The Parkside Neighborhood is home to a new bed & breakfast called The Parkside House B&B. I had heard about this project a while ago, and then it kinda fell off my radar. Then, just last week I learned that the business had officially opened and guests were arriving. So I called co-owner/operator Chris Lavey who was very excited to get the word out about the latest Parkside amenity. From Chris:
“This has been a real learning experience for the two of us. We’re starting with the two rooms and eventually might go up to four. I’ve already had a few people stay at the B&B – one couple was from Saint Petersburg Russia – it was so neat to see their ten year old kid as he played our baby grand piano… he was a concert pianist! I’m still learning so much. Twelve years ago the house was a disastrous apartment building with multiple small rooms. There were drop ceilings and the plaster walls were caving in… it took me ten years to bring it back to its original state. It’s a work in progress… I’m still working on the house… it was the worst house on the street and now it’s one of the nicest in Parkside.
“The house has been on the Parkside Tour of Homes two years in a row. That’s why the neighbors didn’t oppose it… actually a couple people did oppose it – they didn’t want Parkside turning into another Niagara on The Lake! They also didn’t want transients in the neighborhood – people that they didn’t know. Maybe they didn’t understand that people who stay at B&Bs are the nicest and most unique people to be found anywhere. I wouldn’t let anyone stay in our house that wouldn’t respect it and the neighborhood?
“What has really been amazing is that all the rest of the people who own B&Bs in the city have been very helpful. That has made it much easier to open. As for the operational side of things, I’m cooking the breakfasts – I’ve had twenty years hospitality service under my belt – I’ve been thinking about opening a B&B for a long time. Parkside is becoming a hot neighborhood for people to stay in – especially with the Martin House. And with Canisius College right here it’s a perfect fit. There is a need for temporary housing for professors. There are always parents coming in as well. I wanted to get this up and running so that people could see how good it is… if people really like it and the neighbors appreciate it then we may add a couple rooms in the future.
“My partner Johnny Mora is also deeply involved – he’s a local artist and speaks five languages. His art is hanging on the walls and he can help translate for visitors who might not speak English. He also cooks breakfast once in a while, though he puts a Latin spin on it since he’s from Ecuador. He lived in NYC for twenty years and then moved to Buffalo for me. He’s just as excited about this as I am.”
The Parkside House
462 Woodward Ave
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-844-8328