Sale of Rust Belt Books continues

            Kristianne Meal, the president and owner of Rust Belt Books, is continuing her effort to sell the bookstore, 415 Grant St., in order to focus on other ambitions.

            Meal is looking for eligible applicants to purchase the business and continue opening the doors for everyone. The business and building are listed at $379,900. It has been for sale for most of the past year.

            “Well, that comes down to somebody who has the finances to buy the business and wants to negotiate and come up with something,” Meal said.

            With Rust Belt being a “niche business,” responsibilities associated with bookstore ownership may be difficult for some applicants. Meal said what the future of Rust Belt would look like if a sale does not come through.

            “If it doesn’t happen then I will sell the inventory myself and we’ll pack Rust Belt Books up into our hearts, which is OK, too,” Meal said.

            Since taking ownership of the bookstore in October 2004 from previous owner, Brian Lampkin, Meal has expanded the bookstore’s business to include services such as book selling through Amazon, while offering a variety of titles and hosting events in the store's backroom.

             “From music poetry, theater, performance art, gatherings, this has provided a kind of a place for the subculture that doesn’t have access to bigger venues, to take risks, and do their art,” Meal said. By Carly Lawson

Olmsted Parks getting ready for warmer weather

 Mariann Caprino and her dog Greta take a walk through Delaware Park on a recent mild afternoon. Though the weather has been changeable, it hasn't stopped the Olmsted Parks Conservancy from getting the parks ready for warmer seasons.  Jim Coyle, conservancy director of operations said crews have been working to clear storm damage caused by the December blizzard, though they had to contend with equipment getting stuck in mud at times. “Our forestry team, working closely with our operations team, worked extremely hard to get all the debris carefully and safely cleared,” Coyle said. Some plants, including the cherry trees at the Buffalo History Museum, have begun responding to unseasonable warm temperatures and are "waking up early, thinking it is already spring," Coyle said. By Andrew DiMartino

Remedy House owner, workers discuss union

Workers at local coffee shop Remedy House, 429 Rhode Island St., are working to form a union in an attempt to improve working conditions at their place of work. Employees have complained about things such as missing paychecks, an undesirable working environment, and an overall lack of communication from the owners of the shop. Bailey Arena, a shift lead and one of the union leaders at Remedy House, believes this move is important for all workers involved at the coffee shop. “It’s about what is right for the collective and how can we make sure everyone has a fair and safe workplace,” Arena said. Both sides seem to be understanding of the other and will work together towards a compromise. By Justin Siejak