Clarence (New York)

Of all the cities, towns and villages in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metro area other than Buffalo itself, Clarence has the longest history. Like all of New York State west of the Genesee River, what is now called Clarence was, in 1793, purchased from the Seneca Indians and opened for settlement by the Holland Land Company, a syndicate of thirteen real estate investors from The Netherlands. Asa Ransom was the first white resident of what is now Clarence; he opened a tavern in 1799 in the southeast corner of the town, along the Great Iroquois Trail (today's Main Street) in an area first known as Pine Grove or Ransomville and which later came to be called Clarence Hollow. He was followed a few years later by Joseph Ellicott, a Holland Land Company agent who operated a branch office near the Ransom homestead beginning in 1801. Ellicott's presence encouraged more settlers to buy land in the vicinity; in 1808, the Town of Clarence—named after Prince William, Duke of Clarence, third son of Great Britain's King George III—was founded as one of the three original towns of Niagara County, of which Erie County was a part until 1821.

At the time of its foundation, Clarence—whose borders then also included all the land that today comprises Buffalo, Tonawanda, Grand Island, Amherst, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, West Seneca, Lackawanna, Newstead, Alden, and part of the towns of Elma and Marilla—had a population of perhaps 100 or 150 residents. Though Clarence's land area steadily decreased over the ensuing decades as new towns were cleaved off of it, its population increased steadily, particularly beginning in the second quarter of the 19th century as a considerable number of Germans settled on the fertile, loamy soil of Clarence. The industriousness of these Germans, part of a wave of emigration from Germany to North America that peaked around the 1840s, eventually made Clarence one of the most prosperous towns in the county. Aside from Clarence Hollow—then as now, the town's population center—several hamlets coalesced in Clarence during the 19th century:

Harris Hill, which was centered around Asa Harris' homestead in the southwest corner of the town;

Clarence Center, founded as Van Tine's Corners, it is near the geographic center of the town, adjacent to the New York Central Railroad's "Peanut Line";

a number of hamlets along Transit Road including Snearly's Corners, Swormville, Transit Station and Millersport; and

the hamlets of Wolcottsburg and Hunt's Corners in the north and northeast parts of the town, which remain rural today.

Clarence's climate is similar to that of Buffalo and the rest of Western New York. Essentially the only variation within the Niagara Frontier region that is major enough to be notable to visitors is that northern Erie County, including Clarence, generally sees far less lake-effect snow than the hillier terrain of southern Erie County. But, of course, this is not to say that Clarence does not still see plenty of snow in the winter.

The Clarence Hollow Association maintains a website that boasts up-to-date coverage of attractions, restaurants, antique shops, other business listings, events, a historic walking tour, and other items of note to visitors not only to Clarence Hollow, but also to other areas of Clarence and neighboring towns.

For all practical purposes, a car is an absolute necessity for traveling around Clarence.

Clarence's main street is, appropriately enough, Main Street. Also known as NY 5, Main Street runs in a roughly east-to-west direction at the southern edge of the town, passing through the suburban neighborhood of Harris Hill and the quaint business district of Clarence Hollow.

The most important north-south route in Clarence is Transit Road, or NY 78, which serves as Clarence's western boundary with the Town of Amherst. Transit Road is the only place in town where large shopping malls and plazas, chain restaurants, and other large-scale suburban retail can be found.

Other major roads that run through Clarence include:

East-West Routes: From south to north: Wehrle Drive, Sheridan Drive (NY 324), Greiner Road, Roll Road, Clarence Center Road, County Road, Tonawanda Creek Road.

North-South Routes: From west to east: Harris Hill Road, Shimerville Road, Goodrich Road, Strickler Road, Salt Road.

Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty have facilities at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. In addition, the following agencies also have offices directly in Clarence:

2 Avis, 4545 Transit Rd. (At the Sears Auto Center in the Eastern Hills Mall), ☏ +1 716-634-1701.

3 Enterprise, 6755 Transit Rd., ☏ +1 716-636-8400.

Buffalo and its surrounding area, including Clarence, is served by the NFTA Metro System, which comprises a network of buses and a light rail line. However, the affluence of the town's citizenry has meant that out of all Buffalo's major suburbs, Clarence is the least well-served by public transit. In fact, only three bus routes enter the Clarence town line—and these three buses only serve Transit Road!

NFTA Metro Bus #48 — Williamsville begins at the University Metro Rail station and runs along Main Street through Amherst and Williamsville. At Transit Road it turns northward, passing the Transitown Plaza and the Shops at Main & Transit before ending at the Eastern Hills Mall. Bus #48 makes 20 trips on weekdays, eleven on Saturdays and ten on Sundays and legal holidays.

