By Barbara Arnstein
111 Places in Buffalo That You Must Not Miss actually includes information about 222 places”, said the popular book’s photographer, Jesse Pitzler. “Each chapter includes a ‘tip’ at the end that includes information about another interesting place connected to the first.” Each one also includes a color photograph, and features fascinating facts. For example, on page 190, the description of Sloan’s Antiques, at 730 William Street in Buffalo, says, “Looking for a Japanese slot machine, a portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte, a Jolly Green Giant figure from a supermarket display? They’re among the thousands of items lining the wooden floors of this East Side institution that’s as much of a museum as it is a store”. The description of the Swan Street Diner, at 700 Swan Street in Buffalo, quotes the back of their menu: “‘Gimme a raft and a checkerboard, and top it with cow paste and motor oil’. You’ve just placed an order for toast and waffles, topped with butter and maple syrup”.
The photographer, who lives in Springville, and Brian Hayden, the book’s author and the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at the Buffalo History Museum, will be signing books at Buffalo ShopCraft on November 11th, from 11am-2pm. The store is the only one in Buffalo that only sells items made by local artisans. It is located at 773 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. On November 18th, they will be signing books at the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Amherst, N.Y., between 1-3pm. “The book is a great holiday gift for people who like to visit Buffalo”, said Pitzler, “and people who drive by places there and wonder what they’re like. Every chapter has a different vibe”.
“If they don’t find their favorite place in the book, they’ll find something similar, or just as familiar, or something brand new”, Pitzler continued. He commented about Sloan’s Antiques, “You would never guess, from the outside, that the three-story building has floor-to-ceiling antiques. All the windows are boarded up”. Two Springville locations are included in the book: Art’s Cafe and the Gentner Commission Market.
The second edition of the book will be available at the end of November. You can follow the photographer on Instagram @Jessepitzler or contact him at jessepitzler@gmail.com if you would like to suggest places for future editions of “111 Places in Buffalo”.