Thursday Potpourri

Eating pickle pizza

A hangover from Festival of Slice, or economic impact multiplied: We had never heard of Leon’s Bistro or dill pickle pizza before a few weeks ago. Now we are customers. We ordered from the 8090 Porter Road establishment last night.

Thin crust, mozzarella, barbecue sauce, pickles and ranch dressing. It sounds disgusting until you try it. Cosi buono. You can order it here. https://www.leonsitalianbistroandpizza.com/about-us

Condemned parking lot still open

Things that don’t make sense. The City’s notice about a public hearing on the demo of the parking ramp at 620 10th St. mentions it has been condemned.

There is a hearing on demolition at next Wednesday’s city council meeting.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the ramp was open and the lights were on and cars were parked. It makes no sense. Especially because I have heard from people about falling concrete and unsafe conditions.

Como soft opening Dec. 16

The billboard outside The Como reads thanks for the memories.

The new owners announced via social media they will be holding a soft opening on December 16. Huzzah!

Parker's Pit closes Falls location

On a sad note, if you want Parker’s Pit BBQ, your have to go to Middleport because the place at Porter and Military by the airport has closed. The owner last week cited “unsafe” as the reason.

A commenter told me last week it was a “bad look” to call Pine Avenue Little Bangladesh. It is a bad look for the Italian Americans like me. As for the Bangladeshi, bring it on. Welcome. Buy property, start businesses, open mosques. We need more people to come live the American dream. Peace be upon you. Welcome.

Across the street from the Como, O’Reilly Auto Parts is now open in the former Rite Aid. I question their market research but wish them luck.

Meanwhile, Shorty’s Patio Grill and Lounge is open closer to Hyde Park. Are those 3 businesses opened or reopened on Pine Avenue?

Meanwhile, the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency announced via the Gazette it is seeking a Restore NY grant for 3505 Hyde Park Blvd., a 15-acre industrial property on the southeast corner of College Avenue currently listed as owned by Santarosa Holdings. It is counterintuitive to think that site next to Belden Center is in the Town of Niagara. Come to think of it, I bet the kid the IDA fed the story to at the Gazette doesn’t know what Belden Center is.

Meanwhile, across the street at the former Globe Metallurgical site where 8 Lives Digital Group in August announced plans for construction of a new data center there is the slightest sign of activity. The wooden fence along College Avenue Extension has been fixed up with some new boards added.