Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Oxford Pennant is making the move from its longtime location at 810 Main Street in Buffalo's Allentown neighborhood over to Larkinville, where the manufacturing and design company is set to expand its operations at 775 Seneca Street.
While the company is moving to a larger space for its operations, ownership also points to steady and rising crime in the neighborhood as a contributing factor in their move. Nearly a year ago, their structure was right behind where the double murder of Allentown artists Mickey Harmon and Jordan Celotto took place along Saint Louis Place.
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Since that double homicide, though, Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski has noticed quite a difference in activity in the neighborhood that could bring public safety into question.
"I've seen a difference in the vagrancy walking, the increase in services, and then the walking patrol. I do certainly hear what they say at Oxford Pennant and certainly don't want them to feel that way. I'm working hard to look at those numbers to come up with a reasonable approach to the neighborhood, and then ultimately hope the decision is more based on consolidating their businesses and being thriving in Larkinville, which ultimately helped my district as a whole," said Nowakowski in an interview with WBEN.
Before that incident, Nowakowski had noticed, even on his own street, how there was an increase in vagrancy, open drug use, etc. However, the City of Buffalo has worked to make positive strides in the community.
"We are able to take over 2 Saint Louis Place, we added more foot patrol. We're starting to see those numbers go down, especially in nuisance crimes like getting your car broken into and stuff like that. That's really what deters more residential neighborhoods' need to thrive, and then it ultimately is not good for business as well," Nowakowski noted. "I am hopeful that Oxford Pennant will consolidate their business and be even more thriving in Larkinville, [which remains] in my district."
What Nowakowski is hoping for going forward is a continued communication between businesses, residents and others to know what's going on the street in the present moment, and then articulating it so then that information can be transferred to police and a response can be initiated accordingly.
"Some of these are crimes that are really hard to solve, because it's how do you move someone on a public sidewalk? Some of it has to deal with the mental health crisis, some of it has to deal with the drug crisis, some of it has to deal with homelessness. And then all of it is usually interconnected. But we're all working hard, there's a ton of community partners," Nowakowski noted. "If we're going to pair up to solve this problem, we really have to pair up with health care agencies, mental health care agencies, drug agencies, and then pair them with law enforcement as well to start not moving the problem, but solving the problem."
Nowakowski believes any problem is not going to be solved by just law enforcement or just hoping somebody goes to a treatment program if they're given a pamphlet. It has to be a joint effort in order to make the city's urban core more safe and attractive for residents and visitors.
John Cimperman, owner of 42 North Brewing along Main Street in Buffalo's Theatre District, is very happy for Oxford Pennant when it comes to the move and the chance to expand their operations. He admits it's a shame losing a neighbor like them, but understands the decision and the opportunity presented to them.
When it comes to crime and public safety concerns along Main Street and in the city's Theatre District, Cimperman says he and his staff have not experienced any crime, nor is there any outgoing concerns over it.
"Downtown Buffalo has the same issues as any major city, but from our perspective, we haven't experienced that, nor do our customers or our employees express any concerns," said Cimperman with WBEN. "What I can tell you is when Town Ballroom is jumping and Shea's is hosting events, there is buzz, there is energy downtown. Hopefully, in our small way, we can also contribute to that."
While the good news is Oxford Pennant is staying in Buffalo, Cimperman knows a vibrant Theatre/Entertainment District is important for the city to revitalize its efforts to make Downtown Buffalo a destination once more.
"We do need to continue to get people back to the office. That will help, and that does help. More events, more activation, more programming on Main Street. The more people we can bring downtown to experience all the restaurants, all the theatres, all the bars, that creates that energy and that creates that perception of safety," Cimperman said.
As for Noawakowski, he's working with the Council to commission some form of a report that shows lawmakers and other leaders what makes certain businesses thrive in the city and also what doesn't help businesses.
"Oxford Pennant is a staple on that section of Main Street, I am really sad to see them leave, even though they will benefit the Larkin District. But ultimately, my hope is that somebody will take that building and make it functional, and adaptively reuse it to a business. It's a beautiful structure that's right on Main Street," Nowakowski added.