Ponderosa Steakhouse

Ponderosa in West Branch, MI (Grok xAI enhanced)

 I thought I had done this one already, but I guess not. Ponderosa had several locations in CNY, the Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier/Twin Tiers, and the Capital Region (I'm just an Upstate girl, you know). The sister chain Bonanza were more out west. Here are where they were (she finds everything!): TBD unless otherwise indicated.

deWitt - NY 5; now Kudos Medical (formerly American Medwell and Visage [unrelated to band])

Syracuse (Westvale) - Onondaga Blvd; demolished, soon to be Byrne Dairy

Liverpool - Oswego St/Old Liverpool Rd; now Francescas

North Syracuse - US 11; now the Daily Diner

Oswego - NY 104; now demolished

Auburn - NY 5

Oneida - NY 5

Geneva - NY 5 & US 20

Cortlandville/Virgil - NY 13

Watertown - NY 3

Bath - NY 415 (Steuben County is both in the Finger Lakes and Twin Tiers)

Johnson City - NY 201

New Hartford - NY 5

Herkimer - NY 5 & 28; now Costello Eye Physicians & Surgeons

Johnstown - NY 30A; now Sams Seafood & Steakhouse

Guilderland - US 20; now Hana Japanese restaurant

East Greenbush - US 9 & 20; now Chinese buffet

Colonie - Wolf Rd

Latham - US 9

Rotterdam - NY 5 & Eastern Pkwy

Schenectady - Altamont Ave

Weis Gas Rewards in Southern Tier

 

Former Giant store in Binghamton (AI edit; CVS now closed)

    With the loss of Price Chopper and Market 32's FuelAdvantage after nearly two decades, Sunoco stations in the Southern Tier and Northeast Pennsylvania will have less business unless they are willing to switch to a competitors own version, and one that is more dominant in the area anyway. Weis Markets have had a monopoly in Broome County alone since buying Giant Markets from the Axel family in 2009. So now it only makes sense if these franchises are willing to participate in Weis Gas Rewards. Even when I last went to the area over the festive period, I saw that two stations had one or the other and were just several miles apart, but never thought that the one that I know could be gone months later. The Elmira store further into Twin Tiers was opened before the Giant deal, and is the only one in the state today not part of that lot or to have its own Gas-'n'-Go station. If Weis bought the former P&C/Tops/Grand Union in Owego, then the Sunoco at the Onvo service station off of I-86 & NY 17 in Nichols would likely join the programme. In Weis's home state, it's a bit more sporadic until you get further towards Susquehanna Valley, where the chain are based. Price Chopper have stores all the way to Lackawanna and Wyoming Valleys and the Poconos, even though one in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre suburb of Taylor had closed recently, since Price Chopper aren't as mega in Pennsylvania, I guess.
    Here are where Sunoco should accept Weis Gas Rewards (if an area Sunoco isn't listed, they either have it already or it's just not right near Binghamton):

Binghamton (east side) - NY 7

Binghamton (near downtown) - NY 17C

Cortland (downtown) - NY 13 & 41 and US 11 (only if Weis come to Cortland)

Cortlandville - NY 281 (same as above)

Endwell/Endicott - 3225 E Main St

Friendsville, PA - PA 267 (although Weis aren't even in Susquehanna County)

Nichols - Onvo, CR 509 (only if Weis open in Owego, although this is technically between the two)

Leader Drugs

Church Leader Drugs in East Syracuse (AI replica)

 Leader Drugs is a brand found at and consortium of indie drug stores. I remember it from the old days, yet I just discovered that they are alive and well today at a few thousand mom and pop pharmacies across the country. This may be a bit tricky to find past or present affiliates in New York or any other state, yet it was and to this day is what you'd find at a local chemist when their national competitors are struggling (David and Goliath again, you know). I'll just show you a number of yesterday and todays* Leader Drug Stores in CNY and WNY that I can remember (near me anyway) or dig up (just need enough to post).

Oswego - Wayne Drugs; NY 104 (still going strong, and where I learnt that Leader lives)*

Fulton - Wayne Drugs; E 1st St; sold to Kinney, which opened new store around the corner; now vacant

Syracuse (downtown) - Harrison Center Pharmacy/G&L/Kress (successor to classic north side store); Almond, Harrison & E Adams Sts; later sold to Kinney; now Upstate Medical Offices

Syracuse (south side) - Figs & Olives Pharmacy; NY 173 & E Brighton Ave; sold to Kinney, which opened new store across the street; demolished for Tim Hortons, which is now Dunkin'

North Syracuse - US 11; now Sammys NYC Deli and Grill

Manlius - Harveys Pharmacy; NY 92 (later Eckerd and Rite Aid, then Unplugged Gaming, now Dollar General)

Syracuse (east side/foot of SU Hill) - Harveys Drugs; NY 92 (same owners as above; now cornershop)

Syracuse (east side/near SU southeast campus) - Drumlins Pharmacy?; Skytop Plaza (later switched to Fays Cornerdrug; became Eckerd and Rite Aid; now Walgreens)

Henrietta - NY 15; now Brighton Health Center (Strong Ties URMC)

Liverpool/Bridgeport/Phoenix/Tully - Tri-R Drugs? (see previous post)

Buffalo (present) - Kents Leader Drug; NY 354*

Buffalo (past) - Bergs Leader Drug; 1540 Genesee St (now vacant lot)

Depew - Save Rite; NY 78 & US 20 ? (later Fays; TBD since I just don't know Erie County that well myself)

Syracuse (north side) - Kress Drugs; Butternut & Park Sts; late Victorian building survived well into 1990s; business moved to site off I-81 (soon to be BL-81); now demolished

New York (Midtown Manhattan) - 235 E 22nd St (even found a downstate one)*

*Leaders own site doesn't list their locations at this time, making it a wild goose chase to find them.

