though there is a clear definition between the two businesses, the other half of the site will be quite visible, and at least one operator has been identified as Vianiliz “Vee” Echevarria Rivera and her mother Elizabeth under the takeout restaurant name of Linda Borinqueña.

Rivera had hoped to open in June, and said that she had unexpected delays and would have to push that date back.

Meanwhile, Windy Brew will be there, with hours of 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Windy Brew 2
Windy Brew 3
Windy Brew 4

Submitted photos.

Tata named director of patient services for HCR Home Care

By Press Release

Press Release:

tata_vincent-.jpg
Submitted photo of
Vincent Tata

Vincent Tata, RN, has been named director of patient services for HCR Home Care’s Finger Lakes Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA). 

In this role, Tata supervises the day-to-day clinical operations and all patient care for the CHHA. Tata brings more than a decade of experience to this new role. Most recently, he served as senior manager of clinical operations at UR Medicine Home Care. 

Tata earned a master’s degree in school administration/supervision and bachelor’s degrees in sports medicine and health/physical education K-12 from Canisius College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Rochester School of Nursing. He resides in Ogden, N.Y.

Photo: 'Ribbon' cutting at Jersey Mike's franchise on Lewiston Road

By Howard B. Owens
jersey mike ribbon cutting 2023
Photo by Howard Owens

The new Jersey Mike's franchise opened this morning with a "ribbon" (in this case, a strip of sandwich paper wrap) cutting.

The location on Lewiston Road is in the parking lot of the former Kmart store.  The new shop's neighbors are Starbucks and Tropical Smoothie. Those businesses have not yet opened.

Pictured are Jonathan Duque, Marlon Duque, Brooklyn Zeier, Kayla Sexton, Evan Mayer, Town of Batavia board member Patti Michalak, and Betsy Mihm, representing Special Olympics.

Mayer is the franchise owner.  Mayer and his staff in the photo are all from New Jersey.  The beachballs are meant to represent the Jersey Shore.

The Kmart property is being developed by Florida-based Benderson Development. The company is also planning a second building for similar businesses in the parking lot.  No plans have been announced yet for the former Kmart building itself.

Graham CEO rings opening NYSE opening bell to commemorate 55 years as a public company

By Howard B. Owens
Remote video URL

On Monday morning, Graham Corp. President and CEO Dan Thoren, accompanied by executive team members, rang the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange to commemorate the company's 55th anniversary as a publicly traded company.

In a statement, Thoren said, “We are proud to commemorate fifty-five years as a public company by participating in the opening bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange.  This is a tribute to every associate at Graham who worked hard this past year to bring us to record sales and orders.  Their dedication to Graham and their deep engagement with their work for our valued customers and the security of our nation makes me excited for our future.”

 

Graham Corp. announces strong first quarter, expanded production in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM) (“GHM” or the “Company”), a global leader in the design and manufacture of mission-critical fluid, power, heat transfer and vacuum technologies for the defense, space, energy and process industries, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended June 30, 2023 (“first quarter fiscal 2024”).

Daniel J. Thoren, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We had a better-than-expected start to the year with strong first-quarter results. We had improved execution, utilized our expanded capacity and are timely delivering to customer requirements, even as schedules may shift. We also benefited in the quarter from an unusually better mix of business and the timing of projects flowing through production. Importantly, we continue to strengthen our relationships with our defense customers, advance opportunities in the space industry and are positioning the business to serve the new energy markets with cryogenic solutions. The investments we made to meet defense customers’ delivery requirements have proven to be effective and was validated by the $13.5 million strategic investment we received to expand our capabilities and be ready to support future opportunities, if selected. We have earned the position of being a key strategic supplier to support the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.”

Separately, the Company announced today that it had received a strategic investment by a customer to expand production capabilities at its Batavia, New York facility.

He added, “While we delivered in the quarter, there is still much work to do to get where we need to be as an organization. We are making investments in infrastructure, information systems and people. We are evolving the culture of the Company as well. I have been excited to see how our teams are questioning and challenging each other. Everyone is stepping up to own our future. While we have made measurable progress these last two years, we will continue to drive to advance our operations to deliver on our goals to exceed $200 million in revenue and achieve low to mid-teen adjusted EBITDA margins by fiscal 2027.”

First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Performance Review (All comparisons are with the same prior-year period unless noted otherwise.)

