This past Saturday, The Story Garage and the BRR|Alliance hosted the inaugural Market Square Vintage & Maker Market, corner of Niagara Street and Amherst Street. To say that this market was a success would be an understatement. Not only did the number of vendors impress, the attendance was equally impressive.
The credit for this outstanding showing at the market is owed to its hosts, but it should also be credited to the site itself. Finally, Market Square was activated in a way that it deserves.
I spoke to Anne McCooey, Executive Director of the BRR|Alliance, who told me that the vision that they had worked so hard to create, had suddenly been realized. As we walked the grounds of Market Square, she spoke of the grit and determination by the organization, the businesses, and community members, who have been active in transforming the once vacant parcel into a multi-purpose park that is now a natural fit for various types of activities, including flea markets and live music.
By fully activating Market Square (see history), it is easy to see that this Black Rock neighborhood now has an outdoor venue that will act as a catalyst to transform the historic neighborhood. But this didn’t just happen overnight. For years, efforts have been made to rejuvenate this corner parcel. Today the property features public art, manicured grounds with strolling paths, looming shade trees, a garden with native plants, and a stage with seating. It’s got everything that it needs to draw the crowds. Sprinkle in a couple of food trucks, a musician or two, and some boxed wine with funky traveling glasses, and you’re pretty much good to go.
Grace Lougen – artistic windows by Justin Dahl
That was how it went down on Saturday afternoon, as singer/guitarist Grace Lougen (from Grosh) took to the stage, with one of the more impressive backdrops she could ask for. The new painted window scenes are by Justin Dahl (Queen City Fine Arts), who also created the park’s wooden drum People of Black Rock installation (see here). And I understand that muralist Chris Pionkowski will be extending the “We are…” mural further along the brick wall, further into the park setting.
I really can’t say enough about his most recent effort to electrify Market Square. Neil told me that he plans on hosting this market in the spring, and then again in the fall, with possibly a third in-between.
Seeing that The Story Garage is located right next door, it’s an opportune fit, which offers a sizable indoor element to play off the market successes. Plus, with ongoing renovations to his host building (1875 Niagara Street), further opportunities are arising to potentially expand the market concept indoors.
In agreement with Neil, Anne said that the plan is to infill the scheduling for Market Square with various other events – the possibilities are now virtually limitless. The end result is an epicenter of creativity and a home for small businesses. The marketeers that answered the call to action, now find themselves with another hit on their hands. Between the vintage markets at Market Square, seasonal pop-ups throughout the region, and a plethora of other flea and vintage markets that are now operating, local makers and peddlers-of-wares have a lot to be thankful for. And the general public has yet another programmed park setting to look forward to visiting throughout the year. This is just another great example of Buffalo in the making.
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