Carol Fisher-Linn
Yep, we’ve come a long way….
When I moved to Ellicottville in 1974 with my three children ages 4, 6, and 8, I did so because the school system was highly rated, and my children had spent some years on the slopes at Holiday Valley, so I knew they’d be busy in the winter months. Most importantly, Ellicottville was a charming village where everybody knew your name (great for a single mom). But it was tricky for businesses which were challenged to keep going in the summer/spring/fall months (aka “mud season”). In summer, we locals would gather at The Gin Mill, play Pictionary, and place bets about when the next car would come through town. That was a big summer night in the village! By the early 1980’s things started to boom. More visitors found Ellicottville, more homes were being purchased by our Canadian, Ohio and WNY friends and things started to happen. Yet, that darned “mud season” still kept folks away.
In 1985, restaurant owners and friends, Judy and Ken Roush (Tips Up), Grace and Kevin Kell (Madigan’s) and Bill and Gwen Barrett (Birdwalk) went to Buffalo to see a baseball game and check out a new event called the Taste of Buffalo, then into its second year. They were delighted to find crowds of happy people enjoying mini servings of many restaurant’s specialties on the streets. It was festive, it was positive and the streets were alive and buzzing. “Why not in Ellicottville?” Not sure who of the six said those first fateful words, but as often happens with a seed of a thought, when it is nourished and loved on, things happen. Bringing Mary Fox of the Barn Restaurant into the group of promoters, they held meetings and decided to give it a try. They each pooled fifty dollars for posters and advertising thus created the very first Taste of Ellicottville, 39 years ago. Profit wasn’t the motive. Bringing people to Ellicottville in summer was! And, as with most things “Ellicottville,” it grew!
Year one, they barely broke even. As of year 38, an average of 4,000 visitors take part in the Taste. Visitors, residents … readers all – just think for a moment about the marvelous, wonderful fact that Ellicottville is only one hour from Buffalo or Bemus Point, two from Toronto and Cleveland, Ohio. Our calendar is regularly filled with fun events appealing to people of all ages and stripes. You don’t need to spend a fortune or a day or more traveling to get here. You can play for the day and be asleep in your own bed at night. Or, if you prefer, stay at any of our fine motels or B & B’s. Almost heaven!
It’s impossible to visualize that the Village of Ellicottville (measuring no more than one square mile) is home to over twenty restaurants interspersed among a number of unique and interesting shops on our main and side streets. We are a busy, bustling place! As TV’s Bob Barker always said … “Come on down!” But, come to the Taste early. That way you will have plenty of opportunities to sample restaurant specialties, and return to the restaurant of your choosing for a complete meal later in the day.
And yes, Bob Barker, The Price is Right! Tickets will be sold at only $1 each. “Tastes” run between 2-3 or 6 tickets depending on the size of the sample. Bottled water and specialty non-alcoholic drinks will also be on the menu. Vote for your favorite specialty and watch for our celebrity judges, Buffalo Wing King, Drew Cerza and food critic Madeline Hall (buffalofoodslut) who will be judging a Buffalo inspired dish to showcase the amount of talent our chefs in Ellicottville have.
Now, (drumroll, please!) for the newest addition to this 39-year-old event – 30 people (hurry – spots are already taken) will be treated to The VIP Experience. Here’s how it works: On Saturday, August 10, for $100 each lucky person will receive the following: Food options from each of the participating restaurants as you chill inside the private bar area in the Gin Mill Carriage House from 11am-12pm. Two drink tickets will be included from the menu of options from the Gin Mill. Two additional sheets of food tickets (10 per sheet) for Sunday or later on Saturday. And two charcuterie boards and wine tasting, all the while keeping cool at Villaggio from 12:30-1:30. Go to the Ellicottville chamber website to secure your tickets. Ellicottvilleny.com
Come early, stay late or stay over. Join us both days – August 10-11. The Village now offers a Village Parking Lot behind Martha Street, offering you free, safe, lighted parking, handicapped spots, and quick access to the village. Ellicottville has never been better!