Picture a bustling, sun-drenched street, lined with wide sidewalks and old-fashioned streetlamps. Storefronts and shopping opportunities vie for your attention every few feet, bookended by charming spots to grab some caffeine and a quick bite to fuel your meanderings.
We’re not talking about East Aurora, Elmwood Village or any of the other well-known walkable thoroughfares. This is Seneca Street in Larkinville, home to Larkin Square and Western New York’s newest “Main Street” experience.
A dozen businesses crowd the just-over-a-quarter mile stretch between Paula’s Donuts (872 Seneca St.)—the WNY institution’s only City of Buffalo location—and the Swan Street Diner at 700 Seneca. They include Breathe Organic Salon and The Plating Society, Chef Darian Bryan’s private dining venue that occasionally offers cooking classes and pop-up dinners, and there’s more to come.
One group of retailers is located in the Millrace Commons building, and they often work together on events and shared programming.
“They’re a really collaborative group of young entrepreneurs—they work hard to make this a community and give people even more reasons to come to Larkin,” says Kayla Zemsky, Larkin Development Group vice president.
Meaning? It’s never been easier to while away a few hours in Larkinville.
Start your day with breakfast or lunch at Toasted, which specializes in loaded toasts, coffee and smoothies.
We’d start our retail therapy experience at Toasted by Buffalo Beauty Foodie, a trendy breakfast/lunch nook that makes toast and coffee an art form. Owner Adria Campana prioritizes food that is somehow healthy, beautiful and delicious, all vegetarian and made with local ingredients whenever possible.
Her creations come in both sweet and savory form, piled high with ingredients like ricotta, strawberries and honey or tomatoes, mozzarella and balsamic glaze; there’s a flavor combination to tempt even the pickiest palate. A full coffee, tea and smoothie menu rounds out the mouth-watering options.
Magic Bear Beer Cellar offers more than 250 beer varieties in its retail section. It also houses a bar with a constantly rotating menu of draft options and hosts classes, pairing events and more.
Next door is Magic Bear Beer Cellar, a craft beer bottle shop and bar—go from fueling your morning to prepping for your happy hour festivities in just a few steps. In addition to offering a dozen carefully curated, constantly changing draft options, Magic Bear holds classes, pairing events and more, as well as a massive retail selection of more than 250 beer selections.
Owner and certified Cicerone Craig Altobello has over a decade of hospitality experience and takes pride in providing a welcoming atmosphere: Whether you know nothing or everything about beer, Magic Bear staff will help you make the perfect purchase. Bring in some food from a nearby establishment and crack open your chosen brew to enjoy onsite, or take it home for later—either way, you’ll be well taken care of.
Blue Table Chocolates gives truffles the white-glove treatment with its exquisite chocolates and elegant showroom.
You might do a double take walking into Blue Table Chocolates; it looks more like a high-end gift shop or jewelry store than a candy shop. These handmade truffles are tiny, gorgeous sculptures, each one colorful, immaculate and almost—almost—too beautiful to eat. Take your time browsing the many collections—everything boozy to vegan assortments are available, not to mention the specialty chocolate bars and limited-edition creations, made seasonally for only a short window.
Pick your own or purchase a pre-made box; with flavors like Strawberry-Champagne, Oatmeal Stout Caramel and Mexican Hot Chocolate, you’re in for a treat.
Don’t miss ducking into Buffalo Expendables, either. Though this supply shop mostly serves Buffalo’s film, television and theater industry, it also has an eclectic mix of items that could appeal to casual passersby. Seasonal apparel, RoboCup brand portable caddies, tool belts, rechargeable hand warmers and LED headlamps are all on the shelves. If you have a someone in your life whose profession or hobbies have them on the go and on their feet, you might find a unique gift here.
The Lounge Shop made the leap from online business to brick-and-mortar boutique in November 2022.
Finally, in this age of hybrid work, comfortable yet stylish clothes are a must have. The Lounge Shop has plenty of that and much more. Owner Sarah Desmone started her business from her apartment during the thick of the pandemic, and her Seneca Street boutique opened in November 2022.
In addition to the functional-yet-chic wardrobe basics with Buffalo flair, The Lounge Shop also offers all things cozy and stylish—from candles and mugs to understated jewelry and bath products like mud masks and shower steamers, these products just beg you to snuggle in and stay home.
After you finish your Larkinville shopping trip, that is.
