And About Buffalo

BUFFALO--The problem with hosting events like the world junior hockey championships for any city is that it sometimes gives outsiders all kinds of time to trash the town they're visiting.

For Buffalo, it started with Team USA forward Emerson Etem labelling it a "ghost town" and complaining it made Medicine Hat look like "paradise," and has sort of continued from there.

It's not Paris. We get it. It's not even Vancouver, which joined the NHL at the same time as Buffalo four decades and has gone in an opposite direction from the western New York city ever since.

But I like hard-hit Buffalo for what it is, warts and all, and I don't even really like chicken wings. It's got personality. It knows what it is. After a week here for the world juniors, here's five things to like about the place:

1. The people. Geez, they're trying. They know the downtown core leaves something to be desired, but there are all kinds of efforts afoot to make it better. There's a friendliness to Buffalo that makes you think of a much smaller town.

2. The free rides. From outside the Hyatt Regency you can catch a light rail all the way to HSBC Arena. For free. Very nice.

3. The history. You don't have dig very deep to understand this was once a very important city. William McKinley was assassinated here. There's a house on Delaware where Theodore Roosevelt, one of the greatest presidents of them all, was inaugurated. Drive along North St. and look at the mansions that once were home to the wealthy and elite. City Hall looms like a vestige of another time. If you're lucky, like I was, a generous military man might take you on an unofficial of the gorgeous 74th Regiment Armory, the last "castle-style" armory of its type still operating in the United States. If you're curious and history-minded, there's tons here.

4. HSBC Arena. It's a good one. Maybe there aren't all the bells and whistles and the press box is awfully high, but for a hockey fan actually buying a seat, it's as good as there is.

5. The passion. People from Toronto may want to steal their football team, but my goodness, do they care about sport here. It may seem like it's just about the Bills, but it's the NFL beyond that, and college football, and the Sabres, of course. They know hockey here because it's played here. The late, great Jim Kelley wrote about the sport here forever and better than most, and these days, there aren't many better than Bucky Gleason. Sure, maybe more Canadians snapped up tickets for the world juniors than did locals, but they were expensive, maybe too expensive for a town where the recession and unemployment are very real, not abstract ideas. To buy end zone tickets for $105 you've got to either have deep pockets or really, really care about junior hockey. Besides, there's no American town where a Canadian can feel quite so welcome and at home.

Comments

[EA]

Thank heavens someone said it! I was starting to think Torontonians were every bit as arrogant as the outsiders suggest.

I grew up in St.Catharines but live in Toronto now. People here always seem to hack on Buffalo and I often find myself defending the place. I spent quite a bit of time there working special events for a Niagara radio station. In that time I got a chance to see much of the city and came to appreciate its residents despite the smack talk from my fellow Niagarans. Whether I was working the bars on Chippewa street, a concert at the Arena or visiting the Knox Art Gallery, the people were always pleasant and complimentary of their time spent in Canada and of Canadians generally.

In my experience, Buffalonians often speak so highly of Canadians it makes most sheepish to know what we say about them a mere 60 minutes down the road.

People should know there's a lot more to Buffalo than the Anchor Bar, the Sabres and the Bills. It's just that all most ever see are the underpass parking lots and the asphalt on the 190 to Orchard Park. What a pity most miss out on the jewel of a ballpark, the Knox gallery I mentioned above as well as the sites you mentioned.

Buffalo does not deserve the abuse it gets. Thanks for putting it in pixels.

[Matt B]

Hear hear! I love Toronto and its big city-ness, but a trip to Buffalo makes you appreciate how good we have it here in TO. And for the reasons that Damien stated, I like Buffalo for what it is. Maybe the only real thing Cox missed was what a treasure trove Buffalo is for architecture geeks like myself. The Art Deco buildings are second to none in the US. And amazingly, Buffalo is embracing wind turbines. I saw 6 or 7 on the industrial waterfront when I pass thru town last spring.

[Milton Man]

Anchor Bar notwithstanding, where else can you still buy retro candy AND Boo-Berry cereal!!!

BIG shout-out to Tom at Bella Mia Candy!!!!

[Mike]

Excellent article. Thanks for writing it.

[Richard Bridgman]

I agree. Plus you can add a great little airport and Target too. As GTAers who've visited Buffalo at least a hundred times over the years for whatever the reason, we've always felt that Western New Yorkers are salt of the earth people, friendly, helpful and really cheerful. Why Torontonians feel like they need to run it down is beyond me. Western New Yorkers LOVE Toronto. Can't we just love them back or are we a little too smug for that?

