Two West Side shops sell throwback theme

By Caitlin Kupiec and James McDonald
Bengal News West Reporters

Kindles, iPods, eBooks, and iPads are all things that don’t scare the owners of Black Dots and West Side Stories.

Black Dots, at 223 Lafayette Ave., is an independently run record store that opened last June on the West Side and a few doors down  is the used book store, Westside Stories at 205 Grant St.

Black Dots specializes in selling vinyl records and carries various genres including rock, metal, punk, hardcore, hip hop, and pop albums.

Owner Joshua Smith said business was slow at first, but it has been picking up lately. His friend owned the building that Black Dots is located in, which is initially why he chose the storefront.  But said he likes what is happening on Grant Street and all of the resurgence businesses and shops on the West Side.

Joshua Smith, on vinyl:

Smith admits that he thinks downloading is very convenient. According to him, it’s nice to have all of your music in your pocket and being able to download instantly, but there is an experience that music listeners miss when they just download. 

“It’s just a different experience I guess,” Smith said. “It’s the difference between watching a movie on your phone and actually going out and going to see a movie, or play. It’s a different form of entertainment. It’s a different experience, a more tangible thing.”

Eric Bifaro, who owns a print shop in the same building as Black Dots, thinks that downloading is always going to be popular, but he believes people are starting to realize that they are missing out on the experience of downloading that Smith pointed out as well.

“I think for a number of years, people got away from (buying records) because of the ease of downloading,” Bifaro said. “But people are now seeing that they are losing something in not having the tangible album."

According to Smith, a lot of people still collect records. It’s a hobby and a part of music culture for some people. He said customers will come over from Canada or the Rochester area just to check out the store and see what he has in stock.

 “That’s the thing about record collectors,” Smith said. “Wherever you go, if you are traveling around, you are going to want to search out the best place to find records.”

Westside  Stories has been open for a little over two years, and like Smith, owner Jeanenne Petri has noticed the more time that passes, the more customers find their way into her small but quaint store, filled with stacks of used books from floor to ceiling. 

Jeanenne Petri, on traditional books:

Petri said she loves being located on the West Side, and that she thinks it’s a special place with lots of diversity. According to Petri, a used bookstore is beneficial to the neighborhood’s reputation.

 “I think having a bookstore is something that adds a lot of value to the neighborhood,” Petri said.

With the new innovations of Kindles and eBooks popping up, Petri feels that there is still room for both in the media world. She likes to download books on her iPad and said she thinks downloading is convenient and easier for travelling. But she still thinks that owning a physical book is something that holds a greater meaning.

“A book is something that you can pass on physically to someone else,” Petri said. “And that’s something I think has a lot of value still.”

Petri owns a record player and has wandered down to check out Smith’s inventory.

“I love the fact that there is a record store opening in this day and age,” Petri said. “That makes me feel better about owning a book store.” 

Business owners tap into Grant St. culture

By Sean Dwyer and Youleidy Vega
Bengal News Reporters

          Grant Street is home to a community rich with cultural diversity. Because of this, several business owners in the area have used their appreciation for the arts as a foothold toward creating a sense of shared culture in their neighborhood.

            Many new business owners see Grant Street and its surrounding neighborhood as a blank canvas and a unique opportunity to forge a new path in an area without the hindrances of working around preexisting retail space.  

Jeanenne Petri, on opening a bookstore on Grant Street:


            Jeanenne Petri and her husband Joe are the owners of Westside Stories Used Books on 205 Grant St.  Offering a wide variety of books, the two believe strongly in the importance of introducing arts and literature to an area with one of the lowest literacy rates in the state.

            According to Petri, she is fully aware that her current location is not the most profitable location to open a bookstore.  But her decision to open on Grant Street two years ago was “very intentional.”  

            “People ask, ‘why would you put a used bookstore here on Grant Street,’ ” Petri said.  “But the reality is a lot of people do read here, so we try to carry books that attract a wide variety of readers.” 

