The New Owners Of The Washington Market Want Your Input
Victor wants to bring back shoppers who may have stopped going to the market. It is his intention to make the Washington Market as customer-friendly as possible. That means that he and his daughter Amy are looking for advice from current and past customers. They would like to know what sort of items would draw you to the market on a regular basis. At this point anything is possible. Victor is hoping to hear from the urban dwellers and downtown workers alike. How many different types of bread do you need? How important is it to have local goods and produce? What are some brand name items that you would go out of your way to buy? Are you looking for something organic or inexpensive? Are prepared foods more up you alley? What do you care most about? This is the time to help… give input and help to create your downtown market.
Work has already begun on consolidating electrical appliances to save on the current exorbitant costs. While they are changing things around, you can tell the new owners what worked at the Washington Market and what did not. What did you think about the overall layout? What about customer service? Parking issues? Is the market bike friendly? What hours would you like to see them open and close? The better the market is, the more people will come to it. This is just another opportunity to turn Ellicott Street into a popular urban destination.
Update: There is a May 1st target date for the new café, plus the owners will be adding wireless internet. They have also acquired an eight spot parking lot adjacent to the building.
Washington Market 461 Ellicott St. Buffalo, NY 14203 (716) 362-3181
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
New Era to Bring 1st Annual Baseball Tournament to Buffalo
New Era Cap Co. is making moves to place Buffalo on the map as a premier destination for young baseball players looking to compete in a large-scale baseball tournament. The New Era Cup Classic runs the weekends of July 17th-20th and July 31st-August 3rd, 2008.
On the final day of each weekend, championship games will be held at Dunn Tire Park. The baseball tournament, the first of its kind from New Era, will attract over 140 elite youth baseball teams, an estimated 3,500 play … - Yesterday, 11:49am
- Continue Reading
- 9 Comments
-
Independence Day at the Central Wharf
Last night, downtown Buffalo witnessed an historic moment at the Erie Canal Harbor when it presented its first ever “Official” City of Buffalo fireworks bash there. Thousands of people spent the day watching live bands rock the pier as people made their way in and out of the maze of paths and canal era ruins.
Buffalo Place arranged for live music on the new pier throughout the day with music from Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble, Boys of Summer, Rod Nickson Project, Jac … - Yesterday, 11:28am
- Continue Reading
- 28 Comments
-
I <3 NY
Calling all filmmakers, ages 14 and up, to participate in an I Love New York Competition, with great prizes, celebrity judges, and hopefully your short film.
The competition requests filmmakers to produce a short film depicting their own views of the "I Love New York" motto. When dreaming up your take on this famous motto, keep in mind the beauty, diversity, and geography of New York State. In addition films will be judged by how well they highlight unique features and off-the … - Yesterday, 10:24am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
-
Recuperating On Sunday The Sixth
So after fireworks and celebrations on Friday and Saturday, some, if not many, Buffalonians will no doubt be hung over and tired. That’s okay. Take Sunday, skip church, and sleep in till the afternoon. Just make sure you’re up and ready to go around 2:30 PM so you can make it on time to Cozumel Grill for Sunday Bloody Sunday.
Between 3 and 6 PM, Cozumel at 153 Elmwood Avenue runs drink specials on Bloody Mary’s and Vodka drinks. A Blood Mary will only cost you $4.50 and a V … - Yesterday, 5:26am
- Continue Reading
- 2 Comments
Comment Options
flyguy
What exactly happened that the market changed hands? I would hate to think that the Buffalo market is so finicky that within the course of only a few years the owners felt compelled to sell. Its sad to see so much fanfare for places and then watch them empty out within a few years. Always looking for the next best thing? Is thats whats going on in town? Knowing that grocery options in downtown are extremely limited and Washington Market was a pretty nice modern looking place I would have figured it would have remained under the old ownership for sometime. Maybe I have this all wrong and the sale had nothing to do with hot and cold and a finicky consumer whose taste changes like the seasons and fashion. Was the Washington Market out of date? Unfashionable? I always liked the place.
Report this
flyguy
I do wish the new owners luck.
Report this
Biniszkiewicz
Can food stores sell wine these days? It would be nice to be able to pick up a bottle on the way home for dinner once in a while (right after flowers from Maureen's).
