The Garden @ Black Rock

Cool place.

Let's see if s (or d, etc) complains about BRK&B's parking lot across the street, calls it sprawl, calculates per-sq-foot property taxes, etc, - won't happen, lol

Mark does it again--creates space like no other in Buffalo. Good for him.

Mark Goldman is perpetual in using his unique vision to create special spaces and places.

High compliments and best wishes!

High compliments and best wishes, indeed. But holding the standard he has set against surrounding businesses may not be fair, no? He is taking outside money and putting it into a struggling/rebounding/up-and-coming neighborhood. I don't mean that to detract from what he is doing, as surely it will have positive effects. However, let's not cast stones on his neighbors.

Hopefully this brings the best out of his neighbors, and attracts welcome attention and investment into the street.

$13 for a steak sandwich must be delish.

14 bucks for cheese and some fruit? Seems a little "rich" for this area of town.

The Black Rock Kitchen has been a positive developement in the neighborhood and the Goldman's deserve credit for their investment. That said Black Rock was already rebounding before the restaurant opened, many others paved the way to make their success possible, lets not forget these other less trendy but solid business's. Black Rock has always had a core of old established business's and a fierce pride of place, this provided the foundation for Amherst Street to build on and continues to drive the renewal of Buffalo's oldest neighborhood.

Mark Goldman is a Buffalo treasure, albeit an idiosyncratic one. Congratulations!

Great Job again Mark!

TOPS has went backwards as the rest of the area has moved forwards, which is really sad. The Grant Amherst business association and Believe in Black Rock have been all over their collective a$$es lately. Hopefully they will get the picture. Wegmans on the other hand has retained very high standards and has managed to keep their prices low enough that neighborhood people can shop here too (not just out of the area folks looking for gourmet items) if you spend wisely. Black Rock's biggest draw isn't just what's in it but how close it is to so many other things - North Buffalo shopping, easy highway access, Elmwood Village and Allentown a quick jaunt away, ever-developing West Side next store, etc. Close proximity to Riverside and Delaware Parks. It's much more convenient living than any other area of the city or 'burbs I've lived in around here.

As the resident "starwhateverthehellyousaidchild" I stand by my original comment that the rest of the area is largely ignored, which is pretty silly. I don't say this to downplay the Amherst-Grant area improvements (as any improvement near my 'hood or in it is always awesome) but to remind folks that there is a lot to be said for BR west of the viaduct as well. I would love to see the enthusiasm for Gr-Am area brought all the way to Niagara, especially with areas of Niagara in the West Side (Black Rock's neighbor to the south)steadily attracting more and more businesses. Black Rock west of the viaduct has some amazing mixed-use buildings that I would love to see turned into more than just quicky marts, like the original Charlap's building. Black Rock's biggest community orgization outside of non-business residents is also centered in this part of the community along with the Grassroots garden.

Tops was scheduled to go before the Buffalo Planning Board this morning to discuss their plans and desires for their Grant & Amherst location. They want to install gas pumps, may spruce up the site. FYI.

"Tell me what you brag about and I'll tell you what you lack" Spanish Proverb
"Great boast, small roast"
Chinese Proverb

They are basically blackmailing the city and the community by stating if they aren't allowed to put in the gas pumps they won't put a dime into the store. We heard it from the proverbial horse's mouth at the last Believe in Black Rock Community meeting. Their plans for the site even with the rehab are pretty limited - new paint, minor landscaping, repave and "interior enhancements" which could mean anything. Their plan for the environmental impact on Scajaquada Creek sounds pretty limited but by their own admission the gentlemen who came to our meeting were not "experts" on that side of the plan. I have mixed feelings on the project. They have shown at their West Side location that gas pumps and increased revenue for them doesn't guarantee a cleaner, better maintained property.