[Geoff Read]

Yet, it has to be said that these are dark days for Buffalo. When I was last there about two years ago I was watching the news and there was a piece about the city's waiting list for abandoned/condemned buildings/homes to be demolished. It stood at 25,000 at the time. That's no slight against the people of Buffalo nor is it to suggest that Buffalo doesn't have its charms, but I also don't want to romanticize or ignore the very real economic distress that the city and many of its residents are in.

[Tom Hanrahan]

Damien I agree in all respects. I live in the Hamilton area and visit Buffalo frequently. It really is a city with a lot of history and good live theatre. Buffalo has been identified as one of the cities hardest hit by the current recession and I am glad they got the World Juniors.

[Mary McLelland-Papp]

The best US city I've ever been to - the architecture is gorgeous, the theater is great, the Bisons have a great field for a Sunday afternoon game & the seats are affordable & it's fun. There's lots of festivals & free music in the summer & tons of A1 restaurants. And the churches - the great garden tours - I'd live there if I could.

[Art]

Well said, Damien. People are quick to slight a town based only on its outward appearance, but Buffalo is a city more heralded by its past and its people. Unfortunately, these folks have been hit hard by recession after recession. This was a key-player in blue-collar America until folks started buying cheaper, foreign made items. Their support for sports despite the hard times is unrivaled. I often thought they deserve a MLB team based on the support thrown behind the Buffalo Bisons and the countless sell-outs they have posted year-after-year. How about all the sell-outs at Rich to watch the Bills from the glory days to these woe-begotten times. Still, the support is there. Strong loyalty shown by local folks for their Sabres, too. It is a great city because of it's people, though it is too bad the downtown core remains so desolate. Hopefully, time will reward these folks and this city with a real crowning achievement.

[Becky]

From a born and raised Buffalonian, I thank you. We love our city and understand that it isn't much to look at, but we are most definitely passionate. As said before me, we do feel very connected to Canada and the people who live there. I have yet to forget a sign that I saw on the first day of the World Juniors...Buffalo, Ontario, Canada. Too true.

[Dave Rubinstein]

I have to agree totally. My son goes to University in Buffalo so we have been there about a few hundred times over the last few years and I have a definite appreciation for Buffalo and its citizens. If you give it a chance Buffalo is a great place to visit and enjoy. My son had many choices of where to go to College and he wanted Buffalo. He will be attending Canisius College for his last 2 years of post-secondary education and we are very pleased with his choice. I love living in Toronto but my second choice if I could would be to live in Buffalo.

[Babe Truth]

Buffalo is the first road trip for many teenage boys from Toronto, borrowing their Dad's car. Yes the Anchor Bar is incredible.

The ball park a dream. The shopping, much cheaper. The airport also a way better deal.

The people from Buffalo are truly friendly, and know more about Canada than 99.9% of Americans. You feel safe in Buffalo, you're close to home, and have a great time, eating and drinking there. I have two very dear friends of mine who own businesses in Buffalo. These are industrious people. We're so fortunate that they're our neighbours. Thanks Damien.

[Ken Baumgartner]

I don't know if they still have it but when I as a kid, it was Rocketship 7 every morning before school. I cheer for the Miami Dolphins but I wanted them to win the superbowl way back when and they got screwed in the stanley cup final.

[Pete]

Great article, I wish you would also show some love for Toronto now and then considering you spend a lot of time bashing it, but you're right especially in Toronto we like to take our shots at Buffalo when we shouldn't, it is a nice place for hockey tournaments I remember going to as a kid and the parents always loved shopping there.

[Giuseppe Siino]

Thank you for a great World Juniors, Buffalo! For those of you who have never been there, it's a great town.

If you ever get the chance, make sure you check out their great city. I'm glad to have Buffalo as our next door neighbour.

[John Carss]

I went to the New Years Eve game vs. Sweden & ate at a sandwich place that was close to closing for the night and the lady who worked there GAVE me a second sandwich!!

[Marky61]

No question, Canadians couldn't have a better neighbour than Buffalo. I'm not a big sports fan - what am I doing on this page? - but I love going to the Albright-Knox Gallery, one of the best modern galleries in North America! Don't forget: Buffalo was Sin City back in the 1940s and 1950s when Toronto was still a sleepy little church town. Buffalo is where everyone went on a Saturday night. Chin up, Buffalo. We really like you!

