Potpourri for a Sunday

Microspikes

I’ve still been walking Gord daily by the gorge but lately, it has been icy, as in easy-to-fall down, even the dog slips icy. It is an easily solved problem but not cheap. Kahtoola Microspikes allow you to walk like normal even if you want to go down the Whirlpool Stairs. https://kahtoola.com/traction/microspikes-footwear-traction/?srsltid=Af…

Wondering about DeVeaux School

The good news is the roof is fixed and the DeVeaux School looks nice at night thanks to lighting under the eves.

The reality, however, is perhaps harsher. Sure, it is a beautiful, historic stone building in a wonderful park adjacent to a grove of old growth forest.

The challenge, however, is State Parks to find an investor to use the building. It’s not just interest rates, either. Consider: an investor, even a deep-pocketed politically connected behemoth like Delaware North would likely need to commit $20 million or so on a buildout before it could open a boutique hotel.

Think of the cash outlay, interest rates and revenue needed for a return on investment. Consider as well that once it is open, up and running it will be on a lease, not owned by the new operator.

Remembering St. Teresa’s

A Florida-dwelling penpal wrote recently to wonder if St. Raphael’s was the old St. Teresa’s. It was, indeed, originally St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus.

Now it is just another Catholic property being divested so the Diocese can compensate abuse victims.

The new religious institutions that seem to be opening in Niagara Falls are Islamic Mosques. We will see what becomes of St. Raphael’s. The sanctuary, rectory and school are all for sale. Here is a link to the school building which is also for sale. https://www.loopnet.com/search/commercial-real-estate/niagara-falls-ny/for-sale/?sk=225269f5fbb84eeba83c5f259feccdaa

College Avenue had a median

That penpal shared a few other details about things I didn’t know.

College Avenue, west of Lewiston Road, is wider than other streets in the neighborhood. Prior to Robert Moses destroying the city with his parkway, it had a median, perhaps like Van Renssalaer. The stone wall at the end was someone’s horrible idea to resolve an elevation change after Moses divided the city from its river.

Also, there used to be hollyhocks at numerous homes along Lewiston Road and red roses growing on the fence at Maple Avenue School. The roses are a distant memory but one hollyhock patch has been on my path for the last few years. I have been gathering seeds and spreading them. Hollyhocks will grow again.

Niagara Sausage

I had a hankering for steak the other day and stopped at Niagara Sausage Mart on Lockport Road. A nice ribeye was $17.99 a pound. I picked up 4 links of Italian sausage for Sunday sauce, $5 a pound. Small businesses like that are the heartbeat of any community.

I didn’t know it existed until I drove past one day a few years ago and saw the open sign just east of Military Road on the southside before the junkyards. It was an odd place for a meat shop but somehow fitting in an incongruous way.

The business recently changed hands and may be moving. I hope it stays the same.

I also hope Pellicano’s expands, as reported in the Gazette and Latina’s keeps going. I worry about Latina’s because of the passing of Mr. Marazzo.

For that matter, I am sure Portage Road Tops is still struggling but am glad it remains open. It would be a devastating blow if corporate decided to cut its losses. I need to determine if our meetings at Word of Life Ministries last year made any difference.

Como

We are still waiting for Ujjal Aladin to reopen the Como Restaurant.

It was supposed to happen in Fall, then again in December. I wish him well.

Meanwhile, Fortuna’s is still going strong on 19th Street though we haven’t been in some time.

Michael’s is Ok. We were there not long ago for dinner. I like the idea of rolled mozzarella salad but not the iceberg lettuce.

Friday we visited La Hacienda. We split beans and greens and an order of anchovies, garlic and olive oil over spaghetti. Both were excellent. It always gets me when places serve what appears to be DiCamillo’s bread but it is dry around the edges because it has been sitting out.

Ditto when a business only accepts cash. It portends ominous tidings. La Hacienda is for sale for $690,000. Michaels is for sale for $495,000. You can find both listings here. https://www.loopnet.com/search/commercial-real-estate/niagara-falls-ny/…