There’s a new bike courier in town that’s in the business of delivering goods on two wheels. While you might not be thinking about being out and about on two wheels yourself at this time of year, the owners of Bufvelo thrive on a year round business. Over the years we’ve seen some interesting bike-oriented businesses take root in the city, and as we witness more bike-friendly measures come to pass, hopefully that will have a profound impact on the number of new bike ventures that spring up. As for Bufvelo, owners/riders Nat and Andy Rosevear recently moved to Buffalo from Boston,…
Author: queenseyes
Over the years, I have struggled with the idea that the DL&W Terminal sits right under our nose, yet remains completely underutilized other than for NFTA Metro Rail purposes. I have walked the upper concourse of the terminal, and have seen firsthand the opportunity that has yet to be realized. The terminal has many of the same inherent qualities and features as the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto. Watching the opportunities squandered, year after year, is heartbreaking. Enter Congressman Brian Higgins. Higgins gets it. He understands what this terminal could do for the waterfront and for the region. He is fighting to transition…
I’m always on the lookout for new local products. I also look to the region when sourcing goods, because I like to know that my money is staying somewhere close to where I live. I also recognize that transporting goods shorter distances is better for the environment and maybe even a little bit fresher… even if it’s all in my head. Earlier today I paid a visit to Tipico Coffee on the lower West Side. As I was cashing out my chai tea, I looked to my left and noticed four bottles on the counter. During a previous visit, they had…
Eight years ago we wrote about Rod McCallum’s vision to get urban farming off the ground on the city’s East Side via his Queen City Farm (QCF) effort (see here). Since that time, the urban farming initiative has been gaining traction, and today McCallum is looking at new avenues that will help to diversify the ways that Buffalo youth can learn and grow. Why diversify? Because if you can appreciate what urban farming can do for a community – a neighborhood – then you can understand that that same passion can be directed to additional ways of life, with similar positive results.…
I wasn’t quite sure how the Public Bridge Authority (PBA) went about deciding upon its commemorative lighting decisions throughout the course of the year until I learned that it’s based on submitted proposals. Each year, community groups and organizations send the PBA proposals, asking that the bridge be lit up in colors that reflect their respective causes. “The Peace Bridge Authority is proud to do our part in raising awareness for charitable causes in both Canada and the United States,” said Anthony Annunziata, Chairman of the Peace Bridge Authority. “We will continue to pay tribute to issues important to the bi-national…
The Elmwood Village Association (EVA) will soon be disseminating $300,000 to property owners in certain quadrants along Elmwood Avenue. The Better Buffalo Fund Buffalo Main Streets Grant Initiative is part of a matching grant program, which can be applied to the renovation or restoration of commercial or residential properties. New York State Office of Community Renewal has allocated the funds intended to revitalize the EVA neighborhood. This could be the perfect time for residential property owners to consider transitioning a lower unit to commercial space. According to the EVA, “Matching funds* are leveraged to help communities build the capacity required to grow their neighborhood…
Poet, writer and literacy activist Noah Falck has been featured in a respected online magazine, dedicated to international literature – Words without Borders. Over the years, I have come to know Noah as a friend, and as a person that can get anything done that he sets his mind to. Fortunately for Buffalo’s cultural/literary scene, the wordsmith has been able to make giant strides in a creative field that sometimes does not get the attention that other art mediums command. Since arriving in Buffalo, Noah has helped to craft the local literary world by immersing himself into the mind’s eye of…
Yesterday I met up with a relatively new Buffalonian who was born in Helsinki, Finland. He told me that before moving to Buffalo, he tuned into the local media and discovered that this city was making waves in the pro cycling and pedestrian realms. He felt that Buffalo would be a good place to move to (for a job) since the community and The City appeared to care about increasing these types of efforts, which tend to make cities better places to live. After arriving to Buffalo, my friend was surprised that Buffalo was still a bit further behind when…
A new coffee shop is coming to the Elmwood Village. Perks is packing up from its two downtown locations (Main/Broadway) in order to concentrate its offerings. General Manager Julie Leone says that Elmwood is perfectly situated for the business, as she intends to concentrate on extended days and longer hours. She told me that she will miss her Downtown regulars, but feels that Elmwood offers an immediate chance to grow with the residential neighborhood environment. Perks is in the midst of transforming the former Coffee Culture corner (at Bryant) into a warmer and more welcoming version of its former self. “This…
Mike and Suzanne Shatzel, along with Jessica and Derek Eastwood, and Tony Martina (chef), are in the process of closing a deal on Colter Bay Grill (corner of Delaware and Allen). I spoke to Mike Shatzel earlier today who told me that the appeal of Colter Bay was its longevity in the market and its proximity to the Medical Campus. He said that, with some smart design improvements, the restaurant could be drastically optimized. The major renovation will see the entire backbar wall coming down. The bar will then become a square in the center of the establishment that will completely…