Richard Sarrero, who helped start Shirt Factory Café, leads new venture in downtown

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Staff of Factory Espresso at Hart, which opened in the Newell Building at 113 West Center St., include from left: owner/general manager Richard Sarrero and baristas Riley Tompkins, Katie Hilobuk and Tatianna Mason.

MEDINA – The building formerly known as Newell Shirt Factory has a new tenant brewing up business under its roof.

Richard Sarrero, who owns the building with local attorney Andrew Meier, has opened Factory Espresso at Hart, serving espresso, breakfast and lunch.

Factory Espresso opened for business on June 1 and is slowly growing. The business added a breakfast and lunch menu this week and plans to release a full menu next week.

The current menu includes some old favorites from the Shirt Factory Café, such as the Bob Hope and Rich Little sandwiches.

The espresso menu features the basic flavors, along with specialty drinks, such as Ube latte (a sweet and nutty root vegetable, also known as a purple yam), blackberry lavender white mocha and muddled mint and pistachio.

Factory Espresso also offers online ordering as well as curb service.

“If you call in your order, you can pull up in front, put on your four-way flashers and we will run it out to you,” Sarrero said.

A lot has evolved at the Shirt Factory in the last few years, but Sarrreo is quick to mention more is in the works.

Richard Sarrero, owner/general manager of Factory Espresso at Hart, watches barista Katie Hilobuk prepare a drink.

The Newell building has undergone a number of major changes since Meier purchased it in 2005. His first step was to open the Shirt Factory Café in 2007.

He would later remodel the entire building, creating offices on the second floor for the law firm of Webster, Schubel and Meier and two hotel rooms, and hotel rooms on the third floor.

The hotel rooms are known as Hart House Hotel, after the hotel which existed there from 1876. The Hart House Hotel served guests until 1918, when Robert H. Newell established his high-end shirt business there. The business would exist in some form until 2004.

 Sarrero entered the picture in 2013.

 “I needed something fresh in my life, and was looking for a career change,” Sarrero said.

 He purchased the Shirt Factory from Meier and had started a wine bar in back, which they closed and then opened the Boiler Room in space that actually was the boiler room for the shirt factory.

In 2015, 810 Meadworks opened where Factory Espresso is now and leased space for the Beegarten in back as a performance venue. Sarrero at that time added a juice and smoothie bar to the Shirt Factory Cafe.

 In 2018, Medina natives Scott Robinson and his wife Alix Gilman decided to return home from Washington, D.C. and were looking for a place to open a craft cocktail lounge in town.

“It all happened at the right time,” Gilman said. “Rich needed a change and Scott and I were looking for a spot to open a cocktail bar.”

At that time, a barber and a knitting store once occupied two spaces in the building.

Covid raised havoc with the Shirt Factory (Café had been dropped) and business became strictly takeout. 810 Meadworks moved from the downtown site to Leonard Oakes Estate Winery on Ridge Road in Medina. The knitting store moved out in 2020, while the barber had left some time before. Sarrero and Baillie McPherson had a beauty salon in the Shirt Factory, before moving to a larger space on Main Street. They were the last business to occupy the space which is now Factory Espresso.

The Shirt Factory is still in business as a cocktail lounge, operated by Gilman’s brother, Christopher Kozody. It is open from 3 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, serving craft cocktails and a variety of elevated bar food and small plates. They are also open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, serving brunch.

Gilman called it a “Boozy Brunch,” featuring mimosas and Bloody Mary’s.

She is happy to see Sarrero has opened Factory Espresso at Hart.

“It’s exciting to see Rich back doing what he loves,” Gilman said. “It completes the building and serves as an amenity to the hotel.”

‘Zucchini 500’ returns July 20, July 27

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Here is a sampling of some of the creative zucchini race cars youth made at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market Saturday. The event returns the next two Saturdays.

MEDINA – The Canal Village Farmer’s Market debuted a new event Saturday morning, aimed at attracting more children to the market, while entertaining the crowd.