NFTA Metro Bus #49 — Millard Suburban runs Monday through Friday eight times per day. Route #49 begins at the University Metro Rail station and runs through Amherst along Main Street, Bailey Avenue and Sheridan Drive. It then turns from Sheridan Drive onto Transit Road and continues northward, passing by the Eastern Hills Mall and the Eastgate Plaza, before turning westward at Maple Road back into Amherst and ending at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

NFTA Metro Bus #66 — Williamsville Express begins in downtown Buffalo, passing through Buffalo and Cheektowaga along the Kensington Expressway and I-90 without stopping. It exits the highway at Main Street in Williamsville and proceeds eastward to Transit Road, where it turns north, passing by the Transitown Plaza and the Shops at Main & Transit and servicing the Eastern Hills Mall. "B" buses end at Eastern Hills, while "A" buses continue further north along Transit Road, passing by the Eastgate Plaza before ending their run at Millersport Highway at Clarence's northern border. Three buses—one "A" trip and two "B" trips—depart daily Monday through Friday, but outbound trips (from Buffalo to Clarence) take place in the evening only, whereas inbound trips take place in the morning only.

There are many delightful opportunities in Clarence for fans of bicycling. Paramount among them are the Clarence Pathways, described more thoroughly below. In addition to the trails themselves, the Clarence Hollow business district—where the majority of the town's attractions are found—is compact and charming, and (leaving aside the sometimes heavy traffic on Main Street) quite amenable to bicyclists.

As mentioned in the "Get Around" section above, Clarence boasts a robust network of bike trails that are popular during the warmer months with joggers, cyclists and other outdoorsy types. Namely, the Clarence Pathways is a network of four multi-use trails that traverse Clarence and the neighboring town of Newstead; they were developed in conjunction with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and run along former railroad rights-of-way. Two of these trails are partially or entirely within Clarence:

The West Shore Trail runs for 3.5 miles (5.6 km) along the former West Shore Railroad through the southern portion of Clarence. Beginning at the town's southern border, on Wehrle Drive about half a mile (1 km) east of Shimerville Road, the trail proceeds in a northeastward direction through a mixture of landscapes including woods, fields and suburban residential areas before entering the business district of Clarence Hollow. Deviating slightly from the railroad right-of-way, bicycles are routed onto a dedicated bike lane on Main Street, from Sawmill Road eastward through the heart of the Hollow. The trail then turns north onto Salt Road for a few hundred feet (about 100m) and continues northeastward, again along the path of the railroad, through forests and farmland. After crossing the town line into Newstead, the trail becomes the Newstead Bike Path and continues onward to the small village of Akron—an additional 4.8 miles (7.7 km).

The Clarence Bike Path, also known as the Peanut Line Trail, bisects the town through the middle in a roughly east-west direction. It begins at Transit Road about half a mile (800 m) north of Clarence Center Road and proceeds slightly south of due east, following the former path of the Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Railroad (better known as the New York Central system's "Peanut Line") for a distance of 6.1 miles (9.8 km). The setting transitions from upscale suburb to rural farmland as you proceed eastward, passing Meadowlakes Park and the charming hamlet of Clarence Center before entering Newstead, where the trail proceeds through a rural milieu for an additional 2.3 miles (3.7 km) and ends at the Newstead Bike Path.

The Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival, 11199 Main St., Newstead. The 1 Great Pumpkin Farm, just past the east end of Clarence Hollow adjacent to Antique World (which is in the town of Newstead), is the venue for Clarence's annual Fall Festival, which takes place each year from late September through the end of October. Festival organizers describe the event as "our way of celebrating the harvest of blessings we enjoy in our community and our nation" and as "by far the largest family event in the region" (though the latter claim is certainly debatable). In any event, a number of specially themed festival weekends are featured, kicking off in September with "Oinktoberfest", which bills itself as New York State's official barbeque cookoff and also features live music, and continuing into October with (among other events) the World Pumpkin Weigh-Off, the family-friendly Pumpkin Farm Olympics, the annual Pumpkin Drop, and a pumpkin pie-eating contest on various weekends. The pièce de résistance, however, is the final weekend of the festival, immediately before Halloween, when horse- and tractor-drawn hayrides, a petting zoo, a corn maze, and amusement rides are featured—and the admission fee is waived! All through the festival, pumpkins, apple cider, fresh baked goods, candy and other goodies are available at the festival store, and food, refreshments, and kids' activities can be had. $5, final weekend of festival free, extra charges for some individual attractions.

