Aceyt Food’s plan delayed—building empty

DUNDEE—Aceyt Foods, a Mediterranean-style food company, has not started operations in the Dundee Foods building after setbacks to the company’s plan for the facility have left the plant empty. Aceyt was interested in the Dundee plant to use it as an olive oil processing facility and purchased the building from LiDestri Foods in January of 2012. Aceyt planned to lease the building from LiDestri for the first half of the year. After initial delays, it was announced LiDestri would remain in the facility for a few additional months, with Aceyt taking over in the fall of 2012.
Now, in January 2013, the building remains empty, with no additional updates as to what Aceyt’s plans are for taking over the plant. The project is being managed by Ascent Principal Group based out of New York City. The Observer has attempted to contact Chief Executive Officer Kirk McAfee several times for an update on the project, but has received no response.
Keith Silsbee, former plant manager with LiDestri Foods, said LiDestri ended their operations in the building sometime in early November. Chief Executive Officer of the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center Steve Griffin said he has been in contact with Aceyt, but has not received any substantial information regarding whether or not the company has decided to go ahead with plans to move into the facility. Griffin said if he does not hear anything definite on the deal soon, he will meet with a project representative in person early this month to discuss the future of the Dundee facility.