($ in millions except per share data)

*Graham believes that adjusted EBITDA (defined as consolidated net income before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, other acquisition related expenses (income), and other unusual/nonrecurring expenses), and adjusted EBITDA margin (adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales), which are non-GAAP measures, help in the understanding of its operating performance. Moreover, Graham’s credit facility also contains ratios based on adjusted EBITDA as defined in the lending agreement. Graham also believes that adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per share, which excludes intangible amortization, other costs related to the acquisition, and other unusual/nonrecurring (income) expenses, provides a better representation of the cash earnings of the Company. See the attached tables and other information on pages 10 and 11 for important disclosures regarding Graham’s use of adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share, as well as the reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted net income per share.

Net sales of $47.6 million increased 32%, or $11.5 million. Growth in the defense market, as well as improvements in the commercial aftermarket, more than offset softness in the refining industry and declines in the space market. Aftermarket sales to the refining and petrochemical markets were $9.2 million, up 49%. See supplemental data for a further breakdown of sales by market and region.

Compared with the prior year period, the 63% increase in gross profit and 440 basis point expansion of gross margin reflected higher margin projects, improved pricing, timing of material receipts and improving execution.

Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”), inclusive of amortization, in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $7.3 million, or 15% of sales, up $1.5 million over the prior-year period. Approximately $0.9 million of the increase was attributable to higher performance-based compensation expense, including $0.8 million related to the supplemental performance bonus payout to Barber Nichols employees in connection with the 2021 acquisition.

Net income nearly tripled to $2.6 million, or $0.25 per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income* and net income per diluted share* were $3.6 million and $0.33, respectively, compared with $1.3 million and $0.12 during the same period a year ago.

Cash Management and Balance Sheet

Cash generated from operations in the first quarter was $8.6 million. Cash and cash equivalents on June 30, 2023, were $24.7 million up from $18.3 million on March 31, 2023. Capital expenditures for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 were $1.5 million.

Debt at quarter end was down $0.4 million to $11.3 million compared with March 31, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with its lending agreement with a leverage ratio as calculated in accordance with the terms of the credit facility of 1.6x. At June 30, 2023, the amount available under the revolving credit facility was approximately $26 million to support organic growth initiatives.

Orders and Backlog 

Orders for the three-month period ended June 30, 2023, were up $27.6 million, or 69%, to $67.9 million compared with $40.3 million for the same period of fiscal 2023. Included in orders and backlog is the $13.5 million strategic investment from a major defense customer which the Company announced separately today. The purpose of the investment is to expand its Batavia production capabilities for complex defense components including delivering on $8.5 million follow on orders received from that customer.

Aftermarket orders for the refining and petrochemical markets were $7.9 million in the first quarter fiscal 2024, down from $10.1 million in the first quarter fiscal 2023 and lower than the $9.3 million in orders received in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.

Backlog for the quarter was $322.0 million, up 24% compared with the prior-year period and up 7% compared with the end of the trailing fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Approximately 50% of orders currently in backlog are expected to be converted to sales in the next twelve months and another 25% to 30% is expected to convert to sales over the following year. The majority of orders expected to convert beyond twelve months are for the defense industry, specifically the U.S. Navy.

Christopher J. Thome, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, noted, “The strategic investment we received from our defense customer is recorded in backlog and represents pre-payment on current and potential future orders. The cash investment will be used to expand our capabilities and positions us to meet our customer’s requirements and support the U.S. Navy’s shipbuilding schedule.”

Tompkins promotes Laura Geary to division manager

By Press Release

Press Release:

laurageary.jpg
Photo of Laura Geary
Courtesy of Tompkins

In a celebration of professional growth, Tompkins Community Bank has announced the promotion of Laura Geary to vice president, community banking division manager. A 30-year veteran of the banking industry, Geary will be responsible for overseeing the operations and strategies of 16 retail branches throughout Western New York (WNY), ensuring that the needs of customers in the community are met.

“During her 17 years at Tompkins, Laura has been instrumental in the continued development of our employees and the experience they provide to our customers,” said Diane Torcello, president of Tompkins’ WNY market. “Her strategic thinking is an asset to our clients and the community at large, and we can’t wait to see her continued positive impact in this new role.”

A graduate of SUNY Fredonia, Geary previously served as the training and retail banking manager at Five Star Bank before joining Tompkins in 2006. Most recently, Geary served in the role of vice president, organizational development manager at Tompkins. An active member of her community in Piffard, New York, Geary serves as vice president of the York Central School Board, Secretary of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance, and is a volunteer for Odyssey of the Mind.

