Not only is the renovated Parkside Candy a boost to business in Buffalo's University Heights, it is flanked by an experimental sign talking about the neighborhood.
Not only is the sign highly visible, but it makes the surrounding University Heights community visible -with directions to the University at Buffalo and other landmarks and businesses, plus photographs of historic elements in the community.
Backers say the idea for the sign came from the European travels of Darren Cotton, director of community development and planning for the University District Community Development Association. Association Executive Director Roseann Scibilia said the sign is a great addition to the neighborhood.
"It's unbelievable. It's innovative. It's something you won't see on every corner in Buffalo and Western New York," Scibilia said. "and, Darren, we've got to give you a lot of credit for that. But it's really worth noting as much as the bric-a-brac and the beautiful restoration here."
Common Councilmember Rasheed Wyatt would like to see similar signs all around the University District to showcase each individual neighborhood and let passersby know what local businesses are in the area around the sign.
"I hope to replicate some of those things," Wyatt said. "I think those are good things that provide information to the residents and to customers, a little bit of historical perspective, but also give directions to where they need to be. Because I think there's a lot of history in our communities and I think to have something like that could be so helpful, not only to our older folks who have lived it, but to our young people who don't know it."
Those would be similar in approach to signs in the city's Theater District, although different in design.
