Buffalo First looks to Bring Local Business to Waterfront

a book shop and a coffee shop would be a damn good start!

Wegmans

the big one I could see making an impact there is a Wegmans (as previously mentioned and because there is no large grocery store downtown), as well as Anderson's ice cream, John's Pizza (or Jims steak out), and spot coffee (if the other one doesn't work out).

Put a wegmans downtown, itcould be a two story urban concept like they have in Va and DC.

Dinosaur BBQ on the waterfront would thrive.
Build it with an outdoor patio where boats can dock.

I love the one in Rochester. It's always packed. Weekdays and weekends.

http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/

Totally agree with the dinosaur bbq idea. We need a regional draw so people traffic could thrive 12 months a year. Dinosaur bbq would be packed for all sabres games and concerts to. I wonder if they were testing the market at the taste of buffalo. I haven't heard anyting about it since the bflo rising post a few months ago.(an update would be much appreciated) A barnes and noble would be nice on the water to.

i thought this was to attract small business, not wegmans. so...i'd love to consistantly see a hot dog vendor down there, some sort of bike or water craft rental. maybe fishing pole or fishing boat rentals. what of ballon rides over the water or the outer waterfront.

i'm sure there are many small vendors and business that would offer these services and make some money...our local gov and agencies just need to assist in the process.

Not so much a business idea, but I think it would be good either way...

I went to the Black Crowes concert last night (with what I felt was more people than the last few TatS concerts), and I think if a permanent band shell was built there in the harbor, it would work really well in getting people out there. There'd be a lot less work as far as take down and set up of any sort of equipment that's used now, seeing as there's about 8 concerts a summer now, you could probably just have a concert there every weekend.

Oh, and I had a thought last night on where the are could be modeled after. Universal City in LA sounds like it would be a decent model. I say that because I really want a Howl at the Moon in Buffalo, and this would be the perfect fit for it!

I'd be willing to bet that a restaurant with a sweet deck, boat drinks...a little Jimmy Buffet playing in the background....whether it be Dinosaur BBQ or another place would do great. I for one would be there!

Oh, I just hope there is a bicycling ice cream vendor...(pleasepleaseplease)

The following is the link to the Facebook event page. If anyone would to RSVP - or see who is going:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100768759169&ref=nf

Hmmmm, something nautical. An Arthur Treacher's?

I think nick at nite has the right idea. Having something like Wegman's or Dinosaur BBQ at least keeps money in NY (and Wegman's in WNY), but I think it's really valuable to give Buffalo Businesses more of a chance. If Anchor Bar doesn't feel like putting down another store in the harbor area, what about Duff's? Or what's stopping us from letting any of the other restaurants in the area to open up a second (or perhaps even a third *coughpizzaplantcough*) restaurant? We have our own flavors. We should strut our stuff.

I like some of the other ideas out there a lot - bike rentals, ice cream vendors, hell, maybe even kayaking?

The key here is that if we support local businesses, then we keep A LOT more money in the community. This can be a real opportunity to turn a part of Buffalo around into a healthy economic site.

Great idea for the waterfront meeting - I see that it was quite successful. It's nice to see people becoming active on waterfront issues. Also if anyone is interestd, there will be a follow up meeting regarding similar issues held at the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery. It's a public "open space" meeting so everyone attending will get a chance to share ideas. Here is a link to the meeting invite:
http://www.invitingbuffalo.com/blog/?p=442

I know that they aren't local by any means, but why doesnt Buffalo have a Hard Rock or a Planet Hollywood?

Don't you think that could bring a lot of people to teh waterfront if one of them chose to open up down there?

Pizza Plant? Possibly, but if Pizza Plant ever wants to add a city location they'd probably get a lot more customers year round if they located in the North Buffalo portion of Delaware Ave than they would in downtown or near the waterfront.

Hard Rock or Planet Hollywood? As Paul said, those won't happen. There'd be nowhere near enough customer flow in terms of quantity and upscaleness.

Wegmans? Sounds very far fetched too. Wegmans.com lists new locations they're planning or considering in VA, MD, PA, and MA, and it also says they're not planning to add any new stores in NY state (only upgrades of existing stores).
http://tinyurl.com/wegmans-new-stores
Since Buffalo is part of NY state, that implies they aren't interested for now in even thinking about adding a new store here. And even if they change their mind about that, the waterfront or downtown aren't the kinds of locations they select for thier stores.

If Bass Pro happens, then there'd likely be enough customer flow nearby for a (local or national) restaurant similar in size to a Pizza Plant. I'm not saying that to justify taxpayer subsidy to Bass Pro. I'm against that. But if it happens, their store will help attract enough customers year round who also might want to eat and drink.