Tri-R Drugs

Screenshot from old commercial from the '80s

 Tri-R Drugs were a small local chain serving three counties. Kinney Drugs bought them out by the '90s and only one of these is still in business at its original location. Not sure if they were Rexall like Kinney were, Good Neighbor, or even Leader (that will be the next post). You never know what you can find.

Liverpool - CR 57; now Kinney Drugs

Phoenix - CR 57 & 57A; TBD

Bridgeport - NY 31 & 298; TBD

Tully - US 11 & NY 80; now vacant

Maplewood Bar & Grill

AI of Maplewood Bar & Grill in Mattydale Plaza

 Maplewood Inn started as an indie hotel on 7th North St in Liverpool after Days Inn had moved a mile away, in a part of town with lodging off of I-81 and the Thruway with proximity to the airport. Then it became a franchise of Holiday Inn Express after the full-fledged one had left the once-again Randolph House on Electronics Pkwy (previously Sheraton, later Ramada, and now sister chain Wyndham) and the later original Comfort Inn on Buckley Road (previously covered). Either corporate or the franchise shut down the restaurant section over a year ago. Not too far away in Mattydale, the flagship Zebb's in the former kmart Plaza on Brewerton Road (US 11) had closed, so the owners bought it and we're still waiting for it to open. Mattydale, Hinsdale, Pitcher Hill and Northern Lights Plaza have all fallen into decline in recent years like many part of the country as far as business goes. The ongoing I-81 Project has also caused concern for the hotel owners. The economy overall worries everyone these days.
 I went to the original Maplewood once for Halloween a few years ago when looking for somewhere to go on the night (we'll cover that later before then). I've eaten at Zebb's on occasion over the years. That chain once stretched from Rochester to the Mohawk Valley. There isn't much left in that plaza, even with their neighbor across the street making an effort to prove presenter Dave Portnoy wrong. He must have slated Mattydale Plaza as well if he bothered to look at that, but much of these places were nice once. As for Maplewood, their menu is quite good, and they focus more on local artists like Ronnie Leigh, John McConnell and Tom Chick (seen a couple of them at other places, not sure if two have played the old guard, and I don't typically or specifically see area performers like I would for national artists). My idea is when they have events for specific holidays and annual traditions. After three recent  attempts at Mardi Gras, only to find it's not like the other holiday as in the South with a Cajun twist, maybe the end of Carnival could have some resemblance to Orleans and Jefferson Parishes next year, and a Zydeco, Dr John type (he did OCC for Jazz Fest), or other band could play (this should be on the sister blog). I'll have to go through the year like Stevie Wonder to determine which ones would work. St Valentines Day, then Fat Tuesday if not the same day, St Patricks Day (perfect for the local), also an Easter Sunday buffet and community-focused get-together for those of us with nowhere else to go or no one to go with), Adult Prom (that was inevitable, but it's big enough from what I remember as Zebb's), Fourth of July with this years milestone, even my birthday since some people hold a public birthday bash, Labor Day if that's a thing for a show, the H-word, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve. Getting there by bus at nights and weekends may be an issue. Open Jam and something else are going to be a regular occurrence. It's still early days just finishing up everything. I really would like some small-time yet international names to come here once in a while without pushing out CNY ones like Jess Novak, Prof Mark Zane (his day job is at OCC), and Paul Davie (seen them too). I love supporting small and local business, even if I go to see hometown people per se to a lesser extent. I'm looking forward to the new Maplewood Bar & Grill and their continued success in the future.

Tully's Good Times

Better AI of Fayetteville Tullys

 Tully's Good Times are known for their chicken tenders and sports display, with locations throughout Central and Western New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Some CNY locations were previously the Ground Round (Liverpool and possibly Fairmount), Uno's Pizzeria and Grill (Fayetteville, pictured), and Friendlys (Tullys Tenders in Oswego). The last post led me to take it further with Tullys. While two on the list have been confirmed by the chain as far as them wanting to open them, they're in the same boat as for the rest the way we do things around here. The same family also own CopperTop Tavern, which only have a few locations, while having closed Good Buddy's Pub in Fairmount up W Genesee St from that Tullys, where TJs Big Boy and IHOP used to be and is now Second Chance Diner, which in turn, moved in from Camillus, but more on that another day. In Liverpool, Tullys Tenders have been looking to build on NY 31 between CR 57 and NY 481. Microns construction may have prompted that of the truncated version of the chain that is already on NY 104 after going up the previous highway. Originally from Batavia, the chain are now based in East Syracuse, and the east side location is the de facto flagship. Someone on Facebook had brought up one in the Mohawk Valley that is also in the works, akin to the one shown. As for the rest of the region, I'll just have to look around the region for other closed restaurants that can be done up as usual, or even just built from the ground up, if that. Now I must go back at least once a month for lunch now that they gave me a punch card to draw me in.

