Buffalo Rising Online

isnt this gonna end up looking a whole lot better than any of the present wilsonfarms look like? sometimes its like people complain not just cuz they dont like something...but because they feel personally violated when somebody doesnt ask their permission

Its unfortunate that a smaller private convenience store owner like the Elmwood Market, went out of their way to make sure to design a facade that was in good context with the community - a real awning, appropriate signage, windows you can see through, etc... Yet we have accept this fake stone, fake stucco, pointless awning, crappy signage, probably fake windows, shit from the biggest/richest company on the street.

Even more disappointing is that I think they work with TRM architects, who is supposed to be a pretty reputable local firm.

An improvement...perhps. But, at the same time......why sell ourselves short.

I have to agree with the above posts. This IS an improvement from how it used to look. So what if it didn't go through the planning board, Very smart on Wilson Farms end, they probably already know what a slow ass process that would of been. And then they're are people who will say NO to anything they wanted to do anyways. At least they are not tearing any more buildings down, just an improvement to make it more bright and modern.

And when has the general public ever agreed on anything in this town? Maby that's the problem with this area. We let the public decide what is best for EVERYTHING from a new coat of paint to a new business coming in. Maby if we had a set standard already, let it get approved by the city and developers (that has to be re-worked first) and just allow progress to happen with out the long public meetings which always ends the same "not in my back yard, or that's too modern, it'll block my view, why can't it be like this" blah, blah, blah. I can only see a reason for the public to get involved when it comes to BIG Projets such as the Peace Bridge or Inner Harbor, not a small corner business. Get over it.

No this compaint is perfectly reasonable. The location this store is in demands it to be more walkable and pedestrian friendly if wilson farms doesnt want to comply then closeup. Do u have anyt idea how much business tis store gets? It is always packed! Im sure there are several retail operations litle groceries that would love this spot to build upon teh sucess of this stretch of elmwood..

WHy do we always sell ourselves short? This area is one of our only success stories in this area...maybe we should trust the elmwood village in their demands for a new store built up to the street.

So companies should just be allowed to bypass public opinion for the sake of expediency? Sounds a lot like a dictatorship than a democracy. Sad truth is we the people are supposed to have a voice about what happens in our community and country. Ya know, those basic rights that people fought independence for. Sorry if some people or businesses don't like the process set out before them but they shouldn't have the right to just up and ignore them.

Either way, will it look better.. nope will it look newer, yea. Newer isn't always better. I could build a brand new McDonald's on the street. Sure it is new, would still look just as bad. This is modern by 1992 suburban strip malls standards. hardly something great or even 'ok' for Buffalo's premier strip.

If they aren't changing the building footprint and just altering the facade there isn't a Planning Board role. Unless the property is in a preservation district, just a building permit is required. WFarms could have reached out to the community, but obviously doesn't care what the public thinks. All the more reason to get those Elmwood Village design guidelines passed with a more thorough review process.

Public input would be an endless loop of rediculous commands. From Tear down and build a new prettier buliding at the sidewalk. To transform into a Traders Joes. The complaints (ideas) would never end and in the end they might just get fed up and close up shop. Why should they ask for public input? No one in this town (esp elmwood) is happy with anything but impossible dreams. Public input prevented a hotel already.

And I'm excited something new is coming to the bagel place (any idea what it is?)

what's the big deal. People just love to complain about every little thing.

Why don't we complain about the former Courtyard Mall on Main Street? Now that's something to complain about, less windows, brick wall and a Parol office on the first floor. That deserved pubic input, but it's too late. And we are actaully complaining about a renovated store front that is only improving itself.

There are so many other issues on Elmwood people should worry about. The high turnover ration of small business for example. Maybe by the time they open to everyones approval and input they are broke to stay a float.

Stop sticking your noses up everyones ass(business) and worry about your own problems!!! How dare people not ask for your opinion!!!??? Maybe because a business such as Wilson Farms doesn't want to hear comments about their brand store look from people who don't know anything about running a business, anything about construction and material cost, or anything about maintaining a brand! Stick to your own work, or would you like input on that as well?

That's the nicest looking Wilson Farms I've ever seen. I like it.

What is the problem. They put in some phony windows and glued on some synthetic stone. That is about all that would have been asked of then anyway.

