Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - Angie's, a Phoenix-based restaurant chain best known for its diverse menu, hopes to succeed at an Amherst site where Boston Market couldn't.
Coming to a former Boston Market site at 4185 Maple Road is the first Angie's in New York State.
"Amherst and Buffalo have the potential to be a very good market for us,": said Ray Plato, Angie's president.
Plato cited the nearby University at Buffalo campus, nearby office parks and neighborhoods and other shopping destinations including this fall's opening of the region's first Costco store as some of the prime reasons why Amherst was on Angie's development radar screen.
"Lots of activity around there," Plato said.
Plato Holdings II LLC - a Plato and Angie's affiliate - paid $1 million for the nearly 2,700-square-foot vacant, former Boston Market, in a deal brokered by Arista Development's Pat Brady.
The building had been owned by Apex Realty LLC - an affiliate of Meridan Bank.
Angie's, Plato said, is on an aggressive expansion campaign.
The company has 26 locations - many located in the immediate Phoenix area - and has another 18 in varying stages of development. The Amherst site is one of the 18 in development as is another slated for the Binghamton area.
Plans call for Angie's to have at least 150 sits in its portfolio within the next five years.
Angie's has a deep menu including salads, antibiotic and hormone-free chicken, USDA prime steaks, protein bowls, burgers and Neapolitan pizzas.
But, its culinary calling card is seafood beginning with its Maine lobster rolls but also a variety of salmon, shrimp, crab and cod options.
The lobster comes from an operation Angie's has in Maine. It also has a production and distribution center in the Yates County town of Middlesex.
Pending various Amherst permits and some interior construction in the building, Plato said he expects the Angie's site to be ready to serve its first customers by mid-to-late fall.
Plato said he expects to hire at least 20 people on a full and part time basis.
Plato said Angie's may expand with other Buffalo Niagara region sites.
The building was constructed in the late 1980s as a Boston Market.
Boston Market closed during the Covid-19 pandemic and re-opened the store last summer only to close it after nine months this winter.
"We will be ready to go," Plato said.
The Phoenix-based chain is best known for its lobster rolls and diverse menu
The Phoenix-based chain is best known for its lobster rolls and diverse menu
