Meet Mickey Harmon, co-founder of The Good Stuff, a gallery and gift shop in the heart of Allentown that has become a true hub for Buffalo’s creative community. Mickey takes us through the story of how he and a group of local artists came together seven years ago to create this unique space, giving local talent a place to shine and providing the community with a fresh, rotating gallery of locally-made art, prints, and gifts.

Mickey doesn’t just curate art—he’s deeply involved in the Allentown neighborhood, organizing events like the First Friday Gallery Walk, street festivals, and local flea markets that bring people together and highlight the area’s unique character. In our conversation, Mickey shares his knowledge of Allentown’s history and the local stories that inspire his work and fuel his passion for building connections within Buffalo’s art scene.

Episode Highlights:

• The backstory of The Good Stuff and its evolution over the years
• How Mickey and local artists are creating space for Buffalo’s art and culture
• Events that bring Allentown together: First Friday Gallery Walk, festivals, and flea markets
• Mickey’s role in fostering community through art, history, and local storytelling

Connect with The Good Stuff:
Website || Instagram 
65 Allen Street Buffalo, New York 14202

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About the Host
Erik Arneth is a proud Buffalonian with a passion for promoting small local businesses through the sharing of their origin stories. He's also a real estate salesperson in the City of Good Neighbors: Buffalo, New York.

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Email: [email protected]
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Erik sits down with Bryan Mecozzi, the talented owner and chef behind Black Iron Bystro, now located in the heart of the Village of Kenmore. Bryan invites Erik into his restaurant for a tour, where they dive into Bryan's story, starting with his original location in Blasdell, where he operated for nearly a decade, before making the move to Kenmore.

Bryan shares the inspiration and intentionality behind his pre-fixe dining experience, how he incorporates seasonal ingredients, and the thought that goes into accommodating all dietary restrictions through a pre-dining questionnaire. He also talks about the bar menu, which features delicious options and cocktails for guests who want to stop by even without a reservation.

As always, the conversation took place in the restaurant itself, so you may hear some background sounds adding to the authentic atmosphere of Black Iron Bystro.

Episode Highlights:

• The journey of Black Iron Bystro: from Blasdell to Kenmore
• Crafting a unique pre-fixe dining experience with seasonal ingredients
• How Bryan ensures the menu is accessible to everyone by accommodating dietary needs
• What guests can enjoy from the bar menu and cocktail offerings
• Bryan’s passion for creating a welcoming atmosphere for both regulars and newcomers

Connect with Black Iron Bystro:
Website || Instagram || Reservations
3067 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14217

Upcoming Events:
The ERIK LOVES BUFFALO BOOTH will be BACK at the Kenmore Farmers Market Sunday, October 27th, from 9 AM to 1 PM. I'll be recording multiple episodes of the podcast, interviewing local vendors... Stop by to hear stories like the one feature in the episode, except live and in person!

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About the Host
Erik Arneth is a proud Buffalonian with a passion for promoting small local businesses through the sharing of their origin stories. He's also a real estate salesperson in the City of Good Neighbors: Buffalo, New York.

Thinking of Moving?
Download my guide on how to choose the best real estate agent for your unique situation. Whether that person is me or not matters less to me than you making your move with confidence.

Connect with Erik
Email: [email protected]
Website || Instagram || Facebook

Meet Erik Westfield, the public face of Buff-a-logo, a rising local brand that’s becoming a household name in Western New York. Erik and Robbie Grabowski started Buff-a-logo with a few product designs, a t-shirt press in a basement, and big dreams. Now, they operate out of their headquarters—a large warehouse on Main Street in North Tonawanda—offering a wide range of services, from logo design and screen printing to embroidery, web design, and online fulfillment.

Erik shares the story of their growth and how Buff-a-logo's unique products, like their locally viral broken table ornament and 'Local Legend' apparel series, as well as their collaborative approach, have caught the attention of Buffalonians near and far. They've also partnered with many well-known brands such as Zoom Buffalo, Bleached by Abigale, Squeeze Juicery, Spot Coffee, West Herr, Macy’s Place, Duffs Famous Wings, and so many more. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how Buff-a-logo is bringing creativity and community together to create products that celebrate Buffalo.

Connect with Buff-a-logo:
Website: buff-a-logo.com
Instagram: @Buffalogoco

Upcoming Events:
Join me at the ERIK LOVES BUFFALO BOOTH at the Kenmore Farmers Market this Sunday, October 6th, from 9 AM to 1 PM. I'll be recording multiple episodes of the podcast, interviewing local vendors... you might even get a chance to be on the podcast! 

Stop by and say hi! 

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About the Host
Erik Arneth is a proud Buffalonian with a passion for promoting small local businesses through the sharing of their origin stories. He's also a real estate salesperson in the City of Good Neighbors: Buffalo, New York.

Thinking of Moving?
Download my guide on how to choose the best real estate agent for your unique situation. Whether that person is me or not matters less to me than you making your move with confidence.

Connect with Erik
Email: [email protected]
Website || Instagram || Facebook

Erik explores the rich history and quirky stories behind one of the city's most iconic landmarks—Buffalo City Hall. Completed in 1931, this Art Deco masterpiece stands tall as a symbol of Buffalo’s industrial past and civic pride. From its intricate architectural details to its panoramic views, Buffalo City Hall is more than just a government building—it’s a piece of living history.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• The Construction: Learn about how Buffalo City Hall came to be during the economic crash of the late 1920s and how the city pushed forward with its monumental construction.
• Art Deco Design: Explore the incredible design elements, including limestone carvings, terracotta accents, and a copper roof that has developed a green patina over the years.
• The Cannon Test: Yes, you read that right—a cannon was fired inside City Hall to test the fire alarms. We dive into the full story of how and why this bizarre method was used.
• The Observation Deck: Get an audio tour of the observation deck on the 28th floor, where you can see breathtaking views of Buffalo, Lake Erie, Niagara Falls, and even Canada.
• Current Use & Hidden Gems: Discover how Buffalo City Hall is used today, including fun facts, such as the time capsule buried beneath it, and why it remains a must-see spot for both tourists and locals.

