URGENT UPDATE: Buffalo’s downtown is at a critical crossroads as it grapples with a striking contrast between vibrant events and the alarming closure of local businesses. Just days ago, Buffalo celebrated a spectacular Paul McCartney concert, a production of “Wicked”, and the presentation of a key to the city to Dion Dawkins, the Buffalo Bills offensive tackle. However, looming over this excitement is the shuttering of Ted’s Hot Dogs at its downtown location, which closed its doors on October 24, 2023, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of the city’s central business district.
Visitors to Buffalo this weekend are noticing more than just the marquee events; they are witnessing the struggles of a city center that has seen a wave of restaurant closures. Notably, Ted’s Hot Dogs joins a growing list of establishments that have shut down, including Chocolate Bar, Bocce Club Pizza, and Dinosaur BBQ, all of which have closed since 2022. These closures are symptomatic of a deeper crisis, as local eateries face escalating costs and dwindling foot traffic, exacerbated by an estimated loss of 20,000 daily visitors to downtown Buffalo since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Earlier this week, the restaurant Hombre y Lobo Tacos and Tequila posted a heartfelt message on social media, outlining the challenges they face while emphasizing their commitment to remaining open. “While we are not closing our doors at this time, we are doing everything we can to minimize costs while not lessening the integrity of our brand,” they stated.
Despite the evident struggles, there is a glimmer of hope. Local business owners like Jay Manno, owner of Frankie Primo’s +39, express optimism about the future. “If there’s been any issues the last couple of years, it’s been that there haven’t been enough events downtown,” Manno said. He highlighted the upcoming three weeks of “Wicked” performances and the anticipation surrounding home Buffalo Bills games as key opportunities to draw crowds back to the city.
However, the reality remains that weekends, particularly Saturdays and Sundays, often see low patronage for downtown restaurants due to a scarcity of large events. “We’re great Sunday through Thursday because of the business travel in the hotels, but weekends are tough,” Manno explained.
Looking ahead, there are signs of potential revitalization. Earlier this year, D’Youville University announced plans for a new medical campus downtown, and tech giant Ingram Micro revealed its intention to move into the former Highmark building near the waterfront. These developments could inject new life into the area, as Manno remains cautiously optimistic. “One thing about people in Buffalo is we’re resilient,” he affirmed.
As Buffalo faces this urgent challenge, the city’s leaders, businesses, and residents are called upon to rally together. The need for community support and innovative solutions is more pressing than ever to ensure that downtown Buffalo not only survives but thrives in the years to come.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