Those saying that this is a massive improvement to this site are missing the real problem aspect of this Wilson Farms. It is not the building that is an eyesore. It is the gigantic parking lot bordered by another gigantic parking lot that is the problem. Glue on all the crap you want to this store and you still have a street killing presence here.

If this site and the adjacent site were redeveloped with urban density (up to the street and at least 3 floors) and parking at the rear this block would become a magnet for activity and retail

The new design looks great - what more do you want them to do?

If this went to public process, we would be stuck with the old design for the next 10 yrs.....

Its about time....JUST DO IT!

Where in the drawing is the screaming lady and the one homeless guy always asking for money??

Looks better than it does now. It would be nice is they could tear down the crap house on the right of the wilson farms and move the store closer to Auburn. Open up the parking lot a little more on the left of Wilsons.

Where in the drawing is the screaming lady and the one homeless guy always asking for money??

Looks better than it does now. It would be nice is they could tear down the crap house on the right of the wilson farms and move the store closer to Auburn. Open up the parking lot a little more on the left of Wilsons.

WCP - to your 1st point.... not necessarily. If the project is over $80K, it would still have to go through Planning Board. This thing probably costs $79,999.99

they can't take the concrete sidewalk in front of the building to the street?

At least building this ugly and cheap does not make the wilson farms much more invested. I could see this coming down 5-8 years from now.

This is so classic all the way around - BRO should use it as a "typical" story/posts.

Steel - - - "Street killing presence"??? Please explain...

I cannot believe that Justin Azzarella is actually complaining about a lack of a public process! Perhaps he should be consulted if Wilson Farms wants to change the prices on their coffee, too. The problem with this city is that everyone--or damn near everyone--wants to have a say. It's this sort of selfish behavior that spurns any great economic development. The city is not "business-friendly"--no wonder companies aren't pounding on the door. Perhaps we could focus on the real issues at hand rather than the roof of Wilson Farms. Get real, people!

Elmwood is successful because people care and get involved. This store is a moneymaker and it is foolish for Wilson Farms to not involve the community that supports them. As for the turnover on Elmwood, think of it as a business incubator allowing many different ideas to be tried in the marketplace.

Please... look what the hell communtiy involvement did for Pano's fu&^%$# eye sore and that pile of used bricks from the DORMAUTH that's being passed off as a museum.

In defense of corporate citizen and neighbor Wilson Farms, they have more community involvement then any other business on Elmwood. In fact, I heard that this location is their most successful anywhere. They deal one on one and face to face with the public seven days a week. The biggest vote of confidence comes from a community voting with their hard earned dollars.

How do you get to know your community better than handing them the milk for their children, or the beer for their Saturday night party, or by cashing their paycheck? That's about as intimate as you can get.

Thanks Wilson Farms for demonstrating your appreciation for all of our "votes" by reinvesting in your location.

Do you really think that the owners or whatever company owns wilson farms really cares about that area anyway, they do not have to do anything to the building if you think about it, this is an improvement (look at the many buildings on the strip with no such luck)! I think we should take what we can get in this case. The Wilson Farms is ugly and a dated looking eye soar that I would not shop at if I had a reasonably priced competitor that was just as convenient. We need to get the person responsible for that VOID near wilson farms to fix that up first..maybe make that some usable space? maybe a whole foods or premier foods? Then maybe their would be a reason to complain about the crappy planning at WF

Don't blame the business when the city has no adopted design guidelines. The only people to blame are EVA people who have not put enough pressure on to adopt guidelines and the City administration.

What someone should do to "raise the bar" or meet YOUR needs is different from what they are OBLIGATED to do. Last I checked, a roofing permit does not require a public hearing, neither do building improvements that do not result in changes in the site plan, which this is not. This is a simple facade improvement that likely involved only a building permit.

And give me a break anyway, what they've done is basically better than what was there. Wilson Farms was never selling that site, never moving the building and allowing the neighbor dictators tell them how to design a new building. EVA and the residents in this case got what they created, you reap what you sow.

Please, this project isn't about WF reinvesting in this location.... Its about WF making sure that they have the same exact stale, cookie cutter look at every one of their locations. You need to speak to some of the small business owners who interact directly, on a daily basis with their customers in the neighborhood because they're in their shop 80 hours a week providing personal service before you say that the owners of Wilson Farms are the most involved with the Elmwood Village community. Just because WF has enormous sales at this location, that doesn't mean anything about how they feel about being a part of the community. you wait in line 5 minutes to buy your milk, hand them money and leave. Elmwood Merchants spend a hell of a lot of time and effort going out of their way to understand and care about their customers. EV merchants have also spent far more, relative to their overall income, on making sure their storefronts are attractive and fitting to the community context with nice signage, expensive awnings, real storefront windows, attractive paint schemes, etc etc.... To allow this big company to make a half assed effort at installing a cookie cutter facade to fit a corporate image rather than the attractive neighborhood, is an insult to every other small business on Elmwood.

