No, there are no shoes or clothing for sale at the ReUse store, but Sundays there are so much fun. Especially when you’re dressed in a retro outfit, goofing around with building material, trying to get just the right shot on the camcorder. What is this picture of and why was all of this happening in a warehouse downtown? It’s our wardrobe and props because we were filming about the items you can buy at the store, in a soon-to-be released video slated for ReUse promotion.

The marketing folks at BR have major plans to get the word out about everything we do, including an upcoming newsletter and regular email updates. There is a gamut of videos that will showcase the services and aspects of ReUse, one has already been filmed, so this was our second. Art director, producer and videographer Caesandra decided to shoot this morning’s about what exactly we sell in the warehouse, in a cheeky sort of way. Hence the retro outfits and goofing around.

We don’t want to spoil the fun, plus we are embarrassed enough by the clothes and “acting” but the video crew met up early this morning before the store opened to get working on the scenes. The outfits are compliments of our closets and a local thrift store, the items for sale are compliments of the salvage and reconstruction happening all over the city. The fact that you can buy them is purely the genius of the Buffalo ReUse volunteers.

With all the supplies that are available for purchase in the store, we had quite a fun time putting together a collection of clips. Salesman Dan will tell you how by shopping there you can cozy up in the cold Buffalo winters, take a nice bubble bath, clean up after making meatballs, and use items he can’t even identify. There are no tool belts in the video or people pulling off countertops, but there is a lot of wood and another claw foot tub (we used a tub in the first video). During that scene, the crew drove in with some amazing chalkboards they picked up, so watch for a cameo.

By now it’s nearing eleven, and since we’ve done each take four or five times, plus customers are starting to come into the store, we decide to wrap it up. Not before we talk about the windows for sale. “We’ve got leaded glass, multi-paned, stained glass, double hung…” If it is this fun to make a video about the possibility of owning these great items, imagine how much fun shopping at the store will be. We’re open Sundays 11-4 at 459 Ellicott, come and knock on our door. We’ve been waiting for you.

-Jessica

Our warehouse, at 459 Ellicott Street (next to the Washington Market) [map], is open for sales every Sunday from 11am – 4pm. We have an inventory of salvaged lumber, windows, doors, fixtures, hardware, bricks, and cabinets. Sales can also occur by appointment; call 885–4131 to schedule a visit.

Photos are available at the links below via our Flickr photo sharing site:

— Kevin Hayes

We recently joined Idealist.org:

Idealist is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 with offices in the United States and Argentina. Idealist is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives.

They wrote up a blog post about us:

From Trash for Teaching to Pedals for Progress, our organizations database reveals many examples of how nonprofits are helping people to reduce waste in almost every part of their life. In Buffalo, New York, Buffalo ReUse promotes an alternative to demolishing vacant buildings: they deconstruct buildings piece by piece in order to ensure that everything from sinks to siding can be reused. In addition to keeping usable materials out of landfills, the organization helps to strengthen the city’s economy by selling recycled building materials at their retail store; providing start-to-finish assistance to anyone considering a deconstruction project; and conducting job training and leadership development sessions for young people.

— Kevin Hayes

Here’s an article by Brian Barrington from the Buffalo Cooperative Credit Union:

In keeping with its mission of promoting community development, the BCFCU made use of local materials and local craftspersons in the construction of teller counters for its new office located at 816 Elmwood Avenue. The new teller counters are part of many enhancements to the BCFCU’s new office.

The counters are made from wood which was salvaged from a Lombard Street house which was deconstructed by Buffalo ReUse. Buffalo ReUse is a local not-for profit group which provides a creative solution to handling the problem of disposing of the city’s inventory of condemned houses. Instead of following the established practice of demolishing condemned houses and disposing of the waste, Buffalo ReUse deconstructs these houses in a piecemeal manner and salvages all materials which have a potential use. By using materials obtained from Buffalo ReUse, the BCFCU has helped to illustrate how valuable construction materials can be reused within the community, instead of being exported out of the area or deposited into a landfill.

The materials obtained from Buffalo Reuse were crafted into two beautiful teller counters by Bruce and Mary Beyer, well-known local artisan woodworkers. Bruce and Mary have several decades of experience in creating artisan woodwork for the Buffalo community. The BCFCU plans to employ their services in the creation of other office furnishings.

If you would like more information about Buffalo ReUse you can find them on the web at www.buffaloreuse.org. Bruce’s and Mary’s woodworking studio is located at the corner of Clinton Street and Emslie Street.

Our ReArt show is coming up soon, October 18 to be exact. On October 15 and 16 (Monday and Tuesday), we’ll need some help receiving entries and beginning to set them up. If you can help any time during those two days, please contact Caesandra Seawell at art {at} buffaloreuse(.)org. Thanks!

We also need volunteers for the evening of the show, Thursday October 18, between the hours of 5pm and 10pm. We’ll be doing all kinds of tasks, from setting up and tearing down, serving drinks, helping prepare the food, etc. Of course, there will be plenty of time to enjoy the show and our celebration of the enormous contribution we’re getting from the community.

Image from Re-Art poster created by Kim Fleischman

— Caesandra Seawell

Peter Koch writes in Artvoice about other cities’ tool lending libraries. This is an idea we’ve been kicking around at Buffalo ReUse, and we expect to get a start on some type of community tool resource over the coming winter. We’ll let you know when we have a clearer idea what it will look like.

—Kevin Hayes

Jim Heaney, in the Buffalo News, says:

Fresh water and cheap power. Lots of regions would kill for them. Western New York has them.

And if the region plays its cards right, experts say, Buffalo Niagara can use them to ride the coming economic wave.

At Buffalo ReUse, we agree. Our focus will be on the most local level, helping our fellow citizens improve the greenspace in the city. We’re also convinced micro-businesses and increased livability on inner-city blocks will only improve the chances for an economic recovery in Buffalo.

