Westminster Economic Development Initiative’s (WEDI) has received a $1 million gift from the The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, towards its capital campaign for the new West Side Bazaar, located at 1432 Niagara Street.
“This gift has launched us into the final, public phase (the homestretch) of fundraising, setting us up to welcome you into the new West Side Bazaar this September.” – Carolynn Welch, Executive Director WEDI
Once open, the new Bazaar will feature:
- 3,200 sq. ft. to 16,000+sq. ft, 16 businesses to 24+ businesses (40 businesses on the waitlist), 35 seats to 82+ seats in Community Café
- Room for professional services including accountants, special event planners, health, and beauty. Added pop-up spaces for concept businesses
- Dedicated spaces for community, family, and social events, a smaller test kitchen for classes, rentals, or events
- Workforce training spaces, technology lab, classroom hub for collaborations with local nonprofits
- Conference room, economic development office on-site programming: farm to table, food waste, green economies, cooking classes, kitchen safety
Needless to say this is extremely exciting news, as the community eagerly awaits the arrival of this new West Side resource. This project will be another game changer for Niagara Street, which is greatly benefiting from the (still underway) Niagara Street Now infrastructure project. Since the infrastructure project began, a number of new businesses have opened up along the street, while other projects are now underway (see Niagara Street news).
The new West Side Bazaar is scheduled to open this coming September. For many, opening day can’t come soon enough.
“We are in the midst of planning for the new Bazaar– which businesses will be introduced there from our substantial waitlist is still being assessed. We’re excited to see you there!” – Carolynn Welch, Executive Director WEDI