Craig Simon was reading online classified ads this past fall looking for a new business opportunity.
What he found was a former Falls hotspot in need of another chance at success.
Simon is now leasing the Ultra Lounge, 441 Third St., and has plans to turn it into a full-service business catering to club enthusiasts, sports fanatics and those just looking for a place for a sit-down dinner. The building, which had been closed for several months, was previously known as the Shadow Martini Bar, which opened in 2003.
A Grand Island resident and longtime employee at Dunlop Tires, Simon said he found an online ad on Craig’s List to lease or buy the building.
“I thought this would be something fun and exciting to do,” he said. “I remember going down to Third Street and the Shadow Bar. It was great.”
Though other business ventures haven’t proved successful at the site, Simon believes he can offer the right recipe.
“We’re going to put out a better product at a fair price,” he said. “Right now, the bar is open and we’re going to operate as a night club for dancing a couple of nights a week. We’ve also added big-screen TVs so people can come in and watch sports games.”
Perhaps the biggest change will be the availability of food for casual dining, which should be on the menu within a few weeks.
“We have got to work our way up to that,” Simon said. “We plan on being a full-service restaurant and bar by the summer.”
Damian Spalla, who is assisting Simon, said the menu once completed will include an array of panini sandwiches, wraps, salads and homemade pastas, such as lobster ravioli, stuffed shells and tortellini.
“You will be able to have some great food and watch the game — all in a great atmosphere,” Spalla said.
Dan Vecchies, the building’s owner, said he believes the key to success will be offering a variety of food items for visitors — something that’s been missing since he first opened the Shadow Martini Bar.
“I think they’re on the right track. Bringing back food will complement other places on Third Street, like the Wine Bar,” Vecchies said. “It will add to the word on the street that there is some new blood on Third Street.”
Simon held a soft opening on Wednesday. Current hours of operation are 4 p.m. to the normal bar closing time Mondays through Saturdays. Each day of the week will bring specific themes, such as martini specials on Mondays, ladies night on Tuesdays and club mix late night over the weekend. The bar’s motif has remained much the same with a dance area, a retro-fitted bar, lounge and dining seating to the side and an interior color scheme of green, blue and black. Spalla noted numerous upgrades are being made to equipment as well as the installation of several new large-screen televisions and dart boards.
As for the name itself, Simon said it will remain the Ultra Lounge for at least the next few months until the business is fully capable of serving as a full-fledged restaurant. By then, he hopes to have built a strong customer base and become a welcome sight for patrons looking for a place to go on Third Street.
“Third Street used to rock,” Simon said. “Right now, it’s a little dead, but hopefully, we will be seeing some other ‘for sale’ signs coming down soon.”
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Related Photos
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Damian Spalla and Craig Simon of Grand Island have taken over operations of the former Ultra Lounge on Third Street. Simon, the owner, is hoping to bring dining and a high-class atmosphere back to the lounge. DAN CAPPELLAZZO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPH
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The Ultra Lounge, 441 Third St., had been vacant for several months before Craig Simon signed an agreement to lease the building from owner Dan Vecchies. Simon is reopening the business as a restaurant and bar. He’s also planning to rename the business sometime this summer. DAN CAPPELLAZZO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPH
NIAGARA FALLS: Menu changing at Club Ultra
New owner turning business into full-service restaurant and bar
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