Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has had a look inside the refurbished Tops on Jefferson Avenue and has admitted he had an emotional reaction in walking through the store, which is the site of the May 14 mass shooting that claimed ten lives.
Reporters and community leaders will get a full tour of the property Thursday before shoppers get a look at what Brown says will be a dramatically different Tops Friday.
Brown tells WBEN it will look like a new store. "New flooring, new lighting, new colors on the wall new decorations, all of the food products and other products in the store 100% replaced," says Brown. He says it gave him a sense of comfort to see the "massive level of investment and the major changes" that were made at the store.
Brown says he understands some people are not happy with the store's reopening. "This was an act of domestic fueled by racism and white supremacy. 10 people, innocent precious people were killed, 3 others were wounded," says Brown. "Of course this is pain and trauma that so many in the community are feeling and going through. But it is important I believe for the store to reopen," explains Brown.
On the other hand, Brown says there's an important reason the Tops on Jefferson needs to reopen. "While there are other shopping options this is convenient for many people," says Brown. He notes this shopping option will now provide more product offerings and a greater variety of products than before. "I think if people take a look at the store, they go inside the store, they see the changes that have been made. They will feel a little better," says Brown.
Brown believes Tops has done the reopening right. "In the intense listening to the community, they have been very sensitive to the needs of the community, their employees. And I think over time, people will feel comfortable and we'll come back and shop at this store," says Brown.
Tops has said the reopening will be quiet and respectful on Friday.
