Ellicott Development’s Carl Paladino does not like Mayor Brown’s plan to push for State funding to assist with redevelopment of the Statler building. On Tuesday, the Mayor voiced his support to utilize $5.3 million out of a $15 million discretionary allocation given to the City several years ago that was earmarked for economic development projects. The public funding would be used to stabilize the landmark building’s exterior. Croce is in the throws of transforming the building’s lower floors into restaurant, retail and banquet space and will reuse other floors as demand dictactes. Paladino also takes a swipe at Uniland Development Company’s Avant…
Author: ArielR
Crowley Webb, a full-service marketing communications agency in Buffalo, is celebrating its 25th year in business. To commemorate this milestone, the agency has partnered with Business First to create an unusual contest. The prize: an advertising campaign for one deserving local startup company produced in one marathon, non-stop, 25-hour day. This could include anything from corporate identity to print ad concepts to digital applications, depending on the needs of the winning client. In any event, it’s going to be a lot of work, which is fitting because the agency just so happens to be launching a new “hardworking” brand position. “We’ve…
Boston Valley Terra Cotta (BVTC) is one of only two remaining terra cotta manufacturers in the country largely because of the quality and craftsmanship of their work. As terra cotta fell out of favor around the Great Depression, many companies permanently closed their doors. Boston Valley Terra Cotta has endured, its expertise and strong reputation has allowed the firm to build an incredible portfolio of work on both restoration and new construction projects. The company was originally founded in 1889 and was called Boston Valley Pottery which originally dealt with brick and clay pot manufacturing. In 1981, Boston Valley Terra Cotta was formed by the…
Rocco Termini’s ambitious Hotel Lafayette redevelopment project is progressing quickly. At least two components are likely to be completed by the time the National Trust for Historic Preservation conference is held. Work crews are hurrying to ready the Dutch Grill and much of the Crystal Ballroom for the October event. The 367-room Lafayette Hotel, in its prime, was considered one of the 15 finest hotels in the country. It was designed principally by Louise Blanchard Bethune, the first professional woman architect in the country, the first female member of the American Institute of Architects, and the first woman to be…
The reconstruction of the Power House building on the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora is in full swing. Work is expected to be wrapped-up in time for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in October. Elbert Hubbard was the founder of the five-acre campus over 100 years ago. He had served as an executive with the Larkin Company and later decided to focus on the handicraft in a world where industrialization was taking over. The campus supported hundreds of craftspeople and was largely responsible for promoting the Arts and Crafts movement in America. Now listed on the National Register…
See part 1The West side of Buffalo has been getting a lot if attention lately, mostly for the beatification efforts targeting its abandoned lots, underdeveloped business sector, and landmarks rampant with graffiti. The documentary Nickel City Smiler, which focuses on Karen refugees, is trying to bring attention to the West Side of Buffalo and the refugees that populate it. After the film was released, it received some negative feedback from Buffalo’s refugee resettlement agencies, since the film didn’t portray them in a very good light, and inferred that “bureaucratic posturing” is yet again preventing business from keeping its promises. Scott…
The current state of the city of Buffalo has long been an enigma in my mind. Notorious for decline and extreme underfunding, Buffalo hasn’t garnished the best reputation over the last fifty years. As a young person growing up in the suburbs, I was told to stay away from the city; it was a dangerous place and I would probably be murdered. As I have grown up, however, my experiences in the city of Buffalo have only been good ones, and almost everyday I learn something new about the city.My latest fascination came in the form of a documentary entitled…
When first walking in to Bambino Bar and Kitchen, you might think you are dressed too casually. But upon sitting down for a drink and getting comfortable, you realize that the place is fairly casual; it just has a classy attitude.Bambino Bar and Kitchen (see background), located on Franklin Street where Duo used to call home, offers a fantastic night out for anyone who wants to hang downtown. It’s perfect for a date or a family night out.Owner Noel Morreale, who also owns Fiamma restaurant on Hertel, wanted to create a “simple and approachable” feel for Bambino. “This is my…
Right down the street from Buffalo State where the hip part of Elmwood begins, there is a new and distinct family restaurant almost ready for customers. Mango’z is making its home near the corner of Elmwood and Forest and will be presenting its unique Jamaican menu in a few weeks. The building, which has been empty for about two years, caught the eye of business owner Roy Persaud (center). Roy’s relatives come from Guiana, a country in South America and a sister island of Jamaica. He owns a few Johnny Rocket’s restaurants, and a Mrs. Fields. When I went to check out the…