Southside Mall Cinemas to add theaters; wine bar to open in city

The Oneonta Town Planning Board approved a site plan Monday night, Harmon said, for a 42-by-109 foot extension on the southern side of the cinemas' portion of the building.

The extension will add two stadium-seating theaters, she said, expanding the number of screens at the Southside Cinemas from seven to nine. This is the second phase of the original expansion from four screens about three years ago, Harmon said.

The expansion will allow the Southside Cinemas more flexibility in show times, she said.

Because of the addition, one row of parking will be lost in back, which Harmon said would be replaced by developing a grassy area on the west side of the front lot into parking.

Southside Cinemas Manager Nathan Zakala declined to comment Tuesday night.

The issue goes before the town zoning board at its meeting Monday at Town Hall, Harmon said. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Monday on an area variance to change the cinema's driveway/parking.

Home Depot traffic a concern

Traffic impact is planners' biggest concern regarding the proposed Home Depot on Oneonta's Southside, Oneonta Town Planning Board Chairwoman Kellie Place said Tuesday.

Representatives on behalf of Home Depot filed an application for site plan review at the board's Monday night meeting.

The issue is on the agenda for the board's April 15 meeting, Place said, and a representative from the state Department of Transportation will be present to give an overview of the Southside corridor study.

"We're going to coordinate the Home Depot application with the improvement of Southside," she said. "Our biggest concern is the traffic impact and another traffic light."

The board also requested that engineers look into an underground holding basin for rainwater runoff, instead of a retention pond, Place said.

Besides the traffic impact and the retention pond, Place said, the layout of the site plan and the interior traffic flow are fine.

The development will not affect the flood plain and federal wetlands on the site on state Route 28 and Main Street, she said.

Place said whether the board votes on the plan in April will depend on how quickly developers get back with information, and the DOT's findings.

"If DOT raises some big issues, we're going to have to look into it a little further," she said.

Wine bar to open on Main

Sego Cafe and Wine Bar will be opening this spring at 291 Main St. in Oneonta.

The establishment will have a local focus, owner Joseph Ficano said.

The wine bar will carry a "smattering" of wines, with a larger-than-normal selection of New York vintages, he said, and local beers will be prominently displayed.

And even the name, Sego - the Mohawk word for hello —comes from Otsego County.

Ficano, who previously worked for a winery in the Finger Lakes and for a wine importer, said he became interested in the subject while a foreign exchange student in Italy.

"I've been exposed to fine wines and that world of pairing fine food with fine wines," he said.

The cafe, which will be open in the evenings, will feature a light menu with appetizers, salads and soups, designed to complement the wine, he said. Ficano will do the cooking.

"If anything I'd like to develop it and make it an upstate New York cuisine," he said.

Ficano said Wednesday that he expected the wine bar to open in about a month.

Adviser in Portlandville

Entrepreneur David Ronovech is starting Northeast Capital, a state-registered investment adviser, in Portlandville.

"I haven't talked to anybody who's been happy with their portfolio, and that's where I can help," said Ronovech, an active securities trader for seven years.

Besides advising on trading and investing decisions, Northeast Capital will also offer managed account services.

Ronovech will begin taking clients next week. Hours are by appointment. Northeast Capital can be reached at 286-7185 or by e-mail at necapital@stny.rr.com.

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Melissa Scram can be reached at mscram@thedailystar.com or (607) 441-7213.