[Paul]

Let's keep in mind he is also trashing the city he currently lives in and plays for. I live in Medicine Hat, and sure it's not Long Beach California, but it's a great place to live. Emerson is a hero in our city, well was until he decided to make that comment. I just think it's disrespect to all of his friends that currently live here. And it's disrespect to the city. The Tigers are glad to have him as a forward. And I think we can all agree he's a damn good player, but having him trash his home teams city is rude and uncalled for.

[KD]

Great things about Buffalo: Their airport is the best in the GTA (if you really stretch the definition of GTA). Wegman's. Tops. Barnes & Noble. The Olive Garden. Target. The Walden Galleria - a clean Eaton Centre.

[Fairfax]

Thanks for saying this, Damien. I went down for a weekend to see the Bills-Dolphins game in Buffalo 3 years in a row earlier this decade, and quite enjoyed the city each time. I've always thought it gets a bad rap.

One thing you left out of your list is Chippewa Street! I was pleasantly surprised on my visits at how good the nightlife down on Chippewa Street was, Buffalo actually knows how to party!

[John Gargrave]

Kudos, Damien, for an article that gives Buffalo and its people their due. No one has yet mentioned Mark Twain's house, or the Frank Lloyd Wright house or some of the best old Victorian houses outside San Francisco. Then there's Duff's for great wings, Shakespeare in Delaware Park and their waterfront park in the summer. All with the most down-to-earth, friendly folks you'll find in the whole country. I'm a proud Torontonian, but glad that Buffalo is our neighbour.

[Rob]

When I think of Mexican immigrants desperately trying to cross into the US, I think of my fellow Buffalonians who like me had to move from a place we loved to make it economically. Buffalo people are living in cities all across the US and also in some Canadian cities. Buffalo gets smacked down in every corner of the US and seemingly Canada too. My father was Canadian and my mother American. I am one of those people that likes Canada, visits Canada, reads the Canadian newspapers like the Star and yes, knows quite a bit about Canada. I follow the Memorial Cup and the CFL. I appreciate Canadian culture. I do understand the issues between the two countries. What I don't care for is the ignorant and hateful remarks by people of each nation towards each other. Buffalo and the US took a lot of hateful comments this past week. Buffalo people are saying that they didn't realize they were hated so much by Canadians. I don't know if it is that bad but I know what they meant. Buffalo and the US just hosted a great event and people were ripping the hosts. Us Buffalonians may be dispersed around the continent but part of hearts are still invested in Buffalo. We wish for much better days. I traveled 3000 miles to see 21 hockey games at HSBC Arena. I hope I helped my people by visiting for the WJC. Canadians spent a lot of money in Buffalo this past eleven plus days. From the hot dog vendors on the street corners, bartenders and waiters, police officers and emergency personnel, there is gratitude towards Canadians. I know. I asked. And they told me. Thanks for a great article Damian.

[Tom Clark]

Great article.. Have been going to Buffalo all my life while living in Canada and the people are the greatest bar non. I go to the VA hospital there and have never in my long life met a nicer or more caring group.I had a choice of a 2 hour drive to Detroit or 3 and a half hour drive to Buffalo and I chose Buffalo with no hesitation. They will rise from the ashes and come back and be better than ever.

[BellaWNY]

I'm a proud Buffalonian through and through. I lived in Vermont for seven years and returned to my hometown because of the amazing people, great hockey, beautiful architecture speckled between the nasty things people tend to focus on, the theatre, live music, and most of all, my loving family. After living from coast to coast, Buffalo really is the city of good neighbors. And we love Canada from Fort Erie to Niagara on the Lake, all the way to Toronto and beyond. Please keep passing your passion for our friendly city on because visiting here and enjoying what we have to offer helps more than you know.

One thing I can say that's very positive about Buffalo's future is the return of so many people like me to the area. There is a very upbeat, grassroots commitment to the city and the region which enriches every little beautiful pocket, expanding it slowly, block by block.

Thanks you again for your Buffalo love.

[Don Manuszewski]

I'm orignally from the Buffalo area and would move back in a heartbeat. Many people above say that Buffalo isn't nice to look at but to them I say look a little bit deeper. It is a beautiful city with amazing buildings. When I go back to visit family, I always take my kids downtown just to look at what a city that wasn't poured out of a concrete mixer looks like. Buildings with style and personality, not a ton of glass and concrete. If the local political types ever got their act together and did some truly alturistic things Buffalo could have a resurgence as big or bigger than Baltimore did with it's Inner Harbor.