If your dog needs a trim, a bath, or even a place to socialize with other dogs, Licks and Laps offers all the necessary grooming services along with a doggie daycare, so you don’t have to leave your pet at home, alone, all day. Owner Andrea Shule and her daughter Michelle Senters run Licks and Laps and agree that it’s tough to put your dog in a crate every morning before going to work and leaving them there all day. With Licks and Laps’ doggie day care, you don’t have to leave your pup, or adult dog, crated and alone anymore. For just $20, you can drop your dog off at 8 a.m. before work, or any other daily tasks, and pick them up when you’re finished at 5 p.m. Dogs can also be dropped off... more

NORTH TONAWANDA - Looking for a last minute gift? Or a stylish accessory for a night out? Stop in at Pam’s Gifts to Go, in Tonawanda. There, you’ll find all different types of specialty items for almost every occasion. Pam Gallagher, owner of Pam’s Gifts to Go, located at 4232 Delaware Ave., Tonawanda, opened Pam’s Gifts in Grand Island in 2007, as a way to give residents the opportunity to shop for specialty items that might not be found at the mall, or a department store. Having found success at the Grand Island location, 2445 Grand Island Blvd., Grand Island, Pam looked to expand her shop in November, 2012, and chose to start a second business in the City of Tonawanda, which is a... more

Dennis Franjoine and Sandy Salvagni always wanted their own business, so they got to work and opened their very own country-style café located on the outskirts of Lockport. The Cambria Café recently opened their outdoor and indoor dining to the public two weeks ago. What sets it aside from most café’s would be the diverse menus. “We serve breakfast all day,” Salvagni said. The biggest seller from the breakfast menu would be their steak and eggs, which sells rapidly throughout their lunch rush. The café also creates a quick and easy way for customers who are on their lunch breaks to get great food at a quick pace. “We have a take-out window,” Salvagni said, “With a simple take out menu.”... more

With cupcakes being the hot new trend throughout the country, Jeanette Prohaska threw on her apron and oven mitts and set to work opening Oh Sugar! Ice Cream and Cupcake Treats parlor. Recently opened on May 2, Prohaska wanted to incorporate a friendly atmosphere that was nestled in the middle of a growing community. This isn’t Prohaska’s first time in the business though. Before ‘Oh Sugar!’ she had another parlor that also included a bakery with a wide variety of treats, but she soon gave up on her ambition and went back to college to work in the corporate world. It wasn’t long until she found her way back in the ice cream shop business. This time around Prohaska’s concern is marketing the... more

Jon Cohen made the move from New York City to Western New York about seven years ago. When he and his family moved to the Amherst area to be closer to his wife’s family, Cohen new he wanted to open his own business. He had about seven different restaurant businesses in NYC and couldn’t wait to open a new one here. This is when he opened Jonny C’s NY Deli and Catering. Originally located in downtown Buffalo, this deli and catering company offers thick sandwiches made with high quality ingredients. Cohen then moved the deli to 9350 Transit Road, East Amherst, which was closer to his home and many of his catering clients. The self-service deli also features an eat-in dining room. Customers can... more

NORTH TONAWANDA - As expected, the City of North Tonawanda continues to advance in many ways. In addition to growth in the downtown sector of the city and waterfront revitalization, those who operate in the private sector of the city are jumping on board with the movement and advancing their own businesses as well. Among those business owners is Dr. David Pacana, of Niagara County Chiropractic. Pacana, who has worked in North Tonawanda as a chiropractor for the past 13 years, recently added Spinal Decompression therapy to a long list of options available to his patients. Spinal Decompression is a non-surgical, traction based treatment outcome for herniated and bulging discs in the neck and... more

