Real Estate December 31, 2011 12:25 AM

Done Deal: 537 Main Street Sold

Done Deal: 537 Main Street Sold
WCPerspective
WCPerspective 32

A critical corner of the 500 block of Main Street has sold.  WIL Partners LLC purchased the former Arby's/Grever's Florist building at 537 Main Street yesterday.  The three-story building faces Roosevelt Plaza and the Hyatt hotel.  The new owners paid $250,000 for the property that had been owned by Queen City Lofts, LLC.

WIL Partners is said to be planning a restaurant plus upper floor residential in the 7,000 sq.ft. building.  The 500 block is finally stirring.  This year saw the opening of Main Washington Exchange and Main Street Studios.  Both buildings were rehabbed by Roger Trettel.  Law firm Ricotta and Visco is converting 496 Main Street into its new home. 

Chris Malachowski of Hunt Commercial had the listing for 537 Main Street.

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32 Comments Leave a comment
The Boss
December 31, 2011 7:33 AM
The Boss

The national chain Corner Bakery which is coming to WNY would be a nice fit on this corner or any corner in Downtown. Fresh bakery, breakfast, lunch and pastries. I am sure they are on bendersons radar for Inner Harbor.

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RaChaCha
December 31, 2011 9:16 AM
RaChaCha

Indeed, the first Corner Bakery Cafe just opened in WNY. Wow, sounds like a place I'd love to walk to! Which direction to head: Elmwood? Hertel? No -- TRANSIT & SHERIDAN. The "Corner Bakery Cafe" where there's no "corner"! Here's a map so you can see for yourself: http://binged.it/uf7IgI. It's right next to "The Olive Garden"!!

And the second location will be on Niagara Falls Boulevard, near I-290. Another one of my favorite walkable "corners" -- I've dodged cars there several times!

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STEEL
December 31, 2011 9:26 AM
STEEL

The cult of the chain - "Come to our place and send 90% of your money out of town!"

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RaChaCha
December 31, 2011 9:33 AM
RaChaCha

But they're coming to us from Chicago :-P So tell us, do they actually have locations in Chicago, or just all around Chicago--?

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replied to STEEL
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STEEL
December 31, 2011 11:28 AM
STEEL

They started off in Chicago as part of the Lettus Entertain You theme restaurant company. Their first stores were in the city and then then expanded from there. I think the first one was connected to one of their Italian restaurants (name escapes me right now)

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replied to RaChaCha
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Tim
December 31, 2011 3:39 PM
Tim

Heaven forbid that a business expand and people enjoy going to it. People do have a choice. But go ahead and force your socialist vision on the rest of us. Rediculous.

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replied to STEEL
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Tim
December 31, 2011 3:45 PM
Tim

Maybe that was a bit harsh. Projected a bit. my allergies are acting up and I'm cranky. ::pushes glasses back into place::

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replied to Tim
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Chris
December 31, 2011 11:30 AM
Chris

I know it is not the point but you could always purchase stock in many chains. Then you would own some of the success or failure.

A good mix of chain and locally owned business is important. A national chain moving downtown should be something celebrated as it would mean the demographics are going in the right direction.

Anyways great news for main! Looking forward to the details in the new year!

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replied to STEEL
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STEEL
December 31, 2011 3:17 PM
STEEL

I am not against chains but there is definitely a benefit to spending local money in local stores. There is a cult worship in this country for the banality of chains and it would not hurt to curtail some of the fawning over corporate test kitchen food etc.

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replied to Chris
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Tim
December 31, 2011 8:18 PM
Tim

Personally I like spending money locally. As far as cult warship... People like consistency and there is value in economies of scale. This is a theme with me but maybe if the government didnt subsidize big agriculture things would be different.

Homogeny is not my thing but I understand why it exists. People like that it provides cheap thingies and food because of competition. I do wish we valued quality over quantity.

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replied to STEEL
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The Boss
January 1, 2012 9:30 AM
The Boss

actually a local franchisee is the owner and they pay local taxes

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replied to STEEL
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RaChaCha
December 31, 2011 9:34 AM
RaChaCha

It must be noted that all this activity is happening in the 500 Block WITHOUT returning cars to Main Street!

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SadLlama
January 1, 2012 10:47 AM
SadLlama

I'm guessing its a smart investor anticipating cars returning to Main along along with the refurbishment of the block.