            Petri believes that reading is for everyone, regardless of their cultural background.  She feels that everyone should have access to a bookstore and according to her, the response from the neighborhood has been extremely positive. 

            In addition to an enthusiastic community, Petri praised the collaborative nature of all the other business owners in the neighborhood.  She cites each owner’s willingness to help each other as a reason why businesses celebrating the arts have been so successful.  

            “Here everybody cares,” said Petri.  “So when we talk to customers, we are always trying to push people toward other businesses on the block.  I don’t think that’s something you get when you open a strip mall in Cheektowaga.”

            Right up the street from Westside Stories sits Sweetness_7 Café, owned by Prish Moran. Before opening in 2007, Moran worked in clothing design in New York City.  Before moving back to Buffalo, Moran decorated restaurants for many years before finally deciding to open one of her own.

Grant Street area business owners Prish Moran and Peter Sowiski

            Graduating with a design degree from the SUNY Buffalo State, Moran brings her appreciation for the arts, applying it to Sweetness_7 to give it a feeling of “renaissance meets urban life.”   Located at 220 Grant St., Moran's café is a forum for the community to come together in one tiny spot.

            “The community support on the West Side is unbelievable,” said Moran, who is getting ready to celebrate her fifth year as being a business owner on Grant Street.  “Everything in my café is made from scratch – even our own bread – and I think that authenticity is something this community values.”  

            The success of these shops on Grant Street has created a ripple effect, generating foot traffic for business owners neighboring areas.  One owner who has benefited from this change is Peter Sowiski, who operates Abaca Press on 9 Lafayette Ave. 

            “We just saw that there was a little more vitality happening,” said Sowiski. “We’ve noticed a lot more families with children.  And when you see more residents who are new to the area walking around, you begin to see signs of life and the creation visual culture.” 

Popular restaurant to move to West Side

By Lauren Coppola and Samantha Wulff 

Bengal News Reporters

Chefs Steve and Ellen Gedra have done this dance many times. Preparing food in a small kitchen together for four years has taught them where to stand and how to move without disrupting the other. But the routine is getting stale, and a new venue may be the remedy. 

Steve and Ellen Gedra

Their restaurant, the popular Elmwood Avenue restaurant Bistro Europa, is moving to 376 Connecticut St.  most likely in August 2014. They wanted a place that they could own and be completely in charge of. 

“We’re buying a property instead of renting from a landlord and that was always the goal,” Steve Gedra said. “For 20 years that’s been the goal. Be our own boss completely.” 

 The first step in the moving process was gaining approval of the move and reconstruction of their new space, the former Golden Key Tavern, from the city planning board.

 Steve Gedra, on moving to larger space:


        With that out of the way, construction of the former pub is now in progress. An extended addition will allow for a commercial kitchen and more seating space. Rather than the 28 seats they have in their current location, they will be able to seat 50 and add on a bar.

“It’s getting gutted,” Gedra said. “Some parts are getting knocked down and put back up. It’s in rough shape so it’s going to take a while.”

Gedra says they are not going to change much when it comes to how the establishment runs. They have a unique style that they will not alter, only revamp.

On Bistro Europa’s website, http://europabuffalo.com/, customers are given daily updates of what is available for them to order. The chefs prepare almost everything from scratch. They try to use the freshest local ingredients to prepare simple dishes for each guest personally, adding to the intimate feel of the place.

When Bistro Europa moves, it will be leaving business neighbors it has had for several years.  Carly Battin, executive director of the Elmwood Village Association, said  that it is a shame the restaurant is leaving the village. She said the move to a different place just shows that they have outgrown their space.

“It's a little bit sad to see them moving away, but I think everybody's happy for them that they're expanding,” Battin said. “I think the West Side, Connecticut Street to Grant Street, is expanding. I think it's better for the city overall.”

Along with a new location comes new competition from already-established area restaurants.