Fun Facts:

• Did you know Buffalo City Hall has over 1,500 windows?
• There’s a time capsule sealed under the cornerstone of City Hall, set to be opened in 2131.

Visit the Observation Deck: Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Location: 28th Floor, Buffalo City Hall

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About the Host
Erik Arneth is a proud Buffalonian with a passion for promoting small local businesses through the sharing of their origin stories. He's also a real estate salesperson in the City of Good Neighbors: Buffalo, New York.

Thinking of Moving?
Download my guide on how to choose the best real estate agent for your unique situation. Whether that person is me or not matters less to me than you making your move with confidence.

Connect with Erik
Email: [email protected]
Website || Instagram || Facebook

In the final episode of the Buffalo’s Beginnings series, Erik takes us through Buffalo’s inspiring comeback story. After decades of economic decline and population loss, Buffalo has reinvented itself, transforming into a vibrant, growing city. From waterfront redevelopment to the rise of new industries, this episode highlights the key changes that have breathed new life into Buffalo.

Buffalo’s resilience has paid off, with renewed investment in the community, booming real estate, and a thriving arts and culture scene. This episode celebrates the city’s transformation and its bright future.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How the revitalization of the waterfront has turned Canalside into a bustling community hub
• The role of adaptive reuse of historic buildings, preserving Buffalo’s past while building for the future
• How the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and new tech startups are fueling job growth and economic development
• Why Buffalo’s historic neighborhoods are attracting new residents
• The resurgence of arts, culture, and local businesses, making Buffalo a more vibrant city than ever

Buffalo’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and pride, showing that no matter how tough the challenges, this city always comes out stronger.

Thanks for joining us on this journey through Buffalo’s history! Don’t miss upcoming episodes of Erik Loves Buffalo as we continue to celebrate everything that makes this city the best place to live, work, eat, and play. 

Send Me a Text!

About the Host
Erik Arneth is a proud Buffalonian with a passion for promoting small local businesses through the sharing of their origin stories. He's also a real estate salesperson in the City of Good Neighbors: Buffalo, New York.

Thinking of Moving?
Download my guide on how to choose the best real estate agent for your unique situation. Whether that person is me or not matters less to me than you making your move with confidence.

Connect with Erik
Email: [email protected]
Website || Instagram || Facebook

Erik explores one of the more difficult periods in Buffalo’s history—the mid-20th century, when the city faced significant challenges. After a period of booming industrial success, Buffalo began to struggle with the decline of the steel industry, a shrinking population, and economic hardship.

Buffalo was hit hard by global competition and technological changes, and many factories closed, leaving thousands without jobs. The shipping industry also faced a downturn, and suburbanization led to a hollowing out of the downtown core. But through it all, the spirit of Buffalo remained strong.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How the decline of the steel industry impacted Buffalo’s economy
• The role of global competition and technological advances in Buffalo’s struggles
• How the St. Lawrence Seaway contributed to a decline in shipping
• The effects of suburbanization on Buffalo’s population and downtown area
• How Buffalo’s resilience and community spirit held the city together through tough times

While this was a challenging period for Buffalo, it laid the foundation for the city’s eventual resurgence, which we’ll explore in the next episode.

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About the Host
Erik Arneth is a proud Buffalonian with a passion for promoting small local businesses through the sharing of their origin stories. He's also a real estate salesperson in the City of Good Neighbors: Buffalo, New York.

Thinking of Moving?
Download my guide on how to choose the best real estate agent for your unique situation. Whether that person is me or not matters less to me than you making your move with confidence.

Connect with Erik
Email: [email protected]
Website || Instagram || Facebook

In this episode of Erik Loves Buffalo, Erik Arneth takes us on a journey back to Buffalo’s early days, exploring how the city started as a small settlement and quickly grew into a major industrial hub.

Buffalo’s growth was fueled by its strategic location and access to the Great Lakes, the Niagara River, and the Erie Canal, which made it a vital transportation and trade center. From its early days as a quiet outpost to becoming an industrial powerhouse by the late 19th century, Buffalo’s rise was rapid and impressive.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Buffalo got its name (and the mystery behind it!)
• The role of the Native American Iroquois tribes in the region’s history
• The impact of the Erie Canal on Buffalo’s growth
• How Buffalo became a hub for shipping, grain, and manufacturing in the 19th century
• The early innovations that put Buffalo on the map, like the world’s first steam-powered grain elevator

Buffalo’s strategic location and rapid growth set the stage for its future as an industrial giant. Be sure to tune in next week when Erik dives into the challenges the city faced during its decline in the mid-20th century.

Next Episode: In the next episode, we’ll look at the challenges Buffalo faced during its industrial decline and how the city had to adapt to economic changes.

Send Me a Text!

About the Host
Erik Arneth is a proud Buffalonian with a passion for promoting small local businesses through the sharing of their origin stories. He's also a real estate salesperson in the City of Good Neighbors: Buffalo, New York.

Thinking of Moving?
Download my guide on how to choose the best real estate agent for your unique situation. Whether that person is me or not matters less to me than you making your move with confidence.

Connect with Erik
Email: [email protected]
Website || Instagram || Facebook