Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Here comes summer and operators are preparing to open 'The Hatch' along Buffalo's bustling waterfront.
The operator of the Juicery at Delaware Park is working on adding to his portfolio, as he takes over The Hatch and William K's at the Erie Basin Marina.
Angelo Canna says he was inspired after a drive with his girlfriend. "It's been vacant for a couple of years. And we put an RFP in about a year ago, almost a year ago, and we were awarded it by the city," says Canna. He says he'll call it Juicery at the Hatch. Canna says he plans to have fruits and vegetables, smoothies, as well as hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, onion rings, soft drinks and ice cream.
Canna says he's investing $100,000 in this project, but he's all in. "It's pretty rundown. The winter season batters that area., so it's a feat to get open. But I'm engaged in it and I can't wait to do it," says Canna. He's hoping to have it ready for May 1st.
Then it's on to William K's. "We plan to have within the next couple years opening up the old Willam K's," says Canna. "That'll be a nice big round bar in there and a small restaurant very casual, fast casual. It'll be opened up seasonally, we'll probably go from May to October."
Canna says he's grateful for the support from the city. "I can't tell you what a wealth of knowledge that whole department is. (This) could have never happened without them," says Canna. He adds Common Council President Darius Pridgen came to the site twice, shook his hand and said thank you. "That's all I want to do is make it look good for for people that come from out of town. I want it to be eye candy for people to walk around that corner and be able to get a nice can ice cream and just take a walk," says Canna.
Public Works Commissioner Mike Finn says Canna has his work cut out for him. "There's some cleaning that will have to be done to get it up and ready for the for the public," says Finn, who notes the Hatch has been closed for the past two years because of the COVID pandemic. Finn says he's been working closely with Canna to identify what needs to be done and coordinate on getting it done efficiently and quickly.
Finn says he's optimistic about Canna, noting his experience with other restaurants and similar type concession places. "So there's a lot of faith on the city side that that he'll put together a really great operation for the public," says Finn.
Finn says having the Hatch site open will help with the transition to normalcy along the Erie Basin Marina and the waterfront.