Taste of Clarence & Cruise Night. Since 2004, the Clarence Chamber of Commerce has been acquainting—and reacquainting—residents of Clarence and elsewhere in Western New York with the delicious offerings of the town's restaurants with the Taste of Clarence. The festival takes place at 2 Clarence Town Park for one day, usually at the beginning of August. Participating restaurants from around Clarence sell samples of their most popular dishes to hungry attendees, with a vendor market, a Chinese auction, and live music on the soundstage. Awards are given for best appetizer, entrée and dessert. In addition, hundreds of classic cars are displayed by their proud owners as part of Cruise Night, which takes place concurrently with the Taste of Clarence.

3 Clarence Bowling Academy, 10718 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-6701.

4 Bison Billiards, 8216 Main St., ☏ +1 716-632-0281. Daily 3PM-3AM.

As a destination for visitors, Clarence is perhaps best known for its large selection of antique shops. Most of these shops are in Clarence Hollow, more specifically clustered around the intersection of Main Street and Davison Road at its east end, straddling the Clarence/Newstead town line.

21 Antiques at the Glencroft, 10210 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-1720. Sa Su noon-4PM, M-F by chance, also by appointment. Specializing in locally-produced Craftsman-style furniture, lighting and decorative items, especially those produced by the Roycroft Community in East Aurora and Charles Rohlfs' Heintz Art Metal Company in Buffalo, as well as works of fine art by local artists.

22 Antique World & Flea Market, 11111 Main St., Newstead, ☏ +1 716-759-8483. Expo Center Co-op M-Sa 11AM-5PM, Su 8AM-5PM, flea markets Su 8AM-4PM. Western New York's largest antique and flea market, Antique World is actually a complex of different facilities including the Expo Center Co-op, a 10,000-square-foot (920m²) emporium of antiques, collectibles, gifts, and other such items, as well as an indoor and outdoor flea market whose stalls feature furniture, jewelry, clothing, toys, trading cards, and other collectibles for sale. There is a restaurant on-site. Parking $1 Apr-Oct, free Nov-Mar.

23 Hen House Antiques & Decor, 5270 Salt Rd., ☏ +1 716-510-5645. Tu-F noon-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM. Antiques, collectibles, furniture and other handcrafted items are for sale in a charming old 1936 house half a mile (800m) north of Clarence Hollow.

24 Niagara Emporium's Olde Country Store, 10867 Main St., ☏ +1 716-407-3000. Daily 10AM-5PM. A country-style general store and gift shop that also buys and sells gold and silver costume jewelry, coins, and quality antiques such as glassware, furniture, taxidermy mounts, and more.

25 Premier Antique Center, 11145 Main St., Newstead, ☏ +1 716-759-0455. Daily 10AM-5PM. A wide range of high-quality antiques and collectibles of all descriptions.

26 3 Old Dogs Antiques, 11079 Main St., Newstead, ☏ +1 716-479-7752. M Tu & Th-Sa 11AM-5PM, Su 8AM-5PM. Specializes in quality country-style and Victorian furniture, military relics (especially Civil War-era items), folk art, and Americana. Services include appraisals, estate sales, and liquidations.

As one might expect from a place that is situated directly on the DMZ between farm country and the edges of upscale suburbia, Clarence is a place where fresh, locally-grown produce can be had throughout most of the year from an abundance of popular farmers' markets. Naturally, these establishments tend to be busiest from late spring through late autumn, but a few of the markets listed below are open year-round.

27 Clarence Hollow Farmers' Market, 10717 Main St., clarencefarmersmarket@gmail.com. Jun-Oct: Sa 8AM-1PM, rain or shine. The mission of this weekly farmers' market held right in the heart of Clarence Hollow is to provide patrons with healthy, fresh and locally produced foods and other specialty products, to raise awareness of local food production and distribution, to support local farmers, and to bring the Clarence community together in an enjoyable atmosphere. To that end, a dizzying array of locally grown seasonal produce is offered each week at the Clarence Hollow Farmers' Market by as many as 30 different vendors. In addition, "Vivian's Wine Haus" features an ever-changing selection of local vintages, the "Kornerstone Coffee Hut" sells coffee by the cup and coffee beans by the pound to take home, and the Clarence Center Coffee Company's "Snack Shack" offers an assortment of light breakfasts and lunches. Community programs, local businesses of all types, and even live music are frequently showcased at the Clarence Hollow Farmers' Market.

28 Greg's U-Pick Farm Market, 9270 Lapp Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-4239. Daily 10AM-6PM. Delicious items such as berries, pumpkins, squash, corn, apples, potatoes and more are available for purchase in season at the store, but the real draw at Greg's U-Pick Farm Market is the chance to venture into the fields yourself and pick your own farm-fresh produce to take home with you. Autumn weekends see Greg's open their "Corn Maze for Roswell", where a donation of $5 purchases a hayride and a fun-filled romp through a cornstalk labyrinth, with proceeds to benefit Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. Fun for the whole family. Cash only. (updated May 2021)

29 Niagara County Produce, 8555 Transit Rd., ☏ +1 716-625-9151. Daily 8AM-9PM. Don't be fooled by the name—Niagara County Produce is adjacent to the county line, on Transit Road near Millersport Highway, but on the Clarence side of the border. Opened in 1961, Niagara County Produce is open daily year-round and proudly offers not only a wide selection of local produce such as fruit, corn, pumpkins, and other vegetables, but also deli meats and cheeses, local specialty items, and other groceries. The three greenhouses on the property ensure that fresh vegetables are available to patrons of Niagara County Produce even in winter!