Brother and sister team expand photography business with new Downtown studio

By Jazmyne Boozer
iburi photography
Shin Iburi and Akari Lewis-Iburi, the brother and sister duo behind Iburi Photography, now located at 35 Jackson Street in Batavia.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Akari Lewis-Iburi and Shin Iburi are mixing a keen eye for light and shadow and composition to capture the special moments and occasions of area families and couples.

Their success so far has made it possible for the brother and sister team to open a photography studio in Downtown Batavia.

They've been working together as photographers for more than a decade.

Akari Lewis-Iburi was always interested in photography, she said. She took her first photojournalism class in high school and continued photography as a hobby into college. 

It wasn’t until deep into her college career that her brother asked her to go photograph a wedding for the first time. 

“It was the summer of my senior year in college,” Akari recalled. “I was an English major, but I actually wanted to be a journalist. I was really interested in photojournalism. My brother got asked to shoot a wedding, and that was our first wedding together. From there, it kind of snowballed.” 

The pair now owns and operates a photography studio that specializes in weddings, engagements, senior photos, family photos and maternity shoots. Pulling from her journalistic roots, both Akari Lewis-Iburi and Shin Iburi mix the art of being a wallflower and staging engaging photos. Customers can expect to receive images that feel both beautiful and natural. 

Since moving into the new, larger studio space, the siblings hope to install a projector screen within the studio. The pair believes that it will help the couples reminisce about their wedding day in a new way. 

“I want them to feel what they felt on their wedding day,” Akari said. “I want them to look back on that moment and feel those feelings again. It’ll be a nice closure to our working relationship.” 

Akari also plans to make her new studio space a place for communal gatherings. Since experiencing live music has also been one of her passions, she foresees the studio place to host live music nights showcasing local bands and open mic nights. 

“When I was a kid growing up here, there was this cool coffee shop on main street,” she said. “I just want to give a space for original music.”

Iburi Photography is located at 35 Jackson St. in Batavia.

iburi photography
Photo by Howard Owens.
iburi photography
Photo by Howard Owens.
iburi photography
Photo by Howard Owens.
iburi photography
Photo by Howard Owens.
iburi photography
Photo by Howard Owens.
iburi photography
Photo by Howard Owens.
iburi photography
Photo by Howard Owens.
iburi photography
Iburi Photography, located at 35 Jackon St., Batavia.
Photo by Howard Owens.

In fifth year, Vintage Cow Ice Cream now making its own ice cream, expands shop

By Howard B. Owens
Vintage Cow Ribbon Cutting 2023

In the post-COVID world of supply issues, Katie Carpenter and Dana Chamberlain decided the best thing to do was start making their own ice cream for their ice cream shop on Route 98, just south of the Village of Alexander.

So they renovated a barn on the property and turned it into a rustic eatery that not only offers premium ice cream but a limited lunch menu that Carpenter said will grow with time.

While Vintage Cow Ice Cream has been open for five years, the shop is a new member of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, and with the expansion as a reason to celebrate, the chamber -- in connection with the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce -- hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday.

Both women are farmers, and Carpenter said the shop is an extension of their farming businesses.

"I think being able to connect with consumers directly and see that full circle is something I enjoy," Carpenter said. "We all work so hard every day to make a quality product but to be able to actually serve a product to customers and get to know your community and build relationships, that's probably been the most enjoyable."

Carpenter said the shop currently offers about 10 flavors of ice cream in cow-themed sizes such as calf, heifer, and bull, and besides brownies and cream, cookies and cream, and lemon cookie crunch, flavors include minty moo, calf-inated coffee, and the signature flavor, moo tracks, which is sweet cream with fudge and peanut butter cups.

"And starting just today, we're doing a new flavor that we're going to call moo chew, which is bubble gum with bubblegum pieces in it," Carpenter said.

The milk for the ice cream is supplied by Pittsford Dairy, which offers milk with a creamier flavor than many other dairies.

The food menu currently features hamburgers made with beef from both the Carpenter and Chamberlain farms, and Carpenter said as part of the menu expansion, they will offer soups in the winter.

"We plan to be open more year-round now, so we'll close right before Christmas and then open back up about mid-February," Carpenter said.