Liverpool (Clay/Bayberry) - NY 31, build from scratch (no pun intended); Tullys Tenders (confirmed)

New Hartford - CR 21, former Unos/Outback Steakhouse?; Orchard Plaza (plans confirmed for new location in that area)

Cortland - NY 281 & 222; former Eckerd/Rite Aid (since another pharmacy is unlikely)

Ithaca - NY 13, 34 & 96; former Burger King (building could be demolished since it's a state)

Oneida - NY 5; former KFC? (could be too small, so may also be replaced by original building site)

Horseheads - CR 35 & 75; Arnot Mall (I don't know Twin Tiers well enough to think of another spot)

Auburn - NY 5 & US 20; Fingerlakes Mall (even Cayuga County is tight on space along that corridor)

Advocates, Incorporated: Dine for Dollars

Fayetteville Tullys AI made from Unos

 Every month, Advocates Incorporated, a non-profit organisation that I've been involved with for the past couple years, partner with a different restaurant in Onondaga County, either a local business or the franchise of a regional or national chain, where if you mention the promotion or show it to them on your phone or tablet, the restaurant will usually match 20% of proceeds that are donated back to Advocates. They've worked with indies like King Davids, Home Run Pub and Stingers Pizza Pub; regional chains like diBellas, Tullys and Friendlys; and national ones such as Panera, IHOP, Red Robin (we've done two locations to get both sides of the county), and Texas Roadhouse (Clay, not deWitt). Tullys only want old school print, so you'd have to do it at home or work if possible, or go to the library or shipping place (I had to around the corner at the last minute after learning the hard way), yet they also do the same for our star players other cause, the local theatre company Front Row Players (last time, they were neck and neck). For me, if something doesn't get on with my stomach or budget, or is located too far for me to get to at that stage, then I just don't need to every month. We're not the Bob Geldof and Midge Ure (Band Aid) of Advocates, of course. We're just two complicated artists trying to find time for a coffee, mind (we eventually did, but that's a story for another day). Do check both NGOs' sites and socials for more information (FRP may only do this once or twice a year, and is otherwise unrelated to the monthly appeal). Is likely just tax deductible for the business, not the customer, yet it would be more relevant coming from a local place (you might know how that goes).

Special thanks Nicholas Courgi.

Caribou Coffee

Older Caribou Coffee in the Twin Cities Region. Courtesy Scott Beale/Laughing Squid.

 As if we need another coffee chain, Caribou Coffee, one chiefly in the Midwest and east coast south of the Beltway (those went to Peets, which I may do another day), was brought up by the floof group, led by another "Cervidae". I likely may have heard of it before in passing, but I'm not sure how, since it's from the Minnesota Capital Region. I could have even seen it in Chicago, where they'd be up against McDonald's McCafé. This is likely the very last post for 2025. Here's where Caribou could "rein" in:

North Syracuse - US 11 & S Bay Rd, Northern Lights Plaza, former Hofmann Hot Haus/Salt City Dogs (demolish building since it's too small and dated to be done up to Caribous standards and start fresh)

Mattydale - US 11 & Malden Rd; former Eckerd/Rite Aid/Walgreens (instead of above)

Oneida - NY 5, former KFC?

Baldwinsville (former Tri-County Mall) - Downer St, former Eckerd/Rite Aid

Cortland - NY 281 & 222, former Eckerd/Rite Aid

Syracuse (east side) - NY 5

Camillus - W Genesee St, former Friendlys/Second Chance Diner

Cicero - US 11 & Caughdenoy Rd, former Eckerd/Rite Aid/Walgreens

Baldwinsville (Moyers Corners) - NY 31 & CR 57, Kimbrook Plaza; former KeyBank?/Walgreens

Auburn - NY 5 & US 20; Fingerlakes Mall

Fulton - NY 3; former Rite Aid/Walgreens

Oswego - NY 104

Hallmark Store in Upstate NY

Hallmark Store in Edmonton, ALB, Prairie Canada

Rowanlovescars, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 It's that time of year again when people buy cards, and Hallmark lead the way. CNY, the Capital Region, Finger Lakes, WNY, Southern Tier, North Country, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys have all had the Hallmark store over the decades, but the stores themselves have been given their cards. Only the one in Destiny USA is left in Syracuse today. Changing consumer needs and the economy has closed what have been mainly franchises. Some I can remember near home anyway, others I have to dig up. The company are based over by Taylor and Travis (send them a card for the wedding), and don't even get me started on those dross TV films, mind! Here's where the cards were sold. Only a few that I know are other things today.

