isnt this gonna end up looking a whole lot better than any of the present wilsonfarms look like? sometimes its like people complain not just cuz they dont like something...but because they feel personally violated when somebody doesnt ask their permission
Its unfortunate that a smaller private convenience store owner like the Elmwood Market, went out of their way to make sure to design a facade that was in good context with the community - a real awning, appropriate signage, windows you can see through, etc... Yet we have accept this fake stone, fake stucco, pointless awning, crappy signage, probably fake windows, shit from the biggest/richest company on the street.
Even more disappointing is that I think they work with TRM architects, who is supposed to be a pretty reputable local firm.
An improvement...perhps. But, at the same time......why sell ourselves short.
I have to agree with the above posts. This IS an improvement from how it used to look. So what if it didn't go through the planning board, Very smart on Wilson Farms end, they probably already know what a slow ass process that would of been. And then they're are people who will say NO to anything they wanted to do anyways. At least they are not tearing any more buildings down, just an improvement to make it more bright and modern.
Public process = slowing down the overall process. Everyone has an opinion, therefore, when that opinion is stated then it slows the process...
And when has the general public ever agreed on anything in this town? Maby that's the problem with this area. We let the public decide what is best for EVERYTHING from a new coat of paint to a new business coming in. Maby if we had a set standard already, let it get approved by the city and developers (that has to be re-worked first) and just allow progress to happen with out the long public meetings which always ends the same "not in my back yard, or that's too modern, it'll block my view, why can't it be like this" blah, blah, blah. I can only see a reason for the public to get involved when it comes to BIG Projets such as the Peace Bridge or Inner Harbor, not a small corner business. Get over it.
No this compaint is perfectly reasonable. The location this store is in demands it to be more walkable and pedestrian friendly if wilson farms doesnt want to comply then closeup. Do u have anyt idea how much business tis store gets? It is always packed! Im sure there are several retail operations litle groceries that would love this spot to build upon teh sucess of this stretch of elmwood..
Look at the crappy fascade they had. Anything they do is an improvement. It is a long established store in the village that is always busy. I agree with GDC that the review process in Buffalo sucks. They would spend more money on revisions and studies than the improvemenst would be worth. By making any improvement shows they care.
I just wonder how long it will take for someone to file a lawsuit to stop the renovations all together.
WHy do we always sell ourselves short? This area is one of our only success stories in this area...maybe we should trust the elmwood village in their demands for a new store built up to the street.
And what small little grocery store has the money to tear down a building and build new?
And do you think it would be as busy with no parking and the higher prices that would come with out the buying power of WF? Not to mention higher prices to recoupe the construction costs.
Not that it will have any effect, but I just went to the Wilson Farms website and stated my displeasure that they have not worked with the local community on this issue. This business is not going anywhere, so there is no reason that Wilson Farms can't make an effort to do the right thing.
Good design brings more customers through the doors. Good design bolsters a neighborhood's profile. Good design encourages more pedestrian traffic. Good design makes good economic sense.
This is another case of Buffalonians settling for leftovers.
So companies should just be allowed to bypass public opinion for the sake of expediency? Sounds a lot like a dictatorship than a democracy. Sad truth is we the people are supposed to have a voice about what happens in our community and country. Ya know, those basic rights that people fought independence for. Sorry if some people or businesses don't like the process set out before them but they shouldn't have the right to just up and ignore them.
Either way, will it look better.. nope will it look newer, yea. Newer isn't always better. I could build a brand new McDonald's on the street. Sure it is new, would still look just as bad. This is modern by 1992 suburban strip malls standards. hardly something great or even 'ok' for Buffalo's premier strip.
Instead of the elmwood village making demands on long established successful businesses they should worry about filling empty store fronts. And maybe fiqure out why there is such a high turn over rate of small businesses in the nieghborhood. We have bigger problems than the WF store on the corner of Auburn.
