Sugar City – a Buffalo, NY based DIY art collective has found a new home on Niagara Street after being displaced from its original stomping ground on Wadsworth Street in Allentown. This is very exciting news considering that the collective has had a tough time nailing down a suitable location – there were a couple of close calls, but nothing concrete. Now Sugar City will be situated in an area that is quickly coming back to life, along with a new gallery, a new brewery, pet services (more on that later), and additional news on the horizon.
With the help of Vision Niagara, a community group that is dedicated to seeing the rebirth of Niagara Street (from Busti Avenue to Scajaquada Creek) into a mixed bag of cultural and hospitality-based amenities, owner of 1239 Niagara Street, Bill Breeser, was able to make the pieces come together. It was Breeser who first helped to bring Riverkeeper to Niagara Street. After searching for a year and a half, Aimee Buyee (founder of Sugar City) identified the Niagara Street location, which was formerly Playaz Club, and Compton’s After Dark before that. Now the building will be home to a 170 person capacity art and performance center by early summer.
“We are looking forward to being part of the development of this corridor and to be neighbors with businesses like Santasiero’s, Community Beer Works and the new Resurgence Brewery, BT&C Gallery, Buffalo Riverkeeper, and more!” – Vision Niagara
On March 27, the community based, low cost, all ages and alcohol free art space will be hosting a public meeting to enlighten people about its mission in its new home. On that day, visitors will be able to tour the space and discuss current community needs with the organization.
Event: State of Sugar City: Public Meeting March 27th 6:30PM | 1239 Niagara Street. You can also lend a financial hand to this initiative by donating to the cause (see here). Sugar City will be immediately starting to repair the parts of the building that have suffered from prolonged water damage. Sugar City online.