The Left Bank is a restaurant on Rhode Island Street that has been around for 20 years. Manager Mailien Chichester believes Bistro Europa’s move is a positive for the West Side and that the area needs some good business.

“It's a brave move,” Chichester said. “I hope it makes them better.”

         Since Left Bank has been established in that area for so long, Chichester does not see it being impacted by Bistro Europa’s relocation.

“I don't think it'll affect us,” she said. “We already have our clientele.”

According to Gedra, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone seems excited for the move to Connecticut Street.

“It’s always a gamble but I think it’s kind of calculated,” Gedra said. “I feel pretty good about what we do, and people definitely believe in us, and they’ll come.”

Martin Cooks up unique dining experience

By Michael Mazzuto and Mike Provenzano
BengalNews Reporters

            Martin Danilowicz is the owner of the Martin Cooks restaurant.  But don’t dare call him a chef, he’s simply a cook. Chefs take themselves too seriously.

            According to Danilowicz, a chef inspires other people or creates a new genre of food.

            “I’ve never created a genre of food and I don’t know anyone who aspires to be me,” Danilowicz said.  “Until that happens, I’m just Martin.”

Danilowicz, on Martin Cooks:

            This philosophy steams from Danilowicz’s humble beginnings growing up on a farm in Youngstown.  Danilowicz said he was  going to become a professional golfer, but  his mother and sister are very good cooks and helped introduce him to cooking.

            Danilowicz has previously worked for several local restaurants and his own catering business, which he still runs along with his new place at the HorsefeathersMarket on Connecticut Street. Before Martin Cooks opened on May 1, he also focused on his home cooking classes.

            “I go to people’s homes, it’s been a cool gig, we’ll make ravioli, make bread, braise meat. Everyone is drinking and we’re having a good time. It’s a good excuse to hang out and drink. And when you’re done you get to all sit around and have dinner,” Danilowicz said. 

            Danilowicz has transferred that same philosophy to Martin Cooks. 

            “I want food to be fun,” Danilowicz said.  “You have to take your food seriously, but not yourself.  I think you need to be humble.”

            It was Danilowicz’s attitude that brought close friends to work with him at Martin Cooks.

            Jim Wells, bartender at Martin Cooks, has known Danilowicz for more than  10 years and has followed him to the various Buffalo restaurants where he has worked.

            “We try not to take ourselves too seriously,” Wells said.  "I mean, come on.  We serve cocktails in mason jars for God’s sake.”

            Another close friend of Danilowicz, Amelia Nussbaumer, Martin’s right hand woman and marketing guru joins him in his new endeavor.

            “This is the place for me,” Nussbaumer said.  “Martin is doing something extremely progressive.  We’re in this space because it needed to be off-the-beaten-path, because he’s off-the-beaten-path.  It’s the perfect fit.”

            The menu for breakfast and lunch will remain stable but the dinner menu will change weekly.  Every Saturday, Danilowicz gets a call from local farmers who let him know what food is available for the week.  Danilowicz then plans dinner services around these ingredients. The dinner menu is where Danilowicz gets to flex his cooking prowess.

            “As far as dinner is concerned, we really want to push the envelope and do some pretty funky stuff,” Danilowicz said.

            Danilowicz hopes to expand his seating capabilities. It currently seats 12 people but expansions will be completed by June 1 to accommodate a larger breakfast and lunch crowd. But he hopes the restaurant retains its intimate setting and personal customer interactions.

            Danilowicz also has some other projects on the horizon. He plans to incorporate some of the dining pleasures other cities get to experience, but the West Side has yet to see.

            “I have a lot of energy right now,” Danilowicz said. “I have to get it all in right now.”

Credit union for W.S. in planning stage

By Bryan Price and Nick Stutzman
BengalNews Reporters

If you look around the busy streets  of the West Side you will see big name banks, but you won’t see a credit union that is specialized to educate residents and help out the community. West Side Federal Credit Union looks to be that answer. The credit union’s mission is to create affordable financial services by creating a socially responsible community-banking alternative for residents that are unaware there is a better way to bank.