Market manager Gail Miller got the idea for zucchini races at a meeting of the Farmers’ Market Federation of New York.

“I thought it sounded like fun, and checked it out on YouTube,” Miller said.

(Left) Dave Miller gives two zucchini race cars a trial run to check out the track he built, before the competition starts at Medina’s Canal Village Farmer’s Market Saturday. Fifteen youth participated in the first-time event. (Right) Bishop Stanton, 9, checks out a zucchini race car before beginning to build his own.

Miller’s husband Dave likes to design things and volunteered to make the race track. It ended up being quite an intricate project, with a finish gate and electronic switch. He spent a month working on it, Gail said. He ordered the wheels and metal axles.

Then the Millers canvassed the stores for accessories for the race cars. Children who registered for the race Saturday had a container full of feathers, stickers, flags, flowers and assorted vegetables from which to choose to decorate their cars.

“The turnout for the first Zucchini 500 was more than I expected,” Gail said of the 15 entrants. “I am so pleased. The great thing was that both children and parents had a lot of fun making their zucchini racers and then racing them.”

Axel Godfrey, 10, and his sister Mazie hold their completed zucchini race cars before entering them in the race.

Also helping with registration of racers and putting a race car together was Barb Jantzi, who is a regular volunteer at the market.

The zucchini races will continue at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market on July 20 and 27.

One entrant, Axel Godfrey, 10, said it was fun making the race car and he will do it again.

Certificates were awarded for the fastest car, best looking and the best crash.

Gail said she still hasn’t figured out the prizes, but children who enter all three weeks may get special recognition.

The races begin at 10 a.m. each Saturday and last until 1:30 p.m.

(Left) Brae Dilorenzo, 10, and Bishop Stanton, 9, are ready for the zucchini race to begin. (Right) Dave Miller’s brother-in-law Bon Bargiel, who was visiting from Westminster, S.C., got roped into weighing the zucchini race cars.

Ken Daluisio hailed for championing community, small businesses

File photo by Tom Rivers: Ken Daluisio is pictured inside The Print Shop in September 2016, when the expanded to the former Bernie’s Laundry at 124-126 E. Center St., Medina. Daluisio won the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Phoenix Award for the ambitious renovation in Medina’s downtown.

By Ginny Kropf and Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Ken Daluisio had just finished another busy day at The Print Shop on Thursday when he turned off his computer at 4:30 p.m. and was eager to head over to State Street Park for a blue’s concert.

Daluisio and his business are the main sponsors of the concerts, which typically bring at least 800 people to Medina.

But Daluisio collapsed from an apparent heart attack. Medina firefighters attempted to revive him, but were unsuccessful.

News spread of Daluisio’s death at age 59, leaving many saddened and in shock. Daluisio worked with many business owners, organizations and authors, producing signs, books and other materials.

He dispensed advice and encouragement, as well as providing a product.

“He was one of my best friends, and this is very hard, not only on me, but the entire community,” said Cindy Robinson, owner of The English Rose Tea Shoppe. “Ken was with us from the beginning of Medina’s comeback. Our sound system downtown was Ken’s idea and he spearheaded its installation. He was always there when you needed things done. He was full of ideas. He was an all-around wonderful man, devoted to his community, and I will miss him.”

It was Daluisio, along with Chris Busch, who came up with the idea of Blue Thursday concerts in State Street Park. The Print Shop was and will continue to be the major sponsor.

“Over many years, Ken and I have collaborated on so many projects, I couldn’t name them all,” Busch said. “He was generous to a fault, inspired and creative in his thinking, and a constant force for good in his community. Many a great project was hatched during one of our many afternoon conversations at his shop. His energy for the community was infectious, and I totally shared his desire to create projects that were meaningful, credible and done with professional perfection. He was one of the best of collaborators. Ken didn’t seek the spotlight. His satisfaction came from seeing the fruits of his labors benefit the community he loved.”

Provided photo: The Print Shop owner Ken Daluisio, center, poses with his right-hand men, Micheal Fuller and Dameon Holtfoth.

