Nine Nine Eight : The Glory Days of Buffalo Shopping

New site

2010-12-09T08:19:00.000-05:00

I have merged my book sites to www.michaelfrizzo.com. All my books, including 998 are there along with links for purchase.

Thanks!

Mike Rizzo

Summer fun

2007-06-28T07:20:00.000-04:00

"Nine Nine Eight" is doing quite well after it's first month and a half of release. We've gone through over 400 books so far and expect to order more before fall.

The book release at the Broadway Market was great. Other than family and friends, there were some people I didn't know, which is always good. It wasn't exactly like the Marv Levy signings a few years ago, but it was better than my first signing in 2005.

I will be in attendance at the Buffalo Book Fair on July 7, hawking my wares.

Have a great summer!

Press Release

2007-04-19T06:54:00.000-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Mike Rizzo, mikerizzo64@yahoo.com, 716-578-4939

HISTORY OF BUFFALO RETAILING BOOK RELEASE EVENT at HISTORIC BROADWAY MARKET

April 17, 2007 (Buffalo, New York) – Many Buffalonians remember their first trip to a local store to purchase a suit, prom dress, gift, or to sit on Santa's lap at Christmas. The nostalgic new book Nine Nine Eight: The Glory Days of Buffalo Shopping should help rekindle those memories.

Local author Michael F. Rizzo will release the book Saturday May 5 at the Broadway Market, 999 Broadway in Buffalo. It's the first book devoted to the history of Buffalo's retail stores and the people who started them, and author Rizzo decided to make an event of the release.

“I wanted to tie the release to a local store,” Rizzo said, “the Market came up as a location and everything just fell into place.”

The event starts at 11:00AM with Rizzo talking about the book and continues with Peter Cammarata, former vice president of the Sample Shop and executive director of the Broadway Market, discussing working in retail. The event continues with Campaign for Greater Buffalo executive director Tim Tielman discussing the architecture of retail stores.

Former employees of any of the former Buffalo stores are encouraged to attend and discuss their memories. Rizzo added “the glory days may have passed us by, but there are plenty of people who fondly remember them. I hope they all attend the release.”

The 168-page book is published by Lulu.com, Old House History, and distributed locally by Western New York Wares, Inc. It includes over 100 photos, ads, and logos from Buffalo's best-loved stores, and a comprehensive index. It will be available at local bookstores and from online vendors.

# # #

About Mike Rizzo (ninenineeight.blogspot.com): Mike Rizzo is a Buffalo entrepreneur, who started and runs Zippy Delivery Bicycle Messengers. His first book Through the Mayors' Eyes: Buffalo, NY 1832-2005 was released in 2005. In his spare time he researches Buffalo history and attends Buffalo Sabres games. He lives in Buffalo.

About Lulu (www.lulu.com): Lulu.com is the premier marketplace for new digital content on the Internet, with more than 100,000 recently published titles, and more than 2500 new titles added each week, created by people in 80 different countries. Lulu is changing the world of publishing by enabling the creators of books, video, periodicals, multimedia and other content to publish their work themselves with complete editorial and copyright control. Lulu empowers these individuals and corporations to create high quality content products to sell directly to their customers and the rest of the Lulu.com marketplace. With storefronts provided as well as other marketing assistance, creators are fully supported to profit from their work. With Lulu offices in the US, Canada and Europe, Lulu customers can reach the globe.

Final draft coming

2007-03-31T07:54:00.000-04:00

The final draft of "Nine Nine Eight" is on the way. I think all the corrections have been made, through four edits.

There are many photos, ads, and logos, so it is looking really good.

The book release will be at the Broadway Market, tentative date is May 5, 2007.

Book progress

2007-02-17T13:29:00.000-05:00

The book "Nine Nine Eight: the Glory days of Buffalo Shopping" has gone through two edits and is rounding the corner towards home. Many pictures, quotes, and ads have been added. The tentative release is early May, with a projected release event at the Broadway Market.

