It's Like Candy For Your Head!
We headed on down to the Grand Opening of New Era Headquarters today and spent more than an hour scoping out the largest selection of hats in the city. More than 800 cap styles in their line to choose from; everything from a purple Ravens fitted ball cap, to of course, a multitude of Sabres hats in every shape, color and flavor. We tried on dozens of new lids today and narrowed it down to two. The place was jumpin’ and the music was thumpin’ and the crowds were out in full Sabres regalia. We were treated to an array of beautiful (and tall) blonde babes that were more than happy to help us with the merchandise. Sabres were there signing caps, and interviews were being conducted, and we totally dug the vibe that was flowing in the new New Era shop/gallery. The scene was chill and major cap happy enthusiasts surrounded us. More excitement ensued when the in-store raffle for a pair of Sabres tickets was announced.
Action Jackson was the beat as some dudes passed out treats and cool memorabilia en route to the tour of this totally tricked out touring bus parked out front. Talk about good Buffalo vibrations!
This bus was customized with old school turntables, where hats were spinning and fly girls were chillin’ and passing out groovy wristbands to take away. This was much more fun than I ever bargained for! The bus had rad video games playing on flat screen monitors, a built in bar and New Era cap displays on the walls. New Era is so much more than just a hat shop~ it is a full on entertainment extravaganza for all ages. They had stylin’ graffiti artists painting up a colorful storm and big flat screens playing rap videos, while the line of customers waited to check out their purchases.
After the retail show we headed over to grab a lunch at The Chocolate Bar on Chippewa. Even there we ran into New Era shoppers who wanted to hang around downtown Buff. It made for a very exciting Saturday afternoon. I wonder how many other people came down to partake in all of the action this afternoon. One thing I can say for sure is that Buffalo got a big boost of life this weekend with the unveiling of this retail hotspot. New Era shopping bags could be seen in hands of shoppers up and down Delaware Avenue. We even stopped a bunch of shoppers to ask what they thought about the New Era experience and they were all totally psyched to show us their new finds.
Thanks to Brian from the New Era Street Team and Dana and Sid for putting on a good show.
Good start...let's keep the retail coming Downtown, don't stop now.
I heard that New Era will be open 7 days a week, but what are the hours?
I was there for the opening.
Great facility and great time!
This is big. I was at the opening today and was overwhelmed with the sense that downtown is on its way back. I was once a vocal skeptic of the new atrium, but from the interior, and I confess the exterior, I was completely resold. The atrium is stunning, as well as the view of Buffalo from within it. It softens the building and makes it more welcoming from outside. Bravo, New Era!
Please tell me that Buffalo Rising is above refering to women as babes. Was it important to the post that the "babes" were tall and beautiful and blonde? I'd expect this in Maxim magazine, but not here.
Would you feel better if the babes were tall & handsome and blond?
:)
Well, there was some tall, handsome and blond babes there, too. Newell, for instance.
If New Era is open 7 days a week, I hope their hours are better than that of the Washington Market. lol. Anyways, I was down there today, great looking store...fits into downtown very well. Got some autos from Henrik as well. I think this is such an incredibly important development downtown, and hopefully it is a sign that downtown Buff is turning the corner.
OMG please lighten up about the "babes"!
I've no idea if you're a fundamentalist feminist or fundamentalist religious person, but either way please stop trying to impose your "morals" on all of us!
Thank you.
Welcome to Downtown New Era!
These are the things the city needs. Destination retail that is unique to the city. Elmwood Avenue is trending that way as well. With good word of mouth and powerful marketing the city can recapture its retail leadership. Places like this store and Elmwood and eventually Allen and Hertel need to be marketed to the suburbs (especially suburban youth culture) as a place you have to go to to be and be seen. Who wants a New Era cap form the mall when you can get it form the source!
Cheesh! The denotation babe, according to my handbook of hipster jargon, is applicable to both males and females - a nice, uni-sex word. I was at the gr. op. at New Era and can attest to the fact that there were babes there of all genres. The cap choices were slightly overwhelming and I caught cap fever, ultimately settling on a nice green number with embroidered yellow word 'Buffalo' and a nice, little black embroidered buffalo on the backside ... and I totally intend to look like a BABE when I wear it!
new era cap's store hours are 9am-6pm
Nancy, and ligten up...right on!
Some people like gc act like miserable f@#$ing prudes. You know our society is going downhill when people try and find anything possible to "offend" them. Get a life! Or like... get laid, sounds like gc needs some of that.
For me, this New Era opening makes me want to go out and get some.
Brutus and the like -
You should spend more time listening to AM radio. It's this kind of mindset that holds buffalo back. I agree with gc. It should be OK for people to express an opinion without freaks like you losing your cool, how reactionary. Maybe you should move to a red state.
Hmm so it's ok for you to lose your cool over Brutus, etc. but not ok for them to disagree with gc? In fact, this makes them freaks who should move away out of town according to you? Nice.
Babe is a fine word and hardly limited to Maxim mags of the world as gc claimed. In fact it seems ubiquitous among most mainstream sources and forums. Complaining about the BR article using it was very bizzare and sure to draw counter opinions.
Why is it ok to discuss beauty in buildings, parks, neighborhoods, music, art, etc., but be forced to ignore it in women and men?
Buffalo should try to become a "babe" of a city. New Era's opening is another step in that direction.
Wow more of the pathetic off topic banter that poisons and pollutes BR nowadays.
Hows this: your all idiots now shut up.
WHO WERE THE BABES? WILL THE BE THERE ALL THE TIME?
On behalf of those who believe in Buffalo Niagara for a living, I am proud New Era chose our great city. Moreover, thank you to BR bloggers who believe Buffalo Niagara is "Where Life Works."