31 A Frame in Time, 9140 Main St., ☏ +1 716-810-0123. Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. A Frame in Time offers custom framing for your photos and artwork, as well as canvas transfers. The adjacent Ashton Gallery features original art and prints for sale.

32 Artsy Elements, 4773 Harris Hill Rd., ☏ +1 716-432-8316. W Th 11AM-5PM, F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. A store that sells the works of local artisans, specializing in hand-crafted gifts, jewelry, home decor, and—above all—pottery. Classes in pottery are also offered.

33 Clear Light Studio, 10852 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-6480. At Clear Light Studio, William Jobling and Donna Ioviero produce and sell unique decorative items such as fountains, birdbaths, ceramic flowers, and other "garden jewels". As well, other sculptures, pen-and-ink drawings, and works of graphic art are available at this "Garden of Earthly Delights".

34 McGee Art Gallery, 10391 Main St, ☏ +1 716-481-8737. By appointment. This charming gallery, situated in a leafy, almost bucolic setting at the west end of Clarence Hollow, displays and sells the work of Jamestown native Christopher McGee, a former punk rock drummer turned painter who creates both abstract and representational works that are studies in visually stunning, surrealist grotesquery.

35 Adventures in Heat, 10189 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-4328. Tu-F 11AM-6PM, Sa 11AM-5PM. Adventures in Heat is a specialty shop that has served locals' outdoor grilling needs since 1999. Specializing in gas and charcoal grills, smokers and other appliances, Adventures in Heat also carries a dizzying array of gourmet food products, spices and marinades, barbecue sauces, and hot sauces.

36 Aléthea's Chocolates, 8301 Main St., ☏ +1 716-633-8620. Daily 10AM-10PM. Operated by the Tassy family since 1967, whose matriarch, Aléthea, was known for her homemade candies, Aléthea's Chocolates manufactures and sells a wide variety of high-quality chocolates, including unique local specialties such as sponge candy and orange chocolate minikins. Additionally, a wide variety of other sweet treats are available such as licorice, marzipan, peanut brittle, as well as gifts and sugar-free confections.

37 The Podge, 10205 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-2080. M-Sa 10AM-6PM. Located at the west end of Clarence Hollow, The Podge sells an array of gourmet foods such as baked goods, honey, jams, jellies and local specialties, as well as a wide variety of high-quality cookware and accessories.

38 The Perfect Gift, 6000 Goodrich Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-0722. M-Th 11AM-6PM, F Sa 10AM-6PM. One of two charming specialty shops operated by Deb Tangelder in the historic Eshelman Building, at the central intersection of Clarence Center known as the "Four Corners", The Perfect Gift specializes in home decor and unique gifts including locally produced jewelry and artisanal goods, lotions and spa items, gifts for children and baby, as well as Vera Bradley living room sets, stationery and seasonal gifts.

39 Sunshine Square Gift Shop, 10529 Main St (At the Asa Ransom House), ☏ +1 716-741-0722. Daily 9AM-9PM. The Asa Ransom House offers a variety of unique and charming gifts at their gift shop, Sunshine Square, including handmade soaps, herbal teas, crafts, and specialty items.

40 Buffalo Road Hobby Imports, 10120 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-7451. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 1PM-5PM, Su (Dec only) 11AM-3PM. A comprehensive selection of scale-model die-cast cars, trucks and construction equipment, from toys to museum-quality replicas, with all major brands represented. Also carries model kits and custom decals.

41 Cycles Plus, 9059 Main St., ☏ +1 716-626-1419. M Tu & Th F 10:30AM-6PM, Sa 10:30AM-4PM. Cycles Plus is a local institution for cycling enthusiasts from all over Western New York and Southern Ontario. It is an authorized retailer for Bianchi, Masi, Haro, Marin, and Rans Recumbent bicycles, and also offers expert service and repairs, clothing, helmets and other accessories.

42 Dkd. Studio, 10593 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-1574. W-Sa 11AM-5PM or by appointment. Rooted in Karen Dentinger's creative interest in crafting ornamental beads, Dkd. Studio was conceived in 2005 after her medium of choice shifted from glass to silver. Today, a wide array of handcrafted, personalized silver jewelry for men and women are offered in this restored former carriage house at the west end of Clarence Hollow, along with decorative items, fine paper goods, accessories, and other gifts.