Audio commercials

2007-02-17T13:24:00.000-05:00

WWKB has come great old commercials on their web site at http://wkbwradio.com/comm.htm.

One example from Sattler's is here.

Peller & Mure

2007-01-12T09:32:00.001-05:00

The former men's clothing store logo still on its last location on Court Street

Gutman's former warehouse

2007-01-12T09:31:00.001-05:00

Former Gutman's warehouse on S. Division

Hengerer's

2006-09-22T13:22:00.001-04:00

Hengerer's

also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Dry_Goods

Hens & Kelly

2006-09-22T13:22:00.000-04:00

Hens & Kelly

also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hens_and_Kelly

L. L. Berger

2006-09-22T13:19:00.000-04:00

LL Berger

Former Electra-Gas

2006-09-22T13:17:00.000-04:00

Electra Gas

Slotkin's

2006-09-22T13:15:00.000-04:00

Slotkin's

Former Martin Jacobi store

2006-09-11T19:23:00.000-04:00

Martin Jacobi

Walbridge Building

2006-09-11T19:20:00.000-04:00

Walbridge

Hens & Kelly

2006-09-05T13:19:00.000-04:00

S.S. Kresge store - Grant Street

2006-09-04T14:09:00.000-04:00

460 Main St. - former Neisner's logo uncovered - 9-1-06

2006-09-01T19:38:00.000-04:00

AM&A's warehouse on Washington

2006-08-28T12:12:00.000-04:00

AM&A's warehouse, Eagle Street side

2006-08-28T12:10:00.001-04:00

Old Sattler's ad on side of semi trailer - East Side

2006-08-28T12:10:00.000-04:00

Best Food

2006-08-27T23:30:00.000-04:00

Which store had the best food, and why? I only remember a couple, but the subs at K-Mart always made me hungry.

Worst store

2006-08-27T23:29:00.000-04:00

What store really ticked you off? Was it the salespeople, the lack of selection, the way that the day the sale paper came out they were ALREADY out of stock?

Did you have a horrible experience that still bothers you to this day?

Favorite store

2006-08-27T23:28:00.000-04:00

What was your all time favorite store, and why?

Old stores

2006-08-27T23:25:00.000-04:00

What is it that you really remember about the stores of yesteryear? Was it the selection, the location, the food, the people? Was it the memory of going with your parents to buy a suit, or school shopping?

I remember a lot about different stores. Like the corner drug store, or the subs at K-Mart, the lunch counter at Woolworths, and some of the great ads.

Come on, what is it you remember?

Welcome!

2006-08-27T23:15:00.000-04:00

This is the beginning of what I hope is a wonderful addition to the history of Buffalo, New York.

In 2007 I will be publishing my second book, Nine Nine Eight, about the history of Buffalo's major retailers. This blog is set up as an introduction to the book, and to get feedback and comments from the Internet savvy members of the community at large.

I will be posting different topics that you are welcome to comment on. I am also looking for specific interesting tidbits and comments about any of Buffalo's old retailers. If I see something that I really like I may ask if I can reprint it in the book.

So, without further ado, heeeeeerrrrrreeeee's the blog!

Mike Rizzo, author Through The Mayors' Eyes

Nine Nine Eight : The Glory Days of Buffalo Shopping

New site

REcent comments on the book

Summer fun

Press Release

Final draft coming

Book progress

Audio commercials

Peller & Mure

Gutman's former warehouse

Hengerer's

Hens & Kelly

L. L. Berger

Former Electra-Gas

Slotkin's

Former Martin Jacobi store

Walbridge Building

Hens & Kelly

S.S. Kresge store - Grant Street

460 Main St. - former Neisner's logo uncovered - 9-1-06

AM&A's warehouse on Washington

AM&A's warehouse, Eagle Street side

Old Sattler's ad on side of semi trailer - East Side

Best Food

Worst store

Favorite store

Old stores

Welcome!