Building Buffalo

Artist’s and Models was a NOT TO MISSED event on Buffalo’s social calendar for decades. And now it’s back after a 12-year absence. This year’s highly anticipated event is set to take place at the Niagara Frontier Food Terminal on Saturday July 18. In order to get a clearer picture about what Artists and Models means to Buffalo, I sat down with the team behind the vision – lead image L-R: Marty McGee, Tony Billoni, Jason Rowley, and David Butler. [...]

Local clothing designer, Olivia Chillemi, has launched her first line of clothing, inspired by her love of ballet. Vita Mia is Olivia’s answer to the dressy-casual look, with a clothing line that she feels is elegant, beautiful, strong, and confident. By bucking fast fashion trends, Olivia hopes that women appreciate the love and care that goes into each of her looks, while also appealing to those who are proud to be supporting the local fashion community. While speaking with Olivia, [...]

For years, I’ve been palling around with the owner of Trattoria Aroma (Aroma on Bryant), Dave Cosentino. I first met Dave when we sat on the board of Forever Elmwood, which is now the Elmwood Village Association. We share a passion for the Elmwood Village, where we live, Buffalo in general, and Western New York as a whole. More recently, Dave introduced me to a newfound friend, Valerio Valentini, Founder/CEO of ValVal Wine Imports. Since meeting, the two have not [...]

Following the closure of Braymiller Market, developer Rocco Termini reached out me to say that he would like to join together with his friend, developer Paul Ciminelli, to discuss the state of downtown, post-pandemic. Earlier, I conducted podcast with Braymiller owner, Stuart Green, which prompted Rocco to reach out, so that he too could join the conversation. Therefore, I agreed to host the audio discussion, which is as follows. The Building Buffalo podcast is meant to spur conversations about this city that [...]

In this “Building Buffalo” podcast, Braymiller Market owner Stuart Green and developer Paul Ciminelli discuss the issues the led up to the closing of the market. The discussion also revolves around the state of downtown Buffalo post pandemic. While the this is not our typical “Building Buffalo” podcast, it’s important to have these types of discussions, so that we can continue to navigate forward. Later in the week we will be posting yet another podcast regarding the market, featuring Paul [...]

For anyone who has ever thought about biking in Buffalo, GObike Buffalo is the organization that leads the way towards creating the safest streets possible. That said, there are other cities that are way, way ahead of Buffalo when it comes to engaging bike safety measures. While we have certainly won some hard-fought battles, cars are still king of the road in the Queen City on the Lake. Does it have to be that way? Recently, I had an opportunity [...]

The world of national and international competitive rowing in Buffalo has reached new heights, under the banner of Row Buffalo. The rowing organization, officially founded during the 2023 rowing season, rose out of Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association (BSRA), according to head coach RJ Rubino. Place podcast here. With over 100 athletes on the roster, Row Buffalo is making waves regionally, as well as on national rowing circuits. “In its 150 years of competitive rowing, 2024 signaled the largest group of [...]

Chef Valentina “Val” Garcia Montaño and Dr. Michael Stanley Gallisdorfer are two parts of one whole. Together they deliver a kind of soul food for the spirit at Cucina Restaurant at The Richardson Hotel. Chef Val’s creative touch is matched by Michael’s words, telling the story of Buffalo today… through dinner. Focusing on food alone forgets the secret essence of dinner, social gathering and storytelling, defining our lives with each other. The heart of each dish Chef Val creates is [...]

Thanks for tuning into the Building Buffalo podcast. This week, we’re discussing a project that I am really looking forward to. I believe that 42 North Brewing Company’s new tasting room in the Wurlitzer Building (more recently, Tent City) is going to help beckon a ‘new day’ for Main Street. A project like this will not only attract throngs of beer and food lovers to Theater District, it’s also going to demonstrate the need for more versatile businesses that are [...]

The latest Building Buffalo podcast features Buffalo Go Green founder, executive director and CEO Allison DeHonney, and Director of Operations, Marilyn Rodgers. In the podcast, we discuss the future of The East Side’s first-ever holistic wellness center (and campus) that includes components such as a new indoor food production system, including a hydroponic system that will provide herbs and vegetables to the community year round, a teaching kitchen, and a community building. From servicing mobile markets to empowering urban farm [...]

The latest Building Buffalo podcast features Kyle Ciminelli, who was recently named President, Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation. Kyle is now working alongside his father Paul, now Chief Executive Officer of the company. Kyle Ciminelli brings with him, a number of assets and insights. Upon returning from New York City, where he worked at Newmark Group, Inc. – a world leader in commercial real estate – Kyle managed to form an alliance between Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation and Newmark Group, Inc. This [...]

This episode of Building Buffalo is dedicated to the art of magic, as it pertains to Buffalo. In this podcast, I am joined by physical geographer Dr. Michael Stanley Gallisdorfer, and Buffalo’s very own masterful magician, Garrett Thomas. Garrett appeared on the hit TV show Penn & Teller Fool Us in 2020, where he won, fooling Penn and Teller with some sleight-of-hand with a ring. For over 30 years, Garrett has been working his magic in Buffalo, and beyond. Not only does [...]

Every district has a cheerleader or two. In Black Rock, it’s Sue Cholewa. For upwards of 20 years, Sue has been fighting for, and investing in, Black Rock. She’s seen a lot of ups and downs, yet has always remained upbeat about district. I give a lot of credit to Sue, who has been a stalwart activist in Black Rock, especially along Amherst Street. Her enthusiasm for Black Rock as a whole is palpable, as you will soon find out. [...]

In the inaugural episode of Buffalo Rising’s latest series, Building Buffalo, we are excited to present a dialogue led by BR Co-Founder, Author, and our host, Newell Nussbaumer. Newell is joined by Frits Abell – a well-known preservationist, dreamer, doer, business person, and urbanist with a profound love and understanding of Buffalo’s unique urban landscape. After much anticipation, Frits made his way to the Buffalo Rising studio for a fireside chat that promised to delve into the intricacies of Buffalo’s [...]

In this podcast episode, BR co-founder and author, Newell Nussbaumer, recounts his experience visiting North Tonawanda and how it could serve as a blueprint for downtown Buffalo’s revitalization efforts. Newell Nussbaumer sits down with esteemed guests, real estate developer Paul Ciminelli and North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec, for a discussion on the achievements of North Tonawanda’s downtown core and its potential to ignite revitalization in downtown Buffalo. Key Points Discussed: Rethinking Urban Space: The discussion highlights the need to convert existing [...]