Bringing beer, other changes to Braymiller Market for brighter tomorrow

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Some pleasant changes are coming soon to Downtown Buffalo's Braymiller Market: Beer and delivery services.

Since the opening of the Ellicott Street grocery in September 2021, market owner Stuart Green says he was a little reluctant to sell beer due to the environment. However, after a number of requests from local residents and out-of-town customers, Green has decided to give it a go.

"Product-wise, we'll have some national brands and local brands, for sure. But we'll have to figure out what our customers want, and that's what we'll carry. We will evolve," said Green in an interview with WBEN.

Green confirms beer in various case sizes should be available by the end of May.

The grocery store is also teaming up with local company, appetit, to implement their delivery service to Buffalo residents. However, Green notes there are still a few creases that need to be ironed out before it gets fully implemented.

"As soon as we're able to make that work smoothly, then we're good to go for local delivery," Green said.

Green hopes that the implementation of these changes will bring a much needed boost in business

"It's been difficult," he said. "We started pre-COVID, and once we got underway, there was no turning back. We lost a lot of downtown commuters [who are] still to this day not back working in their offices like they were. Some of them are part-time, some of them are still not [here] at all. It certainly restricted our sales."

Recently, things have been looking up for the market, which has seen an increase in business since some funding and recent promotion from the city. The City of Buffalo has not only brought funds to the business via $561,000 forgivable loan, but has done a lot to promote it as well.

Green notes they have partnered with the Police Athletic League of Buffalo, where customers can round up their purchases to support sending the youth to summer camp.

"Everybody wins. Opportunities like that for us are huge," Green said.

Green also notes that wholesale side of his business has picked up nicely as well.

"One of our biggest growth areas lately has been on the wholesale side. So we get a lot of our restaurant customers. We continue to get new ones every week because of our quality and our service on that side. So you know, a lot of times people think that Brian Miller is only a retail outlet. But if you're dining out in the city of Buffalo Now, chances are you could be in our food there too," he said.

In addition, the ice cream stand will be back in operation this summer.