Buffalo native Frits Abell stands in front of
429 Rhode Island St., which is the seventh building Abell has renovated since
2011. Some of his other buildings house restaurants, homes and businesses, but
this location will host a coffee shop, Pilates studio and art studio. Abell
said he decided to restore buildings on the West Side because he loves the
cultural diversity and architecture of the area, and he saw opportunity there.
Abell wants to make an impact on the community, restoring one building at a
time. By Jillian LeBlanc and Christina
Stuart