74° and Clear
By Will Crois
Special to the Express
I was born in Niagara Falls and still reside in this beautiful city. I understand that our city is in a state of decline, but despite the negativity often spread through public media, I believe much of it is unwarranted and unnecessary.
Our once-bustling Main Street has become a frequent target of criticism. The decline is visible—there are empty, uninhabited buildings—but there are also businesses worth supporting, such as the bookstore, police station, and cigar shop.
Urban renewal projects, changes in media spending, and the end of the power project are just some of the possible explanations for this decline.
Pine Avenue tells a similar story. Once a vibrant area known as “Little Italy,” it is now marked by empty storefronts, illegal smoke shops, and hip-hop clubs. A few Italian staples—La Hacienda, Scipione’s, and Latina’s—remain, but the question persists: Why such disparity?
When we look closely, we find many of the same answers as we did for Main Street’s decline. But perhaps the more important question is this:
When was the last time you actually made a purchase on Pine?
