Erik Loves Buffalo

What happens when a historic building gets a second chance and becomes a neighborhood staple? Owner Nancy Abramo joins me to share the story behind Parkside Meadow, the neighborhood pub she built from the bones of a once-infamous college bar. Nestled in Buffalo’s Parkside neighborhood, this spot isn’t just a place to grab a drink—it’s a celebration of history, community, and great food.

Nancy’s journey from a media career to owning ...

In this episode I had the privilege of hearing the story behind Miller’s Thumb Bakery in Tonawanda, NY, with co-owner Jill Colella. Jill shares how she and her business partner, Stephen Horton, combined their passions for food and baking to create a bakery unlike any other in Buffalo. From Stephen’s experience as a James Beard-nominated baker to Jill’s background in teaching cooking classes, publishing multiple cook books, and food...

In this episode, I was so excited to sit down with Brad Hahn, Executive Director of Explore Buffalo, at its headquarters inside the historic First Presbyterian on Symphony Circle. Brad shares how Explore Buffalo began over a decade ago in a tiny office that was literally a closet and has since grown into a thriving organization with seven staff members and over 200 dedicated volunteers. Together, they reflect on the organization’s ...

The Holiday Season is is full swing, so who better to have on the podcast than the man with the bag himself, SANTA CLAUS. Despite being the busiest time of the year for him, Santa carved out a few minutes to sit with me and answer the questions that I've always had for him, along with questions from kids from around Western New York. 

This episode is perfect for families to listen to together. I hope you enjoy listeni...

In this episode, Erik had a convo with brothers and co-owners of Uplift Nutrition, Mario and Nick Copeland, to explore their journey of turning an idea at the kitchen table into a thriving business in the heart of Kenmore. Located at the corner of Euclid and Delaware Ave, Uplift Nutrition specializes in low-calorie, high-protein smoothies, energy tea refreshers, and other healthy treats that fuel the body without compromising on ta...

In this special Thanksgiving episode, I’m celebrating gratitude—Buffalo style! From heartfelt stories shared by local business owners to fascinating tidbits about Thanksgiving traditions in Western New York, this episode is packed with the spirit of community, creativity, and history that makes Buffalo so unique.

You’ll hear clips from my conversations with local entrepreneurs, including:

•Del Reid of 26 Shirts, sharing how his Buffa...

In this episode, I sat down with Jamie Deniro, owner of Kornerstone Coffee, at the East Aurora café to learn about her inspiring journey. Jamie shared how she grew up in Kenmore, pursued a career in accounting, and eventually took the leap into the coffee business. Starting with a roastery in the Millshire Building in Kenmore, she began selling coffee at farmers markets before expanding to cafés in East Aurora (2016) and Larkinvill...

In this first episode of the Market Mix Tapes series, we’re diving into the food scene at Buffalo’s local markets! Market Mix Tapes brings together shorter, themed interviews with local vendors, showcasing the incredible range of talents, flavors, and stories that make our markets special. This episode is all about food, featuring three amazing vendors at the Kenmore Farmers Market: Anastasia's Artisan Bread, Bloom & Rose,...

Erik Arneth sits down with Del Reid, the man behind the term “Bills Mafia”, the 2023 Bills Fan of the Year, and the founder of 26 Shirts. Del’s journey from a social media influencer in the Buffalo Bills community to a leading figure in local philanthropy is both inspiring and impactful. Erik visited Del at the 26 Shirts headquarters on Kenmore Avenue, which serves as their corporate office, warehouse, and storefront, to discuss ho...

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 ...

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 exper...

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...

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 ...

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 i...

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 ...

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 i...