Photo by Tom Rivers – Ellen J. Goods recently put up a sign on Main Street that includes a chair. The Village Planning Board hasn’t approved the sign, but could during its meeting next month.

MEDINA – The Village Planning Board and Code Enforcement Officer Marty Busch may update guidelines for signs that includes colors, façade changes and other information about the looks of the buildings.

The board and Busch said some building owners are putting up signs without first getting village approval. The board doesn’t want businesses to incur added costs by re-doing signs, but board members said they should be consulted on signs.

The issue was raised last week when the board reviewed an application for a sign at 433 Main St. The sign for Ellen J. Goods, a business with vintage furniture and antiques, already has been installed and includes a chair attached to the sign.

Planning Board members tabled the application because they wanted to see what the sign looks like during the daylight. Signs need a certificate of appropriateness from the Planning Board when the signs are in the historic downtown business district.

Board members said they aren’t necessarily opposed to the sign. A few other sites have projecting elements as part of their signs, including one with a sewing machine and a barber pole. Some historic photos of Medina show businesses with horse shoes and a giant sneakers attached to signs.

Planning Board member Todd Bensley said the board should work to develop a booklet with design guidelines. The board has talked about that initiative for about three or four years.

Medina has connected with National Main Street Center about becoming an official “Main Street” program. Albion, Lockport and Lyons currently have adopted the Main Street initiatives. Busch said the National Main Street Center could work with Medina to update design and preservation standards for the downtown.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated from a previous version that implied Medina does not have sign standards.

MEDINA – Village planning officials want to update the zoning for the downtown business district to allow for wineries, breweries and micro-breweries.

The village zoning currently doesn’t state that wineries and breweries are an allowed use in the downtown. That doesn’t mean they are currently prohibited. A project would require a special use permit and extra scrutiny under the current code.

The Planning Board has been discussing the zoning change since December. Planning Board members and Code Enforcement Office Marty Busch have reached out to other communities with wineries and breweries in their business districts.

“We’re gathering information and we have some good information coming in,” Busch said at last week’s Planning Board meeting.

He wants to get a sense of sales volume and parking needs at wineries and breweries in downtown business districts.

Planning Board member Todd Bensley said he wants any zoning changes to include provisions against odor and noise that could be a deterrent to other businesses.

“We need to protect the integrity of the downtown business district,” Bensley said. “It can be a positive if it’s done right.”

Busch said the village has been approached about a winery and brewery in the downtown. He also thinks the village should look at allowing wineries and breweries on the Maple Ridge Road corridor.

The state Legislature and Gov. Cuomo last year approved an expansion of the Niagara Wine Trail through Orleans County to Rochester.

“Medina is a in a good place with the expansion of the wine trail,” Busch said.

File photo by Tom Rivers – Students from Oak Orchard Elementary School helped plant trees along West Avenue in Medina during an Arbor Day celebration last April 26.

MEDINA – The village’s Tree Board has a plan for 62 new trees along Gwinn Street this spring, part of the village’s ongoing effort to plant new trees on the major arteries in Medina.

The new trees will go north of the driveway leading to the middle school to James Street.

“This will really be a nice impact on that street,” said Chris Busch, the Tree Board chairman.

He is talking with a possible donor about planting a lot of trees on Park Avenue as well.

The National Arbor Day Foundation has given Medina a “Tree City Growth Award” and has designated the community a “Tree City USA” for its commitment to planting trees every year.

Medina last year planted 60 trees, with most of those on Main Street, West Avenue and Park Avenue.

The village made a commitment about a decade ago to add trees after many mature trees were removed in infrastructure projects or fell down due to storms.

Medina is first focusing on the heavily trafficked streets and will then move to the side streets for the tree planting program, Busch said. After this year, Gwinn Street will be nearly done with tree plantings.

“We’ve made incredible progress the last 10 years,” he said during Tuesday’s Planning Board meeting, when that board endorsed the tree planting plan for 2014.

Busch is also the Planning Board chairman. He was praised by Planning Board member Marguerite Sherman for the impact the new trees are having in the community.

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Kwik Fill gas station on Pearl Street in Medina will be upgraded, including a new canopy.

MEDINA – The Kwik Fill gas station at 118 Pearl St. will get a new canopy and the gas pumps will be upgraded, according to a proposal by the site’s owner, Petroleum Services Inc. of Hilton.

