The Holiday Inn in Batavia NY (30 miles from Buffalo and 30 miles from Rochester) is getting a 20,000 SF Indoor waterpark added to the hotel complex. The Hotel is at exit 48 on the NYS Thruway.

Batavia is a city of 16,310 and has ties to both metros but is considered a leading micropolitan nationally.

ALSO***

I hear that we are also getting a Kroger Grocery store here...very odd because I have never seen one before or heard of them in WNY.

So a waterpark in Farmington, and one in Batavia, hm....seems a bit much for me. Though the Batavia proposal sounds much smaller in scale at this stage in the game. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but its interesting I guess.

Kroger is the largest pure grocery chain in the US, I've been to one in Columbia (you think Buffalo has alot of grocery stores, try their metro - with 7 major chains). Probably more closely aligns with something like a Wegmans in terms of price & quality, however I had trouble finding some things (and couldn't find some others). My gf's sister works for them in Cincy.

Kroger is an Ohioan company! Be sure to keep on Krogering so the money keeps coming into our state.

sadly(for kroger anyways) i don't think they will do to well here. other national grocers have long been reluctant to invest in western new york do to dominance by local companies such as wegmans and tops.

Batavia has really grown from what I can see driving down the thruway in the past five years or so. Especially the area closest to the thruway. Home Depot, about 5 different hotels and other stores, etc. I'd be interested to see a Kroger though I'd like to see something official about one opening first. I'm sure there is no Wegmans in Batavia, so they have that going for them.

The Holiday Inn in Batavia NY (30 miles from Buffalo and 30 miles from Rochester) is getting a 20,000 SF Indoor waterpark added to the hotel complex. The Hotel is at exit 48 on the NYS Thruway.

Batavia is a city of 16,310 and has ties to both metros but is considered a leading micropolitan nationally.

ALSO***

I hear that we are also getting a Kroger Grocery store here...very odd because I have never seen one before or heard of them in WNY.

OMFG. Kroger is a store they have all over the south (but technically, it's based out of Cinncinnati); it's like a cheaper quality Wegmans with higher prices. Just pray WNY never gets a Food Lion!!

I don't think Kroger will do well. Most WNY shop at Wegmans or Tops and Produce Markets and family owned shops. Wegmans and Tops will shove Kroger out because the deals you get. Also Wegmans has the best fruit and veggies IMO

Kroger did seem to be overpriced, and have more limitations on the use of their shopper's card (whatever it's called). I know my gf's parents rarely shop there, tending more towards Publix, Food Lion, and the Pig I believe. Publix is a chain that I think could give Wegmans a run for it's money (though maybe not in it's WNY stronghold), and is probably the only major chain nationally that could.

Food Lion is affiliated with/owned by/owners of (one of those) New England's Hannaford. Hannaford sucks donkey balls for breakfast. Though I didn't have a problem with Food Lion (the one in Blythewood SC).

in related news... Tops is selling its Northeast Ohio stores... and Kroger is rumoured as a potential buyer... as they currently have no presence in NE Ohio... I've never been to a Tops... but Kroger is definately not on the level of Wegmans... which has an incredible selection

^^ I've read that too, a few weeks ago I think. From what I gather, Tops bought out the Finast stores in the Cleveland area a few years ago, and never really managed to gain a strong presence there? Oh well. Tops is ok, I've never really had a problem with anything there and they have pretty decent specials. All in all, I'd say they fit in either the average or slightly above average echelon of grocery stores; naturally Wegmans is among the best. Tops is good enough obviously, that when they have a stranglehold on a market they're unbeatable - just ask Wegmans.

sweet.

we used to have a Tops here in Batavia, but they changed over to a "Martins" and people here HATE it...now there was a survey done by Aldi (who I work for) and they found that Batavia is attracting people from as far away as Livingston, Wyoming, Erie, Monroe and Orleans countys...and then some for groceries.