43 Get Heeled, 6000 Goodrich Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-1310. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Th until 8PM. Since 2006, Deb Tangelder has owned and operated Get Heeled, the "sister store" to the Perfect Gift which is in the Eshelman Building in Clarence Center. Get Heeled offers a wide variety of shoes of all descriptions—sandals, heels, boots, and comfortable leathers—as well as jewelry, apparel, scarves, and handbags and other accessories.

44 Yours Truly, 6045 Goodrich Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-4500. M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. A brand-new business opened in 2009 in a restored brick storefront in Clarence Center, Yours Truly is Erie County's first paperie, offering an array of fine stationery, pens and other writing implements, stamps and embossers, and custom-designed greeting cards and invitations. A modest but eclectic range of fine glassware, jewelry, and other "useful, indulgent things" are on offer as well.

1 Clarence Grille, 10250 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-8917. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Located at the west end of Clarence Hollow, this "restaurant and rathskeller" is the purveyor of what they claim to be "Clarence's Best Chicken Wings", which are available in barbeque, parmesan, garlic and Cajun styles as well as traditional Buffalo style. In addition to the usual pub grub, the Clarence Grille boasts an admirable selection of burgers, sandwiches and hoagies that is matched by an equally extensive offering of salads and a full soup bar. Dinners are also offered, including Friday fish fries and baby back ribs, the latter a house specialty available in both half and full racks. $15-30.

2 Gianni Mazia's on Main, 10325 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-2803. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Evolving from its roots as a humble take-out outfit offering pizza, wings and subs, today Gianni Mazia's is a full-service restaurant offering delicious food in a family-friendly environment at reasonable prices. Traditional, hearty Italian fare such as spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, chicken Florentine, calzones, and wood-fired brick-oven pizzas form the core of the menu, with other simple fare such as burritos and fajitas, burgers and sandwiches, and barbeque wings on the menu as well. Gianni Mazia's also offers delivery service. $15-30.

3 The Hollow Bistro & Brew, 10641 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-7351. M-Sa 11:30AM-3PM & 5PM-9:45PM. This building has an impressive history: built in 1841, for over a decade it housed the Clarence Classical School; later it served as the home of several storied local businesses such as Wagner's Bakery, the Clarence Deli, and the "Heart of the Hollow" ice cream parlor. Since 2010, however, the Hollow Bistro & Brew has been its tenant. The menu here is almost inarguably the most innovative of any restaurant in Clarence Hollow: the dizzyingly eclectic menu encompasses interesting takes on standards such as steaks, pork chops, and grilled chicken. However, the prominent inspiration is Asian, with appetizers such as pork potstickers and mussels in red curry sauce and mains such as Thai curry shrimp, sesame chicken, and Hong Kong seafood stew that has a loyal following amongst its customers. $15-40.

4 Asa Ransom House, 10529 Main St, ☏ +1 716-759-2315. Lunch W 11:30AM-2PM; Dinner Tu-Th & Su 4PM-8PM, F Sa 5PM-8PM. The Asa Ransom House is a luxurious bed and breakfast and a restaurant each evening from Tuesday through Sunday (including an elegant five-course dinner on Saturday nights for $40-55). The food at the Asa Ransom House has its basis in traditional country-style American cuisine—chicken pot pie, roast turkey, shepherd's pie, and "Jeffersonian Beef" with sherry mushroom sauce are prominent options—with occasional detours into various Continental cuisines exemplified by selections such as sauerbraten and fettuccine bolognese. The homemade desserts served here the same culinary zeitgeist; traditional American selections such as apple strawberry rhubarb pie and berry cobbler are offset by European specialties, including crème brûlée and a delectable amaretto biscotti torte. Dinner theater is held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. $40-80.

5 Kennedy's Cove, 9800 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-8961. M-Sa 4PM-10PM, Su 3PM-8PM. Do not be misled by this restaurant's name: seafood is only half of the equation here. In reality, Kennedy's Cove is an upscale steak and seafood restaurant situated about halfway between Harris Hill and Clarence Hollow. Generous cuts of steak, including New York strip, filet mignon, and others, share space on the menu with lamb chops, surf-and-turf specials, and—yes—seafood options such as salmon filets, Australian lobster tails, and scallops. The selection of appetizers, desserts, and fine wines at Kennedy's Cove is equally impressive. $40-60.

In addition to the restaurants listed here, locations of pretty much every national chain imaginable can be found on Transit Road.

