Chamber-of-Commerce Business After Hours - September '09

Holly Development played host to yesterday evening's monthly Chamber-of-Commerce Business After Hours at their place in the former Perpetual Bank facilities on Main Street. There weren't any block busting new announcements but we were brought up to date on a few items of interest to the village. At the July Business After Hours Save-A-Lot's Henry Nemenz announced their plans for the $2 million dollar expansion and remodeling in Wellsville.


Byron Carter told us a little of the history of Holly Development saying they began a few years ago by buying the Perpetual Bank building, the house with Mills Ins. next door and the parking lot next to that. A while later they also bought the building that housed the former Sky Bank on Main St. The company was started with Mr. Carter and his partners William Hall and the late Melvin Pullie.


Holly Development offers office & apartment rentals and they will remodel to any office renters specifications. They will also do construction and remodeling projects to customer specifications on other locations. Melvin Pullie spearheaded the construction of the road salt storage bin for Wellsville that is located behind Village Hall.


Not only is Byron Carter an entrepreneur he's an extraordinary chef. Served last evening was his famous barbecue chicken, his gumbo, mouth watering sweet potato pie and peach cobbler. It was all cooked up and prepared by the man himself. There were also finger sandwiches, snacks and ice tea. There was no excuse for anyone there to go home hungry. Even the Mayor broke off his diet to enjoy some of the irresistable entrees.


Henry Nemenz told us that they are very close to securing a financing package for the $2 million expansion and remodeling project mentioned above. Once that is accomplished Nemenz said they expect to start construction almost immediately. It should be completed within 90 to 120 days once begun. With everything new including shelving, coolers and freezers there will be no interruption in the grocery store when the new one is completed. They'll close at the end of their business day one night at the old store and reopen in the new building at the start of the next day.


When they do that remodeling will start on the old building converting it to a multi-purpose facility with a coffee shop, deli, bakery, restaurant and liquor store. The coffee shop will be their own design modeled after some of the franchises but independently owned & operated. Nemenz remarked that his expertise is in the deli and bakery business. In the early days of the Great Depression his father opened his first store in 1930. His deli sandwiches were enormous with the meat piled on to satisfy any appetite. He said his dad taught him to always treat the people right and that has been his philosophy all through his business career.


Nemenz said at his age he could retire but he enjoys what he is doing and feels an obligation to do what he can for the people that took care of him. Those people are the customers and the some 1,700 employees that work for his Save-A-Lot & IGA stores. Not forgetting where you came from and the people that got you there are important to him. He said he is excited about the plans for Wellsville as are many of us. Nemenz pledges to continuing bringing the "best bargains found anywhere" to the ville.

It was a thoroughly delicious and enjoyable time getting together with everyone there last night. Thanks to the good folks of Holly Development for their outstanding hospitality. I think it is safe to say that everyone there enjoyed themselves. Thanks for allowing me to join in.

ole nib