— Kevin Hayes

Media AdvisoryContact: Aaron Bartley: (716) 418-0829, Allison Duwe: (716) 479-4159

Buffalo Non-Profits Unite to Form Progressive Policy Think Tank To Release Report on Overcoming Buffalo’s Housing Crisis on Eve of “High Road” Economic Development Conference

On Tuesday, September 25th at 2 PM, leaders of several area non-profits will mark the founding of a new progressive policy think-tank with the release of a report highlighting strategies to address Buffalo’s housing crisis. Founding members of the new policy and advocacy collaborative—called the Partnership for the Public Good (PPG)—include the Coalition for Economic Justice, Buffalo ReUse, PUSH Buffalo and the WNY Homeless Alliance.

The PPG chose to address Buffalo’s housing crisis in its first report due to the severity of the challenges facing Buffalo’s neighborhoods and the opportunity for implementing creative solutions, especially at the state level. PPG will dramatize the impact that the State can have on Buffalo’s housing by releasing its report in front of a West Side home devastated by the neglect of the State MBBA, an agency that recently relinquished control of 1,499 derelict properties after more than four years of irresponsible stewardship. The PPG report calls for an integrated, strategic approach by both State and City actors, which would include a comprehensive program of demolition, rehabilitation, deconstruction, weatherization and green space management.

The release of the report also coincides with the “High Road Runs Through the City” conference, which will convene national leaders in sustainable economic development at the Hyatt Regency on Thursday and Friday. The PPG founding organizations have assisted in the planning and development of the conference.

WHO: Leaders of several area non-profits
WHAT: Release of housing strategy report by new regional policy collaborative
WHERE: 376 Rhode Island, a house devastated by neglect of a NYS agency
WHEN: Tuesday, September 25th at 2 PM
Definite Photo Opportunity
Copies of the report will be available

###

— Jessica

Published in The Buffalo News Everybody’s Column, Saturday September 22, 2007 

Mayor Byron Brown’s plan to annihilate 5,000 buildings in five years appears viable for combating derelict structures in Buffalo, however, it ignores the unnecessary waste of demolition and does little to maintain cost-effectiveness or promote environmental and human welfare.

The plan does not adequately evaluate problems or provide comprehensive processes for leaving areas stronger and selfsustaining. Indiscriminate plucking of houses from the landscape does not address root causes of crime in underserved neighborhoods or support residents in securing jobs or access to enabling resources.

Buffalo ReUse Inc. seeks intentional deconstruction or systematic rehabilitation and long-term community planning and strengthening. BRI examines structures to pinpoint areas to rehabilitate, supplies materials to reinfuse in structures and provides opportunities for job training. BRI educates and involves community members by supporting block clubs, facilitating communication and providing tools that reinforce recuperation of community spaces. Residents and policy makers can form a comprehensive voice seeking logical and productive uses of city resources to ensure Buffalo develops progressive models that initiate neighborhood vitality, citizen empowerment and community renewal.

Tamara H. Horstman-Riphahn
Buffalo

Hello supporters and friends of Buffalo ReUse!

I’m pleased to announce that this upcoming Tuesday, September 18th, Buffalo ReUse will begin full-time operations. For over a year, we’ve been working diligently to get this project rolling so we can really make an impact on the vacant housing situation in Buffalo by reclaiming valuable materials that are now senselessly being dumped in landfills, creating quality jobs in the community that serve the residents of our City, and reducing blight through intensive beautification. We’d like to welcome Caesandra, Jon, and Jason to the team and we’re eager to get rolling.

More than ever, we’ll need your support in spreading the word about our mission. We hope you will share with your friends, co-workers, and family members the scope of work we perform in the community so we can continue to divert material from the landfill and make it available for other renovations and improvements in the City.

Remember, BUFFALO REUSE …

• Is a licensed, insured, and bonded demolition contractor. We can take down buildings up to three stories in height to salvage valuable lumber materials, flooring, and architectural features that can be preserved for the future.
• Accepts donations! Don’t dump…DONATE! We’ll pick it up that door collecting dust in your attic, the old cabinets you’ve just replaced with new ones, and the stock of lumber in the shadows of your garage.
• Beautifies Neighborhoods and needs volunteers to help! If you, your employer, or community group would like to participate in an upcoming project, give us a call. You’ll hear more about the BAR (Buffalo Action for Revitalization) Program in the upcoming weeks.
• SELLS MATERIAL at a low cost! We’re still at our store on Ellicott Street and we’ll be expanding our hours soon. We hope that we’ll have a new home soon! Stay tuned.

Our marketing committee, comprised of several skilled volunteers and staff, is taking the lead in spreading the word. Recently, they launched the BUFFALO REUSE BLOG. You’re reading it now! You can read about the latest news and happenings, and we also encourage our supporters and volunteers to submit reflections, ideas, and stories about their participation in the organization. Just send us an email if you’d like to contribute.

Check out our MYSPACE page … and enjoy the music of Starship. Log on and become our friend. www.myspace.com/buffaloreuse and share it with others.

We continue to reach out to the press to spread the word. Maybe you saw our feature on Channel 2 this past week? A thank you to Heather Ly for following Kevin and me on a recent salvage job. Check it out here: www.wgrz.com

Finally, we invite you to ReArt 2007: A celebration of the arts, architecture, and community. Mark your calendars now for October 18th, 2007, from 7 – 10 p.m. at Gallery 141B on Elmwood Avenue. This event will be our opportunity to appreciate and thank all of you for helping us develop, grow, and work here in the City.

As always, if you’d like to volunteer, give us a call…716-885-4131 or send an email to volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)organd Caesandra will help to plug you in.

—Michael Gainer