New GOACC 2023 Ornament Revealed
New GOACC 2023 Ornament Revealed
Santa Claus Lane Committee Announces the Next Olean Landmark Keepsake
OLEAN - The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce unveiled its newest Santa Claus Lane ornament, a depiction of the Angee’s Restaurant, Olean, NY. Through these ornament sales, holiday lights are funded and can be lit in Olean from November to early January. The ornaments, in a series created by artist Kathleen McDonald, are $25.00.
“This past January, we had a voting ballot that included four distinct buildings that call the area home. Each year, GOACC has an online voting on what should be the next ornament for Santa Claus Lane,” stated Meme K. Yanetsko, GOACC COO. Joining the winner were Jim’s Park and Shop, Old Library Restaurant, and the Olean Medical Group.
Each ornament contains a brief history: ANGEE’s RESTAURANT | Olean New York: Libratore Angelo Fratercangelo made his journey from Italy to America in 1904. Like most Italian immigrants, Angelo could not speak English when he arrived, however, he successfully made his mark in the restaurant business. With the help of his son, Nicky, he opened a restaurant in 1948 at 475 North Union Street, Olean. Angee’s Restaurant remains at the same location today. It is now owned and operated by his grandson, Anthony. The year 2023 marks 75 years of service.
Nicholas Fratercangelo, also known as “Little Nicky,” retired from his job at Clark Brothers in 1948 to assist his father in the management of Angee’s Restaurant. In the early 1960s Angelo retired and passed the restaurant on to Nicky. For the next 25 years, Nicky added a personal touch which made the restaurant what it is today. From the introduction of pizza to his trademark white shirts, Nicky’s ideas and ideals made Angee’s into a favorite meeting and eating place for the hometown crowd.
Nicky retired in the 1980s. His retirement came partly due to ill health, but mostly because he wanted to see his sons carry on a part of his life that he loved so much. Nicky passed away in February of 1998 but up until a week before his death you could find him every morning at the front table in Angee’s visiting with old friends and making new ones.
Nicholas Livoto was one of Angee’s original employees. He was referred to as “Big Nick” because he was much bigger than Nicky Fratercangelo. Big Nick was the head chef at Angee’s for 41 years. He had a flare for serving up many a delicious meals. When he was in the kitchen, you knew it wouldn’t be long before your favorite Angee’s meal was at your table ready to eat. Big Nick passed away in 1989 but sometimes on a busy Friday night, you can still hear him in the kitchen giving orders.
Angelo L. Fratercanglo is Nicholas Fratercangelo’s oldest son. He worked for Angee’s for 14 years. In 1988, he left the restaurant to pursue another career. He left the daily operations to his younger brother Anthony.
Anthony Fratercangelo is currently the owner and operator of Angee’s Restaurant. Shortly after Anthony took over in 1988, he gave Angee’s a new look. A remodeled dining room, an enlarged kitchen, and an expanded menu brought a new generation of loyal Angee’s patrons. An added catering business allows people to sample the great taste of Angee’s food at home, in the office, or anywhere they choose.
Every year, the Santa Claus Lane committee (through voting) chooses the landmarks to be designed on the 3-1/2 inch circular resin ornament. The artist sketches the layout from photos provided by Chamber officials and a prototype is created. Once the prototype is approved, work begins with the process of pouring and hand-painting each piece. The ornaments arrive in Olean, individually boxed, with a brief description of the ornament.
Many of the previously made ornaments are still available with a limited inventory. The first to be unveiled was the Olean Municipal Building. The complete list can be emailed. These past ornaments are available at the Chamber office and can be purchased online at shop.oleanny.com.
The new ornaments are available at the Chamber office, 301 North Union Street, Olean, NY. Ornaments will also be sold at Angee’s and will be available there mid-July. Ornaments can also be shipped outside Olean for an additional $6 for shipping/handling charges per ornament. For more information on the ornament or GOACC activities, please call GOACC at 716-372-4433, stop in the office, or email santa@oleanny.com.