Rydog71, if you want to fill empty storefronts, it's always helpful to have exciting storefronts as potential neighbors.
If they aren't changing the building footprint and just altering the facade there isn't a Planning Board role. Unless the property is in a preservation district, just a building permit is required. WFarms could have reached out to the community, but obviously doesn't care what the public thinks. All the more reason to get those Elmwood Village design guidelines passed with a more thorough review process.
Public input would be an endless loop of rediculous commands. From Tear down and build a new prettier buliding at the sidewalk. To transform into a Traders Joes. The complaints (ideas) would never end and in the end they might just get fed up and close up shop. Why should they ask for public input? No one in this town (esp elmwood) is happy with anything but impossible dreams. Public input prevented a hotel already.
And I'm excited something new is coming to the bagel place (any idea what it is?)
what's the big deal. People just love to complain about every little thing.
This is not complaining about every little thing. This is about raising the bar on low standards Buffalo has tolerated for too long. Strict design standards encourage a stronger retail base.
Oh well. this will be a vast improvement over what the store currently looks like. I just hope they have the common sense to install a bike rack out front, considering this is a very bike-intensive neighborhood. When picking up my 12-pack of PBR by bike at this Wil-Fo', I'd rather not have to chain it up to a tree along the sidewalk.
Why don't we complain about the former Courtyard Mall on Main Street? Now that's something to complain about, less windows, brick wall and a Parol office on the first floor. That deserved pubic input, but it's too late. And we are actaully complaining about a renovated store front that is only improving itself.
There are so many other issues on Elmwood people should worry about. The high turnover ration of small business for example. Maybe by the time they open to everyones approval and input they are broke to stay a float.
Stop sticking your noses up everyones ass(business) and worry about your own problems!!! How dare people not ask for your opinion!!!??? Maybe because a business such as Wilson Farms doesn't want to hear comments about their brand store look from people who don't know anything about running a business, anything about construction and material cost, or anything about maintaining a brand! Stick to your own work, or would you like input on that as well?
What is the problem. They put in some phony windows and glued on some synthetic stone. That is about all that would have been asked of then anyway.
Those saying that this is a massive improvement to this site are missing the real problem aspect of this Wilson Farms. It is not the building that is an eyesore. It is the gigantic parking lot bordered by another gigantic parking lot that is the problem. Glue on all the crap you want to this store and you still have a street killing presence here.
If this site and the adjacent site were redeveloped with urban density (up to the street and at least 3 floors) and parking at the rear this block would become a magnet for activity and retail
The new design looks great - what more do you want them to do?
If this went to public process, we would be stuck with the old design for the next 10 yrs.....
Its about time....JUST DO IT!
Where in the drawing is the screaming lady and the one homeless guy always asking for money??
Looks better than it does now. It would be nice is they could tear down the crap house on the right of the wilson farms and move the store closer to Auburn. Open up the parking lot a little more on the left of Wilsons.
The Planning Board only gets involved for an 80,000 renovation or 100,000 new construction. And seriously, this is the same style stone that was used on the ETS location.
You people should be happy that Wilson Farms has chosen to invest some money in a location that does well enough for them already, in an effort to make themselves look good. Just because you were not given the validation of standing up at a community meeting so you could shout about how Wilson Farms should move their building forward 25 feet to the street (which will never happen, so get over it) does not give you the reason to complain about people putting money into Elmwood.
Where in the drawing is the screaming lady and the one homeless guy always asking for money??
Looks better than it does now. It would be nice is they could tear down the crap house on the right of the wilson farms and move the store closer to Auburn. Open up the parking lot a little more on the left of Wilsons.
WCP - to your 1st point.... not necessarily. If the project is over $80K, it would still have to go through Planning Board. This thing probably costs $79,999.99
they can't take the concrete sidewalk in front of the building to the street?
At least building this ugly and cheap does not make the wilson farms much more invested. I could see this coming down 5-8 years from now.
