Buffalo Rising Online

I took a ride over to the West Side yesterday and was lucky enough (thanks to Bob Franke) to discover one of the Grant-Ferry district's true remaining gems. A walk inside Russ's Pastry Shoppe, in its 36th year, takes you back a few years to a time when Grant Street was a destination bustling with business. Now, the charming shop may be the only coffee shop in the area, but a look around the place reminds you there needn't be another.

The long blue-and-white counters at the front of the shop regularly host the crew of morning customers grabbing their coffee and pastry, in true Italian style. While I was enjoying my tea, some local patrons struck up friendly conversation, reminiscing about the good times gone by in the once lively neighborhood.