I remember going to visit my grandparents who lived in a rear cottage on Plymouth Avenue. Every so often my grandfather would say, “Go store?” and I would happily comply. It was 1958 and we would walk to the corner store on Connecticut Street where he would buy me a Mallo Cup for a whopping five cents and carry on a conversation with the store owner in Sicilian. I had no idea what they were talking about and these conversations would last at least a half-hour, but it was an extremely good day for any five-year old.
Neighborhood stores were the backbone of community back then. A place to grab a quart of milk, a newspaper, a couple of pounds of sausage, and all the penny candy a kid could want. They were the center of news and plans for bigger and better things. And that’s how the “West Side Babes” started their quest for a full-service neighborhood.
You see, Robin Johnson, the owner of Vilardo Printing was considering moving her business out of the West Side back in 2001. Linda Chiarenza of West Side Neighborhood Housing Services (WSNHS) would have none of that and the two became partners in creating the Connecticut Street Association (CSA). The CSA and these two are hell bent on improving housing, and the business climate, as well. Like Linda says, “You can’t just develop housing without a place to grab a quart of milk nearby.”
Connecticut Street was once a thriving area filled with small businesses that served their surrounding community, anchored on the Niagara Street end by the Connecticut Street Armory, and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The street was also the site of the first St Anthony’s Festival back in 1976, that later moved to Hertel Avenue and is now known as the Italian Heritage Festival.
That’s the atmosphere the “Babes” aimed for and it’s happening! They formed the CSA in 2001 with 40 participants, both business owners and residents, at the first meeting. Business retention and development is a main focus and has been successful with the following victories:
– Turn around of four vacant lots into community gardens (one was recently purchased by the Greater Buffalo Savings Bank for their new location on Connecticut Street)
– Recently two well-known restauranteurs purchased vacant properties and are currently restoring them – one as a mixed use property with four upscale apartments and a storefront, the other as a new restaurant to be announced.
– The solid retention of anchor stores that have occupied their spaces for decades, such a Mineo & Sapio’s and Robin’s Vilardo Printing.
– In response to D’Youville College’s warnings to their students of the dangers of venturing too far onto Connecticut Street, Linda and Robin met with the administration to ask what was needed to make things better. The result was a strong partnership that overcame the administration’s and student fears, bringing with it new street lights and subsequent new student housing.
– The afore mentioned new Greater Buffalo Savings Bank, whose starting point was Linda’s jewel after she heard Andrew Dorn, President and CEO, speak about the need to enter communities.
– The relocation of Flowers, Etc. from Elmwood Avenue.
– An all-out street effort that included businesses and residents for graffiti abatement.
– Their partnership also includes working with the local police, courts, and District Attorney.
Robin and Linda work both sides of the “Broken Windows Theory” and also use Linda’s expertise from her work with WSNHS in the remediation of area homes and lives. In the Essex Street Project, WSNHS provided a $200,000 investment in four properties, demolishing one front structure and one rear structure, and providing the new owners with a larger greenspace for their enjoyment. All four properties were subsequently sold and the street experiences their own successes due to the new home ownership.
The partnership between these two women continues, both making use of their skills and connections throughout the city. A local resident, Steve Polowitz, dubbed these two “The West Side Babes” as they planned and conceived the future of Connecticut Street.
Working smart, this Dynamic Duo keeps “keepin’ on” with seminars and promotion of positive solutions for individuals and businesses. Use of the NeighborWorks Program through WSNHS allows for sustained home revitalization and restoration. This Saturday, September 29th, WSNHS will host a Foreclosure Prevention Seminar at 372 Connecticut Street from 10 – 4. The seminar will also host Congressman Higgins and provide one-on-one counseling. They also promote the NeighborWorks Hope Line at 888-995-HOPE for those with mortgage issues.
As both the “Babes” have stated, they are working hand-in-hand to bring about a catalyst for change. They hope to share their experience with everyone in order to prevent dwelling on negatives and provide a clear focus for the future.
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