New Developments Aim To End Buffalo Homelessness 

Driving through the streets of Buffalo, you may notice homeless people gathered under bridges or at intersections asking for money.

Recently, there has been a push from the local government, independent organizations, and generous individuals to lower the homeless rate and create living arrangements for these people in need.

According to the Partnership for the Public Good, Buffalo has both a crisis of abandoned housing and a severe homelessness crisis. This is evident simply by walking around the city.

Due to the increasing number of people in need, many organizations have been solely focused on helping these vulnerable individuals.

The Homeless Alliance of WNY was established in 1992 by the Erie County Legislature, but has recently become a larger factor in ending homelessness. The organization has housed over 1,300 individuals, connected over 6,100 to services, and has collected over $19 million to combat this problem. This West Buffalo agency is located on Delaware Avenue.

Continuum of Care Supervisor Daniella Gallego believes homelessness is a problem that can be solved. “By collaborating with community partners and making clear decisions, we can overstep these barriers to help those in need,” Gallego said.

The agency also hosts events and gatherings to spread awareness. People can volunteer or donate during these events, which provide meals to the needy.

According to the Homeless Alliance of WNY, there are 1,230 sheltered homeless people in Erie County. This is over 200 more than the count in 2024, and the goal is for all homeless people to be sheltered and accounted for in the future. Once this goal is near completion, the next goal of ending homelessness as a whole can start to make way.

Training Coordinator Nicole LaLonde helps put together these events and works each day to help solve the problem of homelessness. LaLonde believes the most impactful recent development is the opening of Amy’s Place of Hope at the beginning of October. This brand new shelter on Sycamore Street is named after Amy Betros, the co-founder of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy.

“They will be serving as a community access center and men’s shelter offering over 90 beds and 80 code blue cots,” LaLonde said.

These 80 beds will be used when a code blue is called in the city, meaning the weather is so extremely cold that people living in the streets could be severely injured or die from just being outside.

This new facility is set on the east side of Buffalo and was built by the organization Build Promise.

Sam DiVincenzo, executive director of Build Promise, notes the new facility has showers, laundry facilities, medical care, and a place to get haircuts. “We will be able to offer everything from mental health services to peer services,” DiVincenzo said in a press conference earlier this month.

People across the Western New York region have noticed an improvement due to these organizations. Matthew Szczepanski is a volunteer firefighter in the Buffalo area and has helped put out countless fires in the city and the surrounding area. “A major problem we see is that squatters start living in remains from a previous fire. Abandoned housing provides a space for them to live, but it is simply unsafe living conditions,” Szczepanski said.

Szczepanski says these abandoned residences are major dangers to homeless people or squatters living in them. There could be gas leaks, carbon monoxide issues, or electrical problems that could lead to spontaneous combustion.

While these abandoned places may seem like a potential solution, they are sometimes even more dangerous to sleep in than a city bench or under a highway bridge.

To help the cause to end homelessness, people can donate to organizations like the Homeless Alliance of WNY and Build Promise. The Homeless Alliance also has an Amazon wish list that contains items that could instantly help a person in need. By: Cal McTigue

 Budding New Business Grows Popular in Elmwood Village

When New York legalized recreational marijuana, Nicole “Nikki” Burkhart saw more than a new business venture, she saw a chance to create something meaningful with her family. As a longtime entrepreneur and former tattoo shop owner, Burkhart combined her community-driven spirit with her husband’s experience in the cannabis industry to open The Joint, a family-operated dispensary in Elmwood Village. The new shop marks a return to their roots in the same building where their previous business once thrived. 

Baron Burkhart and Budtender Andrew Lapenna in the lobby of The Joint

The Joint opened its doors on June 20, 2025, becoming the first licensed dispensary in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village. Despite doing no advertising, word about the business spread like wildfire throughout the neighborhood. Burkhart said many customers found them simply by walking past or hearing about the store through friends and family who frequent the area. She touches on the warm response that reflects how attitudes toward cannabis have evolved, with more residents embracing legalization and supporting small, locally owned businesses like hers. For Burkhart, the community's trust means more than sales figures or marketing campaigns — it represents a shared sense of progress and belonging. 