The Vintage Cow is located at 11105 Alexander Road.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Vintage Cow Ribbon Cutting 2023
Vintage Cow Ribbon Cutting 2023
Vintage Cow Ribbon Cutting 2023
Vintage Cow Ribbon Cutting 2023
Vintage Cow Ribbon Cutting 2023

Local chef smokin' in Corfu with BBQ restaurant and catering service

By Jazmyne Boozer
Nick Rada
Nick Rada and chef at Burning Barrel BBQ in Corfu.
Photo by Howard Owens.

After selling barbecue in front of his house to help locals endure the 2020 pandemic, Nick Rada decided it was time to translate his training and skills with smoked meat and open an authentic Southern BBQ restaurant in Corfu.

It's where his lifelong passion has led him.

“I’ve always had a passion for it. I always would hang out back by my grandfather’s pond. [I would] cook over live fire,” Rada said. 

After years of cooking with fire, Rada found himself in Greenville, S.C., and he said a man nicknamed “Mr. T” showed him old-school southern barbecue. It was there that Rada’s passion for barbecue was solidified. Now, after barbecuing first as a hobbyist, then for those during the pandemic, Rada has opened his own restaurant. 

The restaurant offers catering, limited dine-in services and takeout. 

Diners can enjoy Southern classics like smoked barbecue chicken, pulled pork, chopped beef and more. Rada also takes great pride in not just perfecting his main dishes but his sides as well. Macaroni and cheese, collard greens and tangy cole slaw are fan favorites. 

“It’s about as authentic and true you will get to real barbecue compared to anywhere down south. Even though I’m up in New York State, come on in, and you’ll have good barbecue. I take pride in it.” 

He makes his own sauce, mixing his own sauce that he developed with a store-bought sauce.  The baked beans and potato salad are made from scratch.

He said during the summer, most of his business is catering, and his weekends are frequently booked.

Burnin’ Barrel BBQ is located at 10 E. Main St in Corfu. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. 

Photos by Howard Owens.

burning barrel BBQ Corfu 2023
burning barrel BBQ Corfu 2023
burning barrel BBQ Corfu 2023
burning barrel BBQ Corfu 2023
burning barrel BBQ Corfu 2023

Tompkins Financial promotes Compitello and Rowe to trust counsel

By Press Release

Press Release:

serena-compitello79-31.jpg
Serena Compitello 

Furthering its expertise in the Western New York market, Tompkins Financial Advisors has promoted Serena Compitello and Aaron Rowe to assistant vice president, trust counsel. In this role, Compitello and Rowe are responsible for assisting clients in their estate planning by collaborating with clients' attorneys and other professionals, who need professional advisement in trusts, estate planning, and asset protection.  

“As we see the clientele of Tompkins continue to grow, it is necessary to expand our leadership team to help support our clients in the best way possible,” said James Sperry, Tompkins Financial Advisors senior vice president and managing director for the Western New York market. “Serena and Aaron both bring years of legal experience and we are confident they are the perfect people to help in assisting our clients.”

aaron-rowe_8x10_6884-3-1.jpg
Aaron Rowe

Compitello has held the position of trust counsel at Tompkins Financial Advisors for the past eight months. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Bonaventure University and a Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School and is licensed to practice law in New York. Compitello is a PathStone Housing Action Corporation and PathStone Development Corporation board member and serves on the Membership Committee of the Monroe County Bar Association. Serena has received several past awards: The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal’s Legal Excellence Award – Up and Coming Attorney, 2022; Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2022 and Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2021.

Rowe joined Tompkins Financial Advisors six months ago from Piede Law, LLP, where he served as an associate attorney. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University and a Juris Doctorate from Penn State Dickinson Law School of the Pennsylvania State University. Rowe is licensed to practice law in New York and is a member of the Monroe County Bar Association. He currently resides in Fairport New York, where he lives with his wife and three young children. Outside of his professional work, Rowe enjoys training and organizing youth leaders in the community, even taking a two-year leave from his university studies to volunteer full-time. Rowe is bilingual and has earned the privileged Eagle Scout achievement from the Boy Scouts of America. 

Photos submitted by Michelle Obligado of Tompkins 

Schumer: Affordable dairy products, jobs depend on passage of Farm Bill

By Howard B. Owens
Chuck Schumer Har-Go Dairy Farm Bill 2023
Sen. Charles Schumer addresses the press about the Dairy Margin Coverage program and the 2023 Farm Bill at Har-Go Farms in Pavilion on Monday.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Sen. Charles Schumer traveled to Har-Go Dairy in Pavilion on Monday to warn that without passage of a 2023 Farm Bill, a program that helps dairy farms stay in business could expire in September.

