As 2025 draws to a close, Ellicottville once again proves that its story is about far more than seasons, snowfall, or tourism numbers. It is a story written by people - business owners who take risks, volunteers who step forward, organizers who dream big, families who show up for one another, and a community that continues to grow while holding tight to its roots.

This past year brought milestones both large and small: new businesses opened their doors, familiar names re-emerged with fresh purpose, fundraisers reached new heights, and long-term projects moved from vision to reality. There were moments of celebration and moments of challenge, but through it all, Ellicottville demonstrated resilience, creativity, and a shared belief in what this village can be.

What follows is a look back at 2025 - not month by month, but moment by moment - highlighting the themes that defined the year and the collective energy that continues to propel Ellicottville forward.

NEW BUSINESSES, REVIVALS, AND FRESH STARTS

Growth took many forms in 2025, particularly within Ellicottville’s business community. New ventures opened, familiar spaces were reimagined, and longtime operators recommitted to the village they call home.

Early in the year, Alpine Bistro made its debut, adding a fresh dining option to Ellicottville’s ever-evolving culinary landscape. The restaurant introduced a menu rooted in elevated comfort food and approachable sophistication, appealing to both visitors and locals. Its opening reflected a broader trend seen throughout 2025: thoughtful investment in hospitality that enhances the village experience while remaining warm, welcoming, and accessible.

Retail also saw renewed momentum. So Last Season Vintage brought curated secondhand fashion to the forefront, offering shoppers a sustainable and stylish alternative to traditional retail. By breathing new life into timeless pieces, the shop added both character and conscience to the downtown mix.

Just this month, Rustique by Ashley opened its doors, quickly establishing itself as a destination for thoughtfully selected home goods, décor, and gift items. The shop’s opening reinforced the importance of locally owned retail in shaping Ellicottville’s charm and identity - spaces that invite browsing, conversation, and connection.

Perhaps most symbolic of renewal was the announcement that the longtime owners of Bar-Bill would be reopening The Depot, a space long associated with gatherings, music, and memories. The planned revival carries a sense of nostalgia paired with optimism, signaling confidence in the village’s future and the enduring appeal of its social hubs. Grand opening details are expected in the weeks ahead.

Dining and lodging continued to evolve as well. Ellicottville Brewing Company expanded its footprint with the opening of the EBC Guest House, on Route 219 just north of the village, blending overnight accommodations with the brewery’s established hospitality offerings. The addition not only enhanced visitor options but reinforced EBC’s role as a cornerstone of the village’s social and economic life.

Another milestone in 2025 was the grand opening of Crosby’s in Ellicottville, marking years of planning and investment coming to fruition. Celebrated with a ribbon-cutting at the new Route 242 location, the opening introduced a 24-hour store thoughtfully designed to reflect Ellicottville’s character, from chalet-style architecture and seasonal murals to interior details honoring local history. Beyond convenience, the new Crosby’s emphasized community partnership, presenting donations to local organizations and reinforcing the company’s long-standing commitment to giving back across Western New York. The opening was widely viewed as more than a new business arrival - it signaled confidence in Ellicottville’s future and added a new gathering place serving residents and visitors year-round.

Together, these openings, reopenings, and transitions illustrated a year defined not just by growth, but by reinvention.

A YEAR OF GIVING BACK: FUNDRAISERS AND PHILANTHROPY

If one theme stood above all others in 2025, it was generosity. From large-scale fundraisers to grassroots efforts, Ellicottville residents and organizations repeatedly came together to support causes close to home - and far beyond village borders.

Ski 4 a Cure, a longtime community fundraiser combining winter recreation with cancer awareness and support, once again demonstrated the power of collective action. Participants of all ages took to the slopes of HoliMont to raise funds and awareness, reinforcing Ellicottville’s reputation for turning recreation into meaningful impact.

The Snowmakers Ball followed suit, blending celebration with philanthropy. The annual event hosted by Villaggio Restaurant brought together community members, supporters, and sponsors to honor the people and traditions that help fuel Ellicottville’s winter economy.