Emma Wright is the West Side FCU project organizer and is aware that this isn’t just a credit union you can put up and make successful.

“The need in the 14213 is great for a low cost financial institution. I think when people realize they won’t have to pay at the corner store to cash their check, they will come to (the credit union),” Wright said.

 Emma Wright, on plans for the credit union:


          In a recent steering meeting for the credit union held by Wright, the aim was to get the foundation started so that the process can begin. The first step is to get the word out about what the credit union is, get response from the community and gauge the residents in a survey. Wright is looking for volunteers to man these sub committees that can help with the research, funding and public relations for the credit union.

The steering committee will essentially identify sponsors, develop an organizing budget, hold a pledge drive, identify officials, and then work on getting the funding needed to open the credit union. Wright estimated that the credit union’s chartering would be about two years away and that it would take almost 18 months to get enough funding needed to open properly.

Sterling Smalley, one of the first subscribers to the credit union, has local ties to the community and is trying to get the word out on why a bank like this is so beneficial to the West Side community.

“Financial education is going to be a huge part of it, just telling people there is an alternative,” Smalley said.

Smalley believes that the mean banking that is occurring right now on the West Side has been a detriment to the residents, and the predatory lenders aren’t helping businesses off the ground. He says the more residents can understand what a credit union is, the quicker they can start saving money.

Pou Ma, owner of Anokha Leewu Enterprises at the West Side Bazaar, was at the proposed steering committee meeting and believes the credit union will be a great idea. She believes that once residents, especially the international community, become educated on finances, the more financial support they can get to start up businesses like hers. She knows those opportunities like the West Side Bazaar is looking for startups with capital. Ma hopes that this credit union can be a motivational avenue to give back and learn to the community that has given so much to her.

Art vendors praise area for its support

By Brielynn Bell and Margot Harris

BengalNews Reporters

            Hand knitted accessories, self-painted sculptures, self concocted cosmetic and body products and self-welded jewelry filled the Burchfield Penny Art Center April 26 and 27 at the first ever Artists in Buffalo Spring Show.

            The event showcased local West Side companies on the rise and was also a fundraising opportunity for Burchfield Penney.

            All of the artists who participated will be donating 20 percent of their sales to support the ongoing mission of the museum. 

            Many businesses at the event are located on the West Side or have sold their products in the community and at the art center.

Vendors give their views of the business side of art:            


           Allison Kurek is a mixed media artist who sells original paintings and prints as well as small gift items such as, bottle stoppers, magnets, notecards and pendants.

“Western New York isn’t the most vibrant economic area, but I think that people want to support local.” Kurek said.

Kurek believes that the West Side offers ample opportunity for new business owners to venture into the professional world. Her advice for fellow business owners was to be able to market ones brand and to have faith.

            Kurek does not have a storefront, but has focused on selling her Silent Mylo Studio products in the West Side because she feels that the area itself is a great market to be in.

            Shaun Silverwood is a copper enamellist who lives on Amherst Street and sells her line of jewelry Roadkiln Products from home. Silverwood showcased her originally designed jewelry at the show and She explained that she doesn’t make jewelry for the money, she does it to make customers enjoy their shopping experience and to keep them satisfied with one of a kind jewelry.  

            The West Side has helped her business reach broader scopes than she anticipated. Silverwood began her business selling jewelry out of her house, but has gained popularity in the West Side and started to sell her products at local stores such as Westside Stories and the art center. The show has contributed to helping Silverwood promote her products as well.

            “This has been a fantastic show for me,” Silverwood said. “It’s a first-time show, so we didn’t have high expectations, but I’ve been doing really well.”

She feels that events like this give hope to business owners who don’t have storefronts, but are still trying to be successful in their trade. 

