Issue 1 · Thursday, October 15, 2026
By Scott
Welcome in, neighbor.
This is the very first Lancaster Lowdown.
The sun sets at 6:31 tonight, and Halloween is 16 days out.
Pour a coffee, and I'll see you around town.
In today's Lancaster Lowdown:
A Wisconsin burger and frozen custard chain wants the old Rite Aid at Transit and William
Playground for every kid at Cayuga Creek Park
An asphalt plant gets the Town's OK
Halloween in Lancaster, from the candy stroll to porch lights
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Open for Business
OPENINGS, CLOSINGS AND WHAT'S BEING BUILT
The former Rite Aid at 4937 Transit Rd, where Culver's wants to build. Photo: Lancaster Lowdown, Oct 2026.
Burger chain Culver's wants the old Rite Aid at the corner of Transit and William. The Wisconsin company (ButterBurgers, cheese curds, frozen custard) has proposed tearing down the former Rite Aid at 4937 Transit Rd, at William St and Losson Rd, to build its first restaurant in New York State. The early plan its engineers showed the Town Board in August: about 4,300 square feet on 1.8 acres, 26 tables for 86 people, 56 parking spots, and a drive-thru where you order and pay, then pull into one of 10 waiting spots while runners bring your food out.
Where it stands: it's moved past the idea stage. A formal site plan and special use permit are now in front of the Town: in September they went out to state and county agencies for comment, and the police department reported no objections. On Oct 5 the Town Board received a response from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the state agency that reviews projects for their effect on the environment. Nothing is approved yet, and there's no opening date. The closest Culver's today is east of Cleveland, in Eastlake, Ohio.
Sources: Buffalo Toronto Public Media (Aug 7), WGRZ (Aug 8), Town Board minutes (Sept 21 and Oct 5).
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Heard Around Town
WHAT LANCASTER IS TALKING ABOUT
A playground for every kid: Cayuga Creek Park is getting an all-inclusive playground, with ground-level play built for kids with special needs, autism and sensory issues. Assemblyman Patrick Chludzinski secured $65,000 for it, and Trustee Dee Miller led the push. It will share the park with a new performance stage, funded by Russell J. Salvatore. No opening date yet. The park sits off West Main Street, along Pac Way, in the Village.
Source: Cheektowaga Bee (Oct 1).
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Town Hall
WHAT YOUR TOWN AND VILLAGE BOARDS DECIDED, AND WHAT'S NEXT
DECIDED
Votes from the Town Board (Mon, Oct 5) and the Village Board (Mon, Sept 28)
Trick-or-treat hours set (Town Board, Oct 5, 5-0): Saturday, Oct 31, 6 to 8:30 PM. The Town Supervisor checked with the mayors of the Villages of Lancaster and Depew, who signed off on the same hours.
Asphalt plant permit approved (Town Board, Oct 5, 5-0): New Enterprise Stone & Lime, which makes asphalt at sites in Pennsylvania and New York, got site plan approval and a special use permit to run an asphalt plant on its roughly 189-acre property at 5466 Genesee St and 360 Harris Hill Rd. The permit runs through Oct 4, 2028 and has to be renewed every two years. The Town ruled it needs no further environmental review. Nobody spoke at the public hearing.
Bills watch party on West Main is off (Village Board, Sept 28, 4-0): the Lancaster Village Merchants Association asked to close West Main Street for a "Football in the Village" party during the Bills game on Sunday, Oct 18. The board said no: street closures need 60 days' notice so nearby businesses and homeowners can be told, and the request came in late, even though the Bills schedule has been out since May.
A new sidewalk plow that waters flowers (Village Board, Sept 28, 4-0): $196,682 for a 2024 Kärcher C70 sidewalk plow, paid from village savings. The public works superintendent says it will work year-round: clearing sidewalks in winter, then carrying a water tank to water the village's gardens and flowers in spring and summer.
279 new trees this fall (Village): paid for with tree-planting grants, including over 100 along Como Park Blvd. The trees arrive Oct 26, and the Department of Public Works is coordinating the planting for late October. The village is mailing residents about the plantings, so watch your mailbox.