6 Brennan's Bowery Bar, 4401 Transit Rd. (Shops at Main & Transit), ☏ +1 716-633-9630. Daily 11AM-7PM. Brennan's is an authentic Irish pub and restaurant that is a Transit Road institution. Though the business traces its roots to New York City, where it was founded in 1888—hence the "Bowery" portion of the restaurant's name—Brennan's relocated to Western New York in 1970 and has since adapted its menu to local tastes, integrating (quite successfully, according to local consensus) typical Western New York dishes such as chicken wings and beef on weck into the framework of more traditional old-world pub grub. Authentic Celtic musicians and bands take the stage at Brennan's frequently. Understandably, this is a popular place on St. Patrick's Day. $15-30.

7 Gate House Grill, 8220 Main St., ☏ +1 716-565-0338. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM-10PM, Sa 4PM-10PM. Opened in 2006, the Gate House Grill is, in the words of Buffalo News food critic Janice Okun, "a comfortable neighborhood restaurant with a sophisticated bar and good food". The food here is often quite innovative and high-quality: starters such as the Lollipop Lamb Chops (marinated in red wine with garlic and rosemary) and a chili con queso dip made with corn and chèvre, entrees such as their Chicken Paillard in lemon caper sauce, and lighter fare such as the Gouda Chicken Sandwich seem meant to stand out in what may seem to be a casual, even unassuming, environment. Gate House Grill's specialty, however, is its Chicken Rockefeller, which has won numerous awards at the Taste of Williamsville, as well as its delicious homemade desserts. $15-40.

8 Hayes Seafood House, 8900 Main St., ☏ +1 716-632-1772. Tu-Th 11:30AM-8PM, F 11:30AM-9PM, Sa 3PM-8PM. The Hayes Fish Company has been a well-known purveyor of fresh fish and seafood in the Buffalo area since 1877. Though tough economic times caused the company to close their seafood markets in Kenmore and Snyder, the Hayes tradition continues at their restaurant in Clarence (which now also features a much smaller-scale fresh-fish counter on site). Sandwiches and soups (including both New England and Manhattan clam chowder) are available at Hayes Seafood House, in addition to a selection of fried or broiled dinners of tilapia, haddock, sole, salmon, catfish, shrimp, scallops, oysters and more. Non-seafood items, such as grilled chicken and steak sandwiches and a delicious half-pound Black Angus Burger, are also on sale. Not surprisingly, Friday fish fries pack the house at Hayes. $15-35.

9 Kabab & Curry, 8445 Main St., ☏ +1 716-565-3822. Lunch M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM, Sa Su 11:30AM-3PM; Dinner Su M 5PM-9PM, Tu-Sa 5PM-9:30PM. An excellent, authentic Indian restaurant that serves top quality North Indian and Pakistani cuisine with attentive customer service. Curries of lamb, beef and chicken—many of which are cooked in a deep circular pot, or karahi, typical of Pakistani cooking—are accompanied on the menu by rice-based biryanis and roasted meats and breads cooked in their own tandoor. Vegetarians are well cared-for at Kabab & Curry, particularly via their small selection of dosas, a sort of lentil-based crêpe typical of South Indian cuisine, and vegetarian curries. $20-45.

10 Orazio's Restaurant, 9415 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-8888. M W & Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 4PM-11PM, Su noon-9PM. At Orazio's Restaurant, the Ippolito family serves up enormous portions of delightful upscale Italian cuisine made from scratch, to legions of adoring patrons. Starters range from familiar but well-executed standards such as parmesan garlic bread and fried calamari to more creative options such as mussels Augustina, babalucci, and orangini. A similar mix of well-known and more exotic items characterizes Orazio's extensive slate of main courses, comprising seafood, pasta, chicken, and meat dishes; their award-winning pasta con vodka is an especial favorite. Cap your meal off with your choice of delicious homemade Italian desserts and coffees. A kids' menu is available for guests 12 and under. Again, guests should be prepared for enormous portions (the leftovers of which Orazio's staff will be more than happy to box up for you.) $20-40.

12 Pautler's Drive-In, 6343 Transit Rd, ☏ +1 716-636-1690. Daily 11AM-9PM Apr-Sep. At first glance, Pautler's may seem to be nothing more than a run-of-the-mill drive-in that any town might have. But visitors will soon learn what it is—aside from plain old tradition; this place has been here forever—that makes Clarence residents flock to Pautler's every summer. It's the combination of the always delicious dessert treats this place serves up year after year, including Mexican sundaes and a unique specialty called the Mint Explosion, with consistent service and at prices that can't be beat. The other items that Pautler's serves—the usual range of hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches—are perfectly passable if not nearly as distinguished as the ice cream. The "Happy Days" feel that the whole package evokes is strengthened by the classic car shows that occur in Pautler's parking lot every Tuesday. Open in summer only. $5-15.