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replied to RaChaCha
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RaChaCha
January 1, 2012 7:52 PM
RaChaCha

Not necessarily. Roger Trettel, in partnership with others, has invested in the buildings housing Main/Washington Exchange & Main Street Studios -- and that hasn't been in anticipation of cars on Main. I'd say quite the contrary, actually -- I've heard a lot of skepticism about it.

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replied to SadLlama
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KangDangaLang
January 2, 2012 9:17 PM
KangDangaLang

[Deleted- flaming] My buddy runs a business in GI and a couple of his business friends have talked specifically about buying up properties along Main St purely on a speculation basis, just because of cars returning to Main St.

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replied to RaChaCha
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KangDangaLang
January 3, 2012 11:52 AM
KangDangaLang

......so whats flaming supposed to mean?

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RaChaCha
December 31, 2011 10:18 AM
RaChaCha

Strongly agree. 2012 could be the year that Roosevelt Plaza (Square?) becomes home to a street-cafe area situated alluringly right across from the Hyatt. That would be a major, positive, downtown change.

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RaChaCha
December 31, 2011 12:10 PM
RaChaCha

My comment was in reply to another comment (from elmdog?) suggesting a Parisian-style outdoor cafe area in front of the new restaurant. That comment disappeared.

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replied to RaChaCha
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saltecks
December 31, 2011 1:33 PM
saltecks

You want Parisian. Get Paul. The Paris based Bakery cafe chain now opening in the US. Lunch time Food that is as Beautiful to look at as it is to eat, and reasonably priced.

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replied to RaChaCha
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elmdog
December 31, 2011 1:45 PM
elmdog

where did my comment disappear too?

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elmdog
December 31, 2011 1:54 PM
elmdog

It did disappear?.....I have to say that the triangular open space in front of the potential restaurant has a great feel for that Parisian style patio...The trees are already there, now just a great short gated in fence with really interesting lighting...maybe a few chess tables and other unique features....I think it would become one of the most visible and used patios in the city....I cant believe that with Key bank, M and T, Bank of America all within a football throw that this area can fail right now....Perfect timing for a great patio restaurant cafe....

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replied to RaChaCha
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RaChaCha
December 31, 2011 6:55 PM
RaChaCha

Thanks for reposting your comment -- it's a good one. They accidentally deleted the original while trying to weed the spambots, and couldn't get it back :-/ Sorry!!

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replied to elmdog
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LouisTully
December 31, 2011 11:48 AM
LouisTully

That square could and should be a homerun. And it shouldn't be that big of a challenge or risk. Just someone with the money willing to take that risk. That square has been begging for it.

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Lego1981
December 31, 2011 12:35 PM
Lego1981

How about a Brodo Soup? BTW, what ever happend to that? This is such a unique building that needed some life brought back to it. Can't wait to see progress and hope it attracts more buyers for the remaining buildings on this block. And I luv the fact that 'Action' is happening now and not waiting for traffic (if and when) to return to this block.

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LouisTully
December 31, 2011 12:48 PM
LouisTully

How about the Louie's next door? As much as I would love to see that building restored, it should be preserved as is for an example of how to make people vomit through architecture.

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Lego1981
December 31, 2011 3:08 PM
Lego1981

I bet under all that yellow crap is the original brick and windows. Why they covered it up, who knows?

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BuffaloQPublic
December 31, 2011 2:22 PM
BuffaloQPublic

Applause! Applause!

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buffaloroamer
December 31, 2011 5:49 PM
buffaloroamer

I would love to see a Panera express (cut down version of it's larger suburban stores). Attracts tons of people and offers a good, healthy menu. They don't have anything like that anywhere, could be a great branch off of their current business.

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downtown resident
December 31, 2011 5:51 PM
downtown resident

Glad to hear they're putting some residential on Main. Having residents enter and exit into their apartments on Main street will only increase it's walkability, increase foot traffic and make our city feel more like the city it should be.

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Jack_Dup
January 1, 2012 9:33 AM

How often do you guys need to run a "Somone is going to open something across from the Hyatt" story. This location has been the subject of at least two other grand pronouncements and to date, nothing has come of it. I'd like to point out the last time Buffalo Rising announced something for this property, the "For Lease" sign never left the window...

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warrenavenue
January 1, 2012 4:40 PM
warrenavenue

They were pretty good when I went to them in Chicago several years back for my brother's wedding and have locations around the city there....

And Steel - I think you are thinking about Maggiano's - Another good chain that hasn't come to Buffalo yet but would get a boatload of business in the right location...

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