Buffalo Rising Online

Jun 8th 2005, 11:49am By queenseyes

Allen Street Hardware Cafe is celebrating it's one year anniversary. There will be no fanfare, no drink specials, and from what I understand, no big party. So why do I even mention it? Because despite what a lot of folks said, this place has turned into one of the 'funkiest' little neighborhood bars/eateries in the city. I remember hearing people say that they were crazy for opening an establishment on a section of Allen Street that no one would support. They said that people wouldn't go there to eat grilled panini sandwiches and drink beers the likes of Flying Bison. You can't just open a corner pub/eatery when nothing else is happening in the neighborhood. Sure, you have the 'Old Pink' and Brick Bar down there. Sure people love those bars. They have been there for many, many years and are staples on the street. They add a cool element to Allen. Just like Hogs 'n Heffers adds a cool element to the Meat Packing District (above the West Village in NYC.) But a place that sells martinis? No Way. Well, Hardware's owner, Mark Golman, opened his 'dream restaurant' regardless of what the naysayers were saying.

As a frequent customer of the Everything Special restaurant across the street, Goldman was inspired when one day took notice of the then-empty building that had housed Allen Street Hardware since the 1920s. He believed that that turning that space into something unique and functional could have a big impact on the neighborhood. Goldman knows what he's talking about. He is credited for spearheading much of the turn around that occurred on Chippewa Street in the early 1990's. As the owner of the former Calumet, which first began bringing crowds to Chippewa with it's memorable live music shows, he still has a vested interest in Chippewa as owner of Luna and 3rd Room. Golman is so well-regarded for his urban revitalization know-how, in fact, that he often teaches a class on the subject at NYU, and has been known to fly there once a week to teach students what he has learned and accomplished in the real world. - Excerpt from J.L.Rung, Buffalo Rising Writer.

So here we are a year later, and hopefully a year wiser. Hardware is currently attracting some of the best musicians in the area on a regular basis. Their panini sandwiches are off the hook. They are movers of Flying Bison Beer and shakers of some damn good martinis. I am pretty sure that Mark has a couple more tricks up his sleeves. Happy anniversary Hardware. -Produced by queenseyes and posted by figmo.

ASHC is located at 245 Allen Street @ College.