13 Falletta's Restaurant, 8255 Clarence Center Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-7406. Tu-Th 5PM-9PM, Sa 5PM-10PM, Su 3PM-8PM. Founded in Kenmore, Falletta's Restaurant has operated since 1999 in an Arts and Crafts-style farmhouse built in 1902 on Clarence Center Road, half a mile (800 m) east of Transit Road on the banks of Gott Creek. Upscale Italian cuisine at surprisingly affordable prices is served in what is still a verdant and idyllic setting, with an ample selection of appetizers and salads (the latter served with a selection of homemade salad dressings brought to the table in carafes) accompanying a delectable range of main courses, among which the seafood entrees, including shrimp scampi and a filleted breaded haddock, have earned particularly rave reviews from patrons. Try one of the daily dessert specials to top everything off. $20-45.

14 The Rock Kitchen and Bar (formerly Ruzzine's Rock Bottom Eatery & Saloon), 6261 Transit Rd., ☏ +1 716-204-4004. M-Th 4PM-11PM, F Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 10AM-11PM; bar open until mid-night every night. Peanut butter and Jelly Chicken Wings (we're not making this up -- it's on their menu). $5 bottomless mimosas and bloody Caesars at Sunday brunch. Specials on nights the Sabres are playing. Sandwiches, burgers, salads $8-15. (updated Dec 2018)

15 Bocce Pizza, 6235 Goodrich Rd, ☏ +1 716-741-2888. Daily 11AM-10PM. Located on Goodrich Road about a quarter of a mile (300 m) north of the Four Corners, Bocce's specialty—not surprisingly—is a wide gamut of specialty pizzas offered in a variety of serving sizes, from single slices to full sheet pizzas. The creativity of the menu in this regard is epitomized by such selections as the Greek Pizza, Lasagna Pizza, the Italian Stallion Pizza (which includes pepperoni, salami, capicolla and Romano cheese), and not one but two varieties of Hawaiian pizza. Subs, tacos, appetizers, an impressive offering of salads, a modest range of pasta dishes and dinners, and well-regarded wings are also served, the latter available tossed in mild, medium or hot Buffalo sauce as well as Cajun, garlic parmesan, and two different varieties of barbeque sauce. $10-30. (updated Feb 2025)

The following local chains have locations in Clarence. Descriptions of these restaurants can be found here.

16 Duff's Famous Wings, 4545 Transit Rd. (Eastern Hills Mall), ☏ +1 716-631-3833. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su noon-10PM.

17 Jim's Steakout, 5651 Transit Rd., ☏ +1 716-688-8300. Su-Th 10:30AM-2AM, F Sa 10:30AM-5AM.

18 Aldi, 4259 Transit Rd. (Transitown Plaza). M-F 9AM-8PM, Sa Su 9AM-7PM.

19 Dash's, 8845 Main St., ☏ +1 716-650-2888. Daily 6AM-11PM.

20 Walmart Supercenter, 5033 Transit Rd (Eastgate Plaza), ☏ +1 716-565-0250. Daily 24 hours.

3 Clarence Center Coffee Company and Café, 9475 Clarence Center Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-8573. M 7AM-6PM, Tu & F 7AM-11PM, W Th 7AM-8PM, Sa 8AM-11PM, Su 8AM-6PM.

4 Goodrich Coffee & Tea, 9450 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-1791. M-F 6AM-10PM, Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 8AM-10PM.

5 Ohlson's Bakery & Café, 8500 Sheridan Dr., ☏ +1 716-626-7783. M 7:30AM-6PM, Tu W 6:30AM-6PM, Th F 6:30AM-7PM, Sa 7:30AM-4PM.

6 SPoT Coffee, 5205 Transit Rd., ☏ +1 716-276-8158. Su-Th 6AM-11PM, F Sa 7AM-midnight.

1 America's Best Value Inn & Suites Clarence/Buffalo East (Formerly Village Haven Motel), 9370 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-6845. Free Wi-Fi, free local and long-distance calling to US and Canada, outdoor pool open seasonally. Guest rooms include microwave, mini-fridge, coffeemaker, cable TV with ESPN; suites include whirlpool tub. Pets welcome for a nominal fee. $87-139/night in high season.

2 Budget Inn Williamsville, 8255 Main St., ☏ +1 716-634-6622. Room service, fax & photocopy service. Free Wi-Fi. All rooms have cable TV with HBO, microwave and refrigerator. $60-90/night in high season.