As customers continue to discover The Joint, Burkhart and her family say they’re focused on creating a comfortable, welcoming space that stands apart from other dispensaries.

“I like to think we have a different vibe than everybody else,” Nikki Burkhart said. “We’re not sterile or cold. I just want it to be a homier feeling. I want people to come in, feel comfortable, feel safe and not feel awkward.”

That personal touch is what sets The Joint apart. Burkhart, her husband Frank, and their small team make a point to assist every customer personally. “We ask a lot of questions, make sure they’re getting the right products, and educate them as best we can,” she said. “We really care about our customers. I know it sounds cheesy, but we truly do.”

Opening the business was not an easy task. Burkhart said it took nearly a year and a half to get licensed. “I applied as soon as the window opened,” she said. “I never thought I’d actually get it — there were thousands of applicants ahead of me.” When she finally got the approval call in December of 2024, she said it felt “like a dream come true.”

Since opening, the dispensary has been embraced and accepted by the community. “We didn’t do any advertising,” Burkhart said. “People just flew through the doors. The neighborhood has been amazing. No one spoke against us when we went before the Common Council.”

Budtender Andrew Lapenna, who lives just minutes away, said The Joint reflects the culture of Elmwood Village. “Before I worked here, I went to other dispensaries that felt like Apple Stores,” he said. “This one feels real — like the actual cannabis culture I grew up with. It’s relaxed, friendly and true to the community.”

For Baron Burkhart, Nikki’s son, joining the family business has been both rewarding and eye-opening. “It’s crazy working with my parents every day,” he said. “I used to wait for them to come home from work — now I’m right there with them. It’s been awesome. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”

Together, the Burkharts and their staff say The Joint’s mission goes beyond selling cannabis; it’s about breaking stigma, building trust and becoming part of Buffalo’s growing story.

As The Joint continues to grow, Nikki Burkhart's goal isn’t just to run a successful dispensary but to help normalize cannabis and foster connection within the community. She hopes her family’s example shows that legal marijuana businesses can operate responsibly and bring people together. “People my age were told weed was a bad thing,” she said. “Now we know it can help people and strengthen communities.” Looking ahead, Burkhart plans to expand her product selection and continue educating customers about safe, informed use. “We’re proud to be part of this change,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s not just about cannabis — it’s about people, family and community.” By: Ahmari Stevens

“Falliday” Market provides weekend activities and shopping

The best way to spend a fall day this year may be at the “Falliday” Market, 

hosted by Buffalo Holiday Market. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday this 

October, the front lawn of the Richardson Olmsted Campus is home to a 

plethora of vendors and fall activities. The market hosts a line-up of artisan 

crafts, food and drink vendors as well as bounce houses, trolley rides and live

music. Every Friday at 7p.m., movie nights are hosted on the lawn in the 

center of the ring of wooden chalet booths. “When it’s Gilmore Girls season 

and you find the perfect little market in your backyard,” boasts their 

Instagram page, comparing the cozy fall vibes of the market to that of the hit

TV show. To find more information about hours, parking and activities, visit 

the Buffalo Holiday Market website. By: Grace Cole

Shakespeare in Delaware Park's 50th Season Continues 

Have you ever wondered how Shakespeare’s plays became the world-renowned works they are? 

 “The Book of Will,” a play by Lauren Gunderson, currently being performed at Road Less Traveled Theater, answers that question. Telling the story of how Shakespeare’s contemporaries saved and compiled his works after his death, this production brings together the forces of Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP) and Shakespeare in Delaware Park as the latter celebrates its 50th anniversary. 

Lisa Ludwig, executive director of Shakespeare in Delaware Park, believes this production is a great fit for their anniversary celebration. 

Actors on stage at RLTP

 “You go on stage every summer, and you speak these words that have been here forever; you don’t think about what it took to get those words here,” said Ludwig. 

“The Book of Will” is RLTP’s Curtain Up! production, which kicks off the Buffalo Theater District’s season. The play also serves as the culmination of Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s summer season. 

Directed by John Hurley, and starring Shakespeare in Delaware Park actors, the play follows Henry Condell and John Heminges as they assemble the First Folio of Shakespeare’s works to preserve the words they had acted out on stage. 