KENMORE - At the ripe young age of 9, Owner of KVAL Hobbies Bob Schuh received his first model train from his father, Carl Schuh. That little red train, which he was given in 1929, was where his love for trains started and from there allowed him to turn a hobby into a lifestyle. “I loved trains since I was a little kid. I always had trains, all my life. As I grew up and even after I got married, I still loved them,” said Bob. After Bob served in the United States Navy on an Aircraft Carrier, as a Store Keeper First Class from 1942 to ‘45, he returned home with his bride Mary Jane, who is now his wife of 69 years. From there, in 1951, he began working for his Uncle George at a pattern... more

The Lockport Community Market is back for the 2013 season. Located once again on Canal Street, Lockport Main Street, Inc. Program Manager Heather Peck said there is much to look forward to this season. Because of demand, this year’s market will be extended to eight weeks, taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays from July 6 through Aug. 24. Peck said each year organizers hope to expand the market, eventually having it last the entire summer. Peck is also looking forward to this year’s market once again being on Canal Street because of the variety of activities and new development happening in the area. With the new Flight of Five Winery, Flight of Five restoration, Sweet Ride Rentals,... more

TONAWANDA - New to Tonawanda, The Sportzone at the Dome is an Indoor Sports Simulation Facility, that allows sports enthusiasts to try their hand at different way of playing their favorite games. The facility has seven simulators and they each play the various sports that the facility offers. Among those are golf, which is a full 18-hole course where you are driving, hitting, chipping and putting, or you use the simulator to just practice. It includes more than 70 simulated courses. Other games, otherwise referred to as “mini-games,” that are available at The Sportzone are football, during which you kick field goals; soccer and hockey allows you to shoot at a goalie; baseball entails patrons... more

Since 2003, All Occasions Catering, West Seneca has been serving residents of Erie and Niagara County delicious food without the hassle or mess. “It’s hard for people to enjoy their own party when they are doing all this stuff for themselves,” said Scott Garciello, owner of All Occasions Catering. “They really don’t save that much doing it on their own either so having a professional cater come in, we make it easier on them.” Garciello began catering after a friend tasted his food for the first time at his home. He enjoyed the dinner so much that he asked him to cook for his holiday party and the rest is history. The business owner brings 29 years of food service experience to the table.... more

Hammerl Amusements has proudly served Western New York for more than 50 years. The business continues to stay in the family of Lou Hammerl of East Amherst, who began it when he was a Buffalo firefighter in 1960. Hammerl had started out with one kiddie ride and rented it out as a way to earn extra money for his growing family. The business has grown ever since and was taken over by his children in 1991. Lynn Ritchie and her husband Frank now own Hammerl Amusements with the help of their business partners John Mistretta and Leo Mazur. “We’re like family,” said Lynn. “It’s worked out very well. We’ve been partners for 22 years now and it’s been working out great.” The company now supplies... more

NORTH TONAWANDA - Getting into the landscaping business approximately 16 years ago allows owner of Fiorella’s Landscaping and Snow Plowing to have a leg up on his competition when discussing an estimate or potential job opportunity with his customers. As the sole owner of the business for the past 10 tens years, John strongly believes in providing quality customer service and places an emphasis on the fact that he is a “people person.” “I enjoy sitting down with a customer and discussing with them where the best place to start is,” said John. “Some people think they just want some landscaping done, but that’s not always the best place to start, or what they really even want.” He added,... more

by Kimberly Snickles Cheektowaga Source Ever since he was a child, a local business owner has always enjoyed working with his hands. That’s why it only seemed fitting for him to become a dentist. “You really have to like what you do and I love what I do everyday,” said Dr. Emanuel Gambacorta, owner of Gambacorta Dental & Associates. “I like the notion that I’m helping people and I like that when I go to work everyday I see the results of my work immediately.” Dr. Gambacorta began studying dentistry in 1984 when he attended Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C. From there, he joined a private practice and turned it into his own, Gambacorta & Dental Associates, 750... more

A local business owner knows the importance of changing with the times, which is why his sports bar has remained successful for close to 40 years. “Every decade brings a new business type and you have to redefine your business a little bit because trends change so much,” said Owner of IV Stallions, Don Pieczyski. IV Stallions, 2912 William Street, Cheektowaga opened in 1973. Started by Pieczyski and his brother, the sports bar evolved with each and every year. When the bar first opened it had more of a lounge feel to it with live music five nights a week. As times changed, however, the business cut the music and introduced their first large screen television to cater to games. Yet, this... more

