Dancers, dignitaries and shoppers gathered inside The Broadway Market Friday to mark the official launch of the Easter shopping season at the Buffalo landmark.
Officials say 92 vendors are in place to provide traditional Polish foods, chocolates and arts and crafts, as well as plenty of non-Polish fare.
City leaders say Buffalo's Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood will be the next neighborhood to enjoy an economic renaissance. Common Council member David Franczyk says it starts with the city's plan for capital investment this year at the Market.
"This floor is going to be redone this year and also there's about $300,000 for a commercial kitchen that's going to be built this year, as well," said Franczyk.
"Our goal is to make the Broadway-Fillmore area one of the next hot areas in the City of Buffalo," said Mayor Byron Brown.
Among the speakers was Rep. Brian Higgins, who explained why the market's importance goes far beyond its traditional Polish roots.
"When you realize the institutions that are important, it's places like this because it's a place where we get to know each other, we get to understand each other [and] where we come from and we get to respect one another," Higgins said.
The Broadway Market first opened in 1888. The week before Easter is traditionally its busiest sales week of the year.
