By Madhu Mayer
Lockport Restaurant week comes back with a full list of participating restaurants. From February 27 to March 12 locals can visit Lockport to experience the special menu items that the restaurants have to offer.
Restaurant Week is designed to give customers a budget friendly opportunity to visit restaurants they may not have tried before. It also offers diners a chance to try something new. For two weeks, diners can enjoy price fix menus for lunch and dinner throughout the city. Restaurant Weeks have become popular across the country since New York began as a lunch-only promotional event in 1992.
The City of Lockport, Heritage Corridor and the Lockport Chamber of Commerce are partnering to sponsor the two-week-long celebration this year from quick bites to special menus. Complimentary valet parking will be available in the city’s downtown on State Street at the corner of 10th and 11th streets from 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays and 4 to 11 p.m. Saturdays until March 11.
“If you have not visited in a while, we invite you to experience our beautiful streetscaping that frames Historic State Street for a special outing,” said organizers. “We encourage you to try one of our many restaurants or return to an acclaimed favorite.”
Those who frequent the restaurants are urged to check in on social media and use hashtags #LockportRestaurantWeek, #EastLockport or #LRW2023.
Participating businesses in Lockport Restaurant Week are Tallgrass, 1006 State St.; Coom’s Corner Sports Grill, 1225 E. 9th St.; Ember’s Tap House, 933 S. State St.; 933 Speakeasy, 933 S. State St.; The Vegan Cafe, 928 S. State St.; Public Landing, 200 W. 8th St.; Mamma Onesta’s, 1100 S. State St.; Dairy Queen, 958 E. 9th St.; Nik and Ivy Brewing, 1026 S. State St.; Surf’s Up, 16541 W. 159th St.; Lock and Mule by Tangled Roots, 1025 S. State St.; Villa Nova Pizza, 874 N. State St.; Stagecoach, 1028 S. State St.; Papa Joe’s, 944 E. 9th St.; Nicky’s Gyros, 903 E. 9th St.; Parade Bay Bar and Grill, 105 W. 10th St.; and Torro, 16529 W. 159th St.
Participating businesses are offering deals ranging from one house bottle wine and chef’s special appetizer for $30 to two appetizers for $20 to one small one-topping pizza and an order of wings for $20.
Lance Thies, Director of community and economic development for Lockport, said Lock and Mule, Stagecoach and Nick and Ivy Brewing are the main three restaurants which opened last couple of years. He said the buildings where the businesses are located have maintained historic feel of Lockport without losing character.
“I attribute this to new investment in buildings and structures,” said Thies. “We also have a successful facade program.”
The City of Lockport has been rejuvenated since a downtown revitalization project was initiated in 2013. Improvements included pedestrian crossing markings, streetscape designs to improve aesthetics of downtown, brick paver sidewalks, and benches with custom laser patterns. Since the last census in 2020, the population of Lockport is a little over 26,100 people, compared to around 10,000 in 1990.
Lockport resident Jennifer Grazzini said she cannot wait to take advantage of the special offers during the promo period.
“During Covid, we never went out and I felt so bad for our local businesses,” said the mother of three. “Now, we have the opportunity to go out, eat great food and support our local restaurants.
“I love the fact there are kid-friendly restaurants, as well as upscale establishments I otherwise could not afford to frequent. At least by offering special rates and discounts, it would be more affordable for my family to dine out.”