By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A vacant lot in North Buffalo will soon be home to the Empire Grill Restaurant. Thursday, city leaders joined a local businessman who says he is committed to doing business in Buffalo.
Construction is already underway at Hertel Avenue and Norwalk -- a site that has been vacant for the last five years following a devastating fire that destroyed the Norwalk Building. Delaware District Council Member Marc Coppola says after the building was demolished, the city purchased the property from the owner in hopes of redevelopment so it wouldn't become a city eyesore.
"There were all kind of concerns about whether this site was big enough," Coppola said. "Did anyone want to purchase it? Did anyone want to develop it? Or was it gong to be a parking lot or a haven for negative activity?"
Coppola then called on Nick Kotrides, who owns two restaurants -- Toro and Faherty's on Elmwood Avenue. Kotrides says the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency has been assisting him since 2003 to obtain the site. Soil density issues caused delays. He also received Empire Zone status, and funding help from the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation and HSBC Bank. Kotrides says he has no complaints when it comes to working with the city.
"I have so much faith in this project that I wanted this site," Kotrides said. "Even though I recently built Toro restaurant, my original idea was do a concept like this in the city. When I saw this spot and Council Member Coppola asked if I wanted to invest in Hertel Avenue, I looked at the site and then called him back very quickly."
The restaurant will be located across from the well-know North Park Theatre and a variety of other Hertel Avenue businesses. The new building will be an art deco design. Mayor Masiello says it will be a perfect fit.
"This building is going to fit into the ambience and character of this block of Hertel," Masiello said.
Empire Grill is expected to open at the end of this year featuring upscale, contemporary dinning for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But the owner is promising not to be over priced to accommodate the many families who live nearby.