Spring brought Dining in the Dark, an immersive experience designed to raise awareness of what it’s like to be without sight, all while raising money for our local Lions Club. Participants dined while blindfolded, encouraging empathy and perspective while contributing to meaningful fundraising efforts.

Par for a Purpose, organized by the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, continued the tradition of blending sport and service through a golf-focused fundraiser. Summer and fall carried that momentum forward. A significant food bank donation underscored the village’s commitment to addressing food insecurity, while the Frank Pitillo Memorial Fund’s donation to the Little Eagles football and cheerleading programs reinforced ongoing support for youth athletics, teamwork, and personal development.

As the year neared its end, the Thanksgiving Community Dinner at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church served as both a meal and a message: that no one in Ellicottville should feel alone, especially during the holidays. Volunteers, donors, and organizers once again transformed compassion into action.

Collectively, these efforts painted a clear picture of a community that doesn’t hesitate to help — and does so with heart.

SIGNATURE EVENTS AND SHARED EXPERIENCES

Events remain a cornerstone of Ellicottville life, and 2025 was filled with gatherings that brought people together in meaningful ways.

The Little Valley Festival of Knives added a unique historical and cultural element to the summer calendar, drawing visitors from across the United States. Celebrating the region’s rich cutlery and craftsmanship heritage, the event highlighted the area’s ability to host niche festivals with national reach.

Entertainment also took on deeper meaning in 2025 with events such as Stand Up Comedy with Aidan Park, which brought nationally recognized talent to HoliMont while shining a light on an important and often difficult topic. Hosted by Connecting Communities in Action in partnership with the Trauma Informed Coalition in Cattaraugus County, the September event used comedy as a powerful tool to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Los Angeles–based comedian Aidan Park, whose work has appeared on NBC, Comedy Central, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, shared personal stories from his own journey through trauma, loss, and healing, blending humor with honesty to help destigmatize mental health struggles. By pairing laughter with lived experience, the evening reminded attendees that meaningful conversations can happen in unexpected ways - and that even in a small village setting like Ellicottville, world-class voices and transformative messages can feel right at home.

Seasonal traditions remained strong as well. From winter celebrations such as Mardi Gras and Winter Carnival to summer and fall gatherings like Taste of Ellicottville and Rock N’ Roll Weekend, these events reinforced a sense of continuity - familiar, yet always evolving - and helped define the rhythm of village life.

OUTDOOR RECREATION, TOURISM, AND INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE

Outdoor recreation once again played a defining role in Ellicottville’s identity throughout 2025, with major investments and recognition reinforcing the village’s standing as a four-season destination.

Holiday Valley announced more than $5 million in resort-wide improvements aimed at enhancing the guest experience both on and off the slopes. Supported by a long-standing partnership with the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency, the upgrades included renovations to guest rooms at The Inn and Tamarack Club, parking lot and drainage improvements, enhanced IT systems, and behind-the-scenes infrastructure updates. Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 ski season, Holiday Valley also focused on strengthening its already robust snowmaking operation, with system enhancements designed to improve efficiency and reliability during cold-weather windows. Additional investments such as new grooming equipment and transportation upgrades may go largely unseen by guests, but play a critical role in daily operations. Together, these improvements underscored Holiday Valley’s ongoing commitment to quality, reliability, and long-term sustainability. It’s no wonder why Holiday Valley Resort has been recognized as the #4 ski resort in the East in the SKI Magazine 2026 Readers Resort Rankings.

HoliMont also continued to expand its warm-weather footprint in 2025, celebrating five years of lift-accessed riding at its steadily growing Bike Park. What began as a small summer offering has evolved into a destination for riders of all levels, now featuring 19 lift-served trails totaling more than 12 miles, with direct connections to over 35 miles of cross-country singletrack maintained by Western New York Mountain Bike Association. This season brought plans for a new beginner-friendly green trail linking the east and west sides of the mountain, along with an expanded operating schedule that added holiday riding and extended fall lift service through October. With races, youth development camps, community events like EVL Trail Fest, and amenities including hiking, disc golf, and on-site food and bike services, HoliMont’s Bike Park has become a key part of Ellicottville’s growing identity as a true four-season outdoor destination.