Do you really think most Elmwood Business owners, like some of the posters here, just say, "whelp, this looks better than the shithole that my storefront was before, so I guess its good enough for the neighborhood."

But I guess because we're development starved Buffalo that any change, no matter what, is a good improvement, and how dare us tell some corporation (Who would never leave their most profitable location, by the way) otherwise

PaulBuffalo,

Personally I think their modesty is a classy touch. Conspicuous consumption to reflect ones personal successes wouldn't mesh with the progressive fabric of the Upper West Side.

They should be forced to add a fake second floor. They could use it for storage of the propane tanks.

ditto leadi - - - 100%

What a missed oppurtunity :(

You people are insane..."they should be forced to add a second floor"??? They should be forced to bring the building to the curb? Seriously? This is one of the craziest BRO conversation threads ever!

This entire thread is a great example of what is wrong with Buffalo, NY! It is a friggin Wilson Farms store...that is all. You would think someone is building in the historic section of Charleston, SC or somewhere like that! With a city that has so many problems out there, why is this even an issue? Unbelievable.

Exactly, Junkie....

Would anybody else like to revisit old complaints about how awful it was that EVA was encouraging Bank of America and the Lexington Coop to do multistory structures pulled up to the sidewalk, when the typical model for each of those types of businesses calls for single story and parking fully visible in the front??? Each of those ended up listening to EVA and the community.... how awful, huh??? How dare EVA continue that type of obstructionism by encouraging better development. I guess many of you think Elmwood would be better off if the original plans for both of those buildings just went through without a word from EVA. Maybe Elmwood would be a far better place if EVA and the community just dropped their higher standards like some of the comments on this site.

If there was a public process for Wilson Farms, perhaps we could have reached a similar result as those two great, recent projects. It is a missed opportunity.

The Lexington Coop is doing phenomenal business, by the way.

This stretch of elmwood is one of the most walkable and vibrant areas in this region why not build upon past successes instead of just settling for the stats quo

how has this stupid thread gotten 3x the number of responses as a possible development plan for the am&as warehouse?!

No actually rydog- both the bank of america and co-op were new builds

BoA and the Co-op are completely different stories. The Co-op would do whatever its minions would tell it to do and their minions will contrinue to shop their till the end of time.

And the BoA building was already to the curb. They didn't tear down a old building and move 50 feet foward. They face-lifted an old bulding.

WF is a very nice store adn I'm glad they are there. They pretty much have whatever I need (at an affordable price) and I can walk to it.

no they tore down an old building but that is besides the point...the point is that this wilson farms could be rebuild to the curb and benefit not only the store but the entire elmwood village community

No actually rydog- both the bank of america and co-op were new builds

Um, the Coop actually tore down a set-back building and built up at the street. I'm not sure you could really come up with a closer comparison.

And they're not surviving today based upon their "minions." They have expanded their customer base like crazy, myself included.

Um, the Coop actually tore down a set-back building and built up at the street. I'm not sure you could really come up with a closer comparison.

And they're not surviving today based upon their "minions." They have expanded their customer base like crazy, myself included.

CO OP would benefit from those customers that just dont like the dirty WF no matter what - I would pay a little more for a better shopping experience esp since the CO OP stands for something good and its right across the street. something else, WF customer service is worth bringing up.. esp when the employees blow cig smoke in your face right before you walk in.. Maybe changing employees to fit an image would be a good thing too (not just the outside)..

mbhxam. that was sarcasm. I think the design isn't great and could be better but rather than elaborating everything I feel on this I'll jt say see what Kip said....

BTW would it kill BRO to put up a feature to allow users to delete there own duplicate comments?

I think the real story here isn't about Wilson Farms. Sure, they could do more, but they're improving their storefront. Fine.

The real story is the EVA was apparently expecting Wilson Farms to come to them for input. That approach might work if you're dealing with an individual small business owner, but it seems unlikely to work with a corporation. That the EVA was taken by surprise indicates more about them than about Wilson Farms.