“We are proposing to upgrade the existing facilities at this location to provide a better experience for our customers and the residents of the village of Medina,” George Marek, Petroleum Services owner, said in a Dec. 17 letter to village officials.

The Village Planning Board discussed the application on Tuesday. It was referred to the Orleans County Planning Board for its Feb. 27 meeting. The Village Planning Board could give a final vote of approval for the project on March 4.

Residents can comment on the project during a 7:05 p.m. public hearing on March 4 at City Hall.

The site currently does not have a canopy to provide protection from the weather for customers. The new canopy will also have lights to improve the safety for customers, Marek said.

Petroleum Services will reduce the gas dispensers from four to two. With four dispensers, “you’re jamming too much on the lot,” Marek told the Planning Board.

The concrete pads and gas piping also will be upgraded as part of the project.

Courtesy of Village Planning Board – Petroleum Services submitted this rendering on how the new canopy will look at the Kwik Fill gas station.

Photos by Sue Cook – Rock Paper Salon moved in August 2013 from Pearl Street to its new space at 409 Main St.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

MEDINA – Downtown Medina has evolved into a place where new businesses strive to be considered cool and unique. Fitting in comfortably among these shops is Rock Paper Salon.

Owner Yvonne Flores opened three years ago in Medina and moved into the downtown in August. Rock Paper offers more than hair cuts. Besides a full-service salon, her shop is home to a clothing and accessory boutique called [resurrection] that sells repurposed clothing for both men and women. Flores refers to it as “buy.sell.trade.”

“The shop symbolizes a place of rejuvenation and transformation,” she said.

A Buffalo native, she says her love of styling hair comes from her mother, but her choice to open in Medina came because of her husband. He was a Medina native and she fell in love with the area and wanted to bring in a touch of Buffalo. Fashion is also a passion of hers, which prompted her to open the boutique portion of the business.

“I was a sales rep for many years for a dentistry company,” she said. “I wasn’t happy with my job though, so when dentistry sales began to move online, I went back to school for hair. It was the perfect opportunity. Knowing the foundation of what business is about from my former job helped.”

Casey Coleman is one of Flores’ customers. Coleman first went to Flores for help fixing a botched highlighting job from another salon. Ever since, she returns to Rock Paper for all her hair appointments.

“She’s an artist,” Coleman said. “I come from Rochester to visit my family here in Medina and at the same time I make an appointment to come see Yvonne.”

The accessories in the boutique receive a unique display to showcase each item.

The [resurrection] boutique offers specially selected clothing that focuses on trendy current fashion.

The salon captures a hipster aesthetic through the use of furniture being given a second life.

Flores offers coffee and tea to clients during their services as well. She is the sole stylist for the salon, ensuring quality, consistent service to all her customers.

“I just drop off the kids at my mom’s, come do some shopping, get my hair done, and leave looking fabulous,” Williamsville resident Megan Hungerford said. “This is such a fresh spot for this area.”

The [resurrection] boutique in the back portion of the space offers sophisticated clothing purchased by three professional shoppers. The clothing runs up to a size 14 with some exceptions if something particularly awesome is found. The items are unlike anything sold in stores and fit the fashion-forward, trendy vibe that many associate with upscale city looks.

“You have to grab it or it’s gone,” said employee Megan Fuller.

Besides being individually purchased, the merchandise is sometimes changed out for other reasons.

“We change the clothing out to remain seasonal and on trend,” Fuller said. “This is not a thrift store. This is much more sophisticated.”

Rock Paper Salon was one of the stops on Saturday’s Wine About Winter event in Medina, which was a sell-out with 750 patrons. Many of them told Flores her shop felt like a super chic space found in a city.

“This is an urban sanctuary,” Flores said. “The space caters to a lifestyle that craves creativity, edginess, and a progressive attitude.”

Rock Paper also thinks green by repurposing as much as possible. A significant portion of the shop includes restored furniture, antiques such as counter trays for salon products, and even upcycled crates and palettes for displays and storage. The salon itself uses mostly Davines hair products, which are sustainable and natural and also come in sustainable packaging.

On top of that Rock Paper participates in a program in California that takes hair clippings from the floors of salons nationwide and creates carpet-like material out of them to use for cleaning up oil spills.

“It’s just another way to repurpose and get use out of something that would normally go to the trash,” Flores said.

The shop is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (716) 553-0900 or check the business’ facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Rock-Paper/210920982273409.

