Bazaar vendors anticipate new, larger space

 By Cait Malilay and Natalie Gravino

The West Side Bazaar, which was launched just a little over a decade ago by the Westminster Economic Development Initiative, also known as WEDI, is best known for its unique apparel and accessories from all around the world and variety of authentic ethnic food kiosks.

Located on Grant Street, it’s become so popular that leaders decided to expand its retail and restaurant space by five times.

Garang Doar, co-owner of Nile River Restaurant, is just one of many who are excited for the bazaar’s  new and much larger location at 1432 Niagara St.

“A bigger kitchen is definitely like the one thing that I can hope for,” Doar said. 

The bazaar  will grow from 3,200 square feet to over 16,000 square feet.

“Everything’s going to be bigger in that they’re going to have increased capacity because we'll have more room for customers, which helps them make money and we’ll also have more room for storage for them because right now they don’t have very much room for space,” Erin St. John Kelly, WEDI director of external relations said.

The seating in the community cafe will increase from 35 to 82.

The new location is being funded through a capital campaign, the goal of which is to earn $7.5 million in a three-year period from 2021 to 2024.

The building was bought in 2019, but there were delays to even start the demolition due to the pandemic and its supply line, Kelly said.

The bazaar’s new location renovations is not the only thing that the pandemic stalled. Doar and his father were on the bazaar waitlist for five years until they officially opened in August 2021, which was a perfect time after the pandemic led to the shutdown of many businesses the year prior.

Garang Doar

Htay Naing opened up his Thai restaurant Nine & Night in 2016 and is just one of many vendors who witnessed COVID-19’s devastating effects on businesses.

“Now it’s doing much better than the last two years,” he said.

What inspired Doar and his father to open up their restaurant was to represent the Sudanese population in the community.

“For us it’s just a way to bring our culture, our part of the world, to the United States in Buffalo,” the 25-year-old said.

Doar’s father left South Sudan in the midst of a civil war and waited for U.N. refugee status in Egypt for three years until settlement  in Buffalo with the help of Catholic Charities in 2003.

Before the opening of their restaurant, Doar worked as a line cook in a country club for seven years and his father worked various jobs.

Doar said that because they opened up post-shutdown, they personally didn’t see much of an effect, but based on what they’ve heard from others who work at  the bazaar, it has changed the way people get their food.

“The traffic into the store has slowed down quite a bit, but with that happening it has jumped deliveries and online orders,” he said.

The bazaar has certainly gone through a long journey since its opening over a decade ago.

WEDI helped support over 48 small businesses, 54% of which have branched out and created their own retail front.

“My dad and I had the idea of doing a little bakery or something with it, so it’s not completely out of the question, but right now we’re just focused on building our business slowly but surely,” Doar said.

Renting its current Grant Street location, WEDI is hoping to begin construction at the new location this spring and open in 2023.

Hispanic center costs rise, start delayed

A vacant lot sits patiently on the corner of Niagara and Hudson streets where the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute has been awaiting its development.

The $10 million project was initially announced in 2019 and was intended to be up and running in 2022.

The unprecedented challenges, due to COVID-19, have set the project back to be completed in 2024 and the cost value has increased by $2 million.

This facility will be Green Energy efficient and will include a theater, art gallery, museum, learning labs, media centers and spaces for lease. The center is designed for the appreciation of arts, culture and learning.

The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York is a non-profit organization that was established in 2010 when the founder, Casimiro Rodriguez , felt a void in the community around Hispanic culture.

“History is very important. Hispanic, Black, Irish or whatever history it is that’s American history because that is what America is made up of. A bunch of different countries and ethnic groups and Western New York is no different,” Rodriguez said.

The campaign has raised nearly $6.3 million towards the project through donations and various grants. In 2021, the project was awarded over $4 million from the City of Buffalo and Empire State Development.

“Help us so we can provide a real good future for our next generation,” Rodriguez said. By Peyton Fletcher and Valerie Ryan

Bars, restaurants open but not back to normal

 Joleen Calato, bartender at Bada Bing 42 W. Chippewa St., is back to work after the pandemic shut restaurants down. Like many other restaurants on the West Side, Bada Bing took a big hit because of COVID-19. Since reopening the restaurant Alan Williams, manager at Bada Bing, says that things are still not back to normal. “It’s a different business now and if you didn’t adapt you failed,” Williams said. The number of people going out to eat is nowhere close to what it was before COVID-19 and people aren’t tipping like they used to. By Evan DiPasquale, Michaela Frazier and Danielle Stiegler

Holiday parties, meals in offing for West Side

    As the holidays are fast approaching, and the season to give is upon us, many community centers are focusing on bringing that holiday spirit to the West Side communities.

    West Side Community Services Center, 161 Vermont St., is hosting two events this holiday season.

    The first will be a senior party on Dec. 15 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.   Then on Dec. 17 there will be a Family Night from 6-8 p.m.  This event is open to the public. There will be food, movies, and a robot to read books to the children. Gifts will be given to children who are involved in the center’s youth and afterschool programs.

    The community center is looking for gift donations for any children in attendance who are not a part of the center’s programs. The community center will be accepting donations until Dec. 10. Masks will be required upon entry to the building.

    The Buffalo City Mission, 100 E. Tupper St., is having its annual “Hambone Express Delivery,” Christmas morning.

    Volunteers will be out delivering meals on Dec. 25, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Participants need to register by phone until Dec. 3 or from Dec. 6-10.

    The meal consists of ham, yams, green beans, and cookies. Sue Cervi, manager of the volunteers at the City Mission, says that the dinners come with reheating directions.

    “We recognize that some families are bigger than four so each person can order up to eight meals per family,” Cervi said.