A virus can cause a great amount of damage to a computer if it’s not caught in time. This is why Mike and Kim Prisinzano, owners of Electronic and Computer Pitstop, encourage their customers to bring their computers in to their shop before the damage is no longer repairable. Electronic and Computer Repair Shop is formerly known as Hi-Fi Hospital. Mike was a longtime employee and decided to take over the business when the previous owner retired. He moved the shop to Clarence, which is closer to his home, and brought his wife, Kim, into the business. She now runs the front counter of the shop, answering the phones and speaking with customers. Mike works behind the scenes and is the one who... more

NORTH TONAWANDA - Introducing a new, refreshing cuisine to the City of North Tonawanda was quite the easy task for the Owners of Yummy Thai, Chaw Khaing and her husband, U Aung. Relying on their Thai heritage and ability to create a delicious menu, daily, allows for quite the menu choices. The couple opened the restaurant at 92 Webster St., North Tonawanda, in May 2010 as a way of introducing North Tonawanda and Tonawanda residents to a new flavor of cuisine. “We live in North Tonawanda and we noticed this place was empty for quite some time,” said Khaing. “We offer traditional Thailand food. It’s Asian food with a lot of spice. There aren’t many other Thai food restaurants in the area, so... more

The 26th annual cake decorating contest, held under the direction of Family and Consumer Science teacher Deborah Sweeney, was recently held at Wilson Middle/High School. All staff, faculty and students from grades sixth through 12th were given ballots for each of the categories, and encouraged to vote during their lunch periods. Previously the contest was held in the lunchrooms, but more space was needed. This year, the 20 cakes lined both sides of the hall outside the cafeteria. Cake guards manned the tables and handed out ballots while they supervised students eyeing up their favorites. Sweeney said everyone helps out from the Kodak duplicating personnel to the custodians and the cafeteria... more

KENMORE - Prom season is fast approaching, but the ever-increasing costs can cause some high school seniors to pass on the special night. But in the Ken-Ton School District, female high school seniors who cannot afford a prom dress for the big night have a new option. The Ken-Ton Closet, an organization that collects and distributes clothing for the area’s needy, has stepped up and will offer underprivileged girls a chance to get a free prom dress. The Ken-Ton Closet, located at 169 Sheridan Parkside, has been collecting formal wear for girls since the beginning of the month with the hopes of distributing them to seniors from Kenmore East and West High Schools. Jill O’Malley, director of the... more

NORTH TONAWANDA - Taking over the business, which was previously known to the public as Murray’s Irish Pub, came rather easily to Squire’s Tap Room Owner Rick Neuhaus. The tap room, named Squire’s - which was a nickname given to his grandfather Harold “Squire” Gordon - is often referred to as the “Cheers of Tonawanda.” “Everyone knows you here. A lot of people know each other and obviously they know us after all these years,” said Neuhaus. “We have been surviving quite well.” Opening in 1995, Squire’s Tap Room, which is well known in the city for its Friday Fish Fry, has made a name for itself by serving up a prime catch each week. “I wouldn’t say we do more Fish Fry’s than anyone else... more

t will be a Sweet Sweet Summer in Lockport, with many events and activities being planned to highlight the community. Businesswoman Ellen Martin has planed many activities for the summer, including a student art exchange and a chalk festival. Martin, the owner of Sweet Sixteen Café, 16 W. Main St. and Sweet Ride Rentals, 51 Canal St., was looking for ways to promote tourism in Lockport and highlight all that is happening on Canal Street. So, starting in June, an eight by 12-foot chalkboard will be placed north of the Locks (NOLO) on Canal Street. The Sweet Dream chalkboard will give the community and those visiting Lockport the opportunity to write “what is on their bucket list,” on the... more