Syracuse (Lyncourt) - Shop City Plaza, was likely in mini-mall; demolished by mid-'90s

deWitt - NY 5, Shoppingtown Mall, The Gift Horse; closed by 2010s

Liverpool - W Taft Rd, Tracys Gift Shop, Wegmans Plaza; now Upstate Nails Spa

Westvale - NY 5, Westvale Plaza; Annies Hallmark Shop; now iSmash

Clay - NY 31 & 481, Great Northern Mall, Matthews Gift Shop; closed by 2010s

Syracuse (downtown) - S Salina St?; closed decades ago

Syracuse (north side) - Destiny USA (formerly Carousel Center), Matthews Gift Shop; closed and replaced by current store down the hall (Christmas Treasures)

Cortland - N Main St; Jodis Hallmark

New Hartford (1) - Genesee St, Tracys Hallmark Shop, New Hartford Shopping Ctr

New Hartford (2) - NY 5 & 5A, Sangertown Square Mall, Matthews Gift Shop

Rome - E Chestnut St; with Hummels Office Plus

Watertown - NY 3, Salmon Run Mall; Matthews Gift Shop

Ithaca - NY 13, 34 & 96; Tracys Gift Shop

Johnson City - NY 201 & Harry L Dr, Oakdale Commons

Kingston - US 9W, Tracys Gift Shop

Rotterdam - Altamont Ave, Tracys Gift Shop

Schenectady - NY 337, Viaport, Matthews Gift Shop

Delmar - NY 443, Delaware Plaza, Hallmark Gold Crown

Ruby Tuesday

Typical Ruby Tuesday, likely in Connecticut. Another Mike Mozart masterpiece.

 Ruby Tuesday are a restaurant chain named after a Rolling Stones hit, and unlike Keith Richards, they have had locations that didn't last forever. CNY, WNY, the Capital Region, Southern Tier, Hudson Valley, downstate (I'll just put a couple because it'll take too long) and North Country have all had over a dozen out of hundreds nationwide close, and only the East Syracuse one is still in operation in CNY. I can still picture the pumpernickel croutons in the salad bar. Goodbye, Ruby Tuesdays. Who can hang another name on them? When they change with every new day. Still, we're gonna miss them.

Syracuse - Destiny USA (formerly Carousel Center); now Aloha Krab

deWitt - NY 5; later Stones Steakhouse; now CopperTop Tavern

Clay - NY 31 & 481, Great Northern Mall; now vacant

New Hartford - NY 5 & 5A, Sangertown Square

Watertown - NY 3

Greece - NY 104

Cheektowaga - Walden Ave

Blasdell - McKinley Pkwy & NY 179

Johnson City - Oakdale Commons

Poughkeepsie - US 9

Kingston - US 9W

Westbury - Old Country Rd

New York - 7th Ave

Guilderland - US 20, Crossgates Mall

Wilton - NY 50, Wilton Mall

Ruby Tuesday written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Published by ABKCO Music, Ltd. Parody lyrics by John Sposato (I'm no Weird Al myself, so there's no need to get permission).

The UPS Store in CNY

Fantasy Eastwood store in Syracuse

 The UPS Store are the shipping giants retail arm and successor to Mail Boxes, Etc. in North America. They provide direct UPS services and rates, and most Amazon.com and other online returns. When you can't get to the post office, much but not all of what they do is available for a bit more. However, some locations in CNY have closed over the years, while new ones should be opened. The latest is downtown or the north side of Syracuse. I'll just have to reach into the memory vault or look up old and new spots as always. Here's what the brown lorry delivered:

Past locations:

Syracuse (Eastwood) - Shop City; now Appliance Parts

Syracuse (downtown) - S Warren & E Jefferson Sts; now boutique shop/CommonSpace

East Syracuse - NY 290; now RISE medical cannabis dispensary

Baldwinsville (Moyers Corners) - CR 57 & NY 31, Kimbrook Plaza; TBA (current store across CR 57)

Syracuse (east side) - Nottingham Rd, Julian Pl & E Colvin St; now Café Kubal (moved up Nottingham Rd next to Kinney Drugs)

Auburn - Genesee St (only just closed)

Penfield - NY 441, Bay Towne Plaza (also closed for now, but found while looking up locations)*

Pittsford - NY 31, Pittsford Plaza*

*Rochester area

Future locations:

Syracuse (Eastwood) - NY 290 & North Ave; former PostNet/Daws Drugs/Walgreens (20th Century) (AI pictured)

Liverpool - Electronics Pkwy & Old Liverpool Rd; former Big M/Carls Drugs/Fays Drugs/Thrifty Shopper/Palm Market; Liverpool Plaza (there'd be room for sorting packages)

Syracuse (Fairmount) - Fairmount Fair

New Hartford - NY 5A; former similar business

Dutch Bros Coffee

Multnomah County location in August in the Pacific Northwest

Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 I know there are a tonne of coffee places big and small these days, but Dutch Bros are a chain that haven't reached the Northeast just yet. The only part of the east coast they've gotten to thus far is the Orlando area between Floridas coasts, yet some of their competitors weren't always that widespread themselves. They all prefer to build from scratch like the photo shows rather than try to do up another chains building. I can just go to ones that are too much a state to save or won't sell or let so Dutch Bros can bring their courage (even though that term means Heineken, mind).

Oneida - NY 5, former KFC?

