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Signs posted at Mother's saying restaurant closed for remodeling

By Howard B. Owens

When I was in Mother's for lunch on Friday,  Tim Chugg didn't say anything about closing for remodeling.

He did make a remark that I took as more hyperbole than reality that his frustration with the Ellicott Street situation had him thinking about throwing in the towel.

As of at least yesterday, there are signs up at Mother's saying the restaurant is closed for remodeling. A phone call to Mother's gets you a recording of Tim's voice saying that Mother's is closed and they will advertise when they reopen.

John Ferry, who did and may still own Mother's, is out of the area, I'm told, and I'm not sure how to contact him.  Tim Chugg doesn't have a listed number.

So who knows what's going on, but unless Tim is planning something very different for some part of the store, everything seemed in good shape when I was there.

I'm posting this in the hopes that it brings forward Tim or John to provide more details on their plans.

UPDATE: Tim Chugg left me a voice mail a little while ago. "I don't know why you're trying to bring me forward or John. It's real simple, temporarily closed for remodeling. That's it." When I called Tim back, I asked him what kind of remodeling he was doing and he said, "No comment. It's just what the sign says."

Andrew Erbell

Ah, the time honored "closed for renovations" excuse. I suppose it's possible. On the other hand, if they aren't fixing up the place it would be nice just once to see or hear some honesty though. As far as Sallome's goes, who couldn't have seen that coming as soon as they opened?

Apr 29, 2009, 12:38pm Permalink
jayleigh porter

i had a feeling this was coming too my dad suggested it be open a yr and look it was about 2 yrs ok good for them john still in the area i see him every now and then but hey maybe they are remodleing i wanted some chicken but i guess ill have to go to kfc now

Apr 29, 2009, 12:51pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Gee Howard I wonder what employees know.... There is a chance that it is true but you are rubbing him the wrong way but I doubt it. I think the suprise of the closure and the many Batavians that have enjoyed their food deserve an explanation. Its not his fault (owners) but its a running theme of remodling for months in Batavia.

Apr 29, 2009, 1:54pm Permalink
bud prevost

The Garden Buffet in Leroy, a chinese restaraunt, has been closed for remodeling since 2005. The soy sauce is still on the tables. A totally empty strip mall, that will not see any success because of the new walgreens, and the forthcoming walmart.My fear is it sits vacant and ugly for years to come. Thank goodness for the walgreens, which I hope will generate revenue for the village. I could care less about walmart, as they yet again have set up shop just on the outskirts of a village/city. Yet I am sure they will benefit from our municipal services, like police.

Apr 29, 2009, 1:54pm Permalink
Andrew Erbell

Actually, I started to write about them in my original post but then deleted it. Since you brought it up though, if I recall they closed "for remodeling" the day after either being visited by the health Dept or ICE. It had nothing to do with new stores coming. I'm told Mr. 2nds left due to a faulty roof which the building owners didn't want to repair.

I can remember shopping at the Star Market that was there once upon a time. We loved going there as kids because mom let us have the green stamps to save up for whatever we wanted in the book.

Apr 29, 2009, 2:02pm Permalink
daniel cherry

Yea whatever happened to Pontillos?When is the coffee shop reopening?The used to allow artists to display there?Wow green stamps lol.I rember them barely.

Apr 29, 2009, 2:18pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I think it's reasonable that people want to know what is going on with a popular eatery. I'm sorry Tim doesn't want to be more forthcoming, but I think it's reasonable to raise this as a post on The Batavian and give Tim or John a chance to fill in the details. If they don't want to do that, that's fine, but that just opens the door to speculation.

Apr 29, 2009, 2:29pm Permalink
jayleigh porter

i over heard main st coffee will be reopening within the next month of so i know the old owner and he said deffinalty they should be open by no later then the end of june

Apr 29, 2009, 3:57pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

It's not Main Street Coffee, per se. Rob is going to manage a new coffee shop at the corner of Jackson and Main, associated with Ken Mistler's new gym.

