REcent comments on the book

Mr. Rizzo: I just finished your recent book Nine Nine Eight. I had to write to first of all thank you for writing the book. The research, the images, and the copy were all very well done. I truly enjoyed reading it in just one day.

As I read it a host of various emotions developed. The nostalgia for the many places I shopped, hung-out and even worked as a kid/teenager was heart warming. I remembered most stores and there were many that I had even forgotten about. It was great to reminisce.

I also couldn't get away from the anger of so many of these good companies leaving us. The big box era and the Buffalo economy have seemed to hasten the demise of many home grown companies.

I truly hope many of "us" left can remember the Glory Days and support the local independents and help return this GREAT town to a new economically thieving city once again.

May your book be an inspiration to Buffalo businesses.

Thank you again for writing such a wonderful piece.

Summer fun

"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

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

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

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

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

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

Gutman's former warehouse

Former Gutman's warehouse on S. Division