I'm actually only posting because I made a bet this thread would get to 70 comments by 8...I still have hope

I'm actually only posting because I made a bet this thread would get to 70 comments by 8...I still have hope

SURE, THE ELMWOOD MARKET GOT PUBLIC APPROVAL AND WILL BE OUT OF BUSINESS WITHIN A YEAR, SO WAHTS THE DIFFERENCE. PEOPLE IN BUFFALO NEED TO REALIZE IS A FREE MARKET CAPITALIST SOCIETY, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

Wow, with so many REAL Problems taking place in this city, THIS is what everyone is arguing about? .....REALLY!!! Maby we should be more involved in getting guns off our city streets (oh wait, if it's not happening in YOUR neighborhood, why get involved), or demanding that the city parks get CLEANED up, Public Pools Be fixed, Getting MORE cops on the streets......but we would rather focus our time and energy on a Wilson Farms make over. How typical of this community.

Where was this same outrage when Hunt did the same or worse of a half-hearted effort at renovating their location? Could WF have done better? Sure. But I don't think this qualifies as Buffalo accepting poor quality. Wilson Farms was under no obligation to do anything. As a resident of nearby Lancaster Avenue, I think this is an imporvement and if there is one thing that I've observed about Elmwood's remarkable progress is that it has happened one small step at a time. If Elmwood continues to grow and gentrify (I know I'll be scolded for using that word), Wilson Farms will meet the needs that the area demands. I think this is a step in that direction.

Panos listened to all the hippies, added a second story, moved it up to the curb and still gets hated on by you liberals {balance deleted}

Can we have this Wilson Farms design on Parkside??? Please...now that one is awful

EMJAY, Hunt is an advertiser and "FRIEND" of BRO, and all the other {deleted} on here. You will never hear a word about their crappy renovation of what could have been a beautiful building.

"Panos listened to all the hippies . . ."

It wasn't hippies, it was actually mods. Or was it greasers? No wait, it was a coalition of zoot suits and flapper girls . . .

Let's face it, any chain store that dare set foot on Elmwood Ave will do so with a bullseye on their back. There was a recent article here where Subway was mentioned as being responsible for 50% of the garbage in the general vicinity of their store.

If you are not some trendy restaurant, coffee shop or antique store, you are crap.

WIlson Farms owes them nothing!

Let's face it, any chain store that dare set foot on Elmwood Ave will do so with a bullseye on their back. There was a recent article here where Subway was mentioned as being responsible for 50% of the garbage in the general vicinity of their store.

If you are not some trendy restaurant, coffee shop or antique store, you are crap.

WIlson Farms owes them nothing!

It's strangely ironic, how a "business association" makes it so difficult for a member to do business.

Let's face it, any chain store that dare set foot on Elmwood Ave will do so with a bullseye on their back. There was a recent article here where Subway was mentioned as being responsible for 50% of the garbage in the general vicinity of their store.

If you are not some trendy restaurant, coffee shop or antique store, you are crap.

WIlson Farms owes them nothing!

Looks better than before. EVA should direct their energy towards changing the city planning/approval process. WF is never building a new store or any type of construction that would require soil samples on that site. The current store is built over an old gas station.

The whole argument, "omg how can people talk about this when there are violent crimes in the city...blah, blah, blah" is completely asinine. No one is disputing that this city has larger issues such as housing, crime, and a shrinking population to deal with, but that fact doesn't make commenting on this issue completely off limits. So stop with that b.s. already. I comment and get all heated up about the Bills, because I care and I'm passionate about the team, doesn't mean that I'm a complete a-hole because I should be worrying about other things like Buffalo's population loss.

Here's the deal, Elmwood didn't become the most desirable place to live in the City and a large tourist and suburban draw because of the currently look and feel of Wilson Farms. People enjoy walkable communities and enjoy the vibrancy that comes with it. Wilson Farms adds nothing to this.

Now I don't believe that Wilson Farms has to make this change or that to their store. In this country we have free enterprise and people and business are able to do as they wish with things like this. But in this case, under these circumstances, I believe Wilson Farms as a business had an opportunity to make their store better fit into the neighborhood and had an opportunity to enhance and already great place to live and they chose not to. Pano did they did not.