“Blue Thursdays was one such collaboration,” Busch continued. “Each week, he was so immensely grateful to see huge crowds of people we managed to attract – often many new to Medina – traveling here and enjoying the community. With everything Ken did, he wanted to showcase Medina in the best possible way. And he did just that, every week with Blue Thursdays and with so many other ventures. He wanted people to come away from their visit to Medina thinking, ‘Wow! What a great town. I’ll be coming back.’ Nothing made him happier.”

Darlene Hartway, Chamber director, posted this message on Facebook: “It is with a heavy heart that the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce announces the passing of Kenny Daluisio of the Print Shop in Medina. He was a long-time member of the Chamber and a beloved person in our community. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

Jim Hancock, chairman of Medina’s Tourism Committee and the Parade of Lights, said Daluisio was a big supporter of the Tourism Committee and efforts to promote Medina.

“He really got behind us and supported our events,” Hancock said. “He was very good at his craft. He made all the banners, posters and flyers for Medina’s events. He had a wonderful business sense. He was a great community member.”

Daluisio first opened The Print Shop in 2004, and in March 2015 he acquired the building which housed Bernie’s Laundry on East Center Street. He then led an ambitious renovation of the site that earned him the Chamber of Commerce’s Phoenix Award in 2016.

When doing renovations for the expansion, Daluisio needed 13 dumpsters to haul out laundry machines and dryers, as well as the old floor, ceiling, partition walls and other debris.

The building was stripped down to four bare walls and then rebuilt with new floor, a roof, electrical system and other upgrades.

The overhauled space allowed Daluisio to add the latest state-of-the art equipment. He was a perfectionist in his field, and dedicated to providing the best and most affordable service to his customers.

Daluisio suffered a heart attack about two weeks before his death and was hospitalized to have stents put in. He was discharged with orders to go home and rest. However, he couldn’t stay from The Print Shop.

Two of Daluisio’s top employees, Micheal Fuller and Dameon Holtfoth, are expected to continue The Print Shop.

The men are in shock, but committed to continuing the business as Daluisio would have wanted.

Ken Daluisio holds a T-shirt with a four-color design that was printed in the basement of The Print Shop. Contractors needed seven dump truck loads to remove all of the debris from the basement before it was turned into usable work space.

Fuller has worked there just shy of 10 years, having started when he was a junior in high school.

“My father took me down there and asked Ken if he would give me a job,” Fuller said. “I swept floors and carried out the garbage, but soon I was answering phone, taking orders and offering to cut paper for customers. The start of my senior year, I missed a week because I wanted to quit and work in The Print Shop. Ken said if I didn’t finish school, he would let me go. I owe him a lot. I knew this was what I wanted to do.

“Ken wasn’t a boss,” Fuller added. “He was more like a dad. At times I wished he was more of a boss, but then I appreciated when he was like a dad, because it showed how much he cared. To him, this wasn’t a business. It was one of his kids.”

Holtfoth has worked there four years and shares the same respect for Daluisio.

“I came from a career in customer service and wanted a change,” Holtfoth said. “Ken drew me right in and taught me along the way. We also became friends outside of work. Mike and I thank the community for their support right now. Ken’s main goal was giving back to his community, and we will do our best to honor that.”

“As this business lives on, it will help to keep Ken living on,” Fuller said. “We will do our best to make him proud for everything he worked for.”

Funeral arrangements are being completed by Bogan and Tuttle Funeral Home.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: A memorial to Ken Daluisio is growing on the counter of The Print Shop on East Center Street, the business Daluisio founded. Flowers, a message from the Hellner family and a portrait painted by local artist Pat Greene of Daluisio looking at something on a wall pay a tribute to a beloved Medina citizen.

A Medina man driving a motorcycle was killed on July 4 in an accident in the Town of Pendleton in Niagara County, State Police reported today.

Vincent J. Hawkins, 51, was driving a 2012 Kawasaki motorcycle at about 1:47 p.m. when he was struck at the intersection of South Transit Road and Tonawanda Creek.

