The Big Question

         From an empty parking lot to a $200 million dollar company, HarborCenter is the talk of the town. However, just over a month ago that talk took a surprising hit. John Koelmel, former President of the company, resigned from his position. Catching many off guard, especially Kim Pegula, and many others working for HarborCenter.

This would not be the first time Koelmel left a big name company. He was the former President and Chief Executive Officer of First Niagara Bank. Since December 2006 Koelmel relished the opportunity. First Niagara Bank grew financially and expanded. Koelmel helped plant more than 2,000 blue-and-yellow First Niagara Signs around the region. Three years into his success, Koelmel was named “banker of the year” in 2009. He described his banks as “rock solid.” In March 2013, that rock shattered, as First Niagara kicked Koelmel to the curb. 

Some say the excitement got the best of Koelmel. Fortunately for him, Terry and Kim Pegula came knocking on his door asking him to become part of their HarborCenter project a few months later.

A press conference was held to announce Koelmel’s addition. From that point on, he would always be seen with a construction hat while the building was going up. Making sure things were in line and running smoothly was an attribute of his.

“He was always buzzing around. Very friendly, he was all about this building. Whether you knew him or vise versa, he would always say hello,” said Simon Fedak, an employee of the rink shop at HarborCenter. When the time came to hire for HarborCenter, Koelmel used one word frequently. 

“Dazzle,” he told the new employees. That’s what he did with whatever or whomever he came across. “Very energetic person. He is Mr. Dazzle,” said Lauren Carlson, a Tim Hortons manager within HarborCenter. “He is a very happy person,” Carlson continued.

Why would someone with such known positivity up and leave a company on the rise?

The day his resignation was announced, employees had no idea. Said Jaamal Mccarter who works for Tim Hortons in HarborCenter: “It was surprising he left.”

Koelmel likes the sport world, working for Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of the two biggest franchises in Buffalo, was right up his ally. Like Mrs. Pegula, he is “people oriented,” said Carlson. 

“He had a nice impact. He made a name for himself,” said Fedak. Surely, Koelmel was a huge reason HarborCenter has had so much early success. So why now? Why not if and when at all the business slows down?

“I’m a fan of transitions earlier than later,” Koelmel told reporters the day of the announcement. “I’m not one to hang around when there isn’t a real need.” He also mentioned this day wasn’t a matter of if, but when. 

“This was a transition that was long anticipated in terms of the specifics of the HarborCenter role,” he claimed. Koelmel knew the HarborCenter would become more complex and require new leadership. Why then, did the Pegula’s ask him? More importantly, why did he accept the position knowing this was coming?

Maybe it was because the Pegulas knew he was the man to get their vision up and running. Seeing as he had so much success with First Niagara Bank. Koelmel getting run out of the bank must not have been a problem for the billionaire couple. His relationship with them was in good standing along with people he knew and worked with at HarborCenter.

Chuck Lawlass is the rinks manager and knew Koelemel personally. “He helped build this. As a team, we can move on, I don’t think it will slow us down at all,” said Lawlass. It has been five weeks since Koelmel’s departure, and as Lawlass predicted, things have not slowed down. 

Currently HarborCenter is hosting the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships, a tournament that is being broadcasted nationally.

Sean Green, Director of Operations Sports Development at RiverWorks, thinks change can be tough. “It’s something new. It can bring excitement. Especially with something like this,” he explained. Mccarter added that Kolemel’s leaving “hasn’t changed anything in Tim Hortons.”  Whoever it is that takes the Presidential position, should have an easy transition.

Why the change for Koelmel? One source who wished to remain unanimous claimed he may become a politician. But there might be a more simplistic reason. 

“I think he wanted to start it, then leave,” said Mccarter. “Move onto other things and continue with life.” That falls in line with what Koelmel said, he’s one to leave sooner than later.  
        There’s no question that without Koelmel, HarborCenter wouldn’t be where it currently stands. Maybe that was his plan all along. Start a multi-million dollar company, thank the Pegula’s for the opportunity, and pass the torch. Whether those intentions are true or not, that’s what he’s done. 

