A couple of weeks ago, while exploring Carlton Street, near the Medical Campus, I came across the future home of the African Heritage Food Co-Op. I got off my bike and walked around the property, trying to imagine what this property will be like one day, when people from the neighborhood (and hopefully the entire city), will be able to source healthy foods from the market.
It’s incredible to think, like so many other at-risk buildings, this one almost never made it to see this very fruitful day. That’s because the building almost succumbed to demolition by neglect. It was only back in May that the structure escaped an emergency demo. The “big save” was thanks to the ongoing preservation efforts of the African Heritage Food Co-Op and Preservation Buffalo Niagara, to turn this building into a community resource, instead of a parking lot.
Earlier today, Preservation Buffalo Niagara has this exciting news to share:
Carlton’s facelift continues! In the past week Carlton has received new rafters and while its charred roof once made an interesting frame for the bluest skies, it’s plain to see that this structural piece of Buffalo history looks best covered up. You can support Carlton’s metamorphosis by attending the African Heritage Food Co-Op’s Fundraiser and Garvey Day Celebration on August 17th. There will be guest speakers, bounce houses, free food, and hopefully, you. See you there!
Now it’s the community’s turn to step up and help with this grassroots effort. And hopefully it won’t be long before we can pay a visit to another wonderful Buffalo marketplace.