BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — It's the most wonderful time of the year at Buffalo's tallest building.
Seneca One, all decked out for the holidays, with a bit of fun for everyone on your list, including your dog.
"It's the ultimate canine social experience," says Jarod Miller, Co-founder of Hounds & Hops one of the building's newest additions.
Miller opened Hounds & Hops with co-founder Bob Manley in November.
"Hounds & Hops is your dog's destination for all types of service lines, grooming, boarding, training, daycare, plus a fun spin of having some craft beer and wine thrown in there," says Miller.
And the creative concept of combining services for dogs with craft beer is off to a great start.
"I think there is a major need in Downtown Buffalo for green space, and also for dog, canine services," says Manley. "This is a place that we can do it at scale,"
Right now Hounds & Hops is focused on the grooming side of the business, but there are big plans on the horizon. A planned expansion for 2024 includes an outdoor and indoor dog park and daycare services for your furry friends.
"It's fun being able to bring everybody together, bring them closer with their dogs," says Christina Tredo, Hounds & Hops resident "Dog Whisperer" and lead groomer. "You know you can bring your dog here, and they will be in safe loving hands. What else could you ask for?"
Well, be careful what you wish for. You see, Hounds & Hops has been so successful that it's now being asked to take on a very special client.
"We've actually branched into bear grooming as well," says Miller with a laugh.
That's right, Hounds & Hops has been asked to freshen up the celebrated "Boulevard Bear Band" which is back for a reunion tour, and now front and center in the lobby at Seneca One.
"I think it was really important they found them at the Boulevard Mall," says Nick Revelas with Seneca One. "What better way to engage the community."
Many people remember the "Boulevard Bear Band" as the attraction at the Boulevard Mall in Amherst for close to two decades. The animatronic bears took a break for several years, that is until developer Douglas Jemal and the team at Seneca One decided to get the band back together at a new home.
"Our ultimate goal is to get them working," says Revelas. "We have some of the top engineers from Seneca One, some of Santa's helpers, working on the bears right now."
"This is the biggest news in Buffalo, since, I don't know what," says 7 Sports Director Matt Bove. "This is big news."
The new home of the bears is exciting news for many, including Mr. Bove, who tells us he has fond memories of the band growing up.
"When I think of the bears, I think of my mom and my nana dragging me through the Boulevard Mall," says Bove. "My mom going department store to department store, and (me) sitting outside and watching those bears play the same songs over and over again, with a Mrs. Fields cookie, just loving life."
And now the nostalgia is back, ready for the next generations of fans, thanks to the work of Douglas Development.
"It's that time of year when family and friends are getting together," says Revelas. "Come on down to Seneca One. It might evoke a lot of great family memories, that was kind of the goal of why we brought them here."