Long story short I will not burn down the place and I will still buy my eggs there, but I wish they could have come up with some extra money to enhance the best place to live in Buffalo and arguably anywhere.

I still don't see what is so desirable about Elmwood Ave.

There are three trinket stores, a coffee shop, and a bunch of bums hanging out at Merlins.

Elmwood Ave is still a far cry from Newbury St., Ocean Dr., Buckhead, Scottsdale, Bloor St.........etc

Most of the buildings on Elmwood still need work to their facade.

It is a very average street that will bore most people to death....no energy whatsoever!

Anyone watch the 11 O'clock news CH. 7 regarding a man who just purchased a run down home, moved in and planned on Renovating it just to have the CIty throw him out so they can DEMOLISH it! Yeah, what a great place this city is to live, right? Because of it's location (East Side) it's not worth the city letting someone renovate it, it's better off as a vacant lot like the rest of the East Side. And yet, let's continue arguing about a business actually making improvements in a so called "good neighborhood". Let's not care or discuss issues like the one I just mentioned.

This is the reason why Elmwood is nice. They don't want to settle for less and want every business to put such a high standard on their business as the home owners have for their homes.This area didn't turn around by home owners doing half ass repairs of their homes but because they put the time and effort to do it right. Elmwood didn't get nice over night. It took some 10 years of beatifying this area. If all areas of the city had such a high standard for their community a lot would change. On a side note, I do like the new design only because it is an improvement over the 1970's style that was there.

Elmwood became popular because of the thrift shops, mental patients, college students, and guys with mohawks. It became popular and people worked to move these elements out of the area.

I agree with TUCO, the Elmwood "Village" has become snobby and closed minded, they are doing their best to remove the City feel from this City neighborhood. Even the new name "Elmwood Village" denotes a desire to remove themselves from the rest of the city.

DASH'S ON HERTEL. Enough about this WIlson Farms, let's do something about the Dash's on Hertel. It looks terrible, neglected, and it's falling apart from the inside-out. Are there any plans to improve the Dash's on Hertel.

so we can gather that 1) because an area may not be all that great right now we should not demand anything good go there and someday maybe it will be great? 2) Elmwood would be better off if everyone was allowed to demo existing buildings and put up cinder block cubes with front parking because it would allow the buisness to get the quickest return on investment. 3) someone got shot somewhere in the city, do not do anything to make the city look better until violent crime drops to zero.

As per this design, it is 100 times better. Without a new build up to the street, there is only so much to be done with the current site. It will always have a big black craking lawn out front with oil stains as it entry/inteface to the street.

@allfit: "I agree with TUCO, the Elmwood "Village" has become snobby and closed minded, they are doing their best to remove the City feel from this City neighborhood. Even the new name "Elmwood Village" denotes a desire to remove themselves from the rest of the city."

I think the Elmwood Village branded itself that way because everyone called it the Elmwood Strip before and that alluded to a bunch of suburban strip malls, which is obviously not what they want in there.

What is the big deal with parking in front of parking in back. Put your urban planning books away and realize it is a CONVENIENT STORE which means people want to get in to pick up an item or two and get out QUICKLY. I don't want to try and figure out if the store has parking in back or nearby nor do I want to drive around the neighboring streets looking for a spot.

PS Do you really believe that a parking lot in front of a store is going to make or break a neighborhood?

Ok, so are you supposed to tell one business that its OK to have parking in front, but then turn around and tell everyone else they can't??? You can't enforce inconsistent dsign.

What is the big deal with parking in front of parking in back. Put your urban planning books away and realize it is a CONVENIENT STORE which means people want to get in to pick up an item or two and get out QUICKLY. I don't want to try and figure out if the store has parking in back or nearby nor do I want to drive around the neighboring streets looking for a spot.

PS Do you really believe that a parking lot in front of a store is going to make or break a neighborhood?

What is the big deal with parking in front of parking in back. Put your urban planning books away and realize it is a CONVENIENT STORE which means people want to get in to pick up an item or two and get out QUICKLY. I don't want to try and figure out if the store has parking in back or nearby nor do I want to drive around the neighboring streets looking for a spot.

PS Do you really believe that a parking lot in front of a store is going to make or break a neighborhood?

"It took some 10 years of beatifying this area . . ."

Beatification can be a lengthy process, as a candidate must have one confirmed miracle to his credit. Anyone know what the miracle was?

Who gets canonized first -- Father Baker or Blessed Elmwood?