State Police determined that a 2018 Honda was traveling northbound on South Transit Road and entered the median and began to turn left onto Tonawanda Creek Road failing to yield the right of way to a 2012 Kawasaki motorcycle.

Hawkins was ejected after striking the Honda. He was transported to Erie County Medical Center for head injuries. While at ECMC, Hawkins succumbed to his injuries, State Police said.

Group headed east on Monday through Orleans County with destination to Fairport

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Christa and Dean Berry are on their third Cycle the Erie Canal ride. They are heading for Wise Intermediate School in Medina to check out a selection of books from the Author’s Note bookstore.

MEDINA – Medina and Orleans County tourism committees rolled out the red carpet today for 550 cyclists and their 100 volunteers who arrived in town on the 26th annual Cycle the Erie Canal ride.

Orleans County Tourism director Dawn Borchet, tourism creative director Lynne Menz, Medina Tourism Board member Barb Gorham and Job Development director Kelly Kiebala worked in shifts to greet cyclists as they signed in at the Tourism Booth.

The first thing cyclists were asked to do was write their name on a giant map of the United States, indicating where they came from. By 2 p.m., names were already filled in across New York, Maine, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Indiana, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Canada and New Mexico. Two sisters on the ride came from Australia.

Jim Murray of Santa Clara, Calif. points to his home town on a map set up in the Tourism Booth at Wise Intermediate School for cyclists to sign. This is his first time on the Cycle the Erie Canal ride.

The map was an idea of Borchet’s, who said she saw it at a tourism event in Wayne County.

“It makes a good impact statement,” Borchet said. “I took it last year to a legislative meeting, and until you have the visual, you don’t realize the impact to our area.”

There are cyclists from 37 states will travel 40-60 miles per day this week, visiting historic towns along the Erie Canalway Trail. The trip started in Buffalo this morning and ends in Albany on July 14.

The trip on Monday will include rest stops in Albion, Holley, Brockport and Spencerport for the day’s riding ends in Fairport.

The grounds surrounding Wise Intermediate School are a sea of tents all set up for the 50 cyclists and 100 volunteers who will spend the night there on their 400-mile ride from Buffalo to Albany on the Erie Canal trail.

For some riders, this was their first attempt, while others have done it multiple times.

Jim Murray of Santa Clara, Calif. is one of the first-timers. While he was in college, he worked in Niagara Falls, so he was excited to be back in the area. He said he waited until he was retired, because it took a lot of time bike riding in preparation.

This was the 14th year in the event for Jim Englert of Wayne, Steuben County who is a volunteer. This meant he rides every other day and helps load and unload gear and luggage on the trucks accompanying the riders the other days.

Christa and Dean Berry from Washington, D.C. are on their third bike ride. They enjoy seeing the locks in Lockport and were looking forward to having “Utica pies,” a name given a special pizza in the city of Utica.

“This is such beautiful country,” Dean said. “There is so much more to New York than New York City.”

Peter Ashley from Titusville, Pa., Trish Zdep of Buffalo, formerly of Elba, and Joe Kaufman from Eau Claire, Wis. relax by their tents before heading to State Street Park for a concert featuring bluegrass music by Creek Bend.

Peter Ashley from Titusville, Pa. was riding with Trish Zdep of Buffalo, formerly of Elba, and Joe Kaufman from Eau Claire, Wis. This was their third year volunteering and riding every other day.

Zdep’s favorite thing is all the little towns along the way. In Medina she was especially impressed with the architecture and the stone buildings.

“This is a great way to see New York, that isn’t New York City,” Kaufman said. “You meet new people. I saw a guy I first met three years ago.”

He praised the reception given the cyclists in Medina.

“Dinner was fantastic and we loved the cherries,” Kaufman said. “There are a lot of first-timers this year, including a guy from Germany.”

Craig Cashman from Watertown is on the Cycle the Erie Canal ride for the first time, with four friends. This is his first time in Medina.

