Best View in Town "Windows on Buffalo"

If you've never been to Buffalo City Hall's Observation Deck, known as 'Window's on Buffalo', you've been missing the best view in town.

Buffalo City Hall, completed in 1931 in Art Deco style is one of the largest City Halls in the nation. It's observation deck has recently been updated with local information on old and new Buffalo. While there, you can view photos of old downtown from years past, and learn area history. If you're unfamilar with the area or new in town, photos of current Buffalo are also provided with names of buildings and public spaces. A great first stop to bring any new comers in town.

One thing of note; On a clear day, you can literaly look straight over Niagara Street and see the mist and skyline of Niagara Falls in the distance. This space is open to the public for viewing Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 5pm (except Holiday). And it's FREE. Simply take an elevator to the 25Th. floor and walk three short flights to enjoy this amazing view.

Crime and Corruption

This afternooon, I left my house early in the morning on my day off to run some errands and then head off to my favorite cafe' downtown for a breakfast sandwich on a croissant with coffee. Then after checking my emails and event RSVP's, proceeded to check the local news (Buffalo News). Come to my surprise and what do I see? A photo of a guy in cuffs being escorded by police and a headline titled, "POLICE COMMISSION MEMBER ARRESTED IN COCAINE BUST'. Mind you, in a city where it's the norm to hear about corruption on someone at City Hall, now it's the men in charge of those who are suppost to be getting the very scum bags off our streets who is doing the crime? Where do we draw the line? Who is watching the wather? No wonder many people in this town are so untrustworthy of anyone in charge and of each other.
Link to story:
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/buffalo/artical356779.ece

Reasons to Stay in Downtown Buffalo, NY

Whether it's your first or tenth time staying in downtown Buffalo. It'll never disappoint if you like to have fun, eat and be adventurous. No matter where you stay in the downtown area, there is something for everyone withen walking distance or quick metro ride (free fare zone) away.

Here are just a few of my favorite things to do when I'm downtown:

1. Theater District - Over a dozen live theaters in and around Main Street's Theatre District with a variety of choices to chose from no matter what time of year it is. If film is more your cup of tea, check out the Market Arcade Film & Arts Center for both independent and mainstream movies.


2. Architecture and Tours - No matter where you look, you're going to come across some amazing architecture that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. From the Guaranty Building to Ellicott Square to Buffalo City Hall to Shea's Performing Arts Center, grand archiecture is everywhere to be found in Buffalo. Be sure to take advantage of a free tour of City Hall every weekday at noon that ends with a magnificent view of the city on the 28th. floor observation deck called 'Windows on Buffalo' or enjoy it anytime Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm.

3. Shopping - Enjoy unique one of kind shopping in downtown's historic Allentown and Elmwood Village neighborhoods. From the very trendy and chick to the casual and not so casual shopper. Everything from name brand to local designed clothing, art work, foods, toys and more. Hungry from all the shopping? Be sure to check out any of the eateries and upscale lounges open late in the evening from Nektar, Spot Coffee, Wine Thief, Toro and more.

4. Nightlife - With last call at 4am, you can party at just about any hour in Buffalo. With the main party avenue being Chippewa Street, known as the 'Buffalo Entertainment District', you have a variety of dance, lounge, pubs, cafe's, upscale to casual, dance lessons and more. In the northern section of downtown, be sure to check out Allentown along Allen Street and it's many side streets for a more local atmosphere. From daily drink specials, to meal specials and of course, check out the famous, Anchor Bar for nightly LIVE events and of course try some 'original Buffalo Wings' where they were invented in 1964.

5. Festivals and Events - Buffalo is known as a party city and city of festivals. Many of the regions festivals take place in the downtown core all year long. From the Taste of Buffalo, Allentown Art Festival, National Wing Festival, sporting and concerts at HSBC Arena, Bisons baseball at Coca Cola Field, free concerts along the waterfron and Lafayette Square for Thursday at the Square and many more. You will always come across something fun to do while staying downtown.

http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/

Market Arcade Retail Ready

MARKET ARCADE RETAIL READY

By Giovanni Centurione

(as seen on www.BuffaloRising.com 1/19/2010)

With recent talks about downtown retail space, one needs to look no further than the original Mini Mall of Downtown Buffalo. The Market Arcade at 617 Main Street, located in the heart of our Theater District has over 600 square feet of space on the first floor, with countless 2nd and 3rd floor spaces available.

Completed in 1892 as a passage way from Main to the Washington Market District (between Ellicott & Washington) the Market Arcade was a true mini mall with small retailers ranging from flower shops, jewelery stores, hair salons, clothing, and more. All the things we need today and the spaces that can provide these amenities are still here.

Completely renovated in the early 1990's to it's original glory, the building is now anchored by the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitor's Bureau and Visitor Center, CEPA Gallery, Preservation Buffalo Niagara and many others. There is still plenty of room for small start-up retailers to come in and test the downtown market. As mentioned in a previous BR Post, the way to bring retail back downtown is to start off small. This building has the small spaces and is accessible from both Main and Washington Streets.

The former Ya Ya Brew-house next door (part of the Market Arcade Complex) is in final negotiations for lease to a restaurant (stay tuned on that). The main lobby was very busy when Fera's Cafe (moved to the Electric Tower) occupied the now vacant space. A cafe or small snack bar would do wonders to bring people back to the main lobby. Seating and tables are available in the lobby (left), or a new owner could make room for customer seating inside.
Rents vary; higher on the first floor, and less on the second and third floors. There is even the possibility of FREE rent while renovations take place for your space/s. The building comes with security and is open daily, so new tenants can be open on weekends or late at night.
If the Market Arcade can get just five or six retailers in here, think of the difference it would make to the building and the Theater District as a whole.

