Jimmy's memorabilia to be moved to museum

An icon to the Kensington-Harlem area, connecting Amherst and Cheektowaga, will be displayed in the Amherst Museum.

Amherst Board Member Shelly Schratz's July 2 resolution called for Amherst to purchase the Jimmy's Restaurant sign for $1 from DiPizio Construction Company. The town will also acquire a portion of the red and white awning.

"Customers started to ask what was going to happen to Jimmy's," said Schratz, who also owns Bing's Restaurant near that intersection.

As part of the New York State Department of Transportation project to install two roundabouts at the intersection of Wehrle Drive, Kensington Avenue, Cleveland Drive and Harlem Road, Jimmy's will be knocked down.

Schratz said DiPizio agreed to move the sign to the Amherst Museum on Tonawanda Creek Road.

"It's a part of history," Schratz said. "Many friendships were formed while sipping a cup of coffee (there)."