3 Staybridge Suites Buffalo Airport, 8005 Sheridan Dr., ☏ +1 716-810-7829. An all-suite property whose various-sized units all contain ample storage areas, large and well-lit workspaces, irons and ironing boards, and full kitchens including dishwasher, full-size refrigerator with ice maker, stove, toaster, coffeemaker, and microwave oven. Free wireless Internet. Fitness room, laundry room, business center, indoor and outdoor common areas. On-site convenience store. Complimentary breakfast buffet. Pets weighing less than 50 pounds (about 23 kg) are welcome, subject to extra fees and restrictions. It's on the former site of the Sheridan Court Motel, a much less recommendable property that was demolished a few years ago. $129-185/night in high season.

4 Asa Ransom House, 10529 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-2315. It was on this property that the first white settler of Clarence, Asa Ransom, built his home and grist mill in 1799 (though the present building is not the original one; it was built in the 1850s, some years after Ransom's death, by a subsequent owner). But that's not the only superlative that applies to the Asa Ransom House—today, it is known as almost inarguably the best-known and best-loved lodging in Clarence, as well as the most elegant and charming bed & breakfast in Erie County. Its restaurant is lauded by many locals as their favorite, the most elegant, the most romantic, ad infinitum. The ten rooms at the Asa Ransom House are delightfully appointed with period furniture, distinctive, individualized decor in eclectic styles, and lovely and serene views of the impeccably manicured grounds. All rooms contain private baths, radio and hidden TV with cable, free WiFi, individual climate-control units, hair dryers, and irons and ironing boards; all but one of the rooms also has a fireplace. Some rooms also contain refrigerators and porches or balconies. Additionally, a full country breakfast is provided to guests each morning. $135-330/night.

Being in Erie County, Clarence falls within Buffalo's sphere of influence in terms of radio and television.

Since June 2012, the business office and broadcast studios of WBBZ Channel 67 have been at the Eastern Hills Mall.

The weekly Clarence Bee has served the town since 1937, and is the most comprehensive source of local news specific to Clarence. Also, as above, Buffalo-based print media—especially the daily Buffalo News and the alternative weekly Artvoice—regularly cover Clarence news and events.

6 Arthur's Executive Cleaners, 9450 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-1916. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa Su 8AM-4PM.

7 Big Four Cleaners, 8855 Sheridan Dr., ☏ +1 716-204-4454. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa 9AM-5PM.

8 Massaro Cleaners, 6429 Transit Rd., ☏ +1 716-689-6810. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa 8AM-6PM.

9 Massaro Cleaners, 10611 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-6412. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa 9AM-4PM.

10 Read's Laundry & Dry Cleaning, 8525 Main St., ☏ +1 716-633-8980. M-F 7AM-10PM, Sa 7AM-5PM.

The population of Clarence is overwhelmingly white and Christian, and the range of places of worship there reflects those demographics to a great degree. South Asians, many of whom follow the Sikh religion, make up one of the largest visible minorities in Clarence.

11 Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary RC Church, 4375 Harris Hill Rd., ☏ +1 716-632-8838.

12 Our Lady of Peace RC Church, 10950 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-8554.

13 St. Mary's RC Church of Swormville, 6919 Transit Rd., ☏ +1 716-688-9380. One of the oldest parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, St. Mary's was founded in 1839. Its first priest, an itinerant Redemptorist preacher who was a native of Bohemia, would later be canonized as St. John Neumann.

14 Clarence Church of Christ, 5375 Old Goodrich Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-3030. One of Clarence's oldest existing congregations, the Clarence Church of Christ was founded in 1834 under the name of The First Congregation of the Disciples of Christ, Clarence, and worshipped for its first three decades in the building that is now the Clarence Historical Society. In 1950, the congregation formally severed its ties with the Disciples of Christ and has been nondenominational since then.

15 Clarence Presbyterian Church, 9675 Main St., ☏ +1 716-759-8396.

16 Clarence United Methodist Church, 10205 Greiner Rd., ☏ +1 716-759-8921.

17 Emmanuel Baptist Church, 5353 Goodrich Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-3801.

18 First Baptist Church of Clarence, 10800 Hunts Corners Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-3432.

19 Harris Hill United Methodist Church, 8495 Main St., ☏ +1 716-632-4688. Another congregation with an exceptionally long history, this church was founded as the United Brethren Church of Harris Hill in 1858.

20 New Hope Presbyterian Church, 6969 Strickler Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-6107. Serves a multiethnic congregation with services held in English and Korean.

21 St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 4275 Harris Hill Rd., ☏ +1 716-632-8221.

22 St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 7700 Goodrich Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-2500.

23 Zion Lutheran Church, 9535 Clarence Center Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-2656.

24 Community of Christ Church, 5030 Thompson Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-3242.

There are no synagogues within Clarence's borders, but the bulk of the Jewish population in Erie County—and their places of worship—are in the neighboring town of Amherst.

25 Niagara Frontier Sikh Society, 9550 Clarence Center Rd., ☏ +1 716-741-0077.