Get connected:
Hunt Commercial Real Estate
Christopher J. Malachowski
716.880.1914

Chayban's Men's Suits & Custom Tailoring- Downtown Buffalo!

Chayban's Men's Suits & Custom Tailoring-Downtown

By Giovanni Centurione

(as seen on www.BuffaloRising.com 12/16/09)

A longtime business owner with over 37 years of experience expanded to the Ellicott Square Building this past September. Chayban Chayban of Chayban's Custom Tailoring has been tailoring since the age of 11 in Tripoli, Lebanon. Mr. Chayban moved to the U.S. in 1973 to Buffalo with only $50 in his pocket. Within two weeks, he got his first job on Elmwood Avenue as a tailor.

In 1978, he and his wife opened their first Chayban's Custom Tailor Shop on Elmwood. Since then, great sales has spread through word of mouth, and the stores have also spread all over Western New York, with locations at the Galleria Mall, McKinley Mall, Transit Road in Lancaster & Williamsville, Elmwood, and now the Ellicott Square Building in the heart of Downtown Buffalo.

What makes the Ellicott Square location so unique? You can get a brand new suit by names such as Burberry, Prada, Louis Vuitton and more. There are vintage suits, vests and leather jackets in mint condition, designer hats, raincoats, dress shoes, all for half the price of what you would pay anywhere else. Also, if you want a one-of-a-kind suit made from scratch, just choose from any of the many fabrics in the store, get sized up and you have your own suit - made just for you.

From leather repair, alterations, dry cleaning, weaving, and custom made clothing, doesn't matter where you purchased it, just bring it to Chayban's and have it fixed. Find a one-of-a-kind outfit in the Chayban store and it just doesn't fit exactly right? You can have it fitted on the spot.

The downtown Chayban's is owned by both Mr. Chayban and his son, Joe. Both guys have a great eye for fashion and are very helpful in finding just the right look to fit your personality. I believe this is the only store currently located downtown where you can find a suit and big named designers under one roof. It's definitely worth the trip. And ladies, you can come in too if you need alterations, leather repair, weaving, dry cleaning, and you can get a gift certificate for that special man in your life.

Because Chayban's location of the Ellicott Square building faces Main Street, you can park for free right in front of the store. This is the ONLY block along the Pedestrian Mall that allows auto traffic, so take advantage of it. Also, if you spend a thousand dollars or more, you will automatically receive a free gift certificate for $100.

Chayban's Men's Suits & Custom Tailoring

Ellicott Square Building - Suite 123A
295 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
716.854.2055
Mon Fri 10AM-5PM

http://www.chaybans.com/

(Models Top pic left-right: John, Jeremy & Zachary of Buffalo, NY)

Holiday Discounts at Weisberg's Jewelers

Holiday Discounts at Weisberg's Jewelers

By Giovanni Centurione

(as seen on www.BuffaloRising.com 12/14/09)

Looking for a gift that will last a lifetime?
Weisberg's Jewelers, one of downtown Buffalo's oldest jewelry stores is offering big discounts right now through the holiday season. All gold pieces are now 50 percent off, and diamond rings are anywhere from 20-30 percent off. This is only from now till December 24th.

Upon entering the store, it's hard to decide just where to begin. There are large display cases and wall displays full of men's and women's watches, earrings, rings, necklace's, bracelets, pins, and more. And after you make your choice, the staff can do personal engravings and customize your items if needed.


A neat little background on Weisberg's is that it has been in Downtown Buffalo since 1914. They have always had a presence on Main Street, and were one of the original retailers in the Main Place Mall until 2001, when they moved to the current Court Street location. Owner, Ed Wicks has been with the business since 1963, and he can tell you anything you'd like to know about --from diamonds, to gold, to Downtown.

Weisberg Jewelers
11 Court Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
716.854.0086
Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

The Gift Loft at the Main Place Mall

The Gift Loft at the Main Place Mall

By

Giovanni Centurione

If you're a last minute holiday shopper like, me, then you must check out The Gift Loft, located in the Main Place Mall. The loft has a wide variety of items, from Buffalo related gifts to unique home and office pieces.
Owner, Edwin Jablonski (that's his design, above) opened this new retail location in late August after eyeing Downtown for some time. The store is located on the ground floor fronting Main Street with an entrance on Main Street, as well as from inside the Mall. There is a great window display along Main Street that changes often, and the store is huge!
The Gift Loft is THE place to find original T-shirts and hats, designed and printed by Edwin and his family, for only $10 each. Among the variety of design choices, there are shirts that pay homage to The Aud, the Buffalo Logo, Buffalo Bills, the Polish, the Irish and more. Also, if you're looking for a poster of the city, a book, calendar, or postcard, this place has them all.
Know that this store doesn't carry only Buffalo related items. The Gift Loft also has a wide selection of amusing coffee mugs, beer mugs, jewelry, scarves, ties, winter hats, picture frames, wine glasses - and new items come in every other week.
It's a great place to shop for a family member, friend, co-worker, or yourself this holiday and beyond.

The Gift Loft - Main Place Mall - 400 Main Street - Buffalo, NY 14202
716.854.GIFT (4438)
Open Mon - Sat. 9AM-5:30PM
(Free Parking under Main Place Mall on Saturdays)