Any improvement is welcome on any Elmwood business. Keep it moving people... its not that serious.
This is so classic all the way around - BRO should use it as a "typical" story/posts.
I cannot believe that Justin Azzarella is actually complaining about a lack of a public process! Perhaps he should be consulted if Wilson Farms wants to change the prices on their coffee, too. The problem with this city is that everyone--or damn near everyone--wants to have a say. It's this sort of selfish behavior that spurns any great economic development. The city is not "business-friendly"--no wonder companies aren't pounding on the door. Perhaps we could focus on the real issues at hand rather than the roof of Wilson Farms. Get real, people!
Elmwood is successful because people care and get involved. This store is a moneymaker and it is foolish for Wilson Farms to not involve the community that supports them. As for the turnover on Elmwood, think of it as a business incubator allowing many different ideas to be tried in the marketplace.
Please... look what the hell communtiy involvement did for Pano's fu&^%$# eye sore and that pile of used bricks from the DORMAUTH that's being passed off as a museum.
In defense of corporate citizen and neighbor Wilson Farms, they have more community involvement then any other business on Elmwood. In fact, I heard that this location is their most successful anywhere. They deal one on one and face to face with the public seven days a week. The biggest vote of confidence comes from a community voting with their hard earned dollars.
How do you get to know your community better than handing them the milk for their children, or the beer for their Saturday night party, or by cashing their paycheck? That's about as intimate as you can get.
Thanks Wilson Farms for demonstrating your appreciation for all of our "votes" by reinvesting in your location.
Do you really think that the owners or whatever company owns wilson farms really cares about that area anyway, they do not have to do anything to the building if you think about it, this is an improvement (look at the many buildings on the strip with no such luck)! I think we should take what we can get in this case. The Wilson Farms is ugly and a dated looking eye soar that I would not shop at if I had a reasonably priced competitor that was just as convenient. We need to get the person responsible for that VOID near wilson farms to fix that up first..maybe make that some usable space? maybe a whole foods or premier foods? Then maybe their would be a reason to complain about the crappy planning at WF
Don't blame the business when the city has no adopted design guidelines. The only people to blame are EVA people who have not put enough pressure on to adopt guidelines and the City administration.
What someone should do to "raise the bar" or meet YOUR needs is different from what they are OBLIGATED to do. Last I checked, a roofing permit does not require a public hearing, neither do building improvements that do not result in changes in the site plan, which this is not. This is a simple facade improvement that likely involved only a building permit.
And give me a break anyway, what they've done is basically better than what was there. Wilson Farms was never selling that site, never moving the building and allowing the neighbor dictators tell them how to design a new building. EVA and the residents in this case got what they created, you reap what you sow.
BuffaloBloviateor, Wilson Farms knows the community well because they sell milk for children? Huh?
If this is their most successful location, you wouldn't know it by the existing building or the insipid renovation that is the equivalent of vinyl siding on a derelict house.
Please, this project isn't about WF reinvesting in this location.... Its about WF making sure that they have the same exact stale, cookie cutter look at every one of their locations. You need to speak to some of the small business owners who interact directly, on a daily basis with their customers in the neighborhood because they're in their shop 80 hours a week providing personal service before you say that the owners of Wilson Farms are the most involved with the Elmwood Village community. Just because WF has enormous sales at this location, that doesn't mean anything about how they feel about being a part of the community. you wait in line 5 minutes to buy your milk, hand them money and leave. Elmwood Merchants spend a hell of a lot of time and effort going out of their way to understand and care about their customers. EV merchants have also spent far more, relative to their overall income, on making sure their storefronts are attractive and fitting to the community context with nice signage, expensive awnings, real storefront windows, attractive paint schemes, etc etc.... To allow this big company to make a half assed effort at installing a cookie cutter facade to fit a corporate image rather than the attractive neighborhood, is an insult to every other small business on Elmwood.
