BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Braymiller Market, the only grocery store in Downtown Buffalo, located at 201 Ellicott Street, is shutting down.
Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon announced the closure during a news conference Friday afternoon. He said the market will close within a week to 10 days and the closure is a direct result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The closing of this market is a direct result of the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic," Scanlon said. "With an estimated 30,000 fewer people in Downtown Buffalo on a daily basis — a shift to remote work, extended business closures — the economic and foot traffic conditions required to sustain the market were severely, severely impacted."
Scanlon said a public use for the property has been identified and will be announced "soon."
"We are working diligently to finalize lease terms to ensure that this location continues to serve as an essential part of this neighborhood," Scanlon said.
You can watch the full press conference below
Braymiller Market’s Downtown location has faced an uphill climb since plans for the store were announced in 2019 as part of former Mayor Byron Brown’s development plan.
The pandemic delayed and added to construction costs before the store officially opened in September 2021 as a mixed-use development that included more than 200 affordable housing units.
The pandemic also impacted the number of would-be customers who once worked in the area, an issue Downtown Buffalo continues to face.
Stuart Green, the owner of Braymiller Market, reached out to the City of Buffalo for financial help in March 2023 to make up for revenue lost during the pandemic.
After months of deliberations, the Common Council approved a controversial forgivable loan of more than $560,000 for the store in July 2023.
Watch: Braymiller Market's request for financial help met with opposition during council meeting
Watch: Buffalo Common Council approves Braymiller Market loan, grants for small businesses
This is a developing story. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.