“This year, we partnered with the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (BECPL) system because they do house a couple copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio,” said Gina Gandolfo, managing director of RLTP. “They allowed us to bring the actors in to see the folios that they have housed in their archives.” 

The cast received a private tour of these archives in preparation for their production. 

The BECPL also put together a display of Shakespearean artifacts for the lobby of the Road Less Traveled Theater, which will be there throughout the run of the show. 

Gandolfo believes the audience will be surprised to learn the story of the unsung heroes behind these famous works. 

“This kind of gives you that inside look at how they came together, and they saw Shakespeare and what he really meant to them to be able to put these folios together,” Gandolfo said. 

“People tend to view [Shakespeare] like a god,” said Sara Foote, general director of RLTP, "But this show helps the audience to understand the man himself, how he was viewed by his peers."

The set is designed to transport the audience to London, England, in the early 1620s. As for costumes, the actors were able to pull most of them from Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s stock. 

With a cast of 12 actors, many of them play multiple characters. Ludwig said this was a feature of how the play was written so smaller theaters would be able to perform it. 

“There’s quick costume changes. You put on a hat, you’re a different person, and the play is written that way,” she said. 

“The Book of Will” is not the only way Shakespeare in Delaware Park has celebrated its anniversary, though. In March, they brought back the Ides of March Fabulous Feast fundraiser. Throughout the summer, they did a touring production of 50 performances for 50 years at schools and community centers. 

Keep an eye out for another fundraising event in the winter to close out Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s 50th season. 

To see “The Book of Will,” get tickets here. Find the interview with Gina Gandolfo and Sarah Foote here. By: Grace Cole

The Igloo Offers Chill Studio Space for Artists

Buffalo, NY--Genecist, a hip-hop soul artist from Buffalo, talks inside his recording studio, The Igloo, at 700 Main St. The new space was created to give musicians an affordable place to record and develop their art. The studio offers $100 monthly memberships that include eight three-hour sessions, mixing and mastering, and vocal training. Memberships renew on the first of the month, but artists can sign up anytime. By: Ahmari Stevens

New Coffee Shop on Niagara Street

Rapid development and economic success on the West Side of Buffalo have led to the 

opening of many small businesses, including the Gold Lion Coffee House located on Niagara 

Street. Barista Tiffany Rothfuss believes the coffee shop is a prime example of the economic 

surge happening on the west side of the city. “The shop has become very busy and many 

customers tell me they are excited about the growth of the area," Rothfuss said. Jennifer 

Bohlen, one of the owners of the coffee shop, also opened Local Honey Beauty Hive on Niagara

Street. An area of the city that was once an afterthought, is now bustling with small businesses 

and foot traffic. By Cal McTigue

Annual Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend

 

Amber Cullinan of Orchard Park is looking forward to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival scheduled for April 26 and 27 in the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park. “Every year I always look forward to going to see the cherry blossoms with my family. It’s such a beautiful thing to see. It’s definitely something you should see once in your life if you haven’t either,” Cullinan said. The two-day event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each day has an entertainment schedule with local musicians and more. The event will also include activities to learn about Japanese culture. By Chris Giacobello

Waterkeeper braces for change from Washington

Jennifer Fee,  communication and marketing director for Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, says the organization is highly concerned about the developments in Washington concerning funding and policy changes affecting the environment. At the beginning of March, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will reconsider some of its rules. This would mean a change to certain climate, wastewater and air pollution rules that are already in place. Under the new presidential administration, an executive order was also signed back in January that halted billions of dollars to a vast range of climate andenvironmental projects. By Chris Giacobello

Automotive industry will see price hikes after tariffs

 

AutoZone Floor Associate Amall Hepburn takes in prices at the store, 1608 Main St., that will likely increase now that a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports has been imposed. The automotive industry is expected to be greatly impacted. Mechanics as well as auto part retail stores are warning consumers about the price hikes they could start to see. Shift manager Brandon Gogulski says that he was notified to inform customers of these impacts. “We had a manager meeting a little after the tariffs were put into place to understand the situation it will put on us as a company,” Gogulski said. “There haven't been any price adjustments as of right now, but customers will probably begin to see that soon.” By Chris Giacobello