Do you really think most Elmwood Business owners, like some of the posters here, just say, "whelp, this looks better than the shithole that my storefront was before, so I guess its good enough for the neighborhood."
But I guess because we're development starved Buffalo that any change, no matter what, is a good improvement, and how dare us tell some corporation (Who would never leave their most profitable location, by the way) otherwise
PaulBuffalo,
Personally I think their modesty is a classy touch. Conspicuous consumption to reflect ones personal successes wouldn't mesh with the progressive fabric of the Upper West Side.
Unbelievable that queenseyes and Elmwood Village feel that Wilson Farms OWES some sort of gratuity to "reach out to them" and hold some ridiculous public forum for ideas/approval! Um...it is a PRIVATE company folks and I don't believe that there is one business along Elmwood that is REQUIRED to let every freaking person with an opinion in on their remodeling plans.
And why it is so Important for businesses to discuss private business plans with QE and EVA? Feelings, hurt, guys? Are either of you part of the City of Buffalo Planning/zoning/permit departments? No? Didn't think so.
Clearly they were able to obtain the permits required by the City of Buffalo. remember - those "building guidelines" that EVA came up are just that: GUIDELINES. They are not mandatory building codes required by the City of Buffalo.
According to QE opinions in former posts, he would tell Wilson Farms to completely tear down the current building and build a new one up to the street. It must be wonderful to be able to spend other corporations money AND bash them in such a public forum? Maybe...just maybe...both QE and EVA been up their butts so much by bashing them in this public forum, that in the end WF decided against letting them in on their private business plans regarding the remodeling? How can you expect, after the numerous negative posts on BRO about Wilson Farms that they would call you QE to get your personal opinion or look for some sort of public Input meeting?
How about get off Wilson Farm's back? It is one of the few very busy stores on Elmwood. From what I heard, they have always chipped in for Holiday decorating no questions asked, offered up volunteers for decorating, offered up their parking lot for the Elmwood Village Art Festival, sold the Elmwood gift certificates making no money on them. Don't knock them that bad Queenseyes. They are a needed business to have along Elmwood and I have lived in this neighborhood for almost 20 years.
BuffaloBloviator, this design is not based on an altruistic sense of modesty. Although it would be great for the community, Wilson Farms shouldn't be forced to move their store closer to the street; however, it's obvious that they are spending the least amount of money to renovate this store. That's not a reinvestment in the community.
As a locally-owned business with over 200 stores, Wilson Farms has the resources to create a customer-friendly environment and still exercise budgetary responsibility.
They forgot to include the Blue Rhino Propane stacks in the front of the store in the preiminary drawings :).
They should be forced to add a fake second floor. They could use it for storage of the propane tanks.
You people are insane..."they should be forced to add a second floor"??? They should be forced to bring the building to the curb? Seriously? This is one of the craziest BRO conversation threads ever!
This entire thread is a great example of what is wrong with Buffalo, NY! It is a friggin Wilson Farms store...that is all. You would think someone is building in the historic section of Charleston, SC or somewhere like that! With a city that has so many problems out there, why is this even an issue? Unbelievable.
Exactly, Junkie....
Would anybody else like to revisit old complaints about how awful it was that EVA was encouraging Bank of America and the Lexington Coop to do multistory structures pulled up to the sidewalk, when the typical model for each of those types of businesses calls for single story and parking fully visible in the front??? Each of those ended up listening to EVA and the community.... how awful, huh??? How dare EVA continue that type of obstructionism by encouraging better development. I guess many of you think Elmwood would be better off if the original plans for both of those buildings just went through without a word from EVA. Maybe Elmwood would be a far better place if EVA and the community just dropped their higher standards like some of the comments on this site.
If there was a public process for Wilson Farms, perhaps we could have reached a similar result as those two great, recent projects. It is a missed opportunity.
The Lexington Coop is doing phenomenal business, by the way.
