By Kate Bartlett
Visitors and locals alike are familiar with the classic charm and friendly ambiance of The Gin Mill in Ellicottville. The establishment has been an Ellicottville staple for 47 years. With their classic menu, full-service bar and specialty cocktails paired with live music most nights, The Gin Mill is an Ellicottville tradition since 1976.
Brian Rick is the General Manager and has been in the restaurant industry for several years. Growing up in Tonawanda, NY, his parents had a second place in Ellicottville. “I remember spending many weekends here and on the slopes of Holiday Valley. It’s always felt like my second home.” Brian lived in various places around the country, including Chicago and Indiana, before returning ‘home’ to Ellicottville.
His parents, Maribeth and Ed acquired the Gin Mill from close friends in 2007, and Brian has been involved ever since. He assisted in the transition from their old location, at 20 Washington, to their current location at 26 Washington with double capacity and a full stage for live music.
The new location also features The Carriage House, a smaller intimate setting of The Gin Mill featuring a bourbon bar with over 65 bourbons and specialty cocktails in a more private setting. “We designed the new restaurant similar to the original, keeping the classic vibe in a more updated, comfortable atmosphere. We’re a family restaurant celebrating Ellicottville, so we kept that in mind with our décor. The kids love seeing the animals on the walls, and we have ‘Easter Eggs’ of old EVL amongst décor, including pictures of the old village streets and décor from Holiday Valley. We love being a staple in the village and we wanted to help Ellicottville shine through our design.”
“We designed the restaurant with the stage in mind. The Gin Mill features live music almost every night, twice a day sometimes on the weekends, and we wanted it to be a central focus. We love supporting local artists bringing live music to the area. There’s so much local talent and we’re proud to support the arts in this way.” As a musician himself, Brian understands this on a different level. He has played in various bands over the years, but most recently took the Wednesday slot on stage at The Gin Mill after Joe Wagner’s retirement. “We loved having Joe play with us regularly, and he will be missed dearly. But I’m looking forward to this endeavor.” Brian will take the stage playing acoustic hits as a solo act.”
The staff at Gin Mill is dedicated, hard-working and fun. “We have such a tight-knit group of people that it’s fun to come to work. It’s a great group of people and we really enjoy being together. I feel fortunate to work in such a great atmosphere.”
Brian enjoys working in the customer service industry. “I found my niche. I enjoy getting to know people and helping them have a positive experience. I especially enjoy bartending at the Carriage House and making craft cocktails. It’s great chatting with the customers; I’m a people person and I love what I do.”
Stop in to visit Brian and The Gin Mill crew at 26 Washington street. Visit https://www.ellicottvilleginmill.com/ for full menu and https://thevillagerny.com/calendar/ for live music schedule, follow on social media @The Gin Mill, Ellicottville NY.