Lucchinos add to Elmwood Ave. properties

By Francis Boeck and Manny Rodriguez

           Walking down the Elmwood strip, one of the premier neighborhoods in the city of Buffalo, one is bound to see the impact of Ron Lucchino.

            The West Side native, who is the founder of the well-known Elmwood Taco & Subs restaurant, has slowly taken over much of the block while providing the Elmwood Village with an “alternative to traditional fast food.” (https://www.theets.com/about.php)

            In late August, Lucchino and his family expanded their footprint on the block buying 929 Elmwood Ave. It is the home of Nine29 restaurant, which is run by brothers Peter and Johnathan Eid.

            The new addition means the family’s holdings extend from 937 Elmwood Ave. to 925 Elmwood Ave.

            “It’s an exciting time for us,” said Mike Lucchino, Ron’s son and the current manager of operations at Elmwood Taco & Subs. “I’m the second generation. Over the years we’ve been continuing to acquire property down the street. This is our neighborhood. We all live in the village. We use the money that we earn through the Elmwood Taco & Subs and reinvest it in the Elmwood Village.”

Mike Luchinno, on his family's dedicated to the Elmwood Village:

            Many believe Lucchino and the properties he owns are part of a mini-renaissance that this section of the village has been going through.

            “I would say about 20 years ago the tilt of the neighborhood switched to here from further down,” said Johnathan Welch, owner of neighboring Talking Leaves Book Store. “For a long time, the area closer to Children’s Hospital was more the power area of the Elmwood Strip. This area in part because of the farmers market and partly because of the retail area is more the center of the neighborhood.”

            For some, one group owning five conjoining properties could be a cause for concern, especially in the Elmwood Village, where residents are committed to keeping the character and landscape of the neighborhood.

            The residents championed the GreenCode, an ordinance signed into law in 2017 that overhauled the city’s zoning laws, and are now using it to fight big developers, like LP Ciminelli and Carl Paladino from building high-rises.

            Welch feels unsure about the Lucchinos owning half of the block and hopes that if they have any plans to drastically change the outlook, they’ll consult with the neighborhood first.

“I’m concerned about it when anybody buys up a lot of property like that,” Welch said. “There’s so much development going in here that is problematic. Obviously having that large of a footprint gives them the possibility to do something we might not like or goes against the Green Code. But until that happens, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

            Councilmember Joel P. Feroleto, who serves the Delaware District, sees those concerns but believes that most residents trust the Lucchinos because of their history on the block.

            “I think people were happy to see that it was purchased by a local person who has a history on Elmwood Avenue, and it wasn’t an entire block purchased by an out-of-town developer,” Feroleto said. “I think people are comforted that it’s a local person.”

            Elmwood Taco & Subs is a classic family-owned business. Ron’s wife, Barbara, ran the books and Mike said he started working on the weekends at 13-years-old.

            According to Mike, his father is “starting to step back” to allow him and his sister Jackie  to take over the business.

            Family businesses like this are one of the reasons the northern end of Elmwood has become one of the most prominent sections of the business strip.

            “I think owner-operated businesses and family-operated businesses make Elmwood such a success,” Feroleto said. “To have the owners care about the business makes a difference.”

Black Dots spreads out in new location

Quinn Moore of Black Dots Records is excited for the store’s relocation  to the corner of Grant Street and Potomac Avenue, and what it means for the business,  The relocation from across the street from its original location gives the business more space to construct a bar  and improve the overall experience of its customers with a larger display of records and accessories. Moore sees the move as a vital piece of a long-term investment on the up-and-coming Grant Street area. By Thomas Corsi and Ryan Williams

Business conditions improve on Elmwood

By I’Jaz Eberhardt and Dylan Sleight

Buffalo Review West Reporters

At a glance, one could understand why the Elmwood Village is often hailed as one of Buffalo’s hippest districts: an eclectic street lined with colorful storefronts, lively murals and A mix of visitors and residents can be seen on any given day.

In fact, it may be hard to believe that just a year ago, a visitor walking down Elmwood Avenue could see over 30 vacant storefronts in the same areas that appear vital and prosperous today.

This was indeed the case according to Ashley Smith, executive director of the Elmwood Village Association, who explained that the 17 percent vacancy rate in 2018 was nearly double the acceptable rate for a business district.

She praised the community’s efforts, however, to aid in Elmwood’s resurgence, noting improved communications among association business owners and residents.

 “I think we’re entering a new period for both this organization and the neighborhood with a different level of engagement,” she said.

The community has worked to address this issue within the past year by identifying several contributing factors to the village’s turnover and vacancy rates. The decline of brick and mortar stores on Elmwood mirrored the national scope of retail.