I can see both points of view, however sometimes you need to pick your battles in life, and I don’t think this one is worth fighting for or getting all up and arms about. Sure they could of asked for the publics input as a goodwill gesture, however they could of just as easily neglected making any improvements, and left the dreadful looking store alone and continued to make a $buck$...could they not?
Do you ask your neighbors input of what color you should paint or side your house?
It really does not look that bad either and is 100% better than what currently looks like.
Could they make the design better? …sure, I guess they could, but do they even have too do anything in the first place?…..NO!
Next……
Was there a public hearing for ETS and Evans Bank? If so why can they have this same type of facade but not WF. Is it only because their store fronts are on the sidewalk so they can do whatever they want? Just curious.
Plus using the Co-op and Bank of America as examples is ridiculous. One was a new build and the other was a complete ground up renovations.
This stretch of elmwood is one of the most walkable and vibrant areas in this region why not build upon past successes instead of just settling for the stats quo
how has this stupid thread gotten 3x the number of responses as a possible development plan for the am&as warehouse?!
No actually rydog- both the bank of america and co-op were new builds
BoA and the Co-op are completely different stories. The Co-op would do whatever its minions would tell it to do and their minions will contrinue to shop their till the end of time.
And the BoA building was already to the curb. They didn't tear down a old building and move 50 feet foward. They face-lifted an old bulding.
WF is a very nice store adn I'm glad they are there. They pretty much have whatever I need (at an affordable price) and I can walk to it.
no they tore down an old building but that is besides the point...the point is that this wilson farms could be rebuild to the curb and benefit not only the store but the entire elmwood village community
No actually rydog- both the bank of america and co-op were new builds
Um, the Coop actually tore down a set-back building and built up at the street. I'm not sure you could really come up with a closer comparison.
And they're not surviving today based upon their "minions." They have expanded their customer base like crazy, myself included.
Um, the Coop actually tore down a set-back building and built up at the street. I'm not sure you could really come up with a closer comparison.
And they're not surviving today based upon their "minions." They have expanded their customer base like crazy, myself included.
CO OP would benefit from those customers that just dont like the dirty WF no matter what - I would pay a little more for a better shopping experience esp since the CO OP stands for something good and its right across the street. something else, WF customer service is worth bringing up.. esp when the employees blow cig smoke in your face right before you walk in.. Maybe changing employees to fit an image would be a good thing too (not just the outside)..
mbhxam. that was sarcasm. I think the design isn't great and could be better but rather than elaborating everything I feel on this I'll jt say see what Kip said....
BTW would it kill BRO to put up a feature to allow users to delete there own duplicate comments?
Adding a second story costs money. I would not add a fake second floor to a business just to appease the "villagers". Yes, the Co-op may be doing a fantastic business, BUT have they repaid every loan that was needed in order to add that second floor? Has it really financially paid off for them yet? Yes, the design is beautiful, but that design came a high cost.
The Co-op sought public opinion because they had to . They were seeking loans from individuals therefore they asked for public input Into the design. Sort of one "hand washes the other" - they listened to design ideas and then they got the needed loans. Once they received enough in personal loans from individuals, then they were able to access some More loan money from a Co-op funding program. Wondering how many loans from neighbors Wilson farms is looking for? Oh...right...none.
Oh, and you forgot to mention Pano's who did change his plans to accommodate the EVA guidelines....even though he does not get the same benefit in this forum. He did change his plans to add the second story to meet the EVA guidelines. Now he gets bashed because people don't like it. Seems as though you damned if you and damned if you don't according to EVA and BRO.
For those making CO-OP Comparisons,
The CO-OP was a new build, in terms of any new build I would assume public approval would be sought and requested by the neighborhood as the Business doing the building is most likely new to the neighborhood that they will be doing business with, and want to be well liked. As far as facade improvements, it’s only a touch more dramatic than putting on a new coat of paint- its not major work if you compare the two.