        Thanks should be given one way or the other. Koelmel to the Pegulas or them to him. Everywhere he has gone success has followed. Millions of dollars at First Niagara then some more at HarborCenter. It was a small amount of time before everyone knew what Koelmel would be doing after First Niagara. This time around may be the same. The Pegulas have created the phrase “One Buffalo.” Maybe Koelmel just wants some “One Koelmel” time.

A League of Their Own

         In the Buffalo area, roller derby isn’t heard of much, unless you’re in the game. RiverWorks has provided the Women’s Fast Track Derby Association (WFTDA) with their very own track inside its complex. “There’s just something about hitting girls,” said Laura Gobin. She has been playing roller derby since 2011 and loves it.

The WFTDA league started in 2006 at the Rainbow Rink in Tonawanda. Back then they were known as the Queen City Roller Girls. Two years later Kari Lambright and her family joined the league. Since then Kari has been the committee chair in charge of events for the league.

“ RiverWorks built this track strictly for us,” Lambright said. She and the league plan to stay at RiverWorks for a long time. Each player has to have two volunteer hours in order to play in games, also if a practice is missed, you miss the next game. 

Kari was very appreciative that her league is being noticed. “I can’t stand the excitement, I read all the time online how Buffalo is coming and post it to Facebook for everyone to read,” she says. Buffalo has a unique history, and Kari is glad it is being used in Buffalo’s favor. “Buffalo deserves to have its own fingerprint,” she said.

The WFTDA league is the only league around that actually plays by the rules of roller derby. Currently there are 160 people in WFTDA. “There’s a league that plays in East Ferry in Buffalo. The Renegade Roller Derby League, no rules, no penalties,” Kari explained. When the game between the Devil Dollies and Ally Kats started at RiverWorks, it seemed as if there was a penalty every two minutes. 

Roller derby itself is very complex if you’re new to the game. With a big part of the game being girls banging into each other, it’s easy to see why there are so many penalties. There are two halves, with the main part of the game being a jam. A jam is a maximum of two minutes, with the object trying to get the jammer through the other team’s barricade of girls to score points. The average score between both teams is 200 points.

With construction still ongoing at RiverWorks, many people came out to attend this event. For the individuals involved in roller derby, they take it very seriously, but it is also a lot of fun. 

“ I absolutely love it. You hate your opponents during games, in the end you're best friends and you go out for drinks afterwards,” Laura said. She is originally from Southern California, recently moved to Buffalo, and plays for Devil Dollies. Before Laura made the leap she did some research of her own to check out Buffalo. “When I moved I knew Buffalo was up and coming,” Laura said. That was one and a half years ago, and the area has come a long way since. Laura wouldn’t have it any other way.

“ I’ve made instant friends,” she said. A big decision when Laura moved was being able to continue her roller derby career. “ It’s always fun to wear fishnets and booty shorts. Always a great time, it’s a cult following event, good fun, and a good mix of age,”she said. Nicknames are also a big part of the game. Laura’s is “buenas nalgas” or “good butt.” Kari’s nickname is “Momma Chops.” That is how Kari introduces herself to everyone, not by first name.

The Devil Dollies vs. The Ally Kats was quite the game. Everyone was very engaged, from the players, coaches, officials, and especially the fans. Most people aren’t associated with roller derby, so picture the Super Bowl, that is how this game was treated. At halftime they didn’t have a big show, but they did however throw out free loaves of bread. 

When RiverWorks is complete, Kari hopes her WFTDA league games become even more popular. The coordinator of events for RiverWorks, Sean Green, has stated they intend to have many outdoor events when construction is concluded, such as a roller or floor hockey league, many concerts outdoors, and not to mention the continuation of the derby games. Also they plan to have backyard games such as Kan Jam, Bean Bag Toss, Pickle Ball, and Beach Volleyball. Inside, the complex will house a restaurant, yet to be named, which will be a sports bar. 

With all of these attractions, Kari’s vision should come to fruition. Roller derby is just like any sport, competitive during games, and it creates a family in the end. The game deserves to be noticed more. It may be confusing and different in the beginning, but take the time to learn the game. Roller derby could be the next big thing coming to Buffalo.

https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/588026106139279360

Bills Stadium Generating Buffalo Buzz

         In the foreseeable future, a new Buffalo Bills stadium might be built in downtown Buffalo. The Bills are beloved by thousands. Fans around the world cheer for them and are passionate. If they want the franchise to have continued success, a new stadium is needed. 