    Volunteers will be wearing masks when delivering the meals and recipients are being asked to wait for the volunteer to leave the delivery at the door to allow for contactless delivery. By Angelea Preston and Jillian Kasmore

MAP's work continues during winter months

 

Emily O’Bryan, farmhouse coordinator at the Massachusetts Avenue Project’s Urban Farm, said although the growing season slows during the winter months, the farm has other initiatives to keep the community engaged during the cold season, like a year-round mobile market truck that caters to the West Side’s culturally diverse community.  “We really prioritize local food that both we grow and also source from other local farms and vendors.  We value cultural foods, so we keep in mind when we go to these communities what types of fruits or vegetables they are looking for.  We recognize that we are guests in the community, and we want to form good relationships,” O’Bryan said. The fall markets continue to do well, said Development Director Sarah Klawinski.  MAP Urban Farm, 387 Massachusetts Ave., is planning for the next season. MAP Youth have planted hundreds of garlic cloves this farming season on the farm’s Winter Street lot, which will be harvested next year. By Jillian Kasmore and Angelea Preston

West Side stores part of Shop716 e-card program

Small businesses on the West Side are among the more than 750 businesses that are participating in the Shop 716 program to help in the recovery from losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year the program helped bring in $2 million in the Come Back to our Comeback campaign. The success of that program prompted the promotional eGift card initiative from Erie County. The program allows patrons to buy a gift card valued at at least $25 and get a $25 gift card for free.

 This is the second year of the Shop 716 program appears to be achieving the same levels of interest as last year.  

“We’re reaching just about $2 million that has injected into the local independent Erie County businesses,” said Christine Langenfeld, director of marketing and operations for the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.

            Langenfeld also said that there has been nothing but positive feedback from all the businesses.

One West Side businesses in the Shop 716 program is Elmwood Pet Supplies, 706 Elmwood Ave. The eGift Card has brought people in from the suburbs to shop at the store.

            “I think everyone’s hope is to not send money out of the area, and support your local merchants,” Co-Owner Tom Higgins said. 

             Shop 716 includes an array retail and service businesses. The free promotional gift card expirse on Dec. 30 to promote customers to use them during the holiday season. By Evan DiPasquale, Michaela Frazier and Danielle Stiegler

 

Library on Wheels booking it to the West Side

Buffalo and Erie County Public Library bookmobile

By Jillian Kasmore 

and Angelea Preston     

           Fall is in the air as elementary students at West Buffalo Charter School eagerly stand shoulder to shoulder in anticipation to climb into the mobile library. 

     Their second grade teacher commands their attention, as these hungry book lovers impatiently wait to see what plot line they will immerse themselves into.

            One student shrieked that he was going to pick a book about superheroes, while another girl shyly whispered that she was going to become a bug expert. As they scrambled to find their quests, they realized that each had endless opportunities right in front of their fingertips inside the Library on Wheels, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library’s bookmobile.

            Andrea Todoro, the school leader of West Buffalo Charter, 113 Lafayette Ave., said that having access to these resources is the first step her students have in the world of reading. Although it is the first year that the school is participating in the program, she still sees the impact it has on all ages which includes kindergarten through eighth grade.

            “The students look forward to the Bookmobile coming each week. Watching their faces light up when they enter and see the books is the best thing in the world. Our families are grateful that our school and their children get to participate in this program,” Todoro said. 

            The library system has a total of 37 libraries and year-round Bookmobile services that provide free services for those who live in Erie County, including the West Side of Buffalo.

            West Side resident George Olmsted believes that there is a deeper need for the community to keep this library on wheels.

            “I grew up as a kid over by Kleinhans, there was a library down the street, but the bookmobile would be in my neighborhood quite often. As a kid, it was a great way to get a book whenever you need one. They were way ahead of their time. They had the mobile idea way before the food trucks,” Olmsted said.

            In order to be more accessible, the library created the first ever bookmobile service in 1947.  Samantha Purpora, the mobile services manager, said that the bookmobile ran until 2005 when budget cuts caused the library to take it off the road.

            “This bookmobile has been in existence for five years. In the 70s and 80s they had bookmobiles. At some point during budget cuts, they got rid of them. People love to come on and talk about how they were children and how it used to come to their schools. They love to see the new one,” Purpora said.

            In 2015, the library made a bid for the bookmobile services to come back due to the need in particular communities that lacked physical libraries or areas that do not have access to transportation.

            The bookmobile stores over 3,000 books, movies, and music for every age.  It offers free Wi-Fi and laptops. Members can pick-up books on hold and return items. Erie County residents also can sign up for a library card at the bookmobile.

            The bookmobile visits many locations weekly throughout Erie County, like senior apartments, and schools, including locations right here on the West Side. 

            “Charter schools are particularly more receptive to the Bookmobile coming because they do not have a librarian. Students are able to get library cards. We make regular stops so they know when they will see us,” Purpora said.

            Julia Verbanic who has been a full-time librarian for the bookmobile for over three years, sees the benefit of the Library on Wheels especially in the COVID-19 pandemic.

            “For people who cannot make it into a regular library because of lack of transportation, or they don't feel comfortable, it is a really good alternative. It also is a good starter for kids who have not been in a public library. It's a good reminder that the library is still here,” Verbanic said.

            With the positive feedback from the community, the library has also decided to fund a new Library2GO van besides the original Bookmobile in December 2022. Purpora said that the library y will be using the bookmobile for schools, daycares, and summer camps while the Library2GO van will be used for older adult living facilities.

            “We currently visit 10 older adult living facilities and are looking to expand in the upcoming year. These services are vital for older adults who can't drive or travel to a brick-and-mortar library. We also offer Library by Mail service to any of our patrons who are homebound,” Purpora said.