Dairy Margin Coverage, a kind of insurance program that is taxpayer-subsidized but also funded by fees paid by dairy farmers, helps keep milk and cheese prices stable for consumers.

“Loss of the program,” Schumer said, "would cause huge supply chain disruption and market panic, which means less available milk. The price of milk would go way up. So even if you don't even have a farmer in your family, even if you don't even know a single farmer, you will be hurt if this program goes out because the price of milk will go up and all the other things that milk is used in would go up as well. The cost of milk could potentially double."

DMC is a voluntary risk management program for dairy farmers. It pays producers the difference in the price of milk, which is regulated by the federal government, and the cost of feed. It helps ensure that dairy farmers don't suffer catastrophic losses if feed prices rise unexpectedly.  Feed for dairy cows is a commodity with prices set by global markets.  Any sort of international crisis, whether political or environmental, can cause prices to spike.

"We don't want these small farmers to be buffeted about and actually put out of business by international forces that are beyond their control," Schumer said.

Schumer noted that employers such as HP Hood and O-AT-KA Milk Products, along with other businesses in Genesee County that are dependent on the dairy industry, employ more than 1,000 people locally.

"And we all know that milk from happy, healthy Uupstate New York cows tastes better than the milk from anywhere else in the nation," Schumer said.

The Farm Bill, which is renewed by Congress every five years, is in jeopardy because of greater partisanship, with harder lines being drawn, in Washington, Schumer said.

"There's a group of people who just want to just cut all the spending across the board," Schumer said. "Instead of just looking at where the waste is, and keeping good programs like this one. Usually, we prevail. But this year, things are pretty hot in Washington. That's why I'm here. I'm making a big push to make sure this program is sustained."

Shelley Stein, a dairy farmer in Le Roy and chair of the Genesee County Legislature, said maintaining the DMC is critical to the survival of the area's dairy farms, and the cost of the program is just a sliver of the overall spending authorized by the Farm Bill.

"Ninety-eight percent of the Farm Bill is used and directed to programs that feed people in America, and only two percent of that entire bill goes into farm programs,” she said. “So, only two percent of the spending goes to make sure that we can feed the rest of America."

Chuck Schumer Har-Go Dairy Farm Bill 2023
John T. Gould, President and Chairman of the Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. Board of Directors and Owner of Har-Go Farm.
Har-Go is a 250-head dairy operation on South Street Road in Pavilion.
He said, "The critically important Dairy Margin Coverage which provides an effective safety net for New York dairy farmers.  Over the last several months, farmers have struggled to make ends meet, and the Dairy Margin Coverage program has helped to bridge that gap.  An on-time farm bill will ensure that this vital program does not lapse and can continue to help dairy farmers when they need it most.”
Photo by Howard Owens
Chuck Schumer Har-Go Dairy Farm Bill 2023
Sen. Charles Schumer shakes the hand of Genesee County Legislature Chair Shelley Stein and says, "Shelley's a Republican. I'm a Democrat. You hear about a lot of the partisan stuff in Washington. But this is a metaphor. We're not going to let partisanship get in the way of supporting our farmers." Stein responds, "You're right."
Photo by Howard Owens.
Chuck Schumer Har-Go Dairy Farm Bill 2023
Sen. Charles Schumer posses with the Gould family following his press conference in Pavilion on Monday. Har-Go Farms is a fifth-generation dairy farm.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Chuck Schumer Har-Go Dairy Farm Bill 2023
"And we all know that milk from happy, healthy Uupstate New York cows tastes better than the milk from anywhere else in the nation." -- Sen. Charles Schumer
Photo by Howard Owens.

Plug Power awarded low-cost Niagara hydropower allocation by NY Power Authority

By Press Release

Press release:

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees approved economic development awards to three firms that will spur more than $508 million in capital investments and create 205 jobs. 

Included among the approved items are low-cost hydropower allocations to Plug Power, a New York-headquartered hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer, for further development of its Genesee County site. 

The NYPA board also approved low-cost hydropower allocations to facilitate an expansion in Niagara Falls for EnerPlate, an electroplating service provider for grid-scale battery systems, and CWT, a hatching eggs producer for the global poultry industry, expanding in Watertown. 

