Dandy Mini Mart celebrated its historic revitalization of the the Piollet Mansion, in Wysox, Pa., with a community grand opening and ribbon cutting last month, replete with free lunch samples from the Dandy kitchen, including paninis, burgers, and specialty pizzas, as well as specialty coffees and smoothies.
A new addition to the original structure now houses most of the Dandy store including the kitchen, coolers and shelves. The beer cave, seating area, store offices, renovated restrooms and new community room are located in the original Piollet Mansion.
Two sections of flooring were removed to create a four-story open atrium all the way up to the windowed cupola. Original doorway moldings and wainscoting were restored, and sections of the original hardwood floors were repurposed into Dandy store signage. The building underwent significant energy efficient upgrades, including new windows. Also, a new diesel pad was poured and the entire parking area received new blacktop.
Valuing History
“The revitalization of the Piollet Mansion and the Wysox Dandy is one of the proudest moments we’ve had as a company,” said Dandy President Randy Williams. ”Our team worked with an incredible group of partners and contractors to painstakingly renovate this building to the highest level. This building and its history are important to so many people in Bradford County and beyond, and we hosted this event so the community could come out and enjoy it with us all.”
A dance/jazz/swing band played for the audience from the renovated second floor, and Henry Farley, president of the Bradford County Historical Society, gave a presentation on the history of the Piollet Mansion and its place in late 19th and early 20th century Bradford County.
The Piollet Mansion was built by Victor E. Piollet in 1872. His father, Joseph M. Piollet, was born in France and emigrated to the United States in 1806 after fighting with Napoleon’s army at Austerlitz. The Piollet family was an integral part of Bradford County’s early development, occupying key roles in the railroad and canal industries, as well as politics. Many Piollet descendants remain in Bradford County today.
Dandy Mini Marts, Inc. operates 65 locations throughout the Twin Tiers region of Pennsylvania and New York.