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USAN announces grand opening of The Craft Kitchen and Bar in Niagara Falls

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Thu, Mar 2nd 2017 05:00 pm

Neighborhood establishment adds to city's Third Street business district

USA Niagara Development Corp. today announced the grand opening of The Craft Kitchen and Bar in Niagara Falls. Located in the city's Third Street business district, The Craft boasts downtown Niagara Falls' largest selection of locally crafted artisan beers on tap, as well as a specialty-crafted fare.

USAN granted 223 Ferry Ave Partners LLC a $100,000 grant for its retail renovation project, which included The Craft. The City of Niagara's NFC Development Corp. delivered a $75,000 grant for the project, and the city issued a $25,000 direct loan, as well.

"Today we celebrate not only the grand opening of The Craft Kitchen and Bar, Niagara Falls' newest neighborhood bar, but also the continued revitalization of our Third Street business district," said Christopher J. Schoepflin, Empire State Development Western New York regional director and USAN president. "Gov. Cuomo and USAN envision a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with commercial, retail and residential elements that will attract both residents and visitors alike. The Craft builds on that goal."

"We are very proud to be part of this step in rebuilding the Third Street corridor," said 223 Ferry Ave Partners Managing Member Paul S. Stephen. "Thanks to the grant opportunity put together by USA Niagara and the City of Niagara Falls, we were able to move forward with our plans sooner than later. We see the opening of The Craft Kitchen and Bar as a very positive step in the future of not only Third Street, but also Niagara Falls."

"We are proud to welcome another exciting project helping to transform the landscape of our downtown corridor by partners Paul Stephen, Shawn Weber, David Giusiana and crew," said City of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster. "The Craft is the latest example of such a change that will help to revitalize the Third Street business district and build upon the growing popularity of the craft beer market. We are thrilled to have played a part in helping to execute this vision and are thankful to Gov. Cuomo and our partners in state government for their continued investment in the City of Niagara Falls."

The 223 Ferry Ave. Project is a nearly $700,000 renovation to a formerly vacant two-story building on the corner of Ferry Avenue and Third Street. Renovations created two second-floor apartments, retail space for a locally owned craft-beer-theme restaurant, and retail space for two storefronts.

The craft beer market has grown exponentially, and The Craft is responding to this growth, offering a wide variety of tap beers, as well as wine and spirits. It also sells a varied selection of specialty crafted burgers and sandwiches, as well as the standard Western New York fair of chicken wings and fish fries.

The operators of the successful Wine on Third, across the street from The Craft, will oversee the daily operation of the restaurant. Marketing efforts with other business and property owners will help promote the new and established businesses on Third Street.

The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council has identified tourism as a key industry sector, and New York state is working to support this sector - including investing in the renovation of formerly vacant buildings such as this one.

For more information on The Craft and its menu, visit http://www.thecraftnf.com/.

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