Last night while walking to my car, I turned down Gren-way Alley and was struck! Struck with inspiration. This dilapidated alley located only steps away from ‘The Elmwood Strip’ is prime territory for something amazing, or even something mediocre, anything besides what it’s being used for now.

Some Alleys Around The World:

• Belden Alley Located in the financial district of San Francisco, it is one block packed full of French American cafes, hotels, and restaurants. Closed to vehicular traffic.
• Snake Alley Located in Burlington, Iowa, it’s claim to fame being: ‘The Crookedest Street in the World.’
• Kirstie Alley She’s that lady from the Jenny Craig commercials, and Cheers.
• Drunkards Alley Also known as Nonbeiyokocho, in Tokyo. It’s a just a small cluster of bars, hidden, with no street addresses, and hardly known to the masses.
• Blood Alley In Gastown, Vancouver is recognized primarily for the tales and myths surrounding it’s name. None of which seem to be true.

Random Alley Facts:

• In the olden days, alleys allowed deliveries, such as coal, to the rear of homes and businesses.
• In the UK specifically in York, alleys are known as ’snickleways’
• Chicago has about 1,900 miles of alleyways, making it the largest network of alleyways in the world.
• The world’s longest alley-gator is 19′ 2″ long.

Ideas for our own Gren-Way Alley:
1. Have a weekly Flea Market. I’m sick of driving all the way to far-Clarence every sunday to get my porcelain dogs and Swiss Army Knives. Let’s shop local people.
2. Rent out the garages to local artists working with three-dimensional mediums. One day a week, we’ll roll the doors open and have an artist meet and greet. Maybe even a demonstration? It could even be a mini sculpture park. Every summer new artists apply.
3. Fill it with alley cats and market it as a tourist destination. As in, ‘Gren-way Alley: More cats than you ever thought possible!’
4. Put some business in here. Imagine: Every summer night after 5pm, cool little pubs and cafes set up charming patios. They serve up wine, beer, live music, laughter, romance, & merriment. Next door, the Italian pizzeria pulls thin crust pies out of the oven. Across the street a small crowd gathers around the authentic taco stand. Maybe there’s even commercial strength gas heaters overhead, so we can wine and dine through the fall. All in the comfort and safety of a pedestrian only strip? I’d totally go there.
5. Turn it into a skate park: ramps and rails for ollies and kick-flips and and all that other stuff I don’t know anything about.
6. A summer pop-up restaurant series. Every spring, an organization recruits chefs and designers from around the city to create unique restaurant themes and menus. A select few are “hired” and their ideas are brought to life. Kitchens, sous chefs, bar, and wait staff, and tableware are provided by the organization. All summer long, until the weather breaks, scads of people can come and dine at this once in a lifetime experience.

BURCHFIELD PENNEY ART CENTER  Chances are you’ve been here, or you’ve heard everyone from here to South Dakota gush about the building’s contemporary angles, its grand spaces, and let’s not forget the Western New York art. In fact, the art from such visionaries as Charles Burchfield, may be the one thing that reminds you that you’re not in New York City or Chicago.

1300 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo – Buffalo State College campus

Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat 10am-5pm; Thurs 10am-9pm; Sun 1-5pm; Mon closed