New bleachers for Walden Pond Park (Town Board, Oct 5, 5-0): up to $13,972, bought through a cooperative purchasing contract and fully paid for by an Erie County Legislature grant. The same grant, accepted in September, also covers a new generator for the park.
Sources: Town Board minutes (Oct 5), Village Board minutes (Sept 28), Village Board agenda packet (Oct 13).
IN THE WORKS
Splash pad, take two (Village): reworked after Erie County's feedback on last year's application, the village is asking Erie County for $150,000 toward a splash pad and playground upgrade at the North End Fire Hall playground on West Drullard Avenue. Total cost is about $201,000, with the village covering the rest from savings set aside for it.
Sump pumps and home sales (Village): a proposed local law would spell out when a sump pump must be installed when a house is sold. It's in committee.
COMING UP
Tonight, 7 pm · Village Planning Commission
Lancaster Municipal Building, 5423 Broadway.
Meeting details →
Mon, Oct 19, 7 pm · Town Board
Lancaster Town Hall, 21 Central Ave. Hearing at 7:05 on a special event permit for Stony Brook Legendary Lights. There is a public comment period, and the meeting streams live on the Town's YouTube channel.
Agendas →
Wed, Oct 21, 7 pm · Town Planning Board
Lancaster Town Hall, 21 Central Ave. This is where new projects get reviewed.
Agendas →
Mon, Oct 26, 7 pm · Village Board
Lancaster Municipal Building, 5423 Broadway. Regular meeting.
Tue, Nov 3 · Election Day
Dates and poll hours from the NYS Board of Elections. Early voting hours vary by county.
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The Report
FROM THE VILLAGE
CONDITIONS
SUNRISE 7:28 AM ↑
SUNSET 6:31 PM ↓
TOTAL DAYLIGHT 11 HRS 4 MIN
MOONRISE 12:51 PM ↑
MOONSET 9:11 PM ↓
MOON Waxing Crescent 23%
AIR QUALITY Good 11 AQI
FORECAST
Friday: Rain and a possible thunderstorm, breezy with gusts near 40 mph. High near 68, falling into the 50s by evening, low around 36.
Saturday: Mostly sunny and chilly, with a high near 47 and a low around 33.
Sunday: Sunny and milder, with a high near 60.
SKY: The Orionid meteor shower peaks before dawn next Thursday, October 22. These shooting stars are crumbs of Halley's Comet, hitting our sky at 41 miles per second. Wait for the moon to set around 3:30 AM and you could catch 10 to 20 an hour. Halley himself won't swing by again until 2061.
PETS LOOKING FOR A HOME: Waterloo the shepherd pup who's already crate trained, Slim Jim the toy-crazy tabby kitten, and Phoebe & Monica, two guinea pig sisters who wheek their hearts out for a pea flake.
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Happenings
WORTH LEAVING THE HOUSE FOR
Here's what's worth leaving the house for this week, plus what to put on the calendar.
★ this week's favorite · 🎈 family-friendly · FREE no cost to go
THIS WEEK · THU OCT 15 TO WED OCT 21
THU, OCT 15 | Lancaster Village Walking Tour
Meets at 40 Clark St at 10AM, about 90 minutes
Explore Buffalo walks you through the village's history.
$20, under 18 free, reserve a spot
THU, OCT 15 | Author Talk: Ghoulish Games FREE
Lancaster Public Library, 5466 Broadway at 7PM
Local author Amanda Wittman on her creepy collection of supernatural games, rituals and legends from around the world.
no registration needed
FRI, OCT 16 | Lancaster Legends Football vs. Bennett Tigers HOME
Home game at 7PM
The Legends are 5-1 this season, their only loss in triple overtime.
full schedule
★ FRI, OCT 16 | Bone-Chilling Tales: Candlelight Tours
Hull Family Home & Farmstead, 5976 Genesee St at 6PM
Spooky stories by candlelight at the historic Hull farmstead.
