An Urban Explorer's Guide to the Buffalo-Niagara Region: Unique Landmarks, Historic Gin Mills, Old World Neighborhoods, History, Nickel City Oddities, Tours and More!
Strusienski's Restaurant 363 Paderewski Drive Historic Polonia District, Buffalo, New York
Looking up Paderewski Drive, circa 1981. Picture from Buffalo Architecture: A Guide
Looking Up Paderewski Drive, 2010
ABOUT:
This often photographed Polonia District landmark is a fine example of a mixed use tavern/residential structure built in the 1890s. Located one block west of Buffalo Central Terminal, it housed Strusienski's Restaurant and was home to generations of the Strusienski’s family. The business closed in the mid-80s. The building was last occupied in the early 90s. After being boarded up for over a decade, the building was purchased from the City of Buffalo in 2009 before being added to the City’s demolition list.
THE PLAN:
1) Saving building from demolition - 2009 2) Stabilize structure: Exterior renovations & Restoration of Utilities - Work began Spring 2011 3) Make building an active part of the Historic Polonia District - Future
UPDATES:
After being saved from being included on the City of Buffalo's demolition list, the first phase of stabilization and subsequent restoration is the replacement of boarded up windows and doors. This work began Spring 2011.
2009
March 31, 2011: Work begins. Boarded up broken windows & doors are being replaced. Note 2nd floor windows.
Spring 2011: Windows & doors once boarded up by plywood and scrap lumber are being replaced. (April 1, 2011)
April 2, 2011: Front door complete. Clean-up along Sears Street.
Up until April 2011, the front door was a nailed piece of flakeboard.
April 2, 2011: A door to the future? or the Past? New front door added.
The view from the second floor of Strus': Corpus Christi Church & Sears Street. March 31, 2011
A cold day in Polonia District: Paderewski Drive, 2007. Click image to learn more about Project Paderewski
Back at the tavern after deer hunting. Owner John Strusienski (3rd from the left) and above him (in the window) is Julia “Ma” Strusienski.
Ray Barsukiewicz (in black coat) and some of his bar buddies at Strusienski‘s. Ray is father of Ray Barsukiewicz, member of the Buffalo Concertina All Stars.
Over the Tavern: A young Ray Barsukiewicz in the upstairs apartment.