Apr 29, 2009, 5:12pm Permalink
Bob Price

What could he be remodeling?????When he first opened,the interview he did in newspaper,he claimed to have done more than $200k in renovations?????When I saw that amount,I figured he must've had more money than brains-there is no way that he will be able to recoup that initial investment-at the time there was little parking.Then this stupid city goes ahead and designs these asinine curbs that jut out at intersections,eating up more parking spaces.Just look at how many places have bit the dust the past 6 months-Pontillos(at least paper in windows is removed-progress???),Sallomes,Grugnales,the place on the corner of Swan and Ellicott(old Stompers bakery),South Beach-I see Falleti's did a booming business by Town and Country-that is now empty-and has anyone noticed Zigrossi Pontiac lately?Every day I go by it seems like less new vehicles on the lot-alot like when the Ford dealer went out 2 yrs. ago....just how many more businesses will close by year end?I'll make a guess-around 15,and I bet 1 or more of the new stores that opened around Target will be closed by years end....go by any day and see how many cars are at the stores between Target and Lowes....I wonder if anything will ever go into those 2 new buildings in front of Target,besides being parking spots for the snowplows......

Apr 29, 2009, 8:56pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

Ken is gonna turn this town around for the better, and healthier. Im getting excited about the new gym. That is going to be Backbreaking work to get all the equipment out of the old gym, and into the new. I wonder how he is going to do it.

Apr 29, 2009, 9:06pm Permalink
Russ Stresing

Bob,
Its the economy, not the red herrings you're struggling so manfully to haul into the boat.

Are you seriously trying to say that the reason these risk-takers failed is because the city changed the design of the curbs?!?! That's like saying people's houses collapsed because someone farted into a tornado. The reason that local businesses haven't fulfilled their initial promise in the past 6 months is more likely because <b>the whole frickin' world is melting down</b> than because Batavia lost parking spaces.

Zoom out, Hawkeye.

Apr 29, 2009, 9:26pm Permalink
Beth Kinsley

Karen - is Target really leaving? To be honest I was never that impressed. I'd rather shop at Walmart. I think KMart will be the next one to go.

Apr 29, 2009, 9:43pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

Yah Targets prices were so much higher than everywhere else. I wasnt ito impressed either. I had asked George Spinnigen a few years ago to build a full size JC Penny.
I've just heard rumors, but they aren't doing so well.

Apr 29, 2009, 10:29pm Permalink
John Ferry

First of all let me say thank you for all of the concern about Mothers.. so here it is for the record. Mothers is temporally closed while the front display case and steam table is removed and a front counter is built this will accommodate at least 8-10 more guests for dine-in. Also, in the rear of the building a portion is being paved and will have a outside seating area, as ice cream and sandwiches will be served this summer.
Yes, it’s true Mothers like most businesses is struggling to persevere in this troubled economy and could have took the easy way out and closed the doors and been another failed business in our community. However, we have chosen to stay upgrade and reinvest in Batavia and Genesee County.
Once again, let me say thank you for your continued support and watch for our grand re-opening in 2 weeks.

As for the person that thinks I have more money than brains...well, I know my wife would certainly agree with that statement...heck, I agree with you :)

Regards, John Ferry

Apr 29, 2009, 11:10pm Permalink
Lori Ann Santini

Target may be more expensive then both Walmart or Kmart but the quality is alot better. Especially with the infant and childrens sections. I happen to enjoy shopping at Target and will be sad if they leave. The only pet peave I have about Target is that they don't match competitor pricing on the exact item at Walmart or Kmart. They lost a huge sale on Black Friday because of it. I didn't have time to jockey between several stores before work. Target said no and Walmart said sure thing.

Apr 29, 2009, 11:40pm Permalink
Andrew Erbell

Does the renovation mean when I place an order an am told it will be 20 minutes I won't have to sit in my car waiting an additional 20 to 30 for it actually to be done?

Apr 29, 2009, 11:53pm Permalink
Bob Price

No,the curbs aren't why they failed(guess they will open back up)-just wanted to say they are annoying.At least Mother's now has more parking in back-hopefully they can do better business w/the new renovations.I can't believe Kmart is still alive-

Apr 30, 2009, 9:43pm Permalink
John Roach

I think the idea of Target closing came from some of the plaza sales that were posted a few days ago. People tied the sale of the plaza to the sale of Target.

May 1, 2009, 9:55am Permalink
jayleigh porter

i heard they were closing then i heard it was a lie ill just ask my frioend whos the csm there shell know for sure and tell me the truth if they r closing or not i keep asking and they say no its just rumors cuz everyting else in batavia is closing

May 4, 2009, 1:42pm Permalink

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