Canisius women's basketball ends season with MAAC loss

 

The Canisius women’s basketball team was eliminated from postseason contention following a 52-42  loss in the MAAC tournament to the Manhattan Jaspers. The team, led by first year head coach Tiffany Swoffard, was originally picked to be 13^th in the conference and far exceeded expectations. In a post-game conference, coach Tiffany Swoffard said she is proud of the team. “They believed in the process. They worked to elevate their games, and they worked to elevate their level of cohesion to get us into the MAAC Tournament in year one. So to that group of young women, I'll never have another first team, and I am so eternally grateful for them saying yes to me, and believing, and getting us here,” Swoffard said. Leading scorer Jaela Johnson will be graduating from the program, but promising underclassmen such as Franka Wittenberg, Shariah Gailes, Yasmine Djibril, and Mary Copple are likely to return for next season. Overall, hopes ar ehigh for the future of Canisius women’s basketball. By Richard Miller

Wilson Park on track for 2026 opening

Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy Executive Director Katie Campos believes the construction progress on LaSalle Park is going well. Located on the shoreline of Lake Erie where it meets the Niagara River, the project aims to give families and kids more activities to do. The park looks to add outdoor fields that will need time to sod and grow also.  A project that was introduced pre-COVID-19, the park aims to open to the public by summer 2026.  By Chris Giacobello

Wage hike of little impact among W.S. small businesses

By Richard Miller

            As of Jan. 1, 2025, the minimum wage in New York State has increased by 50 cents. For those working in Buffalo, the starting wage has gone from $15 an hour to $15.50 an hour.

            The wage increase was a part of an initiative by Gov. Kathy Hochul to help the working class afford their everyday needs. Per the New York State Department of Labor, the wage will increase another 50 cents in January 2026.

            West Side small businesses tend to agree that the minimum wage increase is necessary in order for people to keep up with the cost of living. Many were unfazed by the increase because they said they already had been paying employees well above the minimum wage to begin with.

            Diane Lopes, relationship manager for the microloan program at the Westminster Economic Development Initiative, said her clients indicated in a survey that the increase would have no impact.

            “They already pay more than the minimum wage, with salaries ranging from $16.50 to $17.60,." Lopes said. "These clients own retail stores, including women's clothing and bookstores.”

            Dr. Fred Floss, economics professor at Buffalo State University, said the increase in minimum wage would not result in a decrease in success nor fewer workers for small businesses. Rather, small businesses have to focus on restructuring funds elsewhere.

Professor Fred Floss

            “The vast majority of small businesses that go out of business were going out of business before the minimum wage was really a factor," Floss said. "We’ve seen small businesses do things that have actually made some sense and made them more profitable."

            An example can be found in restaurants that had menus of 10 to 15 pages in length, which Floss deemed as "wasteful." A better, more profitable option is to have a shorter menu with standard

            Very rarely do wage increases such as the one enacted this January result in businesses actually having to lay off employees, sources said.

            For many businesses, increasing financial success just comes down to drawing in more customers.

            Jonathon Welch, co-founder of the Talking Leaves Bookstore, 951Elmwood Ave., said  that bookstores are faced with a unique challenge that other businesses don’t have  to encounter.

            “The only leeway that we have in terms of margins is basically increasing sales because the prices are printed on the books that we buy," Welch said. "We don’t have the ability to just raise prices, which is what most people do when they want to change their margins. For us, it’s always a question of trying to cut costs in other ways or increase sales. We do that in all the traditional ways. We do sales by just trying to be a good business that people can trust on rely on.”

            This community-based business model and willingness to adapt is what has kept Talking Leaves as a pillar in the community for over half a century. Welch also is an adamant supporter of wage increases and helping workers afford the cost of living,

            While businesses elsewhere may blame the increase for their shortcomings, many businesses in the West Side seem to understand the importance of employee satisfaction, said Olivia Harbol, business advisor for the Small Business Development Center.

            “I am all for my clients pushing for a higher wage," Harbol said. "That is how they become competitive and get really great employees to stick around and really love the business that they’re working for and want to stay for years.”