Report this
Perry
I ate lunch there today! Great food - lots of downtown folks in there eating or getting their grub "to-go!" I'm not sure what I would change, but best wishes to the new owners.
Report this
Perry
I ate lunch there today! Great food - lots of downtown folks in there eating or getting their grub "to-go!" I'm not sure what I would change, but best wishes to the new owners.
Report this
sbrof
I used to do much of my shopping there but only find myself going there once and a while. Partially not the markets fault but new employment means I have different conveniences. A couple suggestions from me would be to increase the quality and scope of meats. There was never really good looking meats there, i dont ever remember seeing chicken or sausage. When I am having a BBQ and need so sausage or steak the only place I can go to is Tops on Niagara.
I go there often for the little things. Webers mustard, beer (non-cheap types since I can get those at any corner), spaghetti sauce, pasta. I would suggest having a good selection of the basics at a good price and try to branch out from there. I always thought there were too many specialty products which limited options for staples like cheese, bread, potatoes. having such a small veggie stand is a tough sell especially in the summer months.
bike friendly? HAHA.... I always had to lock my bike to their patio rails since there isn't anywhere else reasonable to do it. A small rack in the new lot next door would be fantastic. I dunno these are just my thoughts on the place as a grocery store. As for prepared foods and lunches I don't know anyone that didn't love the place. So I wouldn't change too much there.
Report this
dpbflo
I had a feeling someone finally purchased the market when the "billys favorite" sandwich was missing from the menu.
Anyway I love it as is.. and im sure the new ideas will be good ones. One request could you please put the Voss water in a cooler. I love Voss, and I like my water cold but its always on a shelf.
Report this
DSquared222
Longer hours! I live right there and they're never open. I tried to walk there to get a bagel at 8am last saturday, closed. I don't even think they open until 9 on weekdays. That stops anybody from coming in who has to get to work by 9.
Report this
Balth
Its time to stop the cattle herd lunchtime routine seen at many of these cafe's. The Washington Market and Globe Market Downtown have the same type of set-up. You walk in, form some sort of discombobulated line, place your order and pay, then wait for your name to be called out over the din of the eating area. They need some sort of number system, it will flash on a screen when your order is ready, instead of having kitchen staff scream out your name amongst fellow lunch-goers. A good idea are those buzzing/flashing pager type devices that alert you when your meal is ready. Another suggestion is to CLEARLY demarcate where you order and purchase food AND where you pick up your food. Too often, there is traffic congestion where people are ordering, getting their drinks, looking at the menu (which is poorly lit and too far away to read), or trying to pick up their food. Fighting through a crowd to get back to your seat with a plate full of food is very difficult.
Take it or leave it, I try to get to the market about once a month for lunch. Right now I am saving up for a house!
Report this
scooter
First off......things don't sell that quickly in buffalo. I think the market found a buyer in fairly short order and an experienced, qualified one at that. His West Seneca bakery is quality
how to improve?
I like the market, i'm a few blocks away so i mainly go for lunch in the summer. even on a nice day the wind whips down that street.....is there a different set up with the awning that might better block the wind?
it is kind of pricey. $8 to $10 for a sandwich. with all the new options in downtown to eat, I think they might have to take a look at that.
i wish the new owner much luck....see you soon.
Report this
carl
cool...
Report this
carl
cool...
Report this
sbrof
actually since a bakery opened it how about a nice dense sandwich bread. Enough of this white bread crap I was bread that will fill me up when I am at lunch without needed 3 sandwiches to do it. One of the main reasons I still buy non-local bread because everything baked around here seems to be Italian or Rye and while I love the Rye it doesn't work with many sandwich foods.
Report this
gaustad
Is this the guy that paid the 240k asking price?
Report this
Vylit
They should start a lunch-hour delivery service to all the large office buildings in the downtown area. They could have people fax or email orders by 10:00 a.m. or so and then have delivery people or bike messengers make an office drop off around the lunch hour. Sort of like seamless web in New York. There are so many times that I am too busy to leave for lunch and would love to be able to get something fresh and healthy for lunch.
