Remember back in May when I posted on a young woman who was looking for the ideal downtown location to put a ladies' clothing shop? Well, the search is over. She landed a storefront at the Ellicott Square Building. Yup... downtown has a new clothing shop opening in February of '08. Jen Hemmingway is calling her new clothing boutique, 'The Jenny Shop'. When I complimented her on the name she said, "Did you know that there used to be a The Jenny Shop downtown a long time ago? I'm told that it started up in The Statler Towers. I heard that the little shop eventually became Jenss Department Stores. It's a fun story and it brings back the memory of shopping downtown."
The ladies' dress shop will focus on career-wear and will fill a shopping niche that many downtown dwellers and workers will relish. There will be no dress code at the shop... and ladies are welcome to arrive in their sneaker attire. The longtime vacant 1000 sq.' storefront has interior windows facing the building's common space. It will be located in a corner spot surrounded by Charlie the Butcher, NYS Easy Pass and Northwest Saving’s Bank. The idea is to eventually fill a few more of the empty spaces with complimentary goods and services. It's safe and secure... and it's in one of the premiere architectural wonders of the city. "Ellicott Development made the process so easy for me to get obtain and fix up the space," Jen told me. "And I worked with The Medaille College MBA program students. They helped me with my business plan. They’re always looking for new businesses to write plans for. This is so exciting… and I’m ready. If you’re a lady working or living downtown I want to know what you need. I will try my hardest to fulfill and all requests. Honestly I am here for you."
I asked Jen about the experience... and what it's like to be a retail pioneer downtown. "This was such an interesting project," she answered. "Everyone that I’ve told has been so supportive. People are so happy to hear that a new retailer is investing in downtown Buffalo. I’m putting all of my own equity into this business because it is impossible for a small business to get a start-up loan. That was the discouraging part. I want other entrepreneurs to know that it's hard to find capital. If you’re opening a retail operation it’s a risky venture because you're on your own. I’m putting my own personal investment into the business and the city."
The Jenny Shop is scheduled to open February 1st.
About the Ellicott Square Building info from Walk Buffalo:
The building is owned by Ellicott Development which is the largest private landlord in downtown Buffalo, managing over 1.5 million square feet of office space in ten commercial office and mixed use buildings in the central business district, including the world-renowned Ellicott Square Building and Louis Sullivanis Guaranty Building, a National Historic Landmark.
10 stories high with the capacity to support 10 more floors
500,000 square feet
Largest office building in the world for the sixteen years after it opened in 1896
Named after Joseph Ellicott, planner for the Village of New Amsterdam, now the City of Buffalo. It was built at a cost of $3.5 million in less than one year.
The mantra of architect Daniel Burnham was "make no little plans, they have no magic to stir men's blood; think big." Built in the Italian Renaissance style, the exterior of the Ellicott Square Building is made of granite, iron and terra cotta with a veneer of pearl gray brick. The majestic interior courtyard contains a marble mosaic floor designed by William Winthrop Kent. Imported from Italy, the 23 million pieces of marble on the mosaic depict sun symbols from civilizations around the world.
There are broad stairs on either side and a glass roof in an ornamental steel frame provides natural light. The building features ornate globe lamps, intricate columns, carefully proportioned classical features gracing doorways, marble and brass to trim iron and stone.
Ellicott Development Company - 210 Ellicott Square Building - 295 Main Street Buffalo. 716-206-8973