By Carol Fisher Linn
When you sit down and have a delicious home-made soup and sandwich at EBC (Ellicottville Brewing Company) in Ellicottville, it’s hard to imagine the roles that bright, spacious building served in years gone by. A brew pub today, the building has a rich history dating back to 1892 according to an info sheet in the Taste of Ellicottville cookbook. Peter J Huenerfeld was the first owner of what is now The Ellicottville Brewing Company. He was born in Germany in 1818 and settled to Rochester in 1844. From there he came to Ellicottville and started his Furniture and Undertaking business. He had his business here for 57 years. Now, you’ve got to admit, running both a furniture making and undertaking business at the same time, in the same building, it a bit odd, even laughable.
Street in Ellicotttville has come a long way from it’s roots in 1892.
Eventually, he gave the business to his Son-in-law C.B. Green. Allegedly, there is a sign for the Green business in Balloon’s Restaurant. The small section at the end of the building next to the alley was at one time Raecher’s Contractor and Building Supplies. The one large building was sectioned off servicing various interests; During WWII good old westerns were brought to the silver screen in Ellicottville. It served as a shoe store and pool hall, then later home to The American Legion, Crystal Palace, and Jules and Johnnies Restaurant. Years ago, folks walked out of the corner section with nails and lumber, years later, they carried out fresh confections made by Dina DiPasquali’s sister, Jennifer.
Like many frontier towns which have grown into modern hubs of commerce, Ellicottville has many colorful stories about her buildings, homes and the characters who lived there.
Ellen Sirianni Frank, Vice President of the Ellicottville Historical Society will be offering the next historical tour filled with enchanting stories on September16 during the popular Rock n’ Roll Weekend. Meet at the Historical Society Building at 1pm for a 90-minute walkabout.