Data from Coresight Research shows that 2019 store closures are already predicted to exceed those of 2018. Within the past year, the nation has seen the demise of popular retailers like Toys “R” Us, Payless ShoeSource and Bon-Ton.

Online shopping has been significant in the market shift. Ten percent more people are likely to prefer shopping online than in-store for reasons such as special deals, product comparability and saving time, according to GoodFirms survey findings.

Ashley Smith, on the cost of doing business on Elmwood Avenue:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKbW5PkQ_aw

Smith explains that Elmwood business owners are finding ways to adapt to the digital shift.

“We’re seeing a lot more of our boutiques making sure they have online stores because even beyond that broader market, there are folks in the neighborhood who are shopping online versus necessarily going into the store,” she said.

An issue that has specifically impacted the Elmwood Village, however, is the move of Women and Children’s Hospital from 219 Bryant St. in 2016.

“I think the businesses there have felt the impact of Children’s Hospital closing,” said Buffalo Council Member Joel Feroleto. “When the hospital was there, you had hundreds of employees there that were in the area that would support businesses in the area.”

Another problem unique to Elmwood establishments, Feroleto explained, was a lack of representation.

“At the time, the Elmwood Village Association did not have any small business owners on their board of directors, so [the association] decided to step up,” he said.

In addition to securing positions on the Elmwood Village Association board, about 50 business owners formed their own alliance called Elmwood Strip. The organization puts faces and stories to the storefronts to familiarize visitors with business owners, many of who are natives to the area, Smith noted.

Cindi Thomason, senior business advisor at the SUNY Buffalo State Small Business Development Center, believes there could be larger issues that are pushing the economic climate of the Elmwood Village to its current predicament.

“A lot of it comes down to the property development types that bought a lot of the property on Elmwood,” Thomason said. “This is when it was getting pretty popular. It was really a lot more than a lot of small businesses could afford.”

            She attributed rent spikes and seasonal decreases in foot traffic as threats to Elmwood businesses.

            Thomason cited dining as another area of business that had been affected, but she insists that shops and boutiques are still at the forefront of the larger issue.

“A lot of people think restaurants are the hardest businesses, but I really think basic retail, right now, is the hardest business,” Thomason said.

            Feroleto noted that the Elmwood Village Association has been working to identify the types of businesses that would be supported in the area based on community need and square footage, a process he describes as “proactive” instead of “reactive.” A growing public art scene, funding through state grants and private investments, and events organized by the Elmwood Strip are other factors he contributes to Elmwood’s regeneration.

            “I’m very happy with what’s been happening on Elmwood,” he said. “There have been nine new businesses that have opened or announced openings recently.”

            With events like the holiday tree lighting and a three-day Oktoberfest celebration last year, Feroleto believes Elmwood’s businesses will continue to encourage community involvement, which will, in turn, boost retail.

           

Olmsted Parks bike tour gets rolling soon

            The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is gearing up for its fourth  Saturday West Side Bike Tour 2019.

            The tour will kick off May 25 and will continue every fourth Saturday from June 22 through  Aug. 24.

            The tour will start at the Rich Products parking lot, Breckenridge and Niagara streets and will include stops at Days Park, Symphony Circle and Front Park. Each tour will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.     

            Zhi Ting Phua, marketing communications specialist at Olmsted Parks, cited the presence of several Olmsted landscapes, such as Front Park and Days Park, as a reason why the tours are held on the West Side. She said this event helps community engagement with both tour attendees and local partner organizations.

            “Learning and discovering Buffalo’s Olmsted landscapes on your bike is a unique experience, especially since you have the opportunity to ride on the historic tree-lined parkways,” she said. “This event helps educate and increase awareness of Frederick Law Olmsted’s legacy in Buffalo.”

            Each of the four tour dates is capped at 15 attendees. Ting Phua said the conservancy is hoping for at least 40 attendees overall for the bike tour this year.

            Tickets for all tour dates are $10 each and can be purchased on the Olmsted Parks website. By Zach Rohde and Nick Lukasik

Forest Lawn wildlife oasis ready in June

 Forest Lawn Cemetery is home to an array of wildlife, such as fish, ducks, geese and many deer, including a rare albino doe. The cemetery is collaborating with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper to create an environmental oasis for both wildlife and people to enjoy. New trees are being planted around the Waterkeeper oasis for the opening in June. The oasis is located on the north end of the cemetery near the Scajaquada Creek. By Brittany Edward and Kaitlyn Mayrose

Farmers markets set summer sale schedule

            As the cold weather subsides, farmers will begin to harvest fresh fruits and vegetables to sell to local residents at farmers markets.       