Or they could also do some kind of multiple lunch plan. For example, if someone is working on closing a big deal they could order the delivery lunch for a whole week. Or say they always have busy Mondays--they could prepay for 6 weeks of Monday lunch or something. The concept could be extended to people that are trying to eat healthy. They could have people prepay for lunch blocks and have ready made lunches based on the goals (low fat, locally grown, veggie, etc) and have people fill out a likes/dislikes/allergies profile at the beginning of their prepaid block. It would make it very easy for the market to process this way.
I think they could make a fortune if they could figure out the logistics.
Report this
GDC
I like the idea of carrying Wine here. One convience I like here in NYC are deli's (with a design concept very like Washington Market) to carry red and white wines (even if it's only one or two brands) someplace. Also, I haven't been in this market for awhile and don't recall an ATM anywhere. That would be a small Plus, AND MOST OF ALL, longer hours. I remember when I worked downtown on the weekends and even at 10am this place was NOT open yet. Had to go all the way back to Spot Coffee instead for a breakfast sandwige when this place was closer to my office. If your going to cater to the downtown worker, please be open in time for them to get to you before they have to be at work.
Report this
Deliking
The new owner would do well to read the old posts on his new location.
Report this
Rebecca
I thought the place was a bit expensive and didn't go back. Local products are important to me. Check out Mom & Pop's on Main Street across from South Campus - they've got quite a lovely set up ina fraction of the space. It might give some ideas.
Report this
rb66
Just turn it into a mini Wegmans.
Report this
Superfluff
Hi Victor & Amy. Great news. I stopped shopping at Washington Market because it seemed inconsistent. It seemed like the hours changed a lot (sometimes I'd be there too early, or too late, or be surprised to find out it was closed on Sundays part of the year, etc.). Also, I could not rely on it for basics -- often out of bread, not enough produce. Loved the prepared foods. The staff was always really friendly. Good coffee. Best of luck!
Report this
Sexy_Beast
Will there be good coffee beans to buy? I love Blue Mountain on Elmwood and imagine that would be important to the people living and working downtown.
Report this
billo
Had lunch there yesterday - very good quality, but not cheap. Coming from NYC I'm used to paying $9 for a sandwich and soda, but I could just see the Buffalo crowd cringing (? sp) when I was rung up. They could use a place like this a little closer to the heavier traffic areas like the block near the Liberty Building. Tim Hortons is a good start but not the best lunch place.
Best of luck to the new owners - I think they got in at a good time.
Report this
Rockhound
I did not see anyone answer flyguy's question. I may be wrong but was the place owned/run by Billy Fucillo's wife with his money for the backing? Did she tire of operating the place?
Report this
dpbflo
Rock im not sure but I believe it was Billys girlfriend and im pretty sure they split... I am curious myself can someone confirm this?
Report this
downtowngal
dpbflo-You got the story right. This was not the demise of a business as much as the demise of a relationship.
Report this
MasterofUrbanPlanning
Its too ooooo expensive. This is Buffalo, not SF or the City. Start selling lunch, not "brunch", and the hours have to be extended. 6 AM to 11 PM would rock!!!
Report this
WCPerspective
Offer online ordering and delivery (grocery and prepared food) - say within two miles of site (waterfront village, downtown residential/office, west village, allentown, near east side)
Report this
Littleflick
It wasn't just the price, but what you got for it. When they first opened, my 8 bucks got me a good sized panini with proscuitto on it, and a side of potato salad. Not cheap, but it was good. After awhile 8 bucks got me a smaller panini, the proscuitto was replaced with ham, and the potato salad was replaced with cole slaw. Not worth it for me.
That said, I still eat lunch there on occasion. And if the size and quality went back up, I'd eat there more often.
And they do have an ATM (at least the last time I was there, they did).
Report this
tennisplyr695
First off, congratulations to Victor and Amy on the new business. I come to the Washington Market every so often, and i think the food is delicious-the soups happen to be my favorite. I do believe the food is worth what it is sold for. The proteins bars sold in the front seem to be decreasing in stock, and it doesn't seem like you're re-stocking them. Are they out for good? Also, i think some of the sandwiches are too simple..a spice or more flavor would really make them better. And about the whole owner and Billy relationship thing-who cares? The situation has nothing to do with the food or groceries, and it is none of our business. The adjustments sound great, and that's all that matters.
Report this