Over the weekend I went out in search of home repair items that I figured I would most likely find at Buffalo ReUse. When I arrived at the Buffalo ReUse headquarters on Northampton Street, I realized that the business had vacated the location in order to move into a bigger building on East Ferry (photos). I was also surprised to learn that ReUse Action, Michael Gainer’s salvage operation had set up shop in the former Buffalo ReUse location on Northampton, and was already operating in that space. After scouring the deconstructed barnwood at ReUse Action, I headed over to Buffalo ReUse’s new diggs on East Ferry, and discovered that the operation had taken over the old Kaufman’s Bakery located at 296 East Ferry.
The flip flopping of green demolition companies is probably the best thing that could have ever happened to both organizations. Michael Gainer is back to his original location, while Buffalo ReUse has found an abandoned building that is absolutely gargantuan. There are countless loading docks with endless storage space. There is a salvage yard in the back and a partial second floor where the organization hopes to set up classrooms for green (reuse) hands-on training courses. There is also a small storefront that might one day come in handy. It is safe to say that ReUse will never run out of room.
As for the products, ReUse still stocks all of the great salvaged finds that it always did. Porcelain toilets, wood doors and window frames… just about anything that might come out of an old house headed for the landfill. When you visit, be sure to check out the huge baking ovens that still sit inside, among all of the salvaged items. It’s a good reminder as to what this building was, and what it has become.
Buffalo ReUse Facebook (all photos in this post are of Buffalo ReUSe)
ReUse Action Facebook