Courtesy of smartDESIGN architecture PLLC – United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia is proposing to tear down the former Pizza Hut in Medina and construct a 4,300-square-foot building on Maple Ridge Road.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina Planning Board tonight approved the site plan for a new women’s healthcare site on Maple Ridge Road, a project that will tear down the former Pizza Hut and replace it with a new 4,300-square-foot building.

Construction could start between March 15 to April 1, Todd Audsley, project manager for smartDesign architecture in Batavia, told village Planning Board members.

“The hospital and the building owner want to get rolling,” Audsley said at the meeting.

United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia will be the tenant at the site with developer Chad La Civita of Buffalo the owner of the site. The new building will be next to McDonalds.

The Batavia hospital has been providing women’s health services at 100 Ohio St., space owned by Medina Memorial Hospital. Medina closed its birthing wing in July 2011. UMMC now delivers more than 100 babies a year to Orleans County women.

The site at 100 Ohio St. is cramped for space, said Colleen Flynn, UMMC’s director of community relations. The new site will have more space for doctors, patients and staff. UMMC provides obstetrics, gynecological care and other health services. The project includes 28 parking spaces.

The new building will be close to the eastern side of the property. Pizza Hut was in the middle of the property.

The village code requires a 20-foot side setback for the parking area. UMMC is proposing a 12-foot side setback. The project will go before the village Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday.

The building is planned to have a dark blue metal roof.  The more prominent exterior sides of the building will be brick, while the eastern and northern sides are a split-faced block. Those walls will have varied colors and textures.

The Planning Board would like to see colors for the bricks and blocks before construction begins. The board also wants to know if there will be a pylon sign or a monument sign in front. The board didn’t want to hold up the project and gave conditional approval.

UMMC and La Civita were eyeing the former K & K site owned by Reid Petroleum for the project. But environmental tests showed some concerns with that property, prompting them to look at the former Pizza Hut.

Planning Board members said the Pizza Hut site is a better fit for the health care site.

“It will be a nice addition,” Planning Board Chairman Chris Busch said.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Issac Robinson, a former combat medic who now owns Robinson’s Redemption in Albion and Medina, holds a container of tickets while Paul Fulcomer, director of the Joint Veterans Council, pulls the winning ticket today.

ALBION A former combat medic who served in Afghanistan and Iraq with the U.S. Army is trying to raise money for the Joint Veterans Council in Orleans County.

Issac Robinson, owner of Robinson’s Redemption in Albion and Medina, welcomes customers to donate returned cans and bottles for the Veterans Council. He has a bin for those cans.

Robinson also is selling tickets for monthly prize raffles. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the Vets Council to help them purchase an upgraded van. The Council runs a transportation service, with volunteer drivers and office staff working with veterans to get them to their medical appointments.

The Council has six vans for the service and some of them have topped 100,000 miles. Paul Fulcomer, director of the Joints Veteran Council, said the group has raised about $10,000 towards a low-mileage van. He expects that will cost $16,000 to $17,000.

He thanked Robinson for agreeing to ongoing fund-raisers for the council.

“It’s veterans taking care of veterans,” Fulcomer said about Robinson, who served two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

Robinson expects he will be able to raise $1,000 or more this year for the council. He also promotes the cause inside his business, which Fulcomer said provides a consistent reminder to Robinson’s customers about veterans.

Robinson, who was stationed out of Fort Drum, wants people to be more mindful of the sacrifices by veterans and their families.

“This will help people think about that we have service men and women who have sacrificed their quality of life,” he said.

Robinson said other businesses or residents are welcome to donate raffle prizes to help generate ticket sales. For more information, stop by his business on Route 31 near Wal-Mart or in Medina at 306 East Center St.

For more information about donating towards a newer van for the Vets Council, contact Fulcomer at (585) 589-3219.

Group has several performances in February and March

Provided photos – The Medina Winterguard members competed in Orchard Park on Saturday and finished in third place.

The Pony Guard includes fifth- and sixth-graders.

Press release
Medina Marching Band

MEDINA – The Medina Winterguard, which is part of the Medina Marching Band program, competed at Orchard Park on Saturday in the Scholastic A classification, and took third place (63.57) out of four in that class.

The Winterguard season began in November with auditions and practices. The Varsity Guard includes 25 students in grades 7 through 12. This year’s show is “Dance of the Dolls” with music selections by Shostakovich, Adele and the Hollywood String Orchestra.