One of the most touching moments of 2025 unfolded quietly on the bike trails at HoliMont, where a young hawk’s story became a reminder of the care and compassion woven into daily life in Ellicottville. Discovered injured and alone by he HoliMont Bike Park crew during routine trail maintenance, the abandoned bird was quickly placed in the hands of wildlife rehabilitator Annie Widger of Messenger Woods Rehabilitation and Education Center. After seven weeks of careful rehabilitation, the broad-winged hawk was successfully released back into the wooded canopy it calls home - a moment celebrated by staff, community members, and wildlife advocates alike. The recovery and release of the “HoliMont Hawk” served as a powerful example of how awareness, quick action, and collaboration can make a lasting difference, reinforcing the idea that protecting the natural world is a responsibility shared by all who live, work, and play here.

ARTS, CULTURE, AND CREATIVITY

Creativity found expression throughout the year, from fashion and food to music and performance. Local businesses leaned into artistic presentation, whether through curated retail spaces or immersive dining experiences.

Community-driven programming continued to elevate the arts, offering residents opportunities to engage, participate, and be inspired. These cultural moments, while sometimes quieter than major festivals, played a crucial role in shaping the village’s character - reminding everyone that creativity is woven into daily life here.

The start of a new school year at Ellicottville Central School highlighted ongoing dedication to education, growth, and opportunity. The school implemented a new cell phone policy aimed at reducing classroom distractions and encouraging greater student focus, engagement, and face-to-face interaction during the school day. And the school’s new dance team showcased the importance of extracurricular activities in building confidence, discipline, teamwork, and pride. The creation of the first-ever dance team at ECS was made possible through the generosity of the Bob McCarthy Foundation. When head coach and ECS Spanish teacher Meghan Emborsky envisioned launching a dance program, the foundation stepped in to help purchase full-length mirrors - a critical piece in transforming a school gymnasium into a functional dance studio. The new program stands as a meaningful example of how targeted community support can open doors for creativity, self-expression, and opportunity for Ellicottville’s next generation.

RESILIENCE AND COMPASSION

Not every story in 2025 was easy, but even the most challenging moments revealed the village’s strength. One of the most powerful examples of community compassion in 2025 followed a devastating tornado in nearby Great Valley, where more than 30 barn cats - many of them kittens - were rescued from the rubble of a collapsed barn.

What began as a quick response by good Samaritans quickly grew into a full-scale recovery effort led by local animal advocates and CLAWS (Cats Lives Are Worth Saving), who mobilized emergency veterinary care, shelter, and supplies for the traumatized animals. With names like Twister and Dorothy reflecting their survival, the rescued cats became symbols of resilience in the wake of disaster. As medical and care costs mounted, the situation underscored how deeply rooted compassion runs in this region - and how, when crisis strikes, neighbors and volunteers step forward to turn tragedy into second chances for even the most vulnerable.

The village also came together in remembrance in 2025 with the dedication of Zach Golley Drive, the roadway leading into Ellicottville Village Park, honoring the life and service of a beloved Village of Ellicottville Department of Public Works employee who was tragically lost earlier in the year. The dedication drew a strong turnout from family, friends, coworkers, and residents, reflecting the deep impact Zach had on the community he served. Additional tributes followed, including the installation of a memorial bench outside the Ellicottville Fire Hall and a commemorative sign at the Village’s wastewater treatment facility. Together, these gestures served as lasting reminders of a life dedicated to public service and the collective support of a community that remembers its own.

LOOKING AHEAD

As Ellicottville turns the page to 2026, the themes of 2025 remain firmly in place: growth balanced with tradition, celebration paired with service, and a shared belief in what this village can be. The year showed that progress doesn’t always arrive in grand gestures. Sometimes it comes through a reopened door, a successful fundraiser, a new trail segment, or a meal shared among neighbors.

Ellicottville’s story continues to be written not by any single business, event, or organization, but by the collective efforts of those who call it home - and those who are drawn here by its unmistakable sense of community.

If 2025 was any indication, the year ahead holds promise, possibility, and plenty of reasons to believe the best chapters are still to come.