If commercial districts such as Hertel Avenue are going to remain strong, then the businesses must continue to work together to achieve collective greatness.
When Bill Sabio first purchased Canvas@1206, we discussed his immediate business neighbors and he told me that his intention was to get to know them and to hopefully collaborate with them. After all, when you have an art gallery, a furniture design studio, and other mom and pop shops in such close proximity, then there’s power in numbers. “The idea of this collaboration, originally suggested by Canvas@1206 owner Bill Sabio, was readily accepted by the partners at Meridian West, and we’re hoping that this will become the start of an exciting and ongoing business relationship which will draw more and more viewers, restaurant and bar patrons, and art buyers to the western end of the Hertel business district,” said Meridian West Co-Director George Grace. “Since we moved in, and Canvas@1206 came under Bill’s ownership, this part of Hertel Avenue has never, and I mean, never, looked this good. We now have Jonathan Casey’s Project716 (interior design) and Sandy Hofschneider’s House of Olives. When Bill took over Canvas@1206, we were delighted to see him adding a patio and updating the exterior and interior of his restaurant.”
The interesting twist here is the partnership that this restaurant and this gallery have formed in order to draw attention to one another. Meridian West will be featuring an upcoming art exhibit across the street at Canvas@1206. That means that restaurant-goers who are not familiar with the gallery will get to connect with its mission by simply stopping in to eat dinner. At the same time, friends of the Meridian West might discover a new restaurant within walking distance of the gallery. Canvas@1206 owner Bill Sabio stated, “These types of partnerships between businesses are mission-critical to sustain the interest and vitality of the western end of Hertel. We need to help and support each other, which in the end, supports the entire Hertel Avenue community. What was a somewhat neglected block is now coming to life, and going upscale. We’re hoping this trend continues.”
*Meridian West is proud to announce that its exhibition, The Technoluminist Eye: Urban Nocturnes, Industrial & Postindustrial Art, is going to be held at both its gallery at 1209 Hertel Avenue and at Canvas@1206 Bistro, directly across the street, with the opening reception Saturday, September 28 from 7-9pm.
Meridian West Art Gallery | 1209 Hertel Avenue | 716-768-3805
Canvas@1206 Bistro | 1206 Hertel Avenue | Buffalo, NY 14216 | 716-939-2725