Bob’s Discount Furniture opens two stores

A new home furnishings company will soon enter the Buffalo market with two new stores.

Bob’s Discount Furniture, a Connecticut-based affordable furniture retail chain, will open its first location at 3207 Southwestern Blvd. in Orchard Park this summer. Shortly after, in the fall, it will open a second location in Amherst Commons at 3050 Sheridan Drive in Amherst.

The retailer sells furniture for the entire home, including the outdoors, as well as household items such as mattresses, bedding, mirrors, lamps and wall art. Living room sets start at $698, bedroom sets at $799, and dining sets at $299.

Both stores will have cafes offering free treats such as coffee, ice cream and candy.

“Buffalo is a great market and we are excited to bring our offering of quality, value furniture to Buffalo as we expand our store network in Upstate New York,” said Sarah Tornatore, Door -speech of Bob’s Discount Furniture.

The company, opened in 1991, has 170 stores in 24 states.

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In an effort to help parents reduce screen time, Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe in Lancaster has teamed up with Fattey Beer Co., Skoobs Village Grille and Great Lakes Coffee to offer free toys that kids can borrow at the brasserie, restaurant or café. .

Dubbed the ‘Imagination Initiative’, Bloomsbury owner Crystal Newman has set up a support group to help parents combat the dangers of screen time for children, and launched a ‘Screen Free Zone’ with free toys for children, such as construction games, fidgets and learning toys.

“We’ve read studies, talked to child therapists, educators and had personal experiences that all show that children are spending too much time in front of a screen,” Newman said.

Adverse effects include slow language development, shorter attention span, lack of social and coping skills, anxiety, and obesity.

“Kids are clamoring for screens and parents are losing the battle,” Newman said.

Companies donate a mix of age-appropriate toys and set up toy bins at each property for children to play with during their stay.

“I saw so many kids using devices in restaurants and bars that I knew I wanted to offer more options, and I love collaborating with other businesses,” Newman said.

The Inspiration Co. opened a 1,500-square-foot store on the lower level of Walden Galleria, across from American Eagle, near Starbucks. The jewelry store specializes in bracelets and other jewelry made in-store with natural earth stones and inspirational sayings. The company started in a Florida garage in 2017 and now has more than 50 stores in 20 states.

Once a mall staple, casual teen clothing retailer Rue21 has filed for bankruptcy for the third time and will close its remaining 540 stores, including one at Walden Galleria.

The company blamed the bankruptcy on “underperforming retail locations, increased competition and increased online shopping, inflation and macroeconomic headwinds, and difficulties raising capital “.

A group of Allentown stores have joined forces to form the Shop Allen Street Block Club, a merchant group that promotes the neighborhood’s business community.

The group will host special promotions and activities, such as a “Gallery and Shop Hop” on the first Fridays of each month, “Sidewalk Saturdays” on the second Saturdays of each month, as well as special events for Pride Week and Juneteenth.

The group will also implement beautification and safety improvement projects in the neighborhood.

Tops Markets will use artificial intelligence-based technology called Birdzi to personalize its offers to buyers.

The personalization and analytics platform will help the grocer use information from its Tops BonusPlus program to tailor individual promotions and communications to members.

The program will launch in all 148 Tops locations in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont by the end of the third quarter.

Buffalo Health and Fitness opened at 1909 Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda. The boutique fitness studio offers classes such as cycling, Pilates and dance fitness for adults, as well as personal training.

It’s owned by Dana Robbins, a doctor of physical therapy, who also owns a nonprofit organization Home and Happy, which provides support services aimed at helping older adults stay in their homes.

Tropical Smoothie has opened a new location at 2236 Delaware Ave. In addition to smoothies, the restaurant offers sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, quesadillas, salads, breakfast and a kids’ menu.

The franchise has locations in the city of Tonawanda, Batavia, Blasdell, Depew and Williamsville.

ACV Auctions expects its markets to improve throughout the year.

Why Buffalo Niagara’s the recovery was delayedwhen other cities prospered

Noco has a new president – and for the first time, it’s not a member of the Newman family.

A shuttered movie theater in Niagara County could become an automobile service center.

Biden official’s visit highlighted infrastructure improvements.

The 43Nord Foundation has big plans to boost Buffalo Niagara’s startup scene.

A Western New York consultant says manufacturers have a big impact on the regional economy.

A local developer says he was chosen for the city’s new DPW complex. The city says not so fast.

The old Médaille campus was sold to a charter school.

SUNY provides campuses more help to cover salary increases for teachers.

Tesla is cut more jobs in Buffalo after the company dissolved the supercharger unit.

National Fuel expects natural gas prices stay low for the immediate future.

What Sectors of Buffalo Niagara’s Economy add jobs. And which ones aren’t.

JC Penney lost another call to keep its Boulevard Mall store.

The 43North Business Plan Competition is enters its 10th year.

A Long Island developer plans for the Byers building.

Increase in interest rates on deposits hurt Evans Bank’s profits.

Why a research program is at UB for collect samples and health information from the volunteers.

Why is Tops redemption its largest franchise operator.

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. The the state’s oldest investment club is in Lockport.

2. Struggles opposite the Factory Outlets of Niagara Falls.

3. How a Buffalo Woman Became a pioneer in the field of architecture.

4. How the new CEO of Lake Shore Savings Bank is trying to overcome the shortcomings cited by federal regulators.

5. If eating healthy is good for you, why not do it diet programs as medicine get better participation? Two UB researchers are trying to understand why.

The Buffalo Next team gives you insight into the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to [email protected] or contact Buffalo Next editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

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