According to a report by Jonathan Epstein of the Buffalo News, “South Buffalo lost Ginzy’s Bargain Warehouse this month after it was priced out of a commercial building on Seneca Street where it has offered low-cost deals for 36 years.

“But the neighborhood will gain 21 apartments, a new theater and a catering and banquet business.

“The operators of Acqua Restaurant and Events @ the Foundry have signed on to open a catering and banquet facility in the former Shea’s Theatre building on Seneca Street when it reopens, developer Jake Schneider said this week.

“Schneider plans to to transform the two-story commercial building at 2178 Seneca – formerly part of Shea’s Seneca Theatre – into apartments and commercial space. He hopes to restore the building’s glory, including the two-and-a-half story, barrel-vaulted lobby ceiling and the old theater marquee that once lit up the street.

“The $9 million adaptive-reuse project is one of several ongoing efforts by a few developers to reactivate the once-vibrant Seneca Street commercial district. Hook & Ladder Development, led by three Buffalo firefighters, has planned several projects on Seneca and other nearby streets, including two former churches, while Karl Frizlen is redeveloping a former school into apartments.”
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