A couple of weeks ago I had the good fortune to tour a couple of Toronto chefs around Buffalo, who left with completely new views of this city. In a city such as Toronto, where you basically live in a small apartment and need big backers in order to open a restaurant, Buffalo is an appealing place when it comes to business. They were amazed at the progress that this city was making, yet at the same time they couldn’t help but look around and see the needs. To them, an empty storefront was a chance to not only open…
Author: queenseyes
During the month of December I will be featuring a number of items made by Buffalo artists and artisans, as well as some other items that are merely sold at small local shops and boutiques. First up is artist Julian Montague’s illustration of “The Knife” that first appeared in The Public. It’s a fascinating and terrifying rendition of “the storm that was heard around the world”. The print comes in a wide range of sizes and prices, which you can see at the PrintCollection website. It’s a handsome print that tells the tale of the storm in an ominous yet…
Following is an interview with Rachel Nicole Glover, founder of Queen of Diamonds Clothing Company (QODCC), based in Buffalo, NY. Where are you from? Glen Cove, New York… but I currently live in good old Depew NY What is your background? Believe it or not, I have a background in sales and customer service! I never went to school for fashion or design or anything, only went to BOCES for culinary arts but never pursued anything related to it after high school. What inspired you to start a lingerie company? I actually started working with a friend, marketing her clothing…
While the Ohio Street project is not 100 percent finished, the thoroughfare has been re-opened to traffic. The dedicated class 1 bike lanes are a nice touch, although I wish that they were anything other than asphalt (similar to the bikes lanes at Buffalo State). There are traditional sidewalks on the opposite side. The streetscape lighting is in place, as are the curbs, curb cuts, etc. Another nice touch is the street pattern that is found at the foot of Dead Man’s Creek – the surface mimics the look of wooden planks at the inlet. A similar treatment for the bike lanes would have…
This is the fifth year since the Small Business Saturday idea was started in order to spur business for independently owned shops. It has been interesting to see how this marketing effort has taken hold. According to Edward Pinkel of Urban Leisure and Luxury on Elmwood Avenue, the effort got off to a slow start, but slowly grew in momentum. “Last year the effort blew up,” Ward told me. “And it snowballed into this year.” If you happened to make your way onto Elmwood today, chances are that: A) You couldn’t find a parking spot and B) You sat in…
What would normally have been a pretty sleepy day along the Buffalo River, was anything but. RiverWorks was alive with the sights and sounds of curling, as the Buffalo Curling Club took to the ice. And what an “ice” it is. Six professional curling ice surfaces have been painted, giving RiverWorks the distinction of the first urban curling club in Buffalo in generations. In fact, today was the first time that I had ever witnesses anything that resembled a professional rink in action, with around 25 players on the ice, and room for more. I asked one of the curling…
There’s never been a better time to smooch than on Saturday, December 27, 2014 from 2:00pm – 6:00pm. That’s because The Kissing Museum in Buffalo NY is hosting an event called Mistletoe-ing. The day is devoted to those who like to pucker up, and are looking for a good excuse to do so in public. Join a number of romantics, as they meander over to Bidwell Parkway to make out under the mistletoe. Bring a person that you fancy, or wait for someone to walk under the tree that looks like he or she could use a good tongue twisting. “Mistletoe…
Each year Grant Street hosts a holiday event that attracts hundreds of people to see the changes that have taken place over the years. Grant Street is an ever evolving commercial district on the city’s West Side. It is the city’s most diverse area, and therefore has a wide variety of shops to frequent. In order to add to the interest of the strolling experience, the annual Peace, Love, & Grant Street event features trolley rides to get people around the neighborhood. A pop-up marketplace is also created, adding a bounty of seasonal goodies to the mix. Throw in a…
If you’ve got a beard/stache, or you’re of hair growth on a guy’s face, then there’s an event that is just for you. It’s called the Buffalo Beard Brawl (The 2014 Buffalo Beard & Moustache Championships), and the point is to get as many unshaven guys into one venue as possible, to duke it out for top prizes. “There will be ring card girls, awesome prizes for first, second, and third in each category and $500 to the overall winner aka best in show. Competitors are coming from as far away as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. PJ’s Barber Shop on hand…
On Saturday, December 6, 2014, Buffalo Place will be hosting the annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting. Those who have attended the lighting in the past can attest the beautiful nature of this evening. Hundreds of people gather at Rotary Rink to skate, drink hot cocoa, rejoice with friends, listen to music and simply partake in a seasonal delight like no other. Take the Metro Rail, and bring along friends and family to enjoy the Tree Lighting Ceremony. The holidays in Downtown Buffalo get better and better each year, as Main Street comes alive with development, new businesses, and eager visitors…