Press Releases from US
April 2, 2024
Annual WEDIfest Fundraiser Empowers Underserved Entrepreneurs and Students in Buffalo and WNY
Join us on April 19 at the West Side Bazaar at 1432 Niagara Street . Guests will enjoy international cuisine from the chefs at both the Downtown and West Side Bazaars; silent and basket auctions, bar, live music, valet parking. Our annual fundraiser will support the organization and its work to create an equitable Buffalo through its programs in economic development and education.
October 16, 2023
Today, the Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI) formally opened its new and significantly expanded West Side Bazaar at 1432 Niagara Street. “Building Community, Building Opportunity, Building the New West Side Bazaar” the $11.5 million capital campaign to fund the project launched in March 2021.
October 3, 2023
The Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI) received a $250,000 grant from Bank of America to advance its $11.5 million capital campaign to build a new West Side Bazaar at 1432 Niagara Street, in Buffalo. This funding will help remove barriers for underserved entrepreneurs, including refugees and immigrants, to start family-sustaining small businesses.
September 1, 2023
Downtown Bazaar Offers First Dinner & Drinks Tasting Menu for Curtain Up
WEDI is thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in our newest neighborhood’s biggest night – the Theatre District’s Curtain Up. We’ve worked with our Downtown Bazaar chefs to create an interesting menu for curious diners comprising many of the world’s flavors for one cost, on one ticket.
June 8, 2023
WEDI has been awarded $1,000,000 from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation for its expansion of the West Side Bazaar on Niagara Street. This launches the capital campaign into its final, public phase or the homestretch to the new Bazaar’s opening this September.
April 19, 2023
Buffalo’s Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI) will partner with Pennrose NY
Developer LLC and MSquared, a New York City based, woman-owned real estate impact
company to execute a vision for a diverse mix of small businesses and restaurants at the North
Aud Block.
April 19, 2023
Joe Joy has been selected as the operator for the bar at the Downtown Bazaar in Buffalo’s Theater District. Lulu’s Pub will be the first bar WEDI has incubated in since establishing its West Side Bazaar small business incubator on Grant Street in 2011.
August 15, 2022
On Friday, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced that WEDI will receive $925,000 for its planned move and expansion of the West Side Bazaar. WEDI has been raising capital campaign funds for building the new Bazaar since March 2021.
December 9, 2021
WEDI announces additional $1 million investment in New West Side Bazaar
The $7.5 million capital campaign is now past the halfway mark with contributions from M&T Bank, The John R. Oishei Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.