From a business perspective the first thing Wilson Farms probably asks itself in regard to this is…. “Are people less likely to shop here now that we made the new building look nicer than it did”? There answer is most likely “No”, since they never asked and because odds are the opposite will happen. The business will grow or sustain it’s self over a longer period of time going forward than it would have, if they neglected to make improvements…. hence why there investing any money in the first place!
The second question they ask themselves “is it even worth it to ask the local public, Just because?”….. The comments in this post answer what conclusion they came to!
At the end of the day Wilson Farms sustains its Business for the long haul and probably has it grow a little bit.
The End
I think the real story here isn't about Wilson Farms. Sure, they could do more, but they're improving their storefront. Fine.
The real story is the EVA was apparently expecting Wilson Farms to come to them for input. That approach might work if you're dealing with an individual small business owner, but it seems unlikely to work with a corporation. That the EVA was taken by surprise indicates more about them than about Wilson Farms.
For those making CO-OP Comparisons,
The CO-OP was a new build, in terms of any new build I would assume public approval would be sought and requested by the neighborhood as the Business doing the building is most likely new to the neighborhood that they will be doing business with, and want to be well liked. As far as facade improvements, it’s only a touch more dramatic than putting on a new coat of paint- its not major work if you compare the two.
From a business perspective the first thing Wilson Farms probably asks itself in regard to this is…. “Are people less likely to shop here now that we made the new building look nicer than it did”? There answer is most likely “No”, since they never asked and because odds are the opposite will happen. The business will grow or sustain it’s self over a longer period of time going forward than it would have, if they neglected to make improvements…. hence why there investing any money in the first place!
The second question they ask themselves “is it even worth it to ask the local public, Just because?”….. The comments in this post answer what conclusion they came to!
At the end of the day Wilson Farms sustains its Business for the long haul and probably has it grow a little bit.
The End
I'm actually only posting because I made a bet this thread would get to 70 comments by 8...I still have hope
I'm actually only posting because I made a bet this thread would get to 70 comments by 8...I still have hope
SURE, THE ELMWOOD MARKET GOT PUBLIC APPROVAL AND WILL BE OUT OF BUSINESS WITHIN A YEAR, SO WAHTS THE DIFFERENCE. PEOPLE IN BUFFALO NEED TO REALIZE IS A FREE MARKET CAPITALIST SOCIETY, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
Wow, with so many REAL Problems taking place in this city, THIS is what everyone is arguing about? .....REALLY!!! Maby we should be more involved in getting guns off our city streets (oh wait, if it's not happening in YOUR neighborhood, why get involved), or demanding that the city parks get CLEANED up, Public Pools Be fixed, Getting MORE cops on the streets......but we would rather focus our time and energy on a Wilson Farms make over. How typical of this community.
Where was this same outrage when Hunt did the same or worse of a half-hearted effort at renovating their location? Could WF have done better? Sure. But I don't think this qualifies as Buffalo accepting poor quality. Wilson Farms was under no obligation to do anything. As a resident of nearby Lancaster Avenue, I think this is an imporvement and if there is one thing that I've observed about Elmwood's remarkable progress is that it has happened one small step at a time. If Elmwood continues to grow and gentrify (I know I'll be scolded for using that word), Wilson Farms will meet the needs that the area demands. I think this is a step in that direction.
Panos listened to all the hippies, added a second story, moved it up to the curb and still gets hated on by you liberals {balance deleted}
Can we have this Wilson Farms design on Parkside??? Please...now that one is awful
EMJAY, Hunt is an advertiser and "FRIEND" of BRO, and all the other {deleted} on here. You will never hear a word about their crappy renovation of what could have been a beautiful building.
"Panos listened to all the hippies . . ."
It wasn't hippies, it was actually mods. Or was it greasers? No wait, it was a coalition of zoot suits and flapper girls . . .
This might be the most asinine article I've ever read on this site. Colin is 100% right...why on earth should the EVA expect a long-time and stable business to get property improvements run by them for input? Do you really think Wilson Farms is going to go to every single neighborhood association and get input? Or should only the EVA request such input, because of the neighborhood's "unique urban character"
Give me a break.
