The Huntress! A West Side Warrior! A Little Engine That Could!

Friends, this is what incremental small scale development looks like. Today @whatspopinpopcorn has their grand opening. 🎉 

As of today, just over a year later, the Huntress (yes, that is her name) is operating at full speed on Chenango and W. Ferry. She’s a West Side warrior. She’s timeless and fierce. A champion of small business. A little engine that could. This Titan Titan is the home of three businesses and a house. Three small businesses who took the leap to make their dreams come true. 

I love little buildings like this. They contribute so much to our world yet are often overlooked for larger bigger projects because they’re not as shiny or new. But these little neighborhood buildings matter so much more to our community. They contribute to our walkability, our tax base and our local employment and make our neighborhood more livable and lovable. 

The photos tell a story over one year. A spectacular apartment renovation, getting the storefronts up to speed, doing pop up dinners and art shows to gain momentum. Getting @whatspopinpopcorn @topcoatnaillounge and @theblackbirdsphotography up and running... and photos of most of the people who helped make it happen. 

I have to thank @maggiemayham for finding it, @littlewheelhustle for the muscle, @kylemgregory for answering my last minute call and believing in me, @theblackbirdsphotography for not thinking I was crazy and taking beautiful photos, @austin_dianaa @whatspopinpopcorn and @topcoatnaillounge for inspiring me with their hustle and commitment and @rudeboyzartworks for hunkering down in the beginning with us which kept us going while we figured some things out. 

This isn’t a perfect building. We made mistakes that we turned into lessons for next time. But this is how it happens... one foot in front of another. More importantly, this is how is has to happen for Buffalo to grow and be a more sustainable and resilient community. 

Join us today at the Grand Opening! If you can’t, try to support these businesses when you can. 

With all our hearts and all the buffalove, 

Bernice and the Buffalove squad. #fivepoints #westside #buffalo ##popcorn #incrementaldevelopment