OK- it is only one store, but this is BIG news:
Clothier setting up Main Street shop
Business First of Buffalo
Michael Attardo is about to become an urban pioneer -- again.
In what the Elmwood Avenue clothier hopes is a case of history repeating itself, Attardo is preparing to open a men's clothing store in the Belasario complex at 514 Main St. The store, Get Dressed Buffalo, is expected to open on Oct. 10.
Attardo, who also founded the Forever Elmwood civic group, said opening on Main Street along the Buffalo Place pedestrian mall is not all that different from when he opened "Get Dressed" on Elmwood Avenue in 1974.
"In the 1970s, people were giving away property and now look at it," Attardo said.
The same scenario is almost in place in downtown Buffalo.
The central business district is seeing several new residential projects open and with that comes the need for retail services.
"Healthy communities are all about good neighborhoods," Attardo said. "Housing is heating up in downtown because it is cool and people want to be at the center of energy."
But, that spike will stall, unless some services follow. Downtown took one step forward with the opening last year of the Washington Market, an upscale deli and market.
"Right now, housing in downtown is a novelty," said Rocco Termini, Signature Development managing partner. Signature has developed several apartment and loft complexes in downtown.
"Very shortly, people are going to demand services to go along with those apartments," Termini said.
