A beloved corner of Batavia’s West Town is getting a new lease on life. Local Batavia residents recently purchased the property at 912 Main Street, the long-time home of The Elms Restaurant.
Closed since at least 2014, the site is now being transformed into a neighborhood-oriented, sit-down family restaurant named “The Whip”. The menu will focus on classic American fare, and in a great local twist, the head chef grew up right here in Batavia. For those who have fond memories of summer treats at the corner of Main and Whipple, there is more good news: the new owners are keeping the walk-up ice cream window. Importantly, this will be a family-focused dining destination, not a dedicated drinking establishment.
To make this vision a reality, the property will undergo several structural and site updates through a new Planned Development Overlay District.
Building Expansion and Upgrades
The building, which has operated as a restaurant since the mid-1950s, will receive a significant facelift to match the city’s commercial design standards.
- Size Changes: The plans include a 1,024-square-foot addition to the building.
- Interior Layout: This new space will not increase the dining capacity. Instead, it is designed to support operational upgrades, housing a second-floor office, ADA-compliant restrooms, a modernized kitchen, and a new fire suppression system.
- Architectural Facelift: The exterior will feature a fresh mix of board and batten siding in a “Mountain Sage” green color, warm cedar siding with a semi-transparent stain, and a “Mission Point” thin ledgestone veneer. The updated roof will be composed of “Weathered Wood” laminated asphalt shingles mixed with dark bronze prefinished metal roofing. Traditional black metal will be used to accent the new windows and storefront glazing. Finally, the north elevation will prominently feature “The Whip Restaurant” signage mounted above the main entrance on a wood-framed cantilevered awning.
Site and Zoning Modifications
Integrating a modern restaurant into a residential neighborhood requires careful planning. The Plan Commission reviewed several site changes to improve safety, parking, and aesthetics:
- Family Amenities: The site will feature a new outdoor dining patio and a dedicated play area for children.
- Parking and Access: The south driveway apron on Whipple Avenue will be permanently removed. The updated parking lot will feature 13 on-site spaces, which required a zoning modification from the standard 19 spaces. To ensure smooth neighborhood traffic, city staff will actively monitor on-street parking conditions along Whipple Avenue after the restaurant opens.
- Lighting and Landscaping: To protect the privacy of adjacent residential neighbors, two parking lot light poles on the eastern property line will be relocated further inward to reduce glare. Additionally, parking lot lights are required to be turned off within 30 minutes of the restaurant closing. The site will also benefit from enhanced landscaping, new fencing, and improved screening.
- Outbuildings: The westernmost shed and the existing trash enclosure will be demolished. However, the property will retain a 900-square-foot detached garage and a 120-square-foot shed.
Following a unanimous recommendation from the Plan Commission, the final ordinance for the development is slated for a vote at the May 18th City Council Meeting.
https://bataviail.community.highbond.com/document/f8946f1e-5aaa-4d46-9598-c6e1fe222a35
Author: Jim Fahrenbach
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