            Joann Tomasulo, marketing and owner services manager of Lexington Co-op, described the advantages of getting produce directly from local farmers as opposed to shopping at supermarkets.

            “I think the advantage is that people get to meet the people behind the food,” she said, “and it gives the farmer that direct money so that they don’t have to go through a middle man.”

            As warmer weather approaches, keep an eye out for these farmers markets that will be operating on the West Side:

            • Elmwood Village Farmers Market, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturdays beginning May 11, Elmwood Avenue at Bidwell Parkway

            • Downtown Country Market, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning May 28, Main Street between Court and Church streets

            Also, pop-up farmers markets will be hosted throughtout the summer at the Horsefeathers Building, 346 Connecticut St. The Massachusetts Avenue Project’s  mobile market will go on the road beginning in June. MAP takes products from its farm to locations through the city, providing opportunities for every neighborhood to take part in healthier eating habits.

            The Lexington Co-op’s location at 1678 Hertel Ave., will operate a farmers market in its parking lot from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 16. By I’Jaz Eberhardt and Dylan Sleight

Businesses react to minimum wage hike

Dakota Follis-Ziarko, manager of Second Chic

By Brittany Edward and Kaitllyn Mayrose

Buffalo Review West Reporters 

            Employees are elated for the increase of minimum wage going into effect in New York State this year. However, there are employers who have expressed concerns as they determine how to keep their small businesses afloat.

            As of Dec. 31, 2018, minimum wage inNew York State, increased from $10.40 to $11.10 per hour. This is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.  On Dec. 31, 2019, minimum wage is set to increase to $11.80 per hour.

            Minimum wage is the lowest wage permitted by law that a worker may be paid. This has been a controversial subject for many years.

            There have been many arguments for the increase, which people say is necessary because it would reduce poverty and help economic growth. The arguments made against the increase have come from the views of minimum wage being only a supplemental wage for families, not a career wage.

            The hospitality industry is the second largest employment industry in the United States. With the minimum wage increasing many small businesses and restaurants have been negatively affected.

            Many small businesses and restaurants on the West Side have been forced to undergo changes due to the increase.

            Guercio & Sons Inc., 250 Grant St., had to change its business hours from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and cut a few positions. Vinny Guercio, manager, is against the increase because it is damaging to small businesses.

            “It’s like a disappointment. I can’t keep raising my prices and hope customers come in because we are known for our low prices,” Guercio said.    

            Another business that has been negatively affected by the increase is Nick’s Place, 504 Amherst St. Peter Ananiadis, manager, said the increase has hurt, not only the restaurant, but also its employees.

            Ananiadis says that the problem is not the increase itself, it’s the increase in cost for the rest of the staff.

            “We’re not like a produce place, you can’t just raise prices… When your prices go up, it hurts a lot of restaurants,” Ananiadis said. “This is why people get laid off, or their hours get cut, because the restaurant still needs to take money for themselves.”

            In 2016, legislation was passed that would bring the minimum wage in upstate New York up to $12.50 per hour by Dec. 31, 2020. New York state Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy, voted for minimum wage increases multiple times.

            Kennedy said that the increase makes it clear that New York state values all of its workers. He said unemployment in Buffalo, and all of Upstate New York, has continued to drop due to the steady increase in the minimum wage for three years.

            “For years, the minimum wage failed to keep up with inflation, forcing many workers to work 50, 60 or more than 70 hours per week, just to keep the lights on and put food on the table,” Kennedy said.

            Kennedy continues to defend his stance on the increase of minimum wage by mentioning how unemployment continues to drop and Buffalo-Niagara’s economy is doing better than it has in decades.

            “The fact is that hard work deserves a fair pay, and that is what we are ensuring,” Kennedy said.

            Second Chic, 810 Elmwood Ave., is a small consignment store. Unlike Guercio & Sons Inc. and Nick’s Place, Second Chic did not have to adjust business hours and employee schedules due to the minimum wage increase.

            Dakota Follis-Ziarko, manager, said the increase will continue to have an impact on small businesses.

            “Unfortunately, it affects small businesses more than it does affect corporate businesses,” Follis-Ziarko said.

Follis-Ziarko, on minimum wage increase effect on small business:

-->https://soundcloud.com/brittany-e-74656866/second-chic-interview-with-dakota

          

            Follis-Ziarko defended small businesses and suggests that small businesses  should receive more tax breaks.

            “I feel the balance should be different, because they’re bettering the community and they’re bringing jobs to the community,” Follis-Ziarko said.

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