Published: October 30, 2009 10:55 pm      

CITY OF TONAWANDA: Former Jakes GM headed to former Frog Grill

The former Frog Grill in the City of Tonawanda will reopen sometime next spring and local restaurant manager Jim Fingerlow has been tapped to manage it.

What is planned to be called “Richard’s on Main,” will be run similarly to the once popular Frog Grill, which he also had managed, he said, with an environment he likes to call “smart casual.”

“Not quite real, real casual ... you can still come in jeans and all that but — good food, great atmosphere,” he summarized of plans for the recently auctioned building at 561 Main St.

Fingerlow, who in the last year helped the wildly popular Crazy Jakes bar/restaurant on Webster Street rise quickly to become one of North Tonawanda’s landmark establishments, said he’s most excited about the banquet hall aspect of the new restaurant, which has 300 square feet for weddings, corporate parties and the like. That’s compared to a lesser 80 square feet at Crazy Jakes. But Fingerlow is accustomed to the space, which he used to run under the name James Daniels Banquets.

“We’re hoping that we’ll be able to cater to organizations like the chamber of commerce, to keep it in the city,” he said.

The chamber often is forced to look outside the Twin Cities for annual events, such as to Amherst for proper space.

In keeping with a focus on community service he said weddings, company events and the like are a key aspect of the business plan.

Don’t however, get the idea that walk-ins will be tripping over wedding dresses.

A bit of background, the Frog Grill was a daily jack-of-all-trades hangout for a large number of residents before a fire and subsequent insurance flap ultimately closed it a year or so after Fingerlow took it over in 2005.

But even before that, he said the 561 Main St. establishment has been around as a restaurant for some 53 years, and that’s one reason he said it’s new owners — once his customers at the old joint — want to keep the tradition alive.

The property was purchased at auction in August by the owners of Leisure Living pool supply, principally Paul Gerspach. Leisure Living is stationed next door to the banquet center and Paul was one of Frog Grill’s regular customers, Fingerlow said.

“I think Paul is just trying to make this town whole again,” he said.

Gerspach and his aunt bought the place at auction for $135,000, bidding as Gerspach Properties, LLC. City of Tonawanda Treasurer Joe Hogenkamp at the time said the property’s assessed value is $365,500.

Fingerlow, who left Crazy Jakes within the last year, said he’ll apply the same leadership style to the soon-to-be Richard’s on Main, explaining that knowing his customers, being there for them and making them feel at home are the keys to success.

He said he hopes the new restaurant will be open before Valentine’s Day.

After that, a New Year’s bash, theme parties and banquet service will all be promoted in addition to the daily bar/restaurant crowd. The building is a divided dining and lounge area.

Fingerlow has been managing restaurants for about 25 of his 30 or so years in the business.

“I’m known for throwing a good party,” he said.

Richard’s is planned to be open for lunch and dinner. In the past, the establishment has catered to a loyal after work crowd.

Contact reporter Neale Gulley at 693-1000, ext. 114.