We have a Latina's, Martins and Aldi here...they are all always packed. Our Aldi is the second busiest in the state. Batavia is the hub of everyone who hates going to the metros for shopping...and that is becoming more and more with gas prices.

Kroger would be cool, and if our market value keeps going up here...Wegmanns will build eventually I'm sure.

Already on the plate...

Kroger, Target, Olive Garden, Petsmart, KFC, Lowes and a few others.

There aren't any Wegmans in Batavia?

I'm actually a bit surprised that Batavia doesn't have a Wegmans. Though they don't seem to settle in the smaller cities. Seems like an uptapped market, especially with the proximity to Rochester.

Latina's is nice, I'm glad to see they seem to be doing well, I sort of had my doubts in this market. We have one in OP, I actually like the smaller stores. I might actually start shopping there more often.

Martin's is the same as Tops, obviously. I know the one in Amherst on Maple Rd was actually rebranded into a Tops when they noticed their sales declining since the re-name - I haven't heard since what's happened.

Kroger just seems...so...outlier. Like finding a Wegmans in NH or something (something I wanted sooooooooo badly). Where's the closest one to Batavia now?

I still wouldn't drive out-of-county for groceries, but I guess in a more rural area, smaller stores are going to have more of a regional pull. I guess I'm one to talk, I drive to NFON to buy bulk candy. Will be doing so on Tuesday in fact, though we've got other plans - not a candy-specific trip like I've done before.

Friggin Williamsport, PA has a Wegmans! And Geneseo. Batavia should be excommunicated from WNY.... does it have any Tops?

I think just the re-branded Martins? Closest one I'm seeing on the "store locator" on their website seems to be LeRoy.

Closest Kroger is Williamsport, PA. Closest to Buffalo is Duboistown, PA. Funny I've never seen one in PA, they seem to be all over.

Friggin Williamsport, PA has a Wegmans! And Geneseo. Batavia should be excommunicated from WNY.... ?

What's wrong with that? Williamsport (city pop. 30k, county pop. 120k) is twice as big as Batavia (city pop. 16k, county pop. 60k).

Just for a point of reference, there is no Wegmans in Victor or Farmington, two of the fastest growing Rochester area markets. I also see Chili sprawling out into Churchville now, so before you know it the Rochester sprawl will continue to inch West as it already has reached far past 490 East's terminus with the NYS Thruway.

I like and hate sprawl all at the same time. I like construction and progress, but I hate the unplanned chaos that sprawl seems to achieve.

Oh and Evergrey is right Williamsport has been a Wegmans for over 10 years now, and is one of the only Wegmans I know of located in a cities CBD (I guess the Corning store #51 is located in the CBD as well) so it is unique in that way.

Geneseo is there because of two reasons:
1) The college
2) Central Livingston location

I think just the re-branded Martins? Closest one I'm seeing on the "store locator" on their website seems to be LeRoy.

Closest Kroger is Williamsport, PA. Closest to Buffalo is Duboistown, PA. Funny I've never seen one in PA, they seem to be all over.

I lived in nearby State College, PA (before I moved to Amishland, Ohio last year ugh)... and I never saw a Kroger in PA EVER (though apparently they had Pittsburgh locations until withdrawing in 1984). That's so random that there are 4 Krogers in the far-flung Williamsport area... there's only one other Kroger in PA... in small town near Altoona.

On further kroger.com investigation... apparently these stores are branded "Turkey Hill"... but must be owned by Kroger. They are "mini markets"... gas stations with a limited food selection (junk food, hot dogs, eggs, bacon, milk, etc). http://www.turkeyhillstores.com/

according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_Hill ... Kroger purchased the 230-store Turkey Hill in 1985... it was founded in Lancaster, PA... I wonder why just those 5 Williamsport/Altoona stores are listed on the Kroger website then... strange...

Turkey Hill has its own brands of ice cream and ice tea... which are excellent.

