Island Dispatch, 1996-11-29

              Island DISPATCH  years "AsthevoiceofTyrand Island** m a ——r : ~ammm ''Dcf Gear/as 2275 Oram) leland Blvd TOWN HAU. SOUARe lalmnd Ommatl a Op.r»r. r CALL 77KLEAN or 773-4114 November 29,1996 20 Pages 650 Vol. 53 • No. 34 (716) 773-7676 Country store rich in history by Deanne Bartha Stepping into Kelly's Country Store at 3121 Grand Island Blvd. on Grand Island during the Christmas season is like entering a Norman Rockwell painting. One gets the sense that they've gone back in time to the Victorian Days of the late nineteenth century. Numerous antiques on display from floor to ceiling surround the carefully chosen merchandise for sale and seem to tell a story in and of themselves. Three generations of the Kelly family whose commitment to the community has enabled them 35 successful years in business have solidified a tradition that goes tmyond Western New York. Customers from as far away as Germany and California will fly into town specifically to purchase Kelly's highly popular homemade chocolates. Southerners who have never heard of sponge candy will make the trek to the Island to buy the delicate and delicious item not available in their part of the United States. Kelly's, a long time advertiser of Niagara Frontier Publications, had a typically humble beginning for their Mom and Pop operation in 1961. Walter and Grace Kelly who raised three children, had come into the business vending candy to various Fairs around New York State and settled into 500 square feet of space out of Uicir borne next to Kelly's present location. Four years later, the rest of the three buildings that stand today were acquired including the historical Number Five little red school house Walter saved from demolition. The small business grew to its current 4,000 square feet. It was with open arms that the Island's government administration at the time welcomed the ambitious couple. To them, Grand Island was a "nice community" and offered a centralized location, according to Walter. "The local supervisor back then was very helpful," Walter noted. Kelly's main building that stands on a former dairy location which later became a chicken farm is built with the 12 by 12 lumber salvaged from a barn on Ransom Road. It was again Walter's way of "relocating some history." Toward the back of the property is the original tower of the first Town Hall that was used as an airplane spotter. Walter is proud to say thai he participated in Grand Island's first Fourth of July Parade in the 19605. -....-,_„, ______,„,„_.,„ I HOLIDAY TRADITION - Zeke Cerrillo listens intently as Santa aus reads from the Island Dispatch at Kelly's Country Store on Grand and Boulevard. The popular Island establishment is celebrating 35 years business this year. At right from left, NFP Publisher Skip Mazenauer, alter and Mike Kelly along with Santa Claus cut the ribbon for the ficial opening of the Christmas season today. Almost 3,000 people >m all over are expected to walk through their doors, (by Deanne Bartha) ON TIME! The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce takes delivery of the 1997-98 Telephone Directory from West Seneca Printing. The phone book will be distributed starting this weekend to every household, apartment and business on Grand Island free of charge. Additional copies can be obtained at the Chamber Office, 773-3651. Sales were handled by Ed McCaffery for West Seneca Printing. From left are committee members Bob Weaver, Jack Ilugill. Chuck Pohlman, Jim Sharpe, Chris Learman and Andy Chambers. Missing from photo is Ron Sipos and Cheryl Incorvia. Motion for funds on the horizon by Christopher Caile The Dispatch learned late Wednesday that Councilman Jim Sharpe plans to place on the agenda of the Town Board meeting within the next few weeks a motion to fund Planning for the Town Center. Other Councilmcn are studying the proposal. If there is agreement, there could be co-sponsors. The motion calls for $20,000 to be taken from unallocated money in the 1996 contingency fund. Only a few weeks remain before these funds would become part of a surplus that would roll over into the 1997 funds. Already questions have been raised by Supervisor James Pax who has recently stated that no funds exist for planning. As a result the motion's introduction has already been postponed. When contacted Councilman Richard Crawford was in the Town CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 CONTINUED ON PACE 10 Cfo/ustmas Countdown 26 DAYS LEFT See cAltagaiio Pontic* XSbi\ f~>L Qlflt Section fi A in tlits issue ______