What’s happening in Buffalo Niagara business this week?

Hiring has been quite strong and steady in the Buffalo Niagara region over the past year.

On Thursday, we’ll see if that has continued into May when the state Labor Department releases its latest employment numbers.

Over the past year, job growth has reached an annualized rate of about 2%, which is quite strong by local standards. Still, the region has not yet recovered all of the jobs lost during the pandemic, so continued hiring would help close that gap.

The Buffalo Planning Board will review special use permit applications Monday for:

• Yashira M. Rivera’s GK Mart, to convert a former retail clothing store at 293 Amherst Street into an adult-use cannabis retail store. “Acquiring this location as an adult-use retail dispensary for this district ensures quality control as well as service. This is a desperate need in this low-income neighborhood,” Rivera wrote in his application. “This allows those with conditions as well as those with recreational use to have a safe outlet to obtain quality NYS approved products. This helps maintain order as well as relationships within the community.
• James Reddin of Reddin Construction Inc., to convert existing storage space at 571 East Delavan Ave. into a new alcohol-free concert venue and nightclub called “571” that “will serve emerging and experimental music artists and audiences,” he wrote in his application. It will host 45 events per year, on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays.
• Carousel Development Group of West Seneca, to expand its shows at the Buffalo Olde Brewery at 1221 Lovejoy to a 3,400-square-foot outdoor dining area surrounded by a wooden fence on part of 1219 Lovejoy. Carousel had opened the restaurant and bar at 1221, then purchased the adjacent property at 1223 Lovejoy for its brewery, then consolidated the two with 1219 Lovejoy. Live music will include rock, acoustic and jazz.

Additionally, on Monday, Dr. Muhammad Ali and Abdul Khan, owners of 282 Guilford, are seeking a rezoning of the 0.39-acre property from residential to “neighborhood edge,” to allow it to be used for offices and a banquet center. It is currently an existing industrial building, and both men say it is not suitable for residential use.

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest on developments in Buffalo Niagara’s economy – from real estate to health care to startups. Learn more at BuffaloNext.com.

Local wages are increasing. Here’s how much.

Graycliff gets a new – and bigger – visitors center.

A Niagara Falls movie theater is poised to become a auto parts center.

A Canadian developer plans to transform the former Howard Johnson Hotel in Niagara Falls into a music room.

Details of cases filed with the court financial problems of the woman accused of a kite check scheme that cost Five Star Bank $18 million.

Renovation of historic Niagara Falls hotel is get back on track.

Buyers are feel the consequences of the Tops Markets warehouse strike.

New Era Cap Co. signed an Olympic-sized deal.

Evaluation of Station Twelve retail project stalled was cut.

Warehouse workers in the most striking markets are go back to work.

New Era Co. Cap makes a big deal.

Even in the hot real estate market, some sellers are pull too high.

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. The evolution of Viridi Parente in an evolving market.

2. Some development projects face a new problem: they cannot draw enough electricity.

3. A closer look at the Rails on the main apartment project.

4. The Buffalo Niagara region people’s problem is getting worse − and it’s bad for business.

5. 43Winner North Bounce Imaging has a chance to work more with the Ministry of Defense.

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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