Craig Cashman of Watertown said he had always wanted to do this ride and convinced four friends to do it with him this year.

“This is so well organized,” he said. “We are impressed at how they cater to everything you need. “This is my first time in Medina and we rode around downtown. We were amazed at the beautiful churches. I also enjoy the music.”

Medina Tourism Committee, chaired by Jim Hancock, sponsored a bus to take cyclists around town and back on a regular schedule all afternoon. Stops included the Medina Railroad Museum, Sandstone Hall of Fame, the Visitor’s Center and Canal Basin.

The 400-mile ride from Buffalo to Albany encompasses eight days and is sponsored by Parks and Trails New York.

A stream of cyclists pedal across the railroad tracks on Gwinn Street about 1:45 p.m. Sunday en route to Wise Intermediate School, where Tent City was set up for the 550 riders and 100 volunteers on the Cycle the Erie Canal ride.

Jim Englert of Wayne reaches for a handful of sweet cherries at the Tourism Booth, while volunteers Kelly Kiebala, left, and Orleans County tourism director Dawn Borchet look on.

Photo from Medina Fire Department: Medina firefighters responded to a fire at West Avenue last night. The fire was limited to a car and the exterior of the house.

Press Release, Medina Fire Department

MEDINA – At 1:15 this morning, the Village of Medina firefighters were dispatched to a smoke detector activation/issue in the Village.

While en route to that address, dispatchers advised Engine 11 that they were currently taking a call for a house fire in the area of 1000 West Ave. The Shelby and Albion Fire Departments were then dispatched as well.

Engine 11 immediately responded and arrived in less than 90 seconds to find a car behind the residence burning that had extended to the house. Engine 11’s crew split up and simultaneously extinguished the fire to both the car and the house while searching the structure for residents and fire.

All residents in the nearby apartments had exited prior to fire department arrival, and fire damage was limited to the exterior. The Shelby Fire Department was then rerouted to the initial call and found a defective smoke detector at that location.

Thanks to our dispatchers, Medina Police, Orleans County Fire Coordinator and the Shelby Fire Department for all their assistance tonight.

The cause of the car fire remains under investigation at this time by members of the Medina Fire Investigation Unit. There were no injuries to firefighters and civilians at this scene.

Provided photo: This is a view of one of the air-conditioned dining cars in which passengers will ride during the Medina Railroad Museum’s first Murder Mystery Train on July 13.

MEDINA – The Medina Railroad Museum, which draws thousands of visitors for the Day Out with Thomas and the Polar Express, will offer an entirely different kind of event on July 13.

The museum offer two train rides that day, an Early Bird Express with breakfast and the museum’s first ever Murder Mystery Train at 1 p.m.

Murder at the Museum will be presented by WNY Improv, a group of eclectic and talented performers all across Western New York. They offer one-of-a-kind mystery shows catered specifically to each group and venue.

Riders on first-class, air-conditioned coaches will get to play detective as they uncover clues, interrogate suspects and solve a crime that unfolds before their eyes.

WNY Improv advertises the event as “the ultimate whodunit interactive experience aboard a train.” Everyone is a suspect, they boast.

As the story unfolds, the museum curator wakes to find their most valued piece of train memorabilia missing, and the night watchman dead at the scene.

This is the Medina Railroad Museum’s first time sponsoring a murder mystery train. Only 140 tickets will be sold.

Two rides will be available that day – an Early Bird Express, departing at 10 a.m., and the afternoon Murder Mystery Train, departing at 1 p.m.

Tickets for the early run are $42 and include a continental breakfast of coffee, tea or orange juice, Danish, muffin and fruit cup, in addition to a keepsake Medina Railroad Museum mug.

Tickets for the 1 p.m. Murder Mystery adventure are $65 per person and feature a lunch of ham or turkey sandwich with provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato on a kaiser roll with macaroni salad; or a garden salad with cheese and egg and Italian dressing. Both are served with a bag of chips and a choice of cold beverage with a Medina Railroad keepsake insulated lunch bag.

No outside food or drinks are allowed on the train.

