I'm glad there are still some vibrant areas to the city, and it's encouraging to see the new developments (loft and office) with people returning. I hope Buffalo can find the secret to its future, though I don't think it's fair to blame the light rail for Main Street's demise; the problem is also linked to urban flight, the construction of the UB Amherst campus, and other factors.
Jeffrey sturman replied on Tue, 05/12/2009 - 01:54pm
I grew up in Rochester just east of Buffalo, during the time period you describe. We had Front Street where one would go for a suit or jacket or shoes. It went out when downtown took out the trash and made room for other boxes.
This reminds me of the Schenectady I grew up in, with wide Erie Boulevard where the canal used to end at the General Electric plant that was a city of its own, replete with its own railroad tracks, State Street with Carl's and Wallace's, which were local department stores, and an old Woolworth's with a take-your-own photo booth and a soda counter. I remember my dad shedding his tie at the kitchen table when he first came home, just as you described, as if he were punching out on a time clock. Then he'd sit down at the small kitchen table with a white and gold flecked Formica top and sip a scotch while he chatted with my mom, Donna Reed, and flipped peanuts into his mouth. He wore a hat, too, just as you described, and when I hugged him after work he always had a "dad" smell, which I now realize was just stale smoke, metal shavings, and sweat. Thanks for taking me back.
I'm glad there are still some vibrant areas to the city, and it's encouraging to see the new developments (loft and office) with people returning. I hope Buffalo can find the secret to its future, though I don't think it's fair to blame the light rail for Main Street's demise; the problem is also linked to urban flight, the construction of the UB Amherst campus, and other factors.
I grew up in Rochester just east of Buffalo, during the time period you describe. We had Front Street where one would go for a suit or jacket or shoes. It went out when downtown took out the trash and made room for other boxes.
A lovely piece. Thank you.
This reminds me of the Schenectady I grew up in, with wide Erie Boulevard where the canal used to end at the General Electric plant that was a city of its own, replete with its own railroad tracks, State Street with Carl's and Wallace's, which were local department stores, and an old Woolworth's with a take-your-own photo booth and a soda counter. I remember my dad shedding his tie at the kitchen table when he first came home, just as you described, as if he were punching out on a time clock. Then he'd sit down at the small kitchen table with a white and gold flecked Formica top and sip a scotch while he chatted with my mom, Donna Reed, and flipped peanuts into his mouth. He wore a hat, too, just as you described, and when I hugged him after work he always had a "dad" smell, which I now realize was just stale smoke, metal shavings, and sweat. Thanks for taking me back.
Beautiful. I used to dress the windows of Kleinhans as a summer job. Grandma was a seamtress at M. Wile. Do you wear your grandfather's ties still?