The Batavia Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of the Batavia Boardwalk Shops with a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, July 15. The cluster of small chalets on the corner of Wilson and Route 25 (114 East Wilson Street) is home to eight unique retail shops. The boutiques serve as a type of business incubator, allowing owners to test the viability of their vision before signing a long-term lease. The city government of Batavia and Batavia MainStreet, along with many volunteers and partners, worked together to bring the unique concept to Batavia.
The businesses, along with their owners include: Dash Ten Works, Amanda and Chris Leutenberg, owners; Desmond Brown, Kelly Desmond, owner; Haylie B’s Bakery, Haylie Bollweg, owner; Larson Pet Shack, Rick and Kelly Larson, owners; Light & Pine Collective, Suzy Ray and Jenni Zielke, owners; The Other Half, Pat Hoag, owner; The Sweet Life, Bob Hansen and Jamie Saam, owners; and The Unboring Granola, Max Mong, owner.
Batavia mayor Jeffery Schielke presided over the somewhat soggy celebration. Among the attendees were the shop proprietors listed above, their families, Batavia Chamber president Margaret Perreault, and Chamber communications and membership coordinator Shirley Mott. In attendance were Batavia MainStreet executive director Sherri Wilcox and assistant director Beth Walker, many Batavia alderpersons, chamber ambassadors and other well-wishers.
The Batavia Boardwalk Shops made their the weekend of June 13 with resounding success. The shops are open each Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Some shops may have additional hours.
The shops will celebrate Christmas in July, July 24–26. There will be Christmas décor, music, and of fun Christmas items in the shops.
—Batavia Chamber of Commerce