There's no wegmans in Victor? That is very surprising. That's like the fastest growing town in WNY. I know Webster; the fastest growing town in Monroe County; just built one recently. My aunt FREAKED OUT. She was so excited because she had just moved to Webster from Henrietta, and is a manager of the Wegmans Bakery there, and was very excited one was closer to her. Now she is moving to Greece. lol. (they are building a new one in Greece too though, only it's going on top of the old Mt. Reid one with the orange floors)

On further kroger.com investigation... apparently these stores are branded "Turkey Hill"... but must be owned by Kroger. They are "mini markets"... gas stations with a limited food selection (junk food, hot dogs, eggs, bacon, milk, etc). http://www.turkeyhillstores.com/

according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_Hill ... Kroger purchased the 230-store Turkey Hill in 1985... it was founded in Lancaster, PA... I wonder why just those 5 Williamsport/Altoona stores are listed on the Kroger website then... strange...

Turkey Hill has its own brands of ice cream and ice tea... which are excellent.

Lots of Turkey Hills around here, just over the border in PA.

And Turkey Hill ice cream is great! http://209.85.12.232/5359/75/emo/drool1.gif But my favorite ice cream of theirs was Guanabana, which was only limited edition. http://209.85.12.232/5359/75/emo/thumbdown.gif I've sent Turkey Hill about 4 emails telling them to bring Guanabana back. I also like to eat Eagles Touchdown Sundae during football season.

Lots of Turkey Hills around here, just over the border in PA.

And Turkey Hill ice cream is great! http://209.85.12.232/5359/75/emo/drool1.gif But my favorite ice cream of theirs was Guanabana, which was only limited edition. http://209.85.12.232/5359/75/emo/thumbdown.gif I've sent Turkey Hill about 4 emails telling them to bring Guanabana back. I also like to eat Eagles Touchdown Sundae during football season.

maybe you should send those emails to Kroger instead... since apparently they own Turkey Hill (news to me!)

I've always enjoyed Turkey Hill's selection of iced teas... especially orange and raspberry. They were available at many grocery stores in the State College area... even though we didn't have any Turkey Hill mini-markets. Turkey Hill is even available in Northeast Ohio... as I've seen several billboards for it in the Cleveland/Akron/Canton area.

On further kroger.com investigation... apparently these stores are branded "Turkey Hill"... but must be owned by Kroger. They are "mini markets"... gas stations with a limited food selection (junk food, hot dogs, eggs, bacon, milk, etc)

Turkey Hill has its own brands of ice cream and ice tea... which are excellent.
So probably not unlike Tops owning Wilson Farms and Sugar Creek (which I believe they've spun back off) stores. Or the Grand Union supermarkets they bought out in the 'dacks.

Yes, Turkey Hill ice cream is good. Do we have it here or am I remembering it from NH?!?! (I can't remember) I think we do.

Shows you how much attention I pay to branding when I'm actually shopping lol.

Perry's Panda Paws is still my favorite though.

maybe you should send those emails to Kroger instead... since apparently they own Turkey Hill (news to me!)

I've always enjoyed Turkey Hill's selection of iced teas... especially orange and raspberry. They were available at many grocery stores in the State College area... even though we didn't have any Turkey Hill mini-markets. Turkey Hill is even available in Northeast Ohio... as I've seen several billboards for it in the Cleveland/Akron/Canton area.

The stores are owned by Kroger, but I'm pretty sure that Turkey Hill ice cream is a family-owned company based oout of the family's dairy farm in Lancaster County. I know this because I had to do a business report on a company for one of my marketing classes at UD and I initially chose Turkey Hill ice cream. I had to pass over them because they are privately owned company, and so getting information on the company would've been very complicated. Turkey Hill convenience stores showed up as subsidiaries of Kroger, which surprised me at the time.

So probably not unlike Tops owning Wilson Farms and Sugar Creek (which I believe they've spun back off) stores. Or the Grand Union supermarkets they bought out in the 'dacks.

