With the help of urban activists Sue ‘Frenchy’ Cholewa and Mark ‘Joe’s Station’ Kubiniec, Amherst Street is seeing another progressive business owner open its doors. Michael Mayalt (left), owner of M4 Real Estate has purchased a property next door to Crozoo at 495 Amherst Street with the intentions of opening his real estate business inside. “I’ve been leasing space in Williamsville for the last ten years,” he told me. “Now I’m buying into an area where I can afford to buy and fix up a beautiful house… I want to help affect change in this neighborhood and am happy to do my part to contribute to the community.”
Not only is Michael in the midst of fixing up this property, he is also planning on hosting a gallery opening next weekend in his space. After speaking with Mark and Sue he volunteered to let artists Angela McCormack (right) and Carrie Czumak use his conversion for a juried event that will take place next weekend. “We’re going to have a mixed media show,” Angela said. “There will be ten artists whose work ranges from photography, prints, jewelry, ceramic and drawing. Our Buffalo State student coalition of ceramic designers was just recognized by the University Student Government (USG), so we’re especially excited for this opening.”
The first floor of 495 Amherst is undergoing a serious overhaul. The last business to occupy the place was a wallpaper business in which the owners lived on the second floor. “The building has been vacant for at least ten years,” Michael told me. “It was in terrible shape when I first purchased it. I’m restoring the wood floors, the wainscoting, the original hanging light fixtures, and I’m replacing the boarded up backdrop display with glass that will open up the interior to the street. I’m also building a conference room out of recycled antique glass that will go well with the original transom windows. As for the second floor… that’s being fixed up into a gorgeous single-apartment with wood floors, three bedrooms, walk-up cedar closet, and the original fixtures ($750 including heat and two-car garage). The interior of the apartment is on-par with what you would expect to find on Richmond Avenue. I’ve been buying investment properties in the area, so it only made sense that I relocate my business here.”
As we walked around the house, the bells of Our Lady of Black Rock church chimed in the distance. After covering a number of these types of stories over the last two years, it is clear to see that there is a continued interest in Amherst Street that just keeps growing stronger. With Lightmakers moving into Frenchy’s (middle) storefront, Nick’s Place diner across the street, Crozoo, Artsphere Studio & Gallery etc., Black Rock is looking bright. So make sure that you stop by M4 Real Estate next Friday night (between Elmwood and Grant) for the Black and White opening art reception. Guests are encouraged to wear a costume, or dress in black and white. Friday the 26th from 6-9pm, and then the show will be open for viewing next Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. In the meantime, if you’re looking to rent a sweet apartment or are in need of a discount property broker, send Michael an email.