Firehouses just aren’t what they used to be, as we can see from photographer Glenn Murray’s images of the historic Fire House Engine No. 36. Incredibly, a good number of these beauties remain, scattered throughout Buffalo’s various neighborhoods.
As for the one seen here, located at 1650 Elmwood Avenue, it is owned by Louis “Lou” and Marie Haremski, who now live on the building’s second floor in a 2200 SF apartment. The couple bought the building – by architect Howard L. Beckfrom – the City 13 years ago, and spent three years painstakingly restoring it, along with their son Edmund. On the first floor, Lou and Edmund operate Looselumber, a custom built furniture outfit.
Being artisans themselves, Lou and Edmund have always participated in Open Doors events, which is when the public gets a chance to visit the old firehouse, while supporting local artists and makers. After hosting the open house for upwards of six years, a decision was made (in 2021) to team up with Moriarty Café & Bar, which is located across the street.
Now that the Art and Holiday Cheer event has grown into a dual-venue celebration, there are even more artists and artisans, as well as food and drink offerings. What started off as an Artists in Buffalo (Open Studios) undertaking, lives on thanks to Lou and his family, and Caitlin and Tom Moriarty, who are helping to shine a light on a number of creators this holiday season.
And what an amazing venue to behold!
“Historically, it’s the first firehouse that was built with motorized equipment – previous to that it was horse-drawn equipment,” said Lou, who is a self-professed recovering lawyer. “It was built here because George Pierce (Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company) lobbied to have it built next to his plant. In exchange, he had his hydraulic engineers design the mechanism to open and close the front doors. When we bought the building, there were six-panel roll-up doors, but we recreated the two historic doors that open up inward. There is no longer a hydraulic system – we just unlock and yank the 350-400 pound doors (each).
“I must stress that it is the incredible artists that are the highlight of the event, however. Junko McGee is an amazing ceramicist, and Gretchen Cole’s jewelry is just really neat. We have a great group of artists this year, between the firehouse and Moriarty.”
Come for the history and architecture, and stay for the art…
Art and Holiday Cheer @ The Firehouse and Moriarty Café & Bar
Friday, November 11 (5pm-9pm) and Saturday, November 12 (10am – 5pm) 2022
Corner of Elmwood and Great Arrow
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