BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A new option for fresh food and locally sourced produce is coming to Downtown Buffalo. Braymiller Market, a celebrated Hamburg staple for over 70 years, plans to open a new retail store and wholesale operation as part of the development project at 201 Ellicott Street.
"We are extremely excited and overwhelmed with the opportunity that has been given to us." Braymiller owner Stuart Green told 7 Eyewitness News.
The new Braymiller Market hopes to offer downtown neighborhoods better access to high quality fruits and vegetables along with freshly prepared soups, salads and sandwiches. "We offer our customers core grocery items to accompany our vast variety of produce that we source seasonally from local farms.", said Green.
Wholesale and retail operations are expected to open in 2021 and Green says he plans to hire 65 new employees.
News that Green has signed a letter of intent with Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation to build, own and operate the grocery component of the development at 201 Ellicott Street is a change from the original plan. Tops Markets was originally selected as the "preferred operator"when the project was announced by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown three years ago, but 7EWN has confirmed that Tops is no longer involved in the project.
"Tops is always excited to see and be a part of growth here in Western New York.", said Kathy Sautter, a spokesperson for Tops Markets, LLC. "While we remained interested in the project since its inception, we understand and respect the decision that was made to go in a different direction. We wish all parties involved much success. Tops looks forward to future opportunities in the City of Buffalo and will proudly continue to serve the City with our six other Tops locations."
“We are very appreciative of Tops Markets interest in being involved with the 201 Ellicott project.", said Matt Davison, a project spokesman for Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation. "The company is an important and long-standing contributor to the Western New York food industry and economy. While the development process has evolved to include a different operator for the market component, Tops Markets' initial involvement brought positive attention to the project and the opportunity to bring more fresh food offerings to downtown Buffalo.”, Davison continued.
"Not only is Braymiller Market a solid, long-standing Western New York business, it also brings a relationship-centric philosophy that makes it a perfect fit for the City of Good Neighbors", said Paul F. Ciminelli, president and CEO of Ciminelli Real Estate in a statement.
Braymiller Market opened on Gowanda State Road in Hamburg in 1941. The original location will continue operate. The new market, pending approvals from the Buffalo planning and Zoning boards and Common Council, is expected to be 20,000 square feet. The retail portion of the new store will be 50 percent larger than the Hamburg store, and 1.5 stories tall. The building will be designed to support it's substantial wholesale operations, which will constitute 80 percent of revenue.
"A large part of what we do is to provide local independent restaurants with produce and grocery", Green added to 7EWN. " The retail feeds off the wholesale. The wholesale feeds off the retail and makes the whole thing a lot more sustainable."
"As downtown Buffalo grows and evolves, the Braymiller mix of wholesale and retail fits perfectly in this neighborhood", said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.
The market is a key component of the City of Buffalo and Ciminelli Real Estate Corp affordable housing development at 201 Ellicott Street.
More information is expected to be announced later today. We will have the latest throughout the day on 7EWN.