Syracuse (east side) - NY 5, former Arthur Treachers

North Syracuse - US 11 & S Bay Rd, Northern Lights Plaza; former Hofmann Hot Haus/Salt City Dogs

Mattydale - US 11 & Malden Rd, former Eckerd/Rite Aid/Walgreens (instead of above)

Liverpool - Old Liverpool Rd, former Eckerd/Rite Aid/Family Dollar

East Syracuse - NY 298, former Starbucks/Jimmy Johns

Ithaca - NY 13/34/96, former Burger King

Cortland - NY 281 & 222, former Eckerd/Rite Aid

Baldwinsville (Moyers Corners) - NY 31 & CR 57, former KeyBank/Walgreens

Baldwinsville (Tri-County Mall) - Downer St, former Eckerd/Rite Aid

Fulton - NY 3, former Rite Aid/Walgreens

Oswego - NY 104, former Ponderosa

Rome - NY 46 & 49, former Rite Aid

Ace Hardware

Fratellones Ace Hardware in New Hope, MN (Twin Cities area). Courtesy Chad Davis.

 Ace Hardware may seem just as easy as their big box competitors, but even they have some pockets in CNY they could still fill. They're likely to take over franchises from rival co-op True Value after they were sold to Do It Best where those two overlap, but not where Ace already have an affiliate. Ace have gotten several former True Value stores in CNY alone in recent years, and opened a few more. The one in Liverpool Plaza, the center my late father over saw in later days, had that personal service that the big chains mostly lack, given that all Ace stores are separately and locally owned and operated. I had a coupon and bought a few things, even though I didn't get all his DIY knowhow (he went to "the other place" mostly). I did get my lawn mower fixed there by David, which Goliath doesn't do, if you like. Here are where Ace should have a base (see what I did there?!):

Syracuse (Lyncourt) - Shop City Plaza; former Ames/Eckerd/Rite Aid

Syracuse (Westvale) - Westvale Plaza, NY 5; former P&C/Tops (Sears Hardware used to be up the block in current Thrifty Shopper, so this would bring DIY back to this part of town)

Canastota - NY 5 & 13 and CR 25; former Family Dollar or former Rite Aid/Walgreens

Chittenango - NY 5; former Rite Aid/Walgreens

Utica - Genesee St; former Carls/Fays/Eckerd/Rite Aid or Rite Aid only (across from Market 32)

New Hartford - Kellogg Mall, Washington Mills, CR 26; former Fays/Eckerd/Rite Aid and/or New Hartford Shopping Center; former Tuesday Morning or Herb Phillipsons

Cortland - Riverside Plaza, NY 13; former flea market or NY 222; former Valu Home Center

Gloversville - N Main St; former Rite Aid (Noble are in Johnstown)

7 Brew Coffee

7 Brew building site in Melbourne, FL in 2022 (I'll get my own snap shortly)

 7 Brew Coffee are a growing chain of drive-thru coffee takeaways, with new locations in North Syracuse and Rome, with Auburn and other area on the way, but there are some they may not have considered yet. They build from scratch and they take no time at all to pop up, so if an old property is sat and no longer of any use, it can just be demolished to make way for 7 Brew, which is easier for people in cars, even though I stumbled upon the Rome one at short notice, which had led me to write this one. May not be the easiest for those of us who don't drive or get on with technology (over-60s).

deWitt or Syracuse (east side) - NY 5

Clay or Liverpool - NY 31 or CR 57 (given Micron)

Cortland - NY 281 or 13 (local chain Coffeemania are also drive-thru only, so it'd be classic David & Goliath in a small town, you know)

Ithaca - NY 13/34/96 (former Burger King)

Auburn - NY 5 (former Eckerd/Rite Aid; confirmed)

Camillus or Fairmount - W Genesee St

Oswego - NY 104

Fulton - NY 3 or 481

Oneida - NY 5 (former Cost Cutters officially proposed)

ChatGPT OpenAI express version of 7 Brew Coffee

Salt City Coffee

Notsky the dog furry in Pamplona mode on a Valentine (Open AI)

 Salt City Coffee are one of the largest local coffee chains in town, giving even Café Kubal a run for their money, now with five locations (near west side flagship, downtown bar, SU Hill, east side, and Fayetteville), one Salt City Coffee got after the other place had a rift with next door neighbor 3fifteen and its owner the Rescue Mission, if not the Willowbank Company, the landlord of Marshall Square Mall, which they run in partnership with SU. Salt City Coffee could open a few more stores without selling out and staying true to their name, since CNY or any given area these days has no shortage of local coffee shops to compete with the big chains.

Clay/Liverpool? - NY 31? (confirmed by chain, but it's hard to determine just where at this time. Shall include drive-thru and will open in Spring 2026)

North Syracuse - US 11 & S Bay Rd, Northern Lights Plaza; former Hofmann Hot Haus/Salt City Dogs (unrelated business) (pictured below)

Syracuse (north side) - 1 Walsh Circle (off NY 370), Regional Transportation Centre; former Dunkin'

Liverpool - CR 57, Glenn Crossing Plaza; one of two former restaurants TBD

East Syracuse - NY 298 & Weighlock Dr; former Starbucks and Jimmy Johns (between Carrier Circle, Northern Blvd, and Collamer across from Kinne St off Thruway exit 35)

Fantasy location in North Syracuse

Original Valentine with Notsky and added logo

Revised Ghibli Valentine with added logo and edits

Where to Hold Adult Prom in Syracuse

Kitty and Notsky are ready for the big night! (AI)