Winterguard is under the direction of Jim Steele and Cheri Pritchard. The show was designed by Vincent Monacelli and Kristen Costa, choreographed by Costa and Matt Winans, and instructed by Diana Baker. Winans and Baker are both Medina graduates.

The Winterguard performance schedule is Feb. 15^th at Liverpool, Feb. 22 in Medina, March 1 at Lancaster, March 8 at Marcus Whitman, and March 22 at Holley, with the championships on March 29 at Brockport State College.

The Pony Guard consists of 34 students in grades 5 and 6 and their show this year is “Roar” with music selection by Katy Perry. The show is designed, choreographed and instructed by Patti Page, also a Medina graduate. This group will perform at Medina’s home show on Feb. 22.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Schwenk’s Wine Cellars in Kent pours wine during today’s Wine About Winter, which sold out with 750 participants. Schwenk’s was in the basement of the Bent’s Opera House.

George Lama prepares to take a photo of a group that spent the afternoon at Wine About Winter in Medina. There were 26 locations offering samples of wine. The Medina Business Association planned the event.

The Medina Theatre hosted three bands for Wine About Winter, including the Moon Hunters. Evan Anstey of Middleport, left, leads the band in this song. He is joined by Dave Blumrick of Medina, center, and Zach Busch of Medina, right. Cort McKernan plays the drums.

Zach Busch, right, plays the guitar. He also sings and plays the trombone for the Moon Hunters. Other bands that performed today included The Capitals and the Mercury Blues Band.

750 sample wine from 26 locations in downtown

Photos by Sue Cook – John R. Smith pours Chocolate Obsession for a curious taster. 

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

MEDINA – Wine About Winter started out perfectly picturesque this afternoon as the snow fluttered down Main Street in Medina. The weather didn’t dampen the spirits of anyone attending the event, either.

The wine-tasting event was a sell-out with 750 people going door to door at the 26 participating Medina businesses to sample wines from Orleans County and the Niagara region.

This group of women came out to experience the day together.

Della’s Chocolates was a popular spot and drew in consistent business. Owner Susan Fuller commented, “We’re having some newcomers and some repeat customers. It’s about fifty-fifty.”

Featured in Della’s was the Victorianbourg Wine Estate from Wilson, serving samples of a chocolate wine called Chocolate Obsession. John R. Smith, sales and event manager, said that the Medina Business Association paired him with Della’s and it couldn’t be a better day for both of them.

“The two liquor stores in Medina carry our wines,” he said. “They’re a pleasure to work with. This event is giving us good reception.”

Jerod Thurber, right, gave samples of Leonard Oakes’ Traminette, a dry wine. The winery wanted to offer a different flavor compared to the many sweet, semi-sweet, and semi-dry wines brought by other wineries.

Jerod Thurber of Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina also holds a place on the Medina Business Association. He said that even though the event is a great reminder for locals about Leonard Oakes, it is much more beneficial to Medina merchants.

“It’s a way of spotlighting businesses,” he said.

Wine About Winter brings people back to downtown Medina who may not have been there in a while.

“It’s like a family reunion,” Thurber said.

Paul Schwenk, owner of Schwenk Wine Cellars in Kent, loves the attention that it provides for the area, even outside of Medina.

“There are a lot of people who don’t know where Albion is,” he said. “There’s also a lot of people who don’t know where Kent is.”

RG Lama Studios was in the basement of the Bent’s Opera House taking pictures of groups that wanted to capture the fun from the day using props such as giant sunglasses, blow-up guitars, and crazy hats.

“We are getting a mix of people who don’t know us, and this is a great way to spread word about our services,” Renee Lama said.

It was smiles all around for this group of happy wine samplers.

The businesses had to obtain a one-day liquor license for the event to allow a winery into their store. All of the wines are available for purchase at Main Liquor. Dianne Burns, store manager, said this is the busiest festival Main Liquor participates in each year.

“People look forward to it each year,” she said. “It gives you a chance to see what each store has to offer.”

Rock Paper Salon owner Yvonne Flores made a similar remark.

“This is an opportunity for anyone who would like to come in to who would feel awkward without making a hair appointment, or just aren’t comfortable walking into unfamiliar shops,” she said.

The Medina Business Association sold t-shirts to also commemorate the event.

Sebastian Bonk, employee of Just What The Doctor Ordered, said it was a great day for people discovering the shop, which has a small unassuming entrance, but inside is a large store with many upscale items to offer, including chic hats and beautiful furniture.

“This helps to spark business,” Bonk said. “It gets the energy up. It’s a great flow of people who give that great energy.”