Yes, Turkey Hill ice cream is good. Do we have it here or am I remembering it from NH?!?! (I can't remember) I think we do.

Shows you how much attention I pay to branding when I'm actually shopping lol.

Perry's Panda Paws is still my favorite though.

I indulged in that stuff when I was in Rochester.They don't have Perry's in NC, but I found an almost substitute; "Bunny Tracks" from Blue Bunny; and "Moose Tracks" from Edies

^^ Yeah, there are alot of knock-offs (though who's to say who's a knockoff of who, I sure don't know). I know Hood has one as well, that was my NH "substitute".

Someone else has Moose Tracks, I think Tops generic brand. There's a carton of it in my freezer right now. Though most generic brands are manufactured by a major producer, maybe Tops is Edies. Never cared enough (or thought of it) to look.

Djee, as a citizen of The Netherlands (triggered by the word Batavia) I would expect another type of urban discussion here than some chit chat about which store has the best fruits en vegetables or even ice-cream...

Rather comical... :D

Already on the plate...

Kroger, Target, Olive Garden, Petsmart, KFC, Lowes and a few others.

Wow, Batavia seems to be getting everything! Soon people from Batavia won't have to go to Buffalo or Rochester for shopping/dining options. So, Batavia's gonna be getting all these things? That's impressive for a town of 16,000. Stratford, Ontario doesn't have nearly that much, and it's twice as big as Batavia.

I might have to plan a trip out to Batavia sometime and do a more thorough tour. It looks like a lovely town.

yeah... who needs to go to a real Italian restaurant in Buffalo when you have Olive Garden in your town

Djee, as a citizen of The Netherlands (triggered by the word Batavia) I would expect another type of urban discussion here than some chit chat about which store has the best fruits en vegetables or even ice-cream...

Rather comical... :D

Europians really don't have a sense of humor. It's like it's been geneticaly removed. "rather sad". Sticks up the ass must be a fashion statement over there.

I find it funny too... but alas, it's our development ;)

yeah... who needs to go to a real Italian restaurant in Buffalo when you have Olive Garden in your town

funny you say that...Batavia has 10 pizza places, all are better than anything I have had in Buffalo besides Prima on Chippewa. As far as "real" italian food...I am firm to say Carrabbas is still the best I have ever had. I'm not Italian so what do I know? lol

Talking about Tops/Wegmanns...It has been said (local rumor) that Danny Wegmann and the Tops owners made an agreement about Batavia, basically they knew the market and agreed that they would not open a store there but perhaps Wegmanns is in a town that we would expect Tops to be in...I dunno.

Batavians go to Brockport for a Wegmanns and The Galleria Mall for everything else. lol

Europians really don't have a sense of humor. It's like it's been geneticaly removed. "rather sad". Sticks up the ass must be a fashion statement over there.

very much agreed!!!

:)

yeah... who needs to go to a real Italian restaurant in Buffalo when you have Olive Garden in your town
I'm soooooo sick of Olive Garden. When we left NH, everybody wanted to take us out to dinner, and EVERYONE wanted Olive Garden. It's been over a year now and I still don't care if I never set foot in one again. Not that the food is bad or anything, but it's mildly overpriced and it's almost faux-fancy; I don't like that. I'd rather get a good meal in a noisy cafeteria (a growing national trend, scary enough) than leaving hungry after an overpriced meal in a place that tries too hard.

It's also pretty sad when I can cook a $0.99 "Lipton Sides" of fettucine alfredo myself, and end up with a larger portion that tastes just as good (and the noodles aren't all fused together). Sans the incredible breadsticks mind you, but everything has a price.

I want to try Carrabba's, but I don't have a way to get to the one in the Buffalo area. And I'll have to try some of those pizza places in Batavia.

@ Cocguy & Buttcity (...did I spell that correctly?), perhaps we 'Europeans' are just too ignorant to understand your superhuman, overintelligent, too-complex-to-comprehend 'American' humour of which you both apparently are the self proclaimed ambassadors... :D

Welll I don't know.... perhaps it's just that your overwhelmingly superior sophistication blocks the humor so that you can't comprehend it.

