The New 96.1 Joy FM -- Today's Lite Hits » Buffalo Then and Now

The More Things Change, The More Main Street Stays The Same? [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 04:01:36 +0000

You know what they say: The more things change, the more they stay the same. To me, that’s what’s so funny about comparing the above photo of Main Street, taken sometime in the 1960s, to the photo of Main Street below, taken earlier this week. You can pick outÂ a lotÂ of things that have stayed the [...]

What's This About Al Amigone's + a Revolving Bar?? [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 04:01:10 +0000

Yes, you read that headline right: Al Amigone’s was apparently home to aÂ revolving bar. The only problem is, I really don’t know what that means — and try as I might, I can’t figure it out. Did the bar actually turn in circles (hard to imagine based on the illustrations on the postcard above)? Or [...]

A Little History on Rosinski Furniture Co.'s Co-Owners [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 04:01:31 +0000

The internet doesn’t hold much information about the Rosinski Furniture Co. But a trip through Google’s search results does reveal a bit about the stores’ owners! Rosinki Furniture Co. operated out of two locations: 760 Fillmore Ave. in the Broadway shopping district (left), and 697 Ridge Rd. out in Lackawanna (right). The buildings — and [...]

Sciandra's Toyland — So Much Cooler Than Toys 'R' Us [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 05:01:30 +0000

It might be hard to believe, but in the 1950s and ’60s, the boarded-up building above, located at 1787 Genesee St., was Western New York’s largest toy store. Sciandra’s Toyland featured 10,000 square feet of toys, games, dolls, stuffed animals — anything and everything that makes up a child’s ultimate toy collection. Its wares were [...]

Where Was Buffalo's First Water Station? [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 05:01:39 +0000

Even if you tried really, really, reallyÂ hard, I don’t think you could guess where the above photo corresponds to in present-day Buffalo. Give up? You’re looking at what used to be the corner of Delaware Avenue and Auburn Avenue. Crazy, right? According to the photo’s details on Wikipedia — and the Buffalo Express‘ “Views of [...]

From Cars to Finance — Don Allen's City Chevrolet [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 05:01:18 +0000

Virtual records of Don Allen’s City Chevrolet are either basically non-existent or very well hidden. Here’s what we do know. Three distinct businesses in three separate buildings composed Don Allen’s City Chevrolet: Cars and Service at 2585 Main Street, Truck Sales and Service at 2675 Main Street and the Giant Used Car Lot at 2700 [...]

What Stood Where Kleinhans Music Hall Is Today? A Mansion, Of Course! [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 19:37:51 +0000

I love how old-school venues like Kleinhans Music Hall are: the big brass doors, the decor, the fancy feel of the whole place. I'm a fan of dingy little clubs, don't get me wrong, but I've seen some awesome shows at Kleinhans.

I've never given much thought to what used to be where the venue now stands; honestly, it's one of those buildings I just sort of assumed had been there basically forever. Turns out I was wrong.

Greek, Mexican, Pizza — Pano's Former Location Has Housed it All! [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 05:01:25 +0000

Most Buffalonians can recall Pano's humble beginnings before the huge remodel they did a few years back -- the brick-and-white-sided building, the bright blue awning, the cute, diner-y feel of it all. It was one of my favorite places to have lunch when I was finally allowed to leave school during senior year free periods (at Nardin, if you're wondering).

But do you remember Pano's before that?

A Bird's Eye View — South Buffalo in the 1930s [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 05:01:30 +0000

Even though I hate flying, I love peeking out the window as the plane descends, just to see if I can pick out places I know. Plus, it’s really cool to get a different, aerial view of things. So it was a pretty sweet surprise when I found these old-school, from-above photos of South Buffalo, [...]

Oliver's Restaurant — Updated, But Still Old School [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 05:01:11 +0000

They say you shouldn’t mess with a good thing, and while I’ve only been to Oliver’s a couple times (it’s expensive, and you didn’t think I was gettin’ rich from this gig, did you?), the restaurant clearly sticks to that saying — at least when it comes to their decor. The North Buffalo eatery was [...]

Buffalo's Old Greyhound Bus Terminal — An Example of Awesome Building Re-use [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 05:01:09 +0000

Looking at the bottom half of the above postcard, can you tell what the old Greyhound Bus Terminal is today, in 2012? And, no, the answer is not "a pile of rubble" -- this puppy (ha, I'm punny!) is still (mostly) standing.

Here's a hint: This bus terminal was located a few blocks away from the current bus station on Ellicott Street, on Main Street.

Give up?

The Buffalo Public Library in Lafayette Square Was SO PRETTY! [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 05:01:59 +0000

Every day as I walk to and from my car, I pass the Buffalo Public Library's Central Branch, which is just across Lafayette Square from our dumpy little studio. It's clear from the old photo of the Square above that a very pretty, old building used to be where the library stands now -- but what was it?

The McKinley Monument — How Dull Would Niagara Square Look Without It? [BUFFALO: THEN AND NOW]

Angela Stefano — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 04:01:06 +0000

Buffalo has the unfortunately designation of being the place where President William McKinley was assassinated (among other unfortunate designations we've received over the years). Fortunately, that misfortune (are you confused yet?) contributed a very recognizable landmark to our city.