Donald Trump ( who I like and detest in equal measure) had a great line for such kerfuffles: "I could design something daring or sophisticated and spend the next 20 years in meetings, hearings and dealing with angry neighbors, or I can simply abide by the existing codes and build it in 2." Wilson Farms didn't sneak this bland, cookie-cutter crap on anybody, they simply abided by the existing regulations approved by the citizens of Buffalo. As those same douchebags that opposed the casino so often said, "if you don't like this, change the laws".
From today's Buffalo News, "A woman was raped at knifepoint over the weekend behind a building on North Street near Elmwood Avenue, police reported. The woman told Central District police that she was confronted at about 5:45 a. m. Saturday by an unknown man who held a knife to her throat and raped her. She sought treatment at Buffalo General Hospital." This is only a block away from one of these dreaded Wilson Farms stores.
May I suggest that it might be a better use of one's time and energy to focus on the bigger issues, such as this one, rather than worrying about how close Wilson Farms is to the sidewalk? I mean honestly.
Let's face it, any chain store that dare set foot on Elmwood Ave will do so with a bullseye on their back. There was a recent article here where Subway was mentioned as being responsible for 50% of the garbage in the general vicinity of their store.
If you are not some trendy restaurant, coffee shop or antique store, you are crap.
WIlson Farms owes them nothing!
Let's face it, any chain store that dare set foot on Elmwood Ave will do so with a bullseye on their back. There was a recent article here where Subway was mentioned as being responsible for 50% of the garbage in the general vicinity of their store.
If you are not some trendy restaurant, coffee shop or antique store, you are crap.
WIlson Farms owes them nothing!
It's strangely ironic, how a "business association" makes it so difficult for a member to do business.
Let's face it, any chain store that dare set foot on Elmwood Ave will do so with a bullseye on their back. There was a recent article here where Subway was mentioned as being responsible for 50% of the garbage in the general vicinity of their store.
If you are not some trendy restaurant, coffee shop or antique store, you are crap.
WIlson Farms owes them nothing!
Looks better than before. EVA should direct their energy towards changing the city planning/approval process. WF is never building a new store or any type of construction that would require soil samples on that site. The current store is built over an old gas station.
The whole argument, "omg how can people talk about this when there are violent crimes in the city...blah, blah, blah" is completely asinine. No one is disputing that this city has larger issues such as housing, crime, and a shrinking population to deal with, but that fact doesn't make commenting on this issue completely off limits. So stop with that b.s. already. I comment and get all heated up about the Bills, because I care and I'm passionate about the team, doesn't mean that I'm a complete a-hole because I should be worrying about other things like Buffalo's population loss.
Here's the deal, Elmwood didn't become the most desirable place to live in the City and a large tourist and suburban draw because of the currently look and feel of Wilson Farms. People enjoy walkable communities and enjoy the vibrancy that comes with it. Wilson Farms adds nothing to this.
Now I don't believe that Wilson Farms has to make this change or that to their store. In this country we have free enterprise and people and business are able to do as they wish with things like this. But in this case, under these circumstances, I believe Wilson Farms as a business had an opportunity to make their store better fit into the neighborhood and had an opportunity to enhance and already great place to live and they chose not to. Pano did they did not.
Long story short I will not burn down the place and I will still buy my eggs there, but I wish they could have come up with some extra money to enhance the best place to live in Buffalo and arguably anywhere.
I still don't see what is so desirable about Elmwood Ave.
There are three trinket stores, a coffee shop, and a bunch of bums hanging out at Merlins.
Elmwood Ave is still a far cry from Newbury St., Ocean Dr., Buckhead, Scottsdale, Bloor St.........etc
Most of the buildings on Elmwood still need work to their facade.
It is a very average street that will bore most people to death....no energy whatsoever!
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