Raff and Friends Reopens at Eastern Hills Mall

Raff and Friends, a nearly 20-year-old toy store in the Eastern Hills Mall, has reopened in a new location as the mall prepares the property to be renovated for a town center project. The business has signed a contract to remain in the mall for three years.

Raff and Friends is located just inside the Duff Mall entrance. A handful of stores remain in the hallways near an exterior entrance, including Jainlee, Integrity Candle and a state Department of Motor Vehicles office.

At 6,100 square feet, the new location – inside a former bank – is about half the size of the previous one.

“There’s no playground anymore. I’ve had to downsize,” said owner Kim Nelson. “It’s sad and there’s nothing I can do about it, but I have the store, and I have a lot of things coming.”

Playmobil toys have their own room, as do puzzles, Breyer horses and science products. There are two art sections, as well as sections devoted to dolls, stuffed animals, trains and Calico Critters.

“It’s a little more compact, but it’s more organized,” Nelson said.

The store offers toys and games for everyone from babies to seniors with dementia.

“We try to take care of the whole person,” Nelson said.

In January, Eastern Hills Mall emptied most of its stores without exterior entrances in preparation for demolition to make way for a town center project — a walkable mix of residential, retail, restaurant, green space and hotel uses.

Raff and Friends closed for three and a half months while the new space was built. Now, customers are returning to the store.

“I was usually in destination traffic anyway,” Nelson said. “I like seeing faces I’ve seen for years come back, and a few new faces.”

BFLO has opened a cafe and lounge in its flagship store at Transitown Plaza in Clarence.

BFLO Cafe and Lounge is located in the former Wonder Coffeehouse space inside the store and will be operated and managed by owner Nathan Mroz’s sister, Joanna Mroz.

The cafe will start with a simple menu of coffee and baked goods, and will eventually offer charcuterie boards, chicken wings, beef on weck and more. The company is also designing a rooftop bar and restaurant for the site.

BFLO Boutique has just launched an apparel collaboration with Labatt Blue and a new Tailgate collection, featuring retro-themed trucker hats, t-shirts and beer koozies.

Lenhart Hotel owners Barbara and John Johnston had sought to overturn the sale of the Bemus Point, Chautauqua County, hotel to Jill and William Curry II by filing a complaint in Chautauqua County Supreme Court seeking a declaratory judgment voiding a $3.5 million contract signed in July 2022 to sell the Lenhart Hotel to the couple. The Currys also filed a complaint seeking to uphold the deal.

Justice Grace Hanlon ruled in favor of the Currys, saying they are not required by the contract to apply for a mortgage until they receive zoning and building permits, which have not yet been received.

“We will again request a closing date,” William Curry II said in an email. “We hope the sellers will honor the contract and move forward with the sale.”

The hotel has been closed since 2022.

Cure Nail Parlor, a women-owned and operated nail salon, has opened at 5110 Camp Road in Hamburg. Developed in partnership with Kavcon Development and Lamparelli Construction, it offers luxury natural manicures, hair styling and waxing with a focus on hygiene.

Cure also has a party room that guests can book to accommodate large groups for special occasions.

Wegmans warehouse, transportation and skilled trades employees have ratified a contract with the supermarket chain by a three-to-one margin. The collective agreement with Teamsters Local 118 runs for seven years and covers nearly 900 workers.

Under the contract, workers will receive a 27 percent pay increase over the life of the deal. Warehouse workers will earn $40 an hour, while drivers will receive up to $200,000 a year.

Workers also won a comprehensive health care plan and overtime guarantees, as well as improvements in seniority, hours and paid vacations. They also won’t be able to be forced to come to work on their days off.

“With this groundbreaking and historic contract, we have demonstrated the strength and unity of the Teamsters Union in defending our members’ rights and fair pay,” said Ty Van Pelt, Business Agent and Lead Negotiator for Local 118.

THE long awaited bridge for Ralph C. Wilson Jr. The park has arrived.

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A Tonawanda cannabis business owner criticized state cannabis regulators. Days later, inspectors arrived. The owner said it was retaliation.

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A Canadian company that manufactures natural supplements plans to expand in Sanborn.

The State is easing its strict restrictions on cannabis marketing.

How a Williamsville apartment project illustrates the tight financial line For the development.

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Five readings from Buffalo Next:

1. Amazon begins building a massive distribution center in Niagara County. It will look a lot like this one in Rochester.

2. A former 43North winner wants to become A cut above the rest.

3. Imagine transforming a truck bed cover into a mobile solar power generator. Work sport develops this technology.

4. Focus on semiconductors could boost Employment growth in manufacturing and technology sectors in WNY.

5. Inside Clarence’s New Millionaire house development.

The Buffalo Next team gives you a broad overview of the region’s economic revitalization. Email your tips to [email protected] or contact Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

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