Published: July 16, 2008 08:02 am      

Elena’s looks for new home

By Denise Richardson
Staff Writer

ONEONTA _ Elena Doyle said she has been given notice to vacate 281 Main St., where she has been serving coffee, baking pastries and fixing meals for almost 14 years, to accommodate another owner and restaurateur. She has until July 31 and is searching for another location where she can serve guests of Elena’s Sweet Indulgence and operate her catering business. Customers are wondering not only about the restaurant, she said, but also about her obligations in August and September to cater weddings, parties and other events.

``We actually had two customers cry,’’ Doyle said. The situation is a hurdle that she’ll get over, she said, though how wasn’t clear Tuesday. Jeff House, former downtown developer for the city, said Doyle faces a tough challenge to find a suitable place, and the time constraints make it more difficult. Retailers can pick up their merchandise and move, he said, but a restaurant needs a kitchen that meets health department codes.

The sale of the 281 Main St. building hasn’t closed, said Robert Gouldin, attorney for Paul Maerz, who wants to buy the structure and move Bella Pockets into it.

Maerz, who opened Bella Pockets in Clinton Plaza downtown in 2003, referred questions to Gouldin. The vacancy in the Main Street building was part of the contract to purchase, Gouldin said, but Maerz has generously offered to work with Doyle to enable her to meet her catering obligations.

Doyle said his offer to share space was a ``kind gesture’’ but didn’t seem practical considering the ``organized chaos’’ of her catering operation. Also, Bella Pockets attracts more college students than her business, which has grown to also serve families and ``old Oneonta.’’

Doyle said Gouldin delivered a letter June 30 about the pending sale with a termination notice signed by building owner Allen Fassler.

Doyle said she originally had a five-year contract with Fassler, but after 2002 or 2003, she was paying rent on a monthly basis, she said Tuesday, adding that she probably should have demanded a signed lease. Fassler didn’t return a call Tuesday to a home telephone number.

The building at 281-83 Main St. has a total assessed value of $147,600, according to Otsego County property tax records.

To move to a site without a kitchen could cost $50,000 or more for renovations, and Doyle said she isn’t sure at age 62 which option to choose. Doyle’s business previously was located on Chestnut Street downtown. On Tuesday, she checked the site of the former Tex- Mex restaurant at Clinton Plaza. Bella Pockets has a kitchen but it doesn’t face Main Street.

``I want to do what’s right for everyone,’’ Doyle said. House, housing rehabilitation specialist for

the city, said downtown Oneonta only has a few options to meet Doyle’s situation. However, the mayor and other city officials are ``trying to help in any way we can,’’ House said, and would entertain a loan application based on Doyle’s reputation and the longevity of her business.

A restaurant attracts foot traffic that benefits retailers, House said, and Elena’s Sweet Indulgence has developed a niche of offering high-quality food and service.

``Elena’s adds class to the Oneonta area,’’ said House, who earlier Tuesday had spoken with Doyle in her kitchen.

Several customers agreed if Doyle had to close, Oneonta’s Main Street would lose.

``It’s a classy little place,’’ said Martin Krivin, a musician and painter, of Oneonta.

``It’s part of the Oneonta culture,’’ added his wife, JoAnn Krivin, a photographer, as they sat at a table near the restaurant’s window to Main Street.

Dan Birnbaum, of Delhi, said he often stops at Elena’s on his way to work at his Damascene Book Cellar. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is pleasant and the staff is friendly, he said Tuesday.

``I always enjoy coming in here,’’ he said. ``I’m trying to support her as much as possible.’