SLICE OF WNY
Amherst Street between Elmwood and Military
By Lisa Kane, photos by kc kratt

John Crocitto of Crozoo and friend
The section of Amherst Street between Elmwood Avenue and Military Road has, for as long as I can remember and no doubt much longer, had an appealing neighborhood feel and Old World character that comes in part from being anchored by a church—the Catholic Church of the Assumption, which traditionally served the Polish community that thrived in the area—and in part from its walkable mix of modest storefronts, residences, restaurants, and taverns.

These days there’s something of a renaissance going on along this strip, with new businesses moving onto the street and a strong, active business association. Just as vodka is the new black, Amherst may be the new Elmwood. Consider that rents for commercial spaces can be as little as ten percent of those for comparably sized spaces on Elmwood’s hot Forest-to-Allen section. And it has a great supermarket.

This stretch is perfect for a walk. It’s slightly less than a mile, but there are so many places to stop that it can easily become a full afternoon’s entertainment.
The jewel of the corner of Amherst and Elmwood is Voelker’s Bowling Center. Even if you’re not a bowler, check out Voelker’s for its sweet tile floor, beautiful red banquettes in the back room, and all-around great vintage look. Also worth a look is AutoMobius, the car with two front ends, no back end, at Joe’s Sunoco Service Center.

A little further down the block, across from Wegmans, is Lisa’s, the first of a number of inviting neighborhood bars. Leave your children at Wegman’s W Kids and pop in for a quick drink! (Just kidding.) (I’ve never done that.) (Really.)

At the corner of Reservation Street, the American Legion Niagara Frontier Post 1041 is open to the public for great spaghetti dinners and free jazz concerts. Across the street, Artsphere, a gallery and studio and one of a growing number of art-related businesses, is next to the newly reopened Lightmakers of NY. Formerly located in Allentown, this purveyor of innovative lighting, furniture, and gadgets looks like it might be more at home in Manhattan.

And then there is CroZoo. What to make of this place? I’m told it’s a combination zoo and pet shop whose owners offer educational presentations to school and other groups. Soon (maybe even by the time you read this) CroZoo will close temporarily to expand its space to offer more zoo, less pet shop. If you still can, stop by to meet the bizarre-looking Toby, the Patagonian mara, and Dolan, a coatimundi. (There’s also a cat, if your tastes run to the conventional.)

Joe Kennedy of Spar’s
Closer to Grant Street, Spar’s European Sausage and Meats provides exceptional meat to many local restaurants. Luckily, they also sell to the public. At the corner, which is the locus of the Grant Amherst Business Association’s annual Rediscover Amherst Festival, are two great building exteriors worth checking out: Hook and Ladder No. 12 and the Polish Cadets Hall.

The plaza on the southwest corner is a bit of an eyesore, but after that, Chotchky’s Antiques and Collectibles offers a funkier shopping experience. Our walk ends with a stretch of taverns on what historically was an even more bar-filled block; in the early 1900s, the intersection of Amherst, Military, and Kail Street was known for having at least one bar on each corner for a total of five taverns. We now have the very popular Sportsman’s Tavern mid-block and, at the intersection, the great-looking Barry’s Bar & Grill and Hilliker’s Pastime.

Along your Amherst Street walk, you’ll also find lots of places to stop for a bite, including a wide range of ethnic offerings. More important, though, you’ll discover—or—rediscover a classic WNY neighborhood.

Lisa Kane is a freelance writer. She walks a lot.


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