            Buffalo Gal Organics is an online cosmetics company owned by West Side resident Kasia Cummings. She is the chemist behind her line of natural, vegan body and cosmetic products. She sells her products in the community but also ships her products nationally and internationally.

            “I grew up on the West Side and although I have been blessed with the opportunity of travelling, this is home and will always be home,” Cummings said. “I think that local is the best way to go and I sincerely want to give hope to other local business owners by saying ‘you can make it here.’ It takes a lot of dedication, but it’s definitely possible.”

            A full list of artists who showcased at the event can be found on Buffalo State’s event calendar. 

Rehabbing houses can prove to be costly

By Cortney Drakeford and Alana Ransom
BengalNews Reporters
   Real Estate Broker Dave Weitzel spent about $20,000 at the city auction for a vacant two story home at 458 Vermont St.
 His dreams at first were to make the two-story home a duplex but realized the challenges that came along with building a duplex when entering the property. His dreams may cost more than he expected.
  People like Weitzel can be presented with problems and costs they weren't expecting when they buy properties in the annual city auction.
  When Weitzel first saw the property, he did not realize there was a second house on the property. His dreams of a duplex soon changed to rehabbing both single-family houses.

 Real estate broker Dave Weitzel on rehabbing a Vermont Street property:


Weitzel says it has been a slow process on the house. There are so many issues with the home that need to be handled. Some for example are the electricity lines because a main power cord has been broken. Flooring and walls need to be fixed because of water-pipe damage. The basement is one of the main places that need fixing and ceilings in the houses need fixing as well. Walls will be broken down and new pipes and gas tanks will be installed in the home.
 Although Weitzel has made some changes, he still has a few issues with utility and other things in the houses.
 “Challenges building a two story home are trying to figure out how to separate the utilities and it doesn’t help when the utility company doesn’t know how to have water running throughout both houses because they do not know where the water line is for both houses,” Weitzel says.
 Weitzel plans for both houses to be almost ready in about three or four months. He set the selling price at $150,000.
They are not able to see the homes before purchasing them and are not able to see the conditions they have to deal with inside the homes.  Investors are able to go to the neighborhood and ask questions to people who have been around for a long time in the area to find out what kind of work needs to be done in the home. They also have to make sure they start working on the house as soon as they buy it because if the city sees no progress being made as investors promise, the city will take investors to city court.
  Before rehabbing homes, there is a process that has to be followed. First, the homes go into arrears, which are when two tax years have not been paid. Once property is cleared in arrears, then people will receive letters about the vacant homes. The city holds an auction presented by the chairman of assessment and taxation. Investors bid on the property. Bids start at $500. Twenty five percent of the money has to be paid on the day of the auction. The remainder has to be paid within that month.  Auctions are in October. Auctions are held at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.
  “The city produces a list of homes to be auctioned the first part of June and it can change up to the day of auction because owners can satisfy the bill. The fiscal year is July 1st to June 30th of the next year,” says Assessment Clerk Al Thompson.
  If no one bids on the property, the case is adjourned and the house goes back to the owner.  The tax law allows the city to foreclose property if it does not satisfy the tax bill. If by the end of year owners do not comply to pay with property taxes, the city enters an agreement preventing the foreclosure of a home until the money is paid.
  “Foreclosure in the city charges an increasing amount of money as penalty,” says Thompson.  Overall, many people feel houses being rehabbed are beneficial for the community.  “It is a good investment. When someone is beneficial they take care of the property and live in it. The houses are affordable for people who want to migrate to the West Side,” says Sean Mulligan, Legislative Aide to Councilmember David Rivera.
  Houses tend to stay affordable so low income families can stay in the neighborhood, he says.
  “People(s) views on the west side are changing. We let them come visit and they see what is being done for the community and quickly change their minds. They see that the West Side is a pretty nice place and are exposed to the diversity of people and the education system,” says Mulligan. Edited by Richard Cumpston