October 16, 2023. Today, the Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI) formally opened its new and significantly expanded West Side Bazaar at 1432 Niagara Street. “Building Community, Building Opportunity, Building the New West Side Bazaar” the $11.5 million capital campaign to fund the project launched in March 2021.

Founded by WEDI in 2011 to incubate small businesses and to support emerging entrepreneurs in underserved populations, the Bazaar quickly became a popular shopping and dining destination for locals and tourists searching for unique food and retail opportunities. It soon became a community hub and gathering space for Buffalonians from all walks of life. The former West Side Bazaar at 25 Grant Street was permanently closed by a fire on September 20, 2022.

“Providing this new, WEDI owned quintupled in size space where more entrepreneurs can launch and build economic security for their families is the fulfillment of WEDI’s mission to eliminate barriers to systemic economic equity to create a Western New York where all may thrive,” said.

WEDI Executive Director Carolynn Welch. “The board, campaign steering committee and its leadership and the WEDI staff are grateful for the tremendous show of support for our organization and our business incubators. We are grateful for the incredible turn-out from our community of banking and financial institutions, foundations, and philanthropic organizations both private and nonprofit, federal, state, and county government, and community-minded individuals who pledged and donated to the West Side Bazaar capital campaign.”

The renovation of the 16,000 square-foot building at 1432 Niagara Street will provide space for 18 restaurant, food retail and professional services businesses, including a large commissary/test kitchen for independent chefs, classrooms, event space, and seating for 200+ patrons.

“The West Side Bazaar has long been a testament to the diversity of this community and the wide variety of foods, cultures, and products that make Buffalo so special,” Governor Hochul said. “With this new location in a beautifully renovated historic building, we are creating opportunities for even more budding entrepreneurs to turn the businesses of their dreams into a

reality, and I look forward to visiting and meeting the vendors who are helping to transform Niagara Street into a vibrant commercial district.”

The 18 new businesses include 8 restaurants:

Egyptian Bites

William’s Kitchen Korean Comfort Food

Phyu Thein (Malaysian)

Ramree Corporation (Burmese)

Millions Tin (Sushi)

Orso Nero Pizza (Italian)

Malkia and Co. (Central African & Congolese)

Bamboo Ridge (Vietnamese)

Food retail entrepreneurs are in 4 booths:

Authentic Turkish Café

Manchester Place Baking Co. (desserts)

Citygate Market (African food products)

Bubble Tea & Smoothie Bar

2 retail booths: Honeybee’s Driving School which will occupy two vendor booths on the first floor.

1 vendor booth for pop-ups

1 Commissary kitchen for independent chefs

In the two new professional services offices are Read It and Eat and mental health councilors Elisabeth Burn LMHC & Danielle Prester LMHC.

Congressman Brian Higgins said, “WEDI’s West Side Bazaar is an innovative launch pad for small business growth and opportunity. In this new home on Niagara Street, the Bazaar has the capacity to host more entrepreneurs and immerse a greater number of visitors in the culturally diverse tastes and treasures this destination has to offer. We are pleased to support this project and see the West Side Bazaar doors open, enriching the local community and economy.”