SLICE OF WNY
Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls
By Lisa Kane, photos by kc kratt
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Sculptor Bill Wilson.
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The intersection at Portage is dominated by the former Niagara Falls High School, now the vibrant Niagara Arts and Cultural Center. The NACC, started in 2001, houses more than seventy-five artists’ studios and mostly art-related businesses, and also galleries, theaters, and education spaces. The NACC’s website notes that it has more artists under one roof than any other location in the state outside New York City. Also on the website is an informative table that lists the artists, their media, and studio locations. My favorite listing is for the Niagara Falls Bocce League, located in the gym, whose artistic medium is—you guessed it—bocce.
Sculptor Bill Wilson, who has a studio at the NACC, says, “I love being in the building. The studios are former classrooms, and as one of the first artists here, I had first choice. Mine has a concrete floor and high ceiling, which is great for welding.” Asked about the NACC’s impact on the neighborhood, Wilson notes that the organization anticipates running busses or trolleys from the casinos and hotels to Pine Avenue.
Leaving the NACC and heading east toward 15th Street, you’ll find the handsome red-brick St. Joseph’s Church, a nucleus for the community. Up on a hill and abutting the sidewalk, it’s another commanding presence. Throw in nearby Columbus Square Park, with its Heritage Walk and gazebo, and this is a picturesque section.
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The food theme continues. The legendary DiCamillo Bakery is at 17th, across from Lou’s Pete’s Market House, which boasts “a whale of a fish fry.” Latina’s Importing Company, which originated in the Falls, and seems to be thriving here, is at the corner of 18th Street. Charlene Wilson, Bill’s wife, notes that a network television crew in town here last year raved about the food at Gigio’s Café, which claims its fish fry is “Oooh Boy!”
Look for the beautiful old-school façade of Pine Avenue Hardware between 19th and 20th streets. Past 20th—just in case you haven’t been lucky at the casino but you’re sure your luck’s about to change—try Casino Buy & Sell and Rueben’s Buy & Sell. Both are cool-looking in a seedy way, if you like that kind of thing (I do), but Rueben’s in particular, a yellow-brick building with a lovely curved and glass-blocked entryway, is worth a look.
Eating is a good bet again after 22nd Street, where you’ll find my Falls favorite, the Como Restaurant, which features a classic Italian-American menu. During one memorable visit, our ancient bartender shook fabulous martinis in an antique silver coffee pot. T. Grana & Son Fruit & Produce sells wholesale and retail across the street from Shorty’s Ultimate Sports Bar & Grille, with its pink-elephant mascot.
Pass two venerable Pine Avenue businesses, the Bowl-O-Drome and D’Amico Music, between 27th and 28th streets, and you’ll end at another great-eating block between 28th and Hyde Park. Michael’s Italian Restaurant is one of the Wilsons’ favorites. (“It isn’t fancy, but the pasta is delicious.”) La Hacienda Restaurant—also not fancy, but the pizza is great—is one of mine.
For more information:
Pine Avenue as Little Italy: niagaratimes.com/Little Italy Niagara.htm.
Pine Avenue Business Association: www.pineavenue.org.
Niagara Arts and Cultural Center: www.thenacc.org.
You can write to Lisa Kane at kane_lisa@yahoo.com, or just look for her walking around Western New York.
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