Be a tourist in your own backyard
On a recent Saturday morning at the Darwin Martin House in the cityis Parkside neighborhood, it felt like Buffalo had finally landed on the radar screens of the worldis cultural tourists. A motor coach pulled to a stop in front of the house disgorging passengers. A family walked up Jewett Parkway, guidebooks in hand. Small groups combed the perimeter of the property waiting for the 10 oiclock tour to start. There was an energy and anticipation in the air that reminded me of house tours I had taken in Savannah and Charleston, cities renowned for their historic neighborhoods, stunning architecture and vibrant tourism economies.
A quick glance at the guest registry showed just how far these people had traveled to spend the day in Frank Lloyd Wrightis Buffalo. Guests that morning included residents of Brazil, France, Idaho, Ohio, Toronto and New York City. Nothing special was going on at the house -- just a typical weekend in July -- and yet this group of visitors represented cities and towns from around the world. It was an exhilarating scene to contemplate as they made their way around the gift shop, inspected the scale model of the property or gazed at the ongoing re-construction of the pergola and conservatory from the Barton House veranda.
Something is definitely happening here, folks. If youid like to see it for yourself, I recommend being a tourist in your own backyard. Take a tour some Saturday morning and see Buffalo through the eyes of a visitor. Stroll through a great American neighborhood as if you were on vacation. Chat with an out-of-towner on a tour and theyill tell you about a city thatis charming, authentic and entertaining. Itis called Buffalo.
For information on tours, visit www.darwinmartinhouse.org.
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buffalite
You are right Ed, "Something is definitely happening here, folks." I live in the Parkside Neighborhood and am amazed at the number of people coming to visit the Martin House Complex in its current unfinished state. I can only imagine the increased interest (and traffic) once this beauty is complete.
Currently, it is so embarassing when a visitor stops me on the street for a suggestion for a cup of coffee and I have to say "Wilson Farms". We should be proud of this Frank Lloyd Wright landmark and give visitors to Parkside the total package of a place to enjoy a cup of coffee, a fresh market, a delicious bistro, and maybe even a Bed & Breakfast. I hope that this restoration will inspire businesses on nearby Parkside Avenue and Main Street to realize the money that tourists will bring in, and also recognize the simple service needs of Parkside residents.
The original Parkside Candy Shop on W. Oakwood & Main is just begging to be put back to use! The old Shawn B's on Main would make a great cuban bistro - I can taste the mojitos now. The old Park Meadow could be a fun cafe and alternative to Beastro fare at the zoo.
Kudos to the efforts and visions of Main Street businesses such as Greater Buffalo Savings Bank, Matt's Lake Effect Laundromat and Tony's Ranch House (re-opened after tragedy). Also, in the block across from the zoo: Wyatt's Design, and Lomato's Pizza - Phil's loyal following proved to the neighborhood which Parkside pizzeria made the bettter pie!
Main Street and Parkside Avenue need to be reclaimed as walkable destinations for visitors and residents alike.
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dumb jeff
I couldn't agree more. Main Street is an embarrassment. Venturing the other direction from the Parkside neighborhood is the park, bustling with activity but Main Street is pretty awful....there is potential for sure but other than the Lake Effect and CPG there really isn't much in between that anyone would desire to support...........the row of stores starting with Ave. Pizza through Shawn B's has a lot of activity...but it looks like a complete sh#thole.....hopefully the laundry mat will inspire more businesses to come in and take a chance. I mean with having two colleges so close and an great neighborhood anchoring one side you would think the area would take off with development...and while being negative, Wilson Farm's coffee is really pretty awful too...I really hope Main Street can turn it around but it will be a slow go for sure. If Chick'n Flix couldn't survive maybe it really is doomed
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neighbor
Good point, Buffalite, about walkable destinations along Parkside and Main. Sometimes, I'll walk to Matt's Lake Effect Laundry just for their Spot coffee, so that's an option for tourists. While it's a little weird to suggest to visitors that they get coffee at a laundry mart, isn't that the kind of quirky thing that out-of-towners dig? Matt's Lake Effect is just so cool, they'd be won over once they step through the door.
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Steve
A Bed & Breakfast is something that is needed in that area as well as Main Street Redevelopment and so on. That part of Main Street is a dump right now. Let's re-do it, bring in businesses for all to enjoy.
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manski
Exactly buffalite... everyone in Parkside wants these things both for tourists and residents. The stretch of Main from Fillmore to Humbolt is ripe for redevelopment, I especially would love to see something in the original Parkside Candy shop. What a shame to see it in it's current state!!
I'm personally hoping that the work that is being done on Main St will have the same effect on this area that the work on Hertel did to assist the revitalization there. It would be a perfect area to direct DMH visitors to. Time will tell....
And one last plug - Parkside residents DO NOT want another "deli" on the corner of Main and Florence!! 160+ signatures don't lie!!!!
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unique
Unique Cafe's, dinning, unique boutiques, and more (simular to Elmwood and Hertel) is definetly needed on Main St....How about re-designing the first level (front) of the Tri-Main Center to fit in retail/restaurants as a start?
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Barkloud
Well, at least there will be a spot cleaned up and beautified- the planned pocket park on Main Street in front of the Tri-Main. That's a little inspiration. The Tri-main alone has 5 floors of workers, artists and staff who would like a little more choice than the 1 cafe (good, but pricey) on the main floor.
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