Business notebook: Warwick IBA approaches new school chief

Warwick - Members of the Warwick Independent Business Alliance (IBA) recently met with Frank Greenhall, the new Warwick school superintendent to begin establishing a better line of communication between the local business community and the school district. “Superintendent Greenhall was supportive of the Warwick IBA mission,” reported co-founder Michael McDermott. “He is willing to work with us to open channels of communication and to determine where and how the school district can support local businesses.” McDermott said he hopes that these local businesses will be given an opportunity to bid on products and services purchased by the Warwick School District. “Ideally,” he said, “with the superintendent’s assistance, we can begin redirecting Warwick taxpayers’ money into our local economy.” The Warwick IBA would like to begin by assembling a list of products and services that are used by the school district and are available from independent businesses located in the Town of Warwick. Logical items should include but are not limited to office supplies, books, athletic equipment and trophies. Local businesses are asked to provide a summary of these products and services as well as contact information to Michael McDermott at the Warwick IBA in writing or by e-mail at: notes@warwick.net. The Warwick IBA will then forward the information to Greenhall for review. Renovations at the Willows Café When Gia Adamis, owner of the Willows Café, 16 Main St., Warwick, was asked why she decided to open a restaurant, she quipped, “Everyone has to eat and did you ever know a Greek who wasn’t in the food business?” However, even Adamis, whose heritage happens to be Greek, admits this is actually her first restaurant. Before opening the Willows Café last October, she owned a clothing boutique in Goshen. But cooking happens to be something she enjoys. She also learned much about the food business as a waitress in a family restaurant and as a short order cook for her church. Now, after about six months successfully running her new eatery, Adamis is ready to make some improvements to accommodate more patrons. Initial plans call for installing a longer front counter and providing more seating capacity in the cozy rear dining room overlooking Wawayanda Creek. Her philosophy for the Willows Café, however, will not change. She plans to continue serving simple homemade fare and to keep her restaurant small and friendly. “We serve nine different hamburgers and 10 different pancakes,” laughed Adamis. “We also serve breakfast all day and have seven different coffees to go with it.” The Willows Cafe menu also includes a variety of other simple American foods including homemade soups, salads and sandwiches as well as a few Greek specialties such as Gyros, a favorite Pita sandwich made with ground meats. You might also want to try another specialty of the house: a hot grilled Pita Paninis. Whenever possible, Adamis purchases local fresh produce including potatoes and onions grown in Pine Island. “I even cut my own French fries every day,” she said. The Willows Café is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The restaurant is available for private parties and offers catering and take-out service. Call 987-9455. ‘Cabin Fever Weekend’ extended With last week’s record snowstorm, many local residents may have stayed in their cabins instead of enjoying the festivities at Frazzleberries’ annual “Cabin Fever Weekend.” Mary Beth Schlichting, however, owner of the gift shop at 24 Main St., Warwick, has decided to extend the popular event, complete with Lisa’s Cookies and other refreshments, to this weekend, Feb. 18 - 19. Everyone is invited to stop by. Blood drive Mount Peter Ski Area will conduct a blood drive this Saturday, Feb. 18. The local blood bank is in short supply and the ski area hopes to top last year’s collection of 47 pints. Everyone who donates blood will receive a free lift ticket that can be used on any day except the blood drive day. Because many public roads were closed during last week’s snowstorm, Firefighter’s Family Day at Mount Peter has been rescheduled for March 11.