    Now in my tenth year of finding a prom in my area (even in 2020 when even the kids were out of luck, and I'm doing this for those who were deprived in 2020-21 as well as those of us of every vintage who are looking to either make up or redo like it's a test we had to take in order to earn it). While I was able to find something I could go to with just one days notice, I'm still determined to get this done, especially since Singers Karaoke Club have now decided that they just won't have it this year after all because of other events being planned, even after last years revival following a long, long pause. A pride prom in Rome not just for young people has raised money, and it's on a Saturday this time, which is free if you live right in the area, but not if you have to pay more money getting there than being there, even if it's less than some events back home or starting from scratch. Going even further from town is out of the question for me and many others, even if they can drive. I wrote the list offline first before copying it here. I just wish this could be done in my backyard when they are held in one-horse towns as much as the big cities. Can't even get concerts to come here every time anymore (that's more for the sister blog). I also found where to have it in other Upstate metros, but it'd be more sporadic because I wouldn't know them all combined as well as my own backyard, of course, which is why I stay there. I went to Rome since I could absorb that cost, as that was my only option for the time being thus far, but I ruled out another prom in the Mohawk Valley, being held a hotel in New Hartford in July on a Tuesday, which is rare. The town (Utica) is small, but not that small (even if you do have your own way around). Because of poor bus scheduling in Rome, I didn't want to make the same mistake twice in Utica and New Hartford, even though there'd be better chance of a bus turning up, I will stay close to home for these events in future because I had to be picked up and lodged a complaint to one bus company.
    I haven't ruled out holding adult prom in Syracuse, even if it's not in the springtime or this year, although I found a more exclusive event at short notice similar to a couple I went to several years ago. That place closed months after not long before COVID and is still vacant, yet I would buy it and use it as a small event space to let, but until then, here are the numerous options in and around the city I can come up with. Price, parking, ADA compliance and bus lines all are factored in to each venue.
    Someone else in my area said that they're planning on having one this Labor Day Weekend (5 or 6 September), so that saves having to go two counties away again just for that. They'll most likely book one of the larger spots downtown. Might be a different lot than the other two this year, but one must keep an open mind. Just hope tickets are reasonably priced. A charity ball in Jefferson County charged $25 for singles, which would be doable here. Comes before the start of school and homecoming season in the Northeast. Other places are considering, but this is the only one half-confirmed thus far in Syracuse, so that saves me the trouble of navigating (as everyone says these days) this on my own.

Downtown/Armory Square

Palladian Hall; N Salina & E Water Sts (former OnBank/M&T Bank; part of the Treasury; Chittenango High School moved their prom there in 2026 so not to overlap with another school at the Marriott)

Maxwells, Hanover Square; E Genesee St (formerly Elbow Room; better for smaller events)

The Rail Line; S Clinton St (may not have hosted a prom, but there's a first time for everything)

McCarthy Mercantile; S Salina & E Fayette Sts (Victorian-era building with local businesses at street and lower levels that hosts events down cellar)

Sky Armory; S Salina & Clinton Sts (has hosted some proms before, but not in a period)

Marriott Syracuse Downtown (has several regular proms and may be too expensive); E Onondaga, Harrison & N Warren Sts; formerly Hotel Syracuse; I only went to a charity prom for terminally ill little girl in March 2019 (didn't even need to get dolled up for it). Has room for up to three proms at once, yet that would be too much. Adult prom was held in the past, but was just too expensive for me.

OnCenter/Nick Pirro Convention Ctr (same, even though it's taxpayer property); US 11/S State, E Adams & Harrison Sts. I've gone on rare occasion over the past three decades since it had opened in 1996; most recently for RetroGameCon in October 2025.

Landmark Theatre (has hosted a few of these in the corridor and lobby); S Salina St; formerly Loews State (from studio system era under MGM); was unavailable during the summer more than once because of renovations and when there are residencies. Not sure if the stage would be used like in Rome, which is smaller, of course. I was told by management in the past that they're a rental house.

Salt City Bar; S Salina & W Onondaga Sts, Salt City Market (official events held by coffee bar on New Years Eve and Pride, fulfilling both events for less. They can be booked for private events, however, as can the markets own community room in the back, which I've only gone to for Centro/SMTC seminars)

Hotel Onondaga; E Fayette & S Warren Sts (future luxury Hilton franchise with pending litigation that could hold it once cleared by court and even built)

Mizpah Towers; Montgomery & E Jefferson Sts, Columbus Circle; recently renovated and reopened after thirty years of vacancy. It's a wine cellar, restaurant and event center. I don't care for the wine, of course, yet there's no shortage of history in this building (ask OHA across the street once they finally reopen)

Liverpool

Randolph House Hotel, Electronics Pkwy & 7th North St off I-90 (Traditions of Wyndham franchise; formerly Ramada [sister chain]/Sheraton/Holiday Inn. No regular proms this year. Have gone for CD Record Fair and Easter buffet in the recent past)

Cicero

Carnegie Conference Centre, E Circle Dr; Drivers Village (former Penn-Can Mall in old Denbys wing near clock tower; also no run-of-the-diploma-mill proms in 2025-26; went for festive do last and this year)

Mattydale

VFW Post 3146; Truck NY 298 & leMoyne Ave (went for late Lent chippy and when moms car once broke down and we needed to ring for help)