$20, reserve ahead
SAT, OCT 17 | Paint & Battery Drop-Off FREE
Town of Hamburg (address given when you sign up), 8:30AM to 1PM
Clear out the garage: Erie County takes old paint, stain, varnish and sealers, plus used batteries, rechargeable or single-use. No limit on how much you bring. Paint and batteries only, no other household chemicals. Sign up online or call (716) 858-6800.
sign up first, spots are limited
🎈 SAT, OCT 17 | Spooky Graham Cracker House Workshop FREE
Lancaster Public Library, 5466 Broadway at 11AM
ages 5 to 12, register first
🎈 SAT, OCT 17 | Pumpkins Due: No-Carve Decorating Contest FREE
Lancaster Public Library, 5466 Broadway, all day
Drop off your decorated pumpkin by Saturday. Voting runs Oct 18 to 24 in the library, winners Sun Oct 25 at 3PM, Halloween LEGO prizes.
library or book theme required
SAT, OCT 17 | Tom Paradowski Sr. Memorial Meat Raffle
Lancaster Variety Club, 6114 Broadway, 4 to 9PM · $15, or $100 for a table of 8
An evening of spinning the wheel for meat. Proceeds go to a scholarship fund for Depew grads heading to community college or trade school.
event details on Facebook
SAT, OCT 17 | Horror Trivia Tournament
The Rooted Cup, 20 W Main St at 5PM, trivia at 5:30
$30 per team
🎈 SAT, OCT 17 | Halloween Party for the Guinea Pig Rescue
Lancaster Elks Lodge, 33 Legion Pkwy, 6 to 8PM
$10, supports Buffalo Guinea Pig Mafia Rescue · see the flyer
WED, OCT 21 | 5 Haunted Places Near You FREE
Lancaster Public Library at 6:30PM
Amanda Woomer on the haunted spots in and around Lancaster, with ghost stories to finish.
register online or call 716-683-1120
PLAN AHEAD
FRI, OCT 23 | Lancaster Legends Football at Depew Wildcats
Away game at 7PM
road trip to Depew
SAT, OCT 24 | Outlaw State of Mind: Chris Stapleton Tribute
Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave at 7:30PM · Tickets $35
whiskey not included
THU - SAT, OCT 29 - 31 | Beautification Planting & Spruce Up FREE
Central Business District, Thu at 5PM, Fri & Sat at 10AM
bring your gloves · questions? ask the volunteers
🎈 FRI, OCT 30 | Halloween at the Lancaster Fire Hall FREE
Lancaster Fire Hall, 5423 Broadway at 6:30PM
Donuts, cider, candy and a costume contest with prizes, hosted by the Lancaster Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Spooky, silly or sweet, all costumes welcome.
costumes on · map
🎈 SAT, OCT 31 | Trick or Treat in the Village FREE
Central Ave shops, noon to 2PM
Costumes encouraged. Parents in costume, strongly encouraged. Face painting at Papi Grande's, a Touch-a-Truck, a craft table at Roams and family activities at Simply Boba.
one long candy run
🎈 SAT, OCT 31 | Trick-or-Treat Hours FREE
Every porch in Lancaster, 6 to 8:30PM, town and village alike
porch lights on
SAT, NOV 7 | The BroFish: Hootie & Darius Rucker Tribute
Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave at 7:30PM · Tickets $35
only wanna be with you
SAT, NOV 21 | Still Rock 'n' Roll: Billy Joel Tribute
Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave at 7:30PM · Tickets $35
sing us a song
🎈 FRI, NOV 27 | Lancaster Lights the Night FREE
Girl Scout Garden, Central & Broadway at 5PM
flip the switch
Event details come from each event's own page. Times and prices can change, so check the link before you go. Know of something we missed? Send it to [email protected].
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Thanks for reading the first edition of the Lancaster Lowdown! Let's chat again next Thursday.
Scott
Lancaster Lowdown
Every Thursday you get a free edition of Lancaster Lowdown. It's put together by Scott, a Lancaster neighbor who does the moon math, reports on meetings, and tracks down the best things to do so you don't have to. Free, every week.
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