Four preferred sites have been identified, three in the city, and one in Orchard Park. Others have received mention, but there are four main positions. East of First Niagara Center in the Cobblestone district, Exchange and Michigan Avenue, and southeast of South Park Avenue - Louisiana Street along the Buffalo River are the city sites. The Orchard Park location is simply next to the current stadium. Sean Green is the Director of Operations Sports Development at RiverWorks, and he believes a new stadium would be a great idea.

“I think it would be phenomenal, it’s another piece to the puzzle in terms of excitement and opportunities to bring people down here,” said Green. He expressed the thought of 80,000 people going downtown, everyone would benefit from it. RiverWorks is still being completed, but among themselves they have discussed the potential for a stadium downtown. They would plan their events around it, and stadium events would help structure RiverWorks, along with other city attractions.

As the new Bills owners, Terry and Kim Pegula have a large task at hand. They have expressed their desire to keep the Bills in Western New York, and have a commitment to winning. For the Pegulas, a new stadium could cost between $784.6-$911.9 million, pending which city location chosen, if any.

Green feels the general perception is fans want a stadium downtown with all the excitement. “The city is growing and it’s changing, sometimes change is good,” says Green. A new stadium downtown would make the city the place to go.
        “You hear the excitement of people staying here or coming back home here, sports is a huge part of people’s lives and activities and families, the tradition of going together if it’s a Bills game, Sabres game, Bandits game, or whatever else, families come together,” said Green. 

With Green’s role being to schedule events and attract people, bringing so much activity downtown, he doesn’t think it’s a bad idea. There are already major events occurring. Garth Brooks recently came to Buffalo. Six shows in four days, with two of those days holding two shows per day, Buffalo seems ready.

Parking is a big concern for some. Green sees it as a non-issue. RiverWorks held the Labatt Pond Hockey Tournament with 15,000 people in January. With only 500 parking spaces, Green recalled it wasn’t a problem. Obviously 80,000 is more than that, but he believes the minds behind the parking and traffic flow will be ready to tackle the issue.

The thought of having a home Bills and Sabres game in one day, in close proximity, appeals to Green. “Two wins! I picture a vibrant, energetic city, that’s going to have a passion for a Sunday,” says Green. 

Understandably, many Orchard Park residents and business owners would not want the Bills to leave the area. People who allow parking on their lawn during game days would lose out financially. “A guy who has parking at his house maybe counts on that $5,000 revenue, that may not seem like a lot when you’re building a billion dollar stadium, but to them maybe that was their family vacation money,” says Green.

Ben Stack, a manager at O’Neill’s, a bar located across from Ralph Wilson Stadium, wouldn’t want the Bills to relocate. Game days would be the biggest loss for O’Neill’s. Stack sees the “The Ralph” as a staple of the area.

“It’s an influx in a positive way for our sales, it’s like getting a bonus or a raise, we do well, then that’s kind of the cherry on top,” said Stack. He discussed Canadians who come down to Buffalo, spend the night, then go to O’Neill’s before the game, would be a loss.

“It brings together the community, loyal Bills fans in the area,” Stack says. He also thinks the fans of Orchard Park would suffer the most rather than the local businesses. The tailgaters outside the stadium nearly match the number of people attending the game.

The stadium has helped O’Neill’s build a name for itself. Food vendors or parking officials can move downtown, but the businesses can’t.

           Buffalo fans are diehard. Before the Pegulas purchased the team, there was an abundance of outcry due to the team possibly moving to Toronto.Whether a stadium stays put or moves elsewhere, seats will be filled by the loyal fans whose hearts beat for their Buffalo Bills.

Getting Personal with Management

         The HarborCenter project has been a breathtaking success for the City of Buffalo. The staff is a huge reason for the restaurant’s early success, and with thousands of people walking in and out of its doors daily, success is surely to continue. General manager Ron Kubiak couldn’t be happier. 

