City Flea
By the time we realized that our DL&W contact at the NFTA had retired and moved away, it was too much to think about starting the process over again. Maybe we should have started small (as some commentors mentioned), who knows? What I do know is that the idea never died. I still have people asking about the flea market plan. Just last week I had two people express an interest in rekindling the fire. As I look out the window this morning I know that if there was a cool, big, open, floor of an old warehouse (somewhere near Cathedral Park) in Downtown Buffalo, people would be waking up and calling their friends to go. Maybe it's time to come up with Plan B.
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Lucia
Newell, As you know - I was one of the members of the initial "group" who thought we should start very small and let the downtown market create itself (like a living growing thing). All successful markets that have character do that . If the train station is out as an option, how about the Central Terminal as a possible site ( they could use the rent collected for restoration and there is plenty of parking). Some funds would have to be allocated for security at night (to guard the merchandise). Something near the small boat harbor would be great but I don't know if any property is available down there?
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Downtownjunkie
Why dont they use the Adams parking ramp?
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dash
Plan B i) It should be a local market rather than a flea market for two reasons. First, flea markets tend to attract vendors that offer junk. Second, Buffalo already has a variety of outlets for second-hand stuff, such as Buffalo ReUse, Habitat, Horsefeathers, etc. The market should be composed of local producers/artisans of food and other goods.
ii) It should be located on Main street downtown so as to concentrate efforts to establish a retail center downtown. It would also provide an opportunity to create both an indoor and outdoor space that can be used to help create a desirable destination or public space downtown. The indoor space can contain artisans, craftsmen and food processors such as butchers, dairy and prepared foods while the outdoor space is ideal for seasonal produce.
iii) Concentrate resources by working with or a sharing a space with the existing County Market farmers market downtown, currently operated by Buffalo Place. A joint marketing effort should be established amongst all of Buffalo's markets (Downtown, Bidwell, Clinton-Bailey, Broadway) to help promote the system as a whole.
iv) Plan events and ongoing outdoor activities at the market during both the summer and winter. A special holiday market should be planned during the holiday season. Ice skating all winter.
v) Create an online portal as part of a joint marketing effort to promote Buffalo public markets and to establish an online marketplace as an alternate sales avenue for sellers.
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tommyBluez
A flea market would be fantastic - but - they'd need to be selective in allowing people to sell there - you don't want it turning into the GEX/Super Flea in cheektowaga - a bunch of CRAP and cheap junk being sold.
I just went there over the summer - hadn't been in probably 8-9 years when I used to go w/ my Grandparents --- it's changed and downgraded so much.
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