Maplewood Bar & Grill, US 11 (former Zebbs); Mattydale Plaza (former kmart plaza; formerly at Holiday Inn & Suites in Liverpool [previously Maplewood Inn & Suites and Days Inn]; opening in Fall 2026)

East Syracuse

American Legion Post 359; NY 290 (Halloween parties and fundraisers held there; other venue I wanted to hire up the street has closed where one of my NGOs used to be)

Silver Street Event Center; a block from W Manlius St sometimes used for punk shows and other smaller events

Onondaga Hill

SRC Arena, OCC, NY 173 & 175 (where I used to go to around the corner closed in September 2019)

Camillus (in name only)/Taunton/town of Onondaga

TK Tavern on the Hill; Howlett Hill Rd, Taunton (original location off NY 5 that is becoming Byrne Dairy had Salt City Collective prom twice; no relation to TK99/105)

Tipp Hill

Emerald Cocktail Kitchen (suggested to them and they will consider); W Fayette St & W Wilbur Ave (will have to wait until Spring 2027 to be in season and when owner returns from hiatus)

Ukrainian National Home (SCC prom moved there after old TK closed from a fire); W Wilbur Ave

Eastwood

Palace Theatre; NY 290 (has no lift to get upstairs at this time unfortunately if held upstairs, being older and smaller, even though it may be in violation of ADA regulations. Could be held in theatre and lobby, but I was told it might be $3,000 to hire for the day when the floofs researched a venue for a separate event, but that's for another day)

American Legion Post #1276; NY 290 (former Friendlys; I was also trying to find a place for my birthday, and could even have the prom for my birthday party in August next year unless I am out of town or decide on something else locally)

Brewerton

Brewerton Centre for the Arts; US 11 (former church turned rental hall and community center; hosted one two years ago, yet may be too far for some people)

Syracuse (east side)

Harveys Garden (floofs had back room, yet prom could be held upstairs; also went for Mardi Gras); E Water St & Walnut Ave

SkyBarn; SU South Campus (Nottingham High School have their junior prom there)

Syracuse (west side)

Singers (last resort during the day if booked as a private event on a Saturday afternoon since nights are ruled out for right now, as they may only have their own during the season, so maybe next year on that)

Verona

Turning Stone Casino; NY 365 & CR 48A; the Grand Expo (although in Oneida County, it's the resorts new ballroom made for such a do. Even for a small town, I'm not certain that a regular prom could have been held there because of the age-restricted nature of gaming, limiting where students could go)

Car washes

A car wash in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deutschland. Courtesy Günther Hentschel.

 It seems like lately, new car washes open up left and right. Of course, they need to be cleaned, yet they seem to be an easier business to open than others with a bit less red tape. Nowadays, they are larger than ever, able to accommodate dozens of customers. Delta Sonic alone get queues several yards long. They are also the only way to get Tim Hortons in CNY. Other competitors have replaced former chains such as Babies 'R Us, Cams Pizzeria/Hardees/Hortons/ Dougs/TJs Fish Fry, an older car wash, a phone store, and other businesses. I miss the kind of full service car wash where you could have the attendant take your car through while you wait and then they clean the inside out after (this is called detail). Those must still exist. Car washes aren't nationalised, if you like. They're regional or indie. Also, get undercarriage because it prevents rust if you don't have rust already (one of my pet hates about motor cars, along with bumper stickers, dents, scratches, and bin bags in windows if you're too cheap to get them fixed).

Pizza Hut in CNY

Classic red mansard roof design in Saratoga County in the Capital Region, 2014.

Tyler A. McNeil, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 Pizza Hut aren't as big as they once were. So many have closed over the past few decades in CNY alone. I have to dig through my mental archive again for this one. They remain in East Syracuse, Liverpool, Cicero, Auburn, and an express location in Niagara Falls, ONT (the boys' side) for that matter. Here's where they "panned" out (to think Craig Robinson, who used to do the adverts, did one with Shaq for the General, since the NBA icon has a Papa Johns franchise and specialty pizza to boot):

Syracuse (Eastwood) (1) - Shop City Plaza, Swansea Dr & Lea La; later Antonios and a barbecue (Salt City BBQ?); now City Laundromat; was truncated in late '90s before closing

Syracuse (Eastwood) (2) - NY 290; later Papa Johns; now Liberty Tax*

Fayetteville - Highbridge St; now Twin Trees*

deWitt - NY 5; demolished; now Calibre Collision

Mattydale - US 11; now X-Crispy Chicken

Oneida - NY 5; now vacant

Syracuse (Fairmount) - W Genesee St; later Pudgies; now Stellas Diner

Chittenango - NY 5 & 13; now Chittenango Pizza

Cortland - NY 13; now Hydes Diner

Syracuse (south side/Valley) - US 11, Valley Plaza*

Nedrow - US 11; now vacant

Baldwinsville - Downer St, River Mall; becoming TJs Cannabis (never thought I'd be putting that on) 

Vestal - NY 434; now vacant (Southern Tier, but still worth mentioning)

