BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - One of Buffalo's fastest growing local stores can attribute its success to the entrepreneurial spirit of its owner.
"The BFLO Store", which has five locations in Western New York, recently opened up a new location at Canalside's Explore & More Children's Museum. The store features all things Buffalo and specializes in home and office decor, jewelry, clothes, and gifts.
It's been a month since the tall ships arrived in Buffalo for the Port of Call: Buffalo. BFLO owner Nate Mroz took only a day to take advantage of the unique sights at Canalside.
"We have a larger photo printer in my office so I went there that night and had them printed, matted, and framed," he said. "By the next morning, I distributed them to our Canalside location. By that exact day following, people were coming in asking how I had it already. It's not even so much how much we sell of it. It's the fact that people see our commitment and passion in this area, showing it in its best light and providing that level of expertise and level of turnaround."
You might wonder why he decided on selecting a mall for some of his locations. Despite the decline of malls in the region, Mroz said he was interested in setting up shop there because of their presence in a community. He said that because he's a small business, he's been successful in malls due to his ability to make quicker business decisions than the retail giants.
"We're able to essentially get better rents and rates to get in because malls are more readily able to take a gamble on a local retailer," he said. "Ten years ago, we may not have been able to be in that position where they would take a gamble. Now it's a different game and they're more open to concepts."
Mroz said he's also worked with national retail experts who helped him customize the store to give it a professional feel, yet emphasize the importance of the local products.
Mroz graduated from Buffalo State College with a degree in Urban Planning and Developing and has kept an interest in real estate locally.
"I love the Buffalo region and it's something I know I'll be here for many years to come," he said. "I'll always call it home."
