After attending the opening of The Jenny Shop a couple of us swung up Elmwood and stopped into The Elmwood Market. Not only did an attractive new sign catch our eye, we couldn't help but notice that the place was looking pretty well stocked. Once we stepped inside we were immediately taken with the numerous old photos of built Buffalo from days gone by. I was especially impressed with a large print of the Guaranty Building that wrapped the back doorway. Above the rows of product we saw images of Shelton Square, old Buffalo bridges, locally manufactured products, boats on Hoyt Lake, immigrant workers, grain elevators, and numerous identifiable landmarks.
We were so preoccupied with the historic photos that we kept forgetting to ask about other important details... like when was the market opening. We were told that they were shooting for an opening as early as this Friday. But if things were looking tight, they didn't want to open if they were not full prepared, which meant that Monday is also a good possibility. I noticed that the owners were already sporting their black Elmwood Market t-shirts, and a number of employees were buzzing about stocking the shelves and breaking down boxes.
There is a coffee bar set up along the front of the store looking out onto Elmwood. When I asked why there were no stools I was told that the market did not want to promote unnecessary loitering. If someone wanted to rest a few minutes while preparing their coffee at the bar, then that was great... or even browsing through a magazine would be cool. The market has a policy stating that no single cans or bottles of beer are to be sold. Right off the bat the owners are making it clear that this is to be a place where everyone is to feel welcome as long as they are not disruptive to other shoppers (you would think that other markets on the street would have similar policies).
With plenty of parking, a friendly attitude, fresh and clean interior and a good array of products, Alex, Dale and Tony at the Elmwood Market should do just fine. Check out a word from all of them in regards to their opening.
The Elmwood Village Market is located in the former DVD.Dot location (corner of Elmwood and North) - parking lot off to the side.