Betty’s, one of downtown’s favorite lunch and dinner spots, is gearing up for a small expansion. Carroll Simon, co-owner of the establishment, informed me today that she was retiring from her job at the Science Museum to dedicate herself more to the business. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a little while,” she said. “We’re going to do three things… first we want to expand the kitchen capacity to handle a higher volume of take-outs. Then, we want to incorporate the addition that will double as a community meeting-place. And we want to build a bar that will be for grab-n-go breakfasts in the morning and wine and beer in the evening.
“We want it to be the type of place where ‘thinkers’ can come to discuss ideas. It will be a place where people can share ideas… I want to model it after The White Dog Café in Philadelphia. That café was founded by Judy Wicks, co-chair of Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). The new addition will be a space where ideas percolate… a marrying of a for-profit business with non-profit ideals. The new bar will be located directly behind where the couch is located (front entrance). There’s a 700 sq.’ room back there that will be perfect for what we want to do… it won’t be a late night bar… more like a breakfast bar with juice drinks and scones… and a venue to hang out after work.”
Betty’s 370 Virginia St, Buffalo - (716) 362-0633