One of Ellicottville’s most beloved gathering spots is set for a comeback.
The owners of Bar-Bill Tavern, the well-known Western New York restaurant group famous for its wings, are teaming up with Holiday Valley Resort to reopen The Depot, the long-time après-ski favorite that closed earlier this year.
According to reporting from Ellicottville Now and WKBW Buffalo, the Crook family — Clark, Katie, John, and Harry — will operate The Depot under the Bar-Bill umbrella. However, the restaurant will not be rebranded as a Bar-Bill location.
“We just want to make sure The Depot stays The Depot,” said John Crook, Bar-Bill’s general manager, in an interview with WKBW. “It would feel wrong to change 46 years of history.”
The partnership ensures the space retains its familiar name, layout, and character while receiving behind-the-scenes upgrades to its kitchen and infrastructure.
Ellicottville Now reported that customers will see minimal changes and that the new owners plan to preserve much of the building’s unique décor — much of which was collected by longtime proprietors Vicky and Chris “Moose” Brown, who ran The Depot from 1979 until selling to Holiday Valley earlier this year.
A Menu That Honors Tradition
The new operators plan to keep The Depot’s well-loved staples on the menu, including pizza and wings. Those dishes that helped make the restaurant a local favorite.
“They’re famous for pizza and wings, so that’s what we’re going to do,” Crook told WKBW. “Obviously, the wings will be our wings. The rest of the menu gives us the opportunity to do a few different things that we wouldn’t normally do in a Bar-Bill.”
Rooted in Local History
The Depot’s history runs deep in Ellicottville.
The structure itself began as a train station, relocated from Mill Street to its current site about 50 years ago.
Over the decades, it evolved into a cherished part of the town’s dining and nightlife scene, especially during ski season.
Looking Ahead
The goal is to reopen The Depot by late November or early December, just in time for the winter crowds at Holiday Valley. The exact date will depend on final renovations and state licensing approvals.
Bar-Bill Tavern, founded in East Aurora in 1967, has expanded in recent years under the Crook family’s leadership.
Since taking over in 2011, they’ve added locations in Clarence and Rochester, and also operate a burger and cocktail concept called 189 Burger in East Aurora.
With this new partnership, the Bar-Bill team says the focus isn’t on changing what The Depot is — but on preserving it.
“We’re really excited to bring The Depot back to life,” Crook said. “It’s not about changing it — it’s about making sure it keeps being what everyone loves.”
Subscribe to the Hello Southern Tier newsletter to get the latest local news, events, and updates delivered to your email inbox weekly!