"New York's growing clean energy infrastructure and local economic development go hand in hand," Governor Hochul said. "The items approved today by the NYPA Board of Trustees will create good-paying jobs and spark hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in communities in Western and Northern New York." 

At today's meeting, the NYPA board approved a 50-megawatt (MW) low-cost Niagara hydropower allocation to Plug Power, located at the Genesee County's Science, Technology & Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP), to support the firm's $387 million green hydrogen fuel production expansion project that will lead to the creation of 19 additional jobs at the location. The firm is underway with its construction of the $290 million green hydrogen fuel production facility at the site that was announced by Governor Hochul in 2021. The expansion project will increase the capacity of the planned hydrogen production from an estimated 45 tons per day to 74 tons per day. The NYPA board also approved an additional 62 MW of High Load Factor power that NYPA will procure for Plug Power on the energy market.

The Power Authority supports Plug Power at three other locations: Slingerlands, which completed construction in January, Latham, and West Henrietta. In total, NYPA supports Plug Power with 272 MW of low-cost power, supporting more than 2,100 jobs throughout the state.

After a dozen years in business, Jagged Edges moves into new, expanded location downtown

By Howard B. Owens
Jagged Edges
Amanda Lowe, with her family, with the Chamber of Commerce scissors, cuts the ribbon on her new location at 4 State St., Batavia.  Her husband is Raymond, and her children are Bentley and Madison,
Photo by Howard Owens

When The Batavian covered the opening of Jagged Edges 12 years ago, owner Amanda Lowe was clearly a bit nervous about opening a business.

"It was a big jump, for sure," Lowe told The Batavian today at the grand opening of her business's new location, 4 State St., in Downtown Batavia. A dozen years ago, she was an experienced hairstylist but had never run her own business before.

This next big step, a more upscale location that moves the business out of a strip mall, is definitely exciting, she said.

"I've learned a lot over the 12 years," Lowe said.  "There's a lot of growth in different areas. But definitely, having a great team of girls to share everything with makes it so much more enjoyable."

In the beginning, it was Amanda and her sister Sarah, who is still with her, and two other stylists who changed locations with her from another hair salon in town where they all rented booths.

Now she has nine employees and an interior at her new location that is more fashionable and inviting.

Regular customers at Jagged Edges over the past decade could definitely see the business growing, and Lowe said she was driven to see it grow and get better.

"I'm definitely a goal-setter," Lowe said. "I like to see that growth, and it was super exciting and so meaningful. Even through ups and downs, and every business has ups and downs, we always continued to grow. That was just all the hard work that goes into it, so it was rewarding to see all that happen."

The new space is something she had her eye on for a while, she said. She was looking for something that flowed better and was better suited to the brand of her business, which specializes in hair coloring and providing just that perfect hairstyle for each customer.

It's a new location with more space, but Lowe said she has no plans to branch out into other lines of business. She knows what she and her team do best.

"We do hair," she said. "We do it well. That's what we like to do, and we work together well."

Previously (from 2011): From dream to reality, Batavia woman opens her own salon

Jagged Edges
Jagged Edges
Jagged Edges
Jagged Edges
Jagged Edges
Jagged Edges

Batavia resident promoted to leadership position by Tops

By Press Release

Press Release:

Kristin Goetz
Kristin Goetz 
Submitted photo

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kristin Goetz to director, center store. 

As director center store, Kristin will be responsible for directing the development, procurement, and merchandising programs for designated categories of center store merchandise to achieve budgeted sales, gross profit, deals and allowances, inventory turns and service levels. She will also work closely with all category managers, asset managers, and pricing analysts in order to maximize support for Center Store categories.

Having joined Tops Markets in 1996 as a cashier, Kristin served as a Store Manager in six locations over a span of 10 years and most recently held the position of category manager, beverage, commercial bakery and sweet goods.

Kristin holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Buffalo and currently resides in Batavia, New York with her children, Carter and Ava.

Edward Jones has new financial advisor for Genesee County

By Press Release

Press Release:

The financial services firm Edward Jones has hired David W. Hall as a new financial advisor for the Batavia - Michael R. Marsh; Robin Ettinger branch office located at 7 Jackson Street. Hall has 3 years of experience in the financial services industry. Hall received a bachelor's degree from UNC at Pembroke. Michael R. Marsh, David W. Hall and office administrator Robin Ettinger can be reached at 585-345-1773. You may also visit their website at EdwardJones.com.

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