Passengers are advised to arrive at the museum at 530 West Ave. one hour prior to departure to pick up their tickets at the box office. Boarding will begin 15 minutes before departure.

Tickets also include the two-hour train ride to Lockport and admission to the Medina Railroad Museum. Ticket sales will stop July 6 to get food orders to the caterer.

The event will go on, rain or shine. The number to order tickets is (585) 798-6106.

Top juniors complete arduous task, creating 56-foot-long chain of flowers

Photos courtesy of Kayla Rosenbeck

MEDINA – The top 16 girls ranked academically in the junior class and the top two boys finished the 56-foot-long Daisy Chain this afternoon. The graduation tradition goes back more than a century in Medina.

Students worked on assembling the daisy chain today in the cafeteria of the high school. The students will bring in the Daisy Chain to lead off commencement at 7 p.m. later today at Vets Park.

Photos courtesy of Karen Jones

(Left) Madelyn Lewis, Lily Maynard and Mackenzie Alvarez were out Thursday morning getting their daisies. (Right) From left include Adreanna McMurray, Gisella Garcia with help from her sister, Isabella on the right.

Mackenzie McGrath gets some assistance with the daisy collection from her sister Emma.

Jenna Rotoli works through a goldmine of daisies.

Provided photos

MEDINA – The Dave Viterna Group performed Thursday evening at State Street park in Medina as part of the third season of the Blue Thursdays concerts.

Organizers said about 1,250 people attended the concert, which is a new record for the series.

Viterna draws a big crowd every year, said Ken Daluisio, owner/operator of The Print Shop, which produces the concerts with the Orleans Renaissance Group.

When Viterna performed last year on June 22 at Blue Thursdays, about 1,000 attended.

But Thursday, the weather was perfect, bringing out even more people.

There is no admission charge. The concerts start at 6 p.m. The lineup for the rest of the series includes:

• July 11: Nickel City Blues Band
• July 18: Maria Aurigema
• July 25: Thurman Brothers Band
• Aug. 1: Frank Grizanti Band
• Aug. 8: Tommy Z Band

Provided photos: Jim Mirand of the Medina Knights of Columbus presents a check to members of the Richard Knights and Susan Kaderli families following a recent chicken barbecue held by the Knights-Kaderli Foundation.

Press Release, Medina Knights of Columbus

MEDINA – The Medina Knights of Columbus recently made a $4,000 donation to the Richard Knights-Sue Kaderli Memorial Fund.The Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund is a local not-for-profit organization that assists Orleans County residents who are battling cancer.

The Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund was founded over 35 years ago in memory of Mr. Knights and Mrs. Kaderli. The Medina Knights of Columbus was founded in 1902 and operates out of their building at 418-422 Main Street in Medina.

The Medina Knights raised the funds this past Easter season by donating the proceeds of their Good Friday Fish Fry. Each year the Medina Knights chooses a worthy cause to donate to. Families in need and worthy local causes have been the benefactor over the past 15 years.

The 2024 donation to the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund represents the largest single donation ever made by the Medina organization.

The Medina Knights looks forward to their next event, their annual golf tournament in July, to benefit another local organization, Operation Honor, which assists Orleans County military veterans.

The Medina Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Crew, includes front row, from left: Jim Mirand, Martha Snyder, Joy Gardner, Pam Cook, Jeanne Crane, Robie & Denny Dubai, Cora Williams, Skip Draper, and Howie Gardner. Back row: Steve Winans, Kristian Snyder, Kate Hardner, Darlene Rich, David Cook, Laura Valley, Melissa & David Cotter, Mike Sidari and Mike Fischer. Not shown are Cathy Fox and Virginia Klotzbach.

MEDINA – The Board of Education met on Thursday and appointed Donnell Holloway to fill a vacancy on the board. Holloway will take the spot of Debra Tompkins, who resigned.

Holloway will serve on the board until May 20, 2025, the day of the next board election.

During the meeting, the Board of Education reviewed all letters of interest to fill the recently vacated board seat.