The Raptis family hopes to open spring 2025
By Andrew Harris
The next big story of new business growth in Wellsville takes place on hallowed ground, just outside of the village limits on the Bolivar Road.
The Arena, brought to you by Gabriel and Isabelle Raptis, is currently being built in the former Community Bank branch office, the circular style building on the north side of NY State Route 417. This big sister-little brother duo have some exciting plans in the works, and in a storied location.
Back in the 1950’s, this was entrance of the Wellsville Airport, operated by the legendary “Mote” Tarantine. The old runway is still there and memories of the “Airport Drive-In,” diner are of a great place to eat with a simple menu of consistently good food. When Mote moved on with the airport, the location became the genesis of beloved Dill Pickle. The Close Family would then move that restaurant to the Andover Road and operate for decades. Here are some great images of that era from the Wellsville Historical Society archives:
Wellsville evolved and Columbia Bank leased rights to the property from James Raptis, who still owns the real estate. The Bank then built the current unique structure, an circular shape with drive-thru access. Isabelle, who has a passion for interior design, is spearheading an effort to showcase this unique space both inside and out. Unique maybe an understatement considering the space has a massive stainless steel bank vault (as story in itself) very interesting woodwork, and a loft. This is a very interesting circular space, appropriately unique like the menu concept for the Arena!!
Gabriel, with a few years of experience at the Texas Hot under his belt, is excited about introducing the community to some new food ideas. He’s a proud pizza buff and has been doing some major research into “pizza chemistry,” pizza ovens, and pizza innovations. The goal is simple: To produce the best pizza possible using the best ingredients, technique, and service.
The Raptis team is equally excited about another pillar of the upcoming menu: Broasted chicken. Do you remember the “Broaster,” operated in the 1970’s by the Stan and Barb Ingraham?
“The Broaster” was located near The Arena, about were D&J Autobody is located today, now a LC Whitword facility parking lot. They are still remembered for there chicken, prepared in what is still called a “Broaster.” The best way to explain what a “broaster” is, think deep fryer meets pressure cooker. The result is healthier than typical fried chicken and the end product is a tastier, less greasy meal.
Isabelle explained that, “The chicken can be breaded or coated just like most fried chicken but because of the broaster they are more tender and moist. The Arena broasted chicken will have a trademark breading with a custom blend of herbs and spices.”
Subs will be another menu cornerstone and team Raptis wants to raise the bar for the submarine sandwich in Wellsville. The Arena will be making the sub rolls in-house, from scratch, and using better ingredients for a better sub.
Gabriel and Isabelle really want this to be a great family eating adventure, so what about dessert?
Three words: Homemade Ice Cream. Isabelle says they will have hard scoop and soft serve, year round. The goal is to make great ice cream in-house and establish a brand in the future. Until the operation is up and running, the Arena will be featuring a local homemade ice cream. Just like pizza, chicken, and subs….The Arena intends to set the standard a notch higher for ice cream lovers.
Gabriel and Isabelle have a pretty strong support system going into this new venture!! Dad, Mike Raptis, has been encouraging them, and doing lots of the “elbow grease and ingenuity.” The building has been in the Raptis family for decades, and also sitting vacant since Community Bank closed the branch.
“We had a choice to lease this out to a national franchise or expand our family business into this prime location. After a few years of encouraging the children to start a business we finally agreed to convert this into the “Arena,” explained Mike Raptis.
Since that family chat, the work has been intense, as you can imagine converting a bank into a restaurant would be.
The Raptis’ have been doing most of the work but have also utilized plenty of local businesses like Quinton Castle of JHL Tecture, Tony Hilliard of Hilliard Heating and Cooling, Steve Fleischman from “F and F Electric.” and Ron Gaylord will be doing much of the finish work on the interior. Ion Ryan from General Roofing has been a great helping with the elevated work on the exterior. Jimmy Joyce and the sign masters at CTC Signs in Andover have been working to produce both interior and exterior signs.
Mike Raptis points out that this major investment into the local economy has been dedicated to using local contractors, “whenever possible.”
The Arena is expected to open in March 2025. Stay tuned for regular updates on the Arena in the Wellsville Sun.