*Pizza Hut Delivery

Café Kubal

Eastwood location taken at short notice from the car

 Café Kubal in Syracuse are a local coffee chain now in their fourth decade. However, several locations have closed since then. Competition from both national chains and other indies alike, as well as the economy have been a challenge to Kubals business like anyones. The SU Hill store once had a deal with 3fifteen next door where you fill a bag with donations and you'd get a ticket for a free coffee, but they had fallen out in court, and that location is now local rival Salt City Coffee, while Kubal moved just a few blocks away to Golisano Childrens Hospital at SUNY Upstate, making it limited to visitors, staff and patients (not so much the kids, mind). The current downtown location is in the old Dey Brothers building, whilst the Creekside Commons one is just across Armory Square within walking distance. The near northside location is the roastery, which the Eastwood one once was, and the restaurant and bakery section reopened in September, and is once again the de facto flagship. The North Syracuse location on US 11 and W Taft Road at Sweetheart Corners was a onetime Tim Hortons. New locations are planned for the future as this is just as common with the big chains. The former leMoyne mock-Tudor firehouse was scheduled to become Kubal, but decided to become Salt City Coffee itself instead (still owned by the Jesuit school in a deal with SCC). May be too late for the other uni hill as their bridges may otherwise be burned as far as a regular location, and there are already a handful of other options on or close to campus now. No need for me to come up with new spots myself, since that's too easy, and of course, it's not my job anyway (I usually do this because that's my trademark, even though I can't really encourage someone elses). Also want to keep Kubal small. Here are where Café Kubal once were brewing:

Syracuse (downtown) - Marriott Syracuse Downtown (née Hotel Syracuse), S Warren St; previously Hardees; now vacant or just used by the hotel

Syracuse (east side/SU Hill) - Marshall Square Mall, Marshall St & University Ave; former uni bookshop and bar; now Salt City Coffee (that will get its own post shortly)

Syracuse (Eastwood) - NY 290, Eastwood Plaza; closed for rebrand, becoming Caffé Così this fall, according to building site permit posted in the window; former Thrifty Shopper; roastery formerly located in western part of old Sacred Melody (half that closed in early '00s that is also vacant, but also has a permit for liquor store/former Hooches Furniture/Carls?/True Value Hardware/future 3fifteen) (pictured above and below; sign on wall is now blank in real life, unfortunately)

Manlius - NY 92 & 257; former Bank of America; now Utica suburb Yorkville-based bakery Holland Farms' first location outside Oneida County; drive-up ATM remains

Auburn - Genesee St; only non-Syracuse area location to date; only open for two months' time, likely due to unfamiliarity of name in Cayuga County and economy overall (simplistic but valid reason, and it's a small town that I know enough)

North Syracuse - US 11 & W Taft Rd, Sweetheart Corners; previously Tim Hortons and former site of Sweetheart Market; now Zaman Coffee House, a Turkish style indie.

Fantasy future location, but not sure where to put it.

Caffé Così in former Eastwood location (OpenAI)

Rebuilding Ovid

Main St (NY 96A & 414) in Ovid in happier times. Very special courtesy Jo Zimny. CC-by-NC-ND 2.0.

 21 January is a day no one in the small Finger Lakes village of Ovid shall forget when an electrical fire broke out in a flat upstairs from Big M on Main St (once an IGA, according to one local resident), taking out four other local businesses and several other apartments. I wanted to use my AI skills that I've picked up this past year and try to come up with new versions of all five of these mom and pop establishments, which also included Uptown Diner (which needed more attempts than the others combined), Eva's Laundry, Italian Kitchen and Seneca Coffee House. Most of these buildings seem to date back to the Victorian and Edwardian eras, although some like this can go as far back as Regency. There are priceless memories attached to these places, of course, and not even I.M. Pei himself could truly replace these if he were still alive. It's still early days right now, but rebuilding is on the agenda once the debris is cleared and the weather is cooperative for a building site. Another restaurant that had been around much longer closed several years ago on the outskirts of town, but the two from Main St probably either don't want to be away from the rest of the commercial district, or because of events from years past which we won't get into here. There had been another fire a decade earlier, however.
 Seniors are provided a bus twice a week to go to Walmart and Tops to go shopping for the time being, since many don't drive anymore or won't go all the way to Waterloo or Wegmans in Geneva themselves (you're on your own there or if you're younger). Of course, small business gets taken for granted and you just never know. It can be months if not years before all these are back in new homes. If buildings like the ones lost could be designed, then new apartments could also go on top, given the housing crisis. Several ways to donate are available to show your support. We'll have to check on Ovid down the road to see how they come on like other places big and small that suffered disaster in recent memory.

'50s dinerette which may be too small, even for Ovid

This may be a bit more possible than a standalone.

Switched to Grok on X and got a more outlying result.

Retro Uptown Diner that won't work in winter!

The little local launderette. Don't know if Eva is.

The local coffee shop, or at least the roastery.

Big M, in a design that should fit on the block.

Italian Kitchen, my kind of restaurant!

A more possible scenario for todays small town.

Another Big M cornershop with Craiyon

Might be more fitting for Big M

Needed to create the outside of Evas Laundry

The real Big M in the early '90s (unknown)

New apartment building (harder to make)

Upstairs flats above storefront (too simplistic)

Ovid Arms, but I got two pastoral mock Tudor cottages

Ovid Arms, but a bit too posh and townie

These are also too upscale for a rural community