A little over a century
after being built, the oldest surviving commercial greenhouse in Buffalo is now
being revitalized thanks to its new owners.
Vincent Kuntz, who bought
the greenhouse back in 2004, is now
remodeling it for personal use. He
originally purchased it to keep it out of landfill. However, with the abundance of space behind the greenhouse,
he has been able to rent out plots to members of the community.
Kuntz also collaborates
with businesses in the area, like Sweetness 7, collecting compost for the
greenhouse and the plots behind it.
Connected to the greenhouse
is West Side Stories, a used bookstore owned by Joe Petri. Petri looks forward to this time of
year when he gets to see the excitement that goes on behind his business.
“It’s slowly, but surely
coming along,” says Petri.
The greenhouse is now in its eighth year of being open. Many renters take advantage of this
space.
“We moved in the neighborhood about four years ago, and
Vincent was renting the plots even then.
I think they are actually almost all filled,” Petri said. By Ann Hendricks and Miranda Ruckdeschel
