BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A small business incubator in downtown Buffalo is facing controversy within our community.
The Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI) opened the Downtown Bazaar less than a year ago, and the bazaar has been facing financial difficulties for months, but after a meeting on Friday, officials announced the bazaar will remain open.
One business owner spoke to News 4 about the hardships she's faced since opening her store at the Downtown Bazaar, and she explained that many other businesses located downtown and in other Bazaar storefronts are feeling the same way.
“I want the support I thought I was getting because I put my idea on this platform,” she said. “If I can't get it here, where can I get it?”
The business owner explained that when she decided to rent from Downtown Bazaar, she was told she would receive a lot of support to help her overcome the challenges of starting a business. She was also told she would receive marketing assistance, but these promises were not kept, she said.
Just eight months after opening, WEDI's board of directors met to discuss closing the Downtown Bazaar as the organization faced significant deficits. According to board members, the entire staff has been proactively working hard to keep the location open.
“I can't express how proud I am of our board and staff for coming up with creative ways to do this,” said WEDI Board Member Steve Zenger. “We weren't going to make the decision today to close tomorrow. Today's meeting was about racking our brains, getting feedback from staff and working with our local business partners, and exploring creative ways to keep our facilities open.”
The board has not commented on how it decided to keep Downtown Bazaar open, saying it is too early to release details, but acknowledged that keeping the store open has been an uphill battle.
“Let's be honest, downtown has some challenges, and many of those challenges have nothing to do with our choices or theirs but with the economic realities of downtowns in every city in America,” Zenger said. “Changes in the workforce and people's lifestyles are impacting opportunities for businesses in the downtown corridor.”
Zenger stressed that WEDI is considering reforms to fully support budding entrepreneurs.
“Our team is always trying to help business owners, that's really what we're here for,” Zenger said. “I think we need to put more effort and put more effort into promoting Downtown and the West Side Bazaar.”
Owners said WEDI wants to meet again in the month before the lease ends to plan for the future. WEDI is also looking for board members who can help keep stores like Downtown Bazaar open.