The snowy start didn’t stop a large line from waiting in the cold for their event glasses.

Photos by Sue Cook – Art & Soul is located at 410 N. Main St. next door to the Zambistro restaurant.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

MEDINA – The American lifestyle is all about doing everything in a New York minute and taking very little time to recuperate from the stresses of the everyday. Art & Soul in Medina offers a space to help people step out of all that. Owner Donna Bryant says it is the area’s first expressive healing arts studio lounge.

The front of the store is a boutique area selling whimsical primitives and handmade gifts. All of the fiber merchandise such as hats and handbags are handmade from natural materials. There is also natural tea for sale that can be sampled during monthly tea tastings on the third Thursday of every month.

The back of the space is where things get really interesting. Classes will be offered to teach basic techniques on the looms, spinning wheels, or sewing machines for crafts that attendees can then try out using studio equipment.

Students of the studio can learn techniques ranging from Saori weaving to what Bryant calls mindful, intuitive sewing. The equipment also can be used at other times besides classes to allow for a creative space when someone needs to take some quiet time.

Looms are available for anyone who would like to try out the craft without having to purchase large, expensive equipment at home.

Bryant says the studio offers an atmosphere that allows for healing with low meditative music and a helping hand whenever someone would like assistance. She thought of starting the studio when she was recovering from spinal surgery. During that time, she made craft items as a type of rehab for herself and wanted to pass the healing onto others.

She sees her shop as a therapeutic venue without the concerns of perfection and judgment from others. It is about overcoming the fear of trying something new and making things for the sake of personal enjoyment. Perhaps you may never make a perfect item on a loom, but if you enjoy the process then that is what is most important, Bryant said.

“Try it,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. You can have as many beginnings as you want.”

Most of the fibers available are quality material such as wool. However, Bryant also offers acrylic yarns that are great for children or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot if they are uncertain about the craft. She said classes will be offered that will appeal to children eight years old up to adults. She plans to offer one-day events to let people get a taste of the craft, but also plans to offer classes that could run once or twice a week for several weeks.

An array of colorful materials are available for making crafts in the fiber studio lounge.

Children can work on simple crafts such as basic potholders. Teens can look forward to a Project Runway-style fashion show, interior decorating, altered couture to help change up their wardrobes, and needle felting. Other classes she plans to offer include hand-dyeing fabrics, basket weaving, quilting, and making simple handbags.

Bryant is also looking for people in the community who would be willing to teach classes on other fiber topics. She would love to hear from knitters, crocheters, and anyone else who would like to share their ideas for classes. She wants her business to be used as a healing vehicle and a draw for the area. If there is enough interest she said she would expand to include classes for people with disabilities.

“There’s nothing like this in Rochester or Buffalo,” she said.

The only places she has seen that offer this service have been in places such as Texas, California, and New York City. She wants her business to be known as a studio focused on intuitive creativity and engaging in something fun and different, rather than just a place to shop.

Art & Soul is currently open on Saturdays, although appointments can by made by calling (585) 798-4980 or (585) 318-4314. It will be open during Wine About Winter on Feb. 1. It will also have a free tea-tasting event called Cherubs & Chocolate on Feb. 9 that requires registration by phone.

Provided photo – New homeowners, Ramon and Vera Mendez-Hernandez, receive the keys to their new home from Habitat President Kay Van Nostrand, right.

Press release, Habitat for Humanity

MEDINA – Orleans Habitat for Humanity recently dedicated its 14th house when the organization officially presented the house keys to the new homeowners, Ramon and Vera Mendez-Hernandez.

The dedication service on Jan. 5 was led by Pastor Margie Eason and Habitat President Kay Van Nostrand. A group of nearly 30 family, friends, and volunteers were on hand for the celebration. Joining Ramon and Vera as part of the partner family are their niece, Valentina, and their nephew, Charles.

The home, located at 104 West Oak Orchard Street in the Village of Medina, was donated to the local Habitat affiliate in 2011. A long and extensive rehabbing of the house and property transformed a small, unoccupied house into a beautiful three-bedroom home for the partner family.

A dedicated group of volunteers helped with the project, including the BOCES Building Trades classes, Community Action, GCASA and individual volunteers led by Construction Coordinator Dave Miller and Habitat President Kay Van Nostrand.

Orleans Habitat is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, International. The local organization is now considering options for its next project under Habitat’s Brush with Kindness program.