By now most of us have heard that SeaBar is expanding its downtown location (see post). I was excited to hear the news, but until last night I had no idea what sort of look the restaurant was going for. Although the new addition is not yet open for business (it's close), I got a sneak and can only say, "Wow!" I have got to hand it to Mike Andrzejewski and his wife Sherri for pulling off an ultra-modern conversion of a space that is a lot bigger than I had anticipated. From the tinted film window treatments to the spaceship-looking air purifier that hangs over Mike A's workstation to the multi-colored lighting bars, SeaBar looks brilliant.
Mike and Sherri attribute the project to Rocco Termini's progressive attitude along with his help in getting his tenants ready for the coming opening in a timely fashion, without skimping on the important details. How often do we hear about a building owner going the extra mile for his or her tenants? It makes all the difference in the world. Just think what would happen if more commercial property owners would make the initial investments into their properties in order to attract quality tenants. Instead of a prospect tenant walking into disasters, the interiors would have plumbing issues taken care of, electric ready to go, exposed ceilings instead of water-damaged ceiling tiles... sorry, I digress.
What we have here on Ellicott Street is a stunningly clean and colorful build-out that is a co-investment by both Rocco and SeaBar. Combined with the already successful sushi bar, this enterprise is about to take off big time. The last couple of visits we ended up not being served due to lack of a reservation. I almost didn't mind, just knowing how successful a downtown restaurant can be, if all of the right ingredients are added. Mike tells me that the businesses in the Ellicott District are all very supportive of each other, and he sees a lot more opportunity coming to the area in the future. He also notes that the residents who are now living downtown have contributed greatly to his business. I've always been a big believer that the apartments, lofts and condos would have to come first in order to draw the businesses and then sustain them. Well, that's exactly what is happening.
Here's to more apartments, lofts and condos!
Seabar City
475 Ellicott St,
Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
(716) 332-2928
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Mike and Sherri attribute the project to Rocco Termini's progressive attitude along with his help in getting his tenants ready for the coming opening in a timely fashion, without skimping on the important details. How often do we hear about a building owner going the extra mile for his or her tenants? It makes all the difference in the world. Just think what would happen if more commercial property owners would make the initial investments into their properties in order to attract quality tenants. Instead of a prospect tenant walking into disasters, the interiors would have plumbing issues taken care of, electric ready to go, exposed ceilings instead of water-damaged ceiling tiles... sorry, I digress.
What we have here on Ellicott Street is a stunningly clean and colorful build-out that is a co-investment by both Rocco and SeaBar. Combined with the already successful sushi bar, this enterprise is about to take off big time. The last couple of visits we ended up not being served due to lack of a reservation. I almost didn't mind, just knowing how successful a downtown restaurant can be, if all of the right ingredients are added. Mike tells me that the businesses in the Ellicott District are all very supportive of each other, and he sees a lot more opportunity coming to the area in the future. He also notes that the residents who are now living downtown have contributed greatly to his business. I've always been a big believer that the apartments, lofts and condos would have to come first in order to draw the businesses and then sustain them. Well, that's exactly what is happening.
Here's to more apartments, lofts and condos!
Seabar City
475 Ellicott St,
Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
(716) 332-2928
Wow. That looks huge! Did they move to a different part of Ellicott St? Cause there certainly wasn't that kind of space in there previously. When are they opening this?
They are expanding into the storefront right next to the current space. I'm pretty amped about this, Sea Bar is def one of my 3 fav restaurants in Buffalo.