The food and drink scene in the Canandaigua area is undergoing a bit of a transition, with the imminent closure of a popular downtown restaurant, the addition of possibly more eateries downtown and the opening of a new craft brewery outside the city.
Here are four changes to keep an eye on this fall.
As an added bonus, it's Oktoberfest time in the Finger Lakes. A few suggestions on how to celebrate follow.
1. Last night at KiX on Main
Alexander "Xan" Bacon is about to enter uncharted territory.
He and wife Kimberly sold theirKiX on Main restaurant in downtown Canandaigua. The doors close after the last dinner and the last drinks are served Saturday, Oct. 3.
KiX on Main opened in 2021 in the space that once housed the Pickering Pub and more recently, Gleason's Food & Drinks.
They will continue to own Kershaw Koffee & Snacks and Fire on the Lake brick oven pizza across from Kershaw Park on Canandaigua Lake, but the days of owning a full-service restaurant are over, Bacon said.
And after 38 years in the business, he said he doesn't know what to expect except to say it's a weird feeling.
"I want to cry. I want to laugh. I want to hug my wife and say this is a great way to spend more time together," Bacon said. "But I'm going to miss my employees. I'm going to miss the customers."
With an homage to Semisonic's 1990s classic, "Closing Time," "every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
With a buyer secured, Bacon said, expect more details of what happens next at this iconic spot in downtown Canandaigua to come soon.
It's now official at Wheel Works Brewing Co. in Shortsville
Over in Shortsville, it's a new beginnings kind of feeling, as Wheel Works Brewing Co., which began serving customers Sept. 15, is now open "officially."
Co-owners Ken Johnson and Jeff Roberge, who with wife Kim recently ended a three-decade run as owners of sweet Times Bakery in Victor, and building owner Bob Johnston cut the ribbon on the new place.
Or more accurately, it's a new-look old place, as it's undergone an extensive rehab to get to this point. They operate in what once was an 1800s former wooden wheel manufacturing building.
To see what happened to the building in a short time and the vision these three gentleman have is "phenomenal," said Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan, the former Manchester supervisor who shared tales of growing up near the facility and fishing the Canandaigua Outlet that runs outside the brewery's back door.
Wheel Works Brewing Co. is at 1755 Pioneer Road, Shortsville. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. For more details, visit https://wheelworksbrewing.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585995066462&locale=tl_PH.
What's in store at the former Tom's Mobil site in Canandaigua?
Developer Fred Rainaldi Jr. teased it during a recent Canandaigua City Planning Commission meeting.
Commissioners may vote at its meeting Oct. 14 to clear the way for three eateries and other businesses at the former Tom's Mobil site at South Main and Saltonstall streets.
Anyone who has driven by and seen the sign knows Canandaigua Bagel Co. plans to operate there.
A boutique sandwich shop and fine-dining restaurant that offers "specialty cuisine" are also in the mix for the site, although Rainaldi was reluctant to name the businesses publicly at this stage of the approval process.
That may change, depending on the outcome of the Planning Commission vote.
Ribbon cutting at Latitude 43 in Canandaigua
Although Latitude 43 has been operating since August in the same space that once housed Nick's Chophouse and its Skydeck, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 5 p.m. Oct. 8.
For those who haven't popped in to check it out, yes, it still offers the rooftop experience. And plans are in the works to provide a haunted experience the next night when the elevator stops on the "43rd Floor."
Latitude 43 is at 5 Beeman St., Canandaigua.
Oktoberfest season in the Finger Lakes
— Brew and Brats at Arbor Hill will host its Oktoberfest celebration from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at 6461 state Route 64. The FLX Alpine Band (1 to 3 p.m. both days) and Alex Webster (5 p.m. Saturday) will perform. Stein-holding competitions are planned at 2 and 3 p.m. both days. Visitors can enjoy specialty menu and drink items. Costumes are encouraged.
— The third annual Oktoberfest at the Lake House on Canandaigua, in partnership with Canandaigua-based Frequentem Brewing Co., will be held Sunday, Oct. 25. This year's celebration will feature an expanded lineup of participating breweries, live music, festive food, lawn games, and plenty of German-inspired fun. Every ticket includes a commemorative Oktoberfest mug and first pour. The Lake House is at 770 S. Main St., Canandaigua. For tickets, visit https://the-lake-house.checkfront.com/reserve/?item_id=60&fbclid=IwY2xjawUom7xleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMW1oY1VBUktUZlhlYU1MdzJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeoxjlAwdjPlvHbvvY5I15d8LkZkslwb6ea0k6P9OB5UUXlmUqen8yDGUzpgw_aem_HURp3s2ya2Vzklwq8dgWog.
— Of course, every day is Oktoberfest at Rheinblick German Restaurant, which boasts a wide range of traditional German food and beer and wine. The restaurant is 224 S Main St., Canandaigua.
— Learn more about Oktoberfest and savor what it celebrates at New York Kitchen from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Sommelier and chemistry professor Heather “The Intoxicating Professor” McKechney will talk about German-style beers and the history behind the world’s most famous beer festival. The beer will be paired with a nosh box by resident Chef Pam Cecere. Tickets are $56. For details, visit nykitchen.com. New York Kitchen is at 800 S. Main St., Canandaigua.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Canandaigua food scene is changing. Here's what's new this fall
