I worked at TGIFridays for the last 3 of my 5 years in college.
I miss Buffalo in some ways, but not that much. I miss my steak and eggs at Pano's. I miss playing guitar at Merlin's. But I do not miss the weather, the populations virtual "live and die" by the Bills attitude. Nor do I miss their bitching that manufacturing jobs are gone.
Companies have tried to bring operations to Buffalo, and almost without fail their efforts were either fought by the city government (Rat controlled) or citizens suffering from NIMBY.
About a year ago Bass Pro Shops tried to buy The Aud and turn it into a giant showroom. NO! shouted the people of Buffalo. Trico tries to expand and the citizens say NO, so now Trico is considering leaving town. I can't blame them after the hate the people of Buffalo have shown them lately.
One of the stupidest ideas I have heard from the people of Buffalo is that a new bridge to Canada to replace the Peace Bridge is the answer to the citys economic problems! A bridge! Sure, some economic activity will increase. Like traffic to Duty Free. Other says commuter rail and reduced downtown parking is the key to economic growth. Ya, that current "subway" if you want to call it that is an economic boom! Boondoggle is more like it. Others want to develop the waterfront. Great idea. But others are complaining that putting up the buildings needed to do such will "ruin the view"! What do the people of Buffalo want? Jobs and opportunity or a view of lake Erie?
Buffalo needs to do a few things, and fast to have a fighting chance. REDUCE TAXES! All of them. Especially property taxes. And drop the idea of charging people who live in Amherst but work in Buffalo a "commuter tax". Knock Down those damn Grain Elevators! They serve no economic, historical, or developmental purpose. NONE! They are a waste of real estate that can be better used.
CUT THE SIZE, SCOPE, and BUDGET of the government! Big Time! And start electing Republicans!
That is not true. I was working down the street from Trico a business born here) A large incentive package from state and city was offered to keep them here..they would have given them anything..but the new CEO was not local and did not want to be here..They moved 70% to Mexico ..the rest leaves this year..
It is not a good business enviornment here no question....but most of the companies that left went south of the border..it is about $1 a day..
We have a RINO gov that has increased the deficit so much they are going to raise taxes this year and drive what is left out
I love TGI..and I love Buffalo..snow and taxes and all