By Jeff Martin
While Pour Taproom Ellicottville will not open this weekend as was originally forecasted by its owners, Matt Prime and Joe DeCenzo, the business will still have a presence of approximately 90 percent.
“We’re ninety percent finished with it,” Prime said last week, adding that delays, while discouraging, are part of the experience. “We just had some stuff come up that’s put us a little off schedule. Nothing major.”
To celebrate Fall Fest, and what Prime is estimating is now an early December grand opening, there will be food and drink offerings in the parking lot this weekend, located at the former Slopeside Restaurant and the Telemark Hotel. There will be a band on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 2-5pm, possibly on Sunday as well, with gourmet tacos, clothing, and a tap truck. Restrooms will be open in the restaurant as well.
“It should be a good time,” Prime said. “We want first to have a good time and to let people know we’re still coming.”
The taproom concept began with an unplanned encounter in South Carolina during the mid-2010s. Prime and DiCenzo stumbled upon a self-serve taproom in Greenville and were immediately struck by its uniqueness and efficiency. Prime said when they got home, they hashed out the concept while completing other projects and it never left their minds.
Facing setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime and DiCenzo remained determined to bring their vision to life. They scheduled an April 2020 opening date and, well, we all know how that worked out.
Pour Taproom Buffalo opened its doors in 2021 to major success, laying the groundwork for their expansion into Ellicottville.
Pour Taproom Ellicottville will boast a spacious layout accommodating up to 150 people, according to Prime. Upon entering, patrons will start a tab at the counter and receive a VIP pass with a QR code linked to their tab. With 30 taps offering a selection of beverages from New York state and around the world, customers can pour their own drinks and pay by the ounce, allowing for greater flexibility and exploration. For those preferring a more traditional experience, a portion of the bar will remain staffed.
The ordering will be slow-paced and non-pressure, he said. Customers can try different flavors and you can pay by the ounce. In addition to the self-serve concept, Pour Taproom Ellicottville will feature a full menu serving traditional pub fare, catering to both the thirsty and the hungry.