@ Cocguy & Buttcity (...did I spell that correctly?), perhaps we 'Europeans' are just too ignorant to understand your superhuman, overintelligent, too-complex-to-comprehend 'American' humour of which you both apparently are the self proclaimed ambassadors... :D

I understand, and thank you. :)

All three of you are rather loopy in your own moments. :D

^^ Hmm, you're right...

But whatever may be: if we Europeans (or for that matter suddenly & apparently I too) don't comprehend US humor and apparently vice versa (!), there is something present here which is moving both ends of the Atlantic apart. That would be a sorry thing for we Dutch are in majority quite fond of the US...

Be sure of one thing though. Do NOT see the Dutch as part of, or as an example of 'the' European identity, for that does not exist. And that's exactly what annoyed me earlier in ROCguy's post and the reason for my exaggerated last post (sorry for that, if I offended someone). We Dutch consider ourselves more and more only Europeans in the geographical sense and have lost confidence in the economic and political integration of the various memberstates of the EU and the political, bureaucratic forces which are promoting this from Brussels...

Hopefully we'll all soon be able to laugh over the same things again ;)

Why doesn't the Netherlands just pull out of the EU? Would it be economic suicide or something?

As a Batavian I am proud to know that a thread on this Great city has produced discussion on the EU and foreign policy. lol

LOL... that's just the way it goes here on good 'ole SSC.

Why doesn't the Netherlands just pull out of the EU? Would it be economic suicide or something?
Well, that's a big issue. We are already economically tied up too much as it is, after some 50 years of (slow but continuous) integration. Because of this, leaving the EU, disconnecting from it would indeed be too costly, not only in economic terms...

What we Dutch experience the last decade or so is that the average Dutch citizen pays net the most of all EU citizens in taxes for the EU to "function". (About double or so compared with No. 2 on that list). Nothing was being done about it, until a couple of years ago talks began on expanding the EU further (south-)eastward. Lots of Dutch feared the financial burden would increase even more and pressure arose on our national politicians to start doing something about it in Brussels. But although The Netherlands are the 5th exporter and the 3rd foreign investor in the world, due to its limited size in population (16,5 million) we aren't given the relative power which we -in my opinion- deserve within the EU (even Poland gets more voting power...). And in the end not much was achieved to satisfy the Dutch tax payer. Together with -unbelievable but true- France, in a recent referendum the Dutch population voted against a further expansion of the EU. That's actually the strongest message Dutch voters are "allowed" to send to Brussels...

In sum it is not a question of leaving the EU, but on changing how the EU functions. Cause in my opinion it's still far from what it should be: financially sound, politically more effective, more democratic & less bureaucratic, economically less fragmented and last but not least: military more decisive.

Yep, I studied politics... My fault ;)

I have heard that the EU is kinda unfair in that France and Germany kinda control everything, and it pisses off the smaller states...hell take france over...its' easy. :)

^^ Yep, it's a hidden fact that the French and Germans run the EU. But the Brits are quite powerful in the background as well. But due to their ambivalent position toward the EU (opt-out arrangements, which gives them financial advantage) their political influence is limited, except in matters where the US also is involved.

But presently there's a problem in which also the French have stated by referendum to halt a further expansion of the EU. That's a problem, for the Germans did agree with the expansion. And what happens now? Well, it's quiet, very quiet in Brussels...

In the end a weird and expensive compromise will probably be made, for that's the result in most cases. But that's always better than to fight a war over it, and that's the method which was used all too often before...

nothing against the EU...but I think its kinda shitty for alot of nations...but perhaps the UK made the best decision.

I dunno, Europe is a fine place...but for some reason there are only a handful of nations that seem to make sense now days...(UK, Neth, Den, Swed, Nor, Fin, Pol, Bel, Ice, Lux) IMO

I just really dont like the French. :)