Kubiak has worked in the restaurant business for 34 years. He started out by taking classes at Boce High School. His days started early at 7 a.m. taking institutional food services. Kubiak really enjoyed taking those classes, and from that point, his career began. Wendy’s was his first official job when he was 15. Kubiak continued school and worked his way up at Wendy’s. Four years later, Kubiak became general manager of  Wendy’s in Niagara Falls at just 19. Kubiak admits he probably wasn’t ready. 

“It provided a lot of experience and a lot of exposure to inventories, and even stuff I wasn’t aware about at the time, was I ready for a position at 19 years old, probably not, but it made me grow up really quick” recalled Kubiak. Stepping away from the fast food sector, Kubiak entered the casual dining business at Chi Chi’s. He operated as the associate kitchen manager. A bigger company didn’t scare Kubiak, as he worked at Chi Chi’s for 10 years, and was again a general manager when he left.

Kubiak likes many aspects of his job, but one in particular sticks out. “Being able to get a group of people to rally around you and basically move mountains for you, and getting to know the staff not only as a staff, but knowing what they do outside of work, knowing Mike is doing this as a project for school and being able to do this for him, it’s more than a paycheck for me,” he says. Kubiak also loves the developing and training pieces of his job, with his passion being the kitchen. 

Feedback from the public about HarborCenter has been 99% positive, according to Kubiak. “Giving them a look at the new Buffalo, is what I call it here,” said Kubiak. Some people can not believe they are in Buffalo when they come into 716. The only problems existent are typical, such as long wait times. People have waited outside in bitter cold, and ask why. The answer is, 716 is at fire capacity inside. The solution to that problem is taking reservations.

As always with opening a new restaurant there is the honeymoon period. There has been a typical slow down business since. 716 is always looking to enhance. Each month features a sporting event. “Whatever is relevant in the sporting world, whether it be the Kentucky Derby, NASCAR, hockey playoffs, the hockey draft is going to be huge here” Kubiak remarks. For the Super Bowl, 716 featured cheerleaders and an ice carving of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Consistency is a major focus, not only for service, but for product as well.

Kubiak sees a very bright future for the Buffalo Sabres. When he started with the HarborCenter, Ted Black, president of the Sabres, took every single person out to coffee and spoke about what the transition was going to be like and what the vision was. “If we don’t get a Stanley Cup we will definitely get a Super Bowl Trophy in the next 10 years” Kubiak predicted. 

For all of Kubiak’s efforts, recently he received a promotion to becoming the head of all culinary operations for the HarborCenter. Taking over for Kubiak as GM of 716 will be Craig Altobello. 

The two have worked together for eight years. Altobello says Ron is “ a very dynamic person, he’s very passionate, loves what he’s doing, has a commitment to excellence.”  Kubiak get’s disappointed when he sees talent going to waste. 

“Hilarious guy, he’s really fun, very sarcastic in that you kinda need it way in a restaurant industry. He helps the day go by, you’ve got a friend and a leader. He’s one of the best teachers I’ve ever had at anything,” said Altobello. Kubiak doesn’t really drink wine, nor are there certain ethnic cuisines he has no clue about, specifically Indian food. 

        Altobello foresees Kubiak becoming the food guru for the Pegula’s. Altobello says: “He’s got the heart and soul of a younger person, he’s an amazing father and family man, and that all attributes to the fact that he’s an amazing friend, and that’s why he’s such a good leader, coach, and mentor.”

March to Make Buffalo Mad

   March Madness is a big tournament in college basketball. Many downtown Buffalo spots will have games for fans to watch.
     
   716 Food and Sport will be a must - go destination when it comes to watching the tournament. With more than 60 TVs in house, any game can be watched at any time.
   
   However, when the local UB Bulls play, good luck getting the station changed.

http://stepoutbuffalo.com/march-madness-eating-drinking/

Introduction

          Buffalo is a city on the rise. Harborcenter, 716 food and sport, Canalside, and RiverWorks, are perfect examples of just that. All of them have been a huge success for Buffalo in a short amount of time.

Thousands of people have given their attention to Harborcetner. From the excellent food, top of the art sports bar, and its hockey. Canalside has been very popular with an outdoor skating rink. During the summer, concerts and many more events will call canal side home. River works has only been open a short amount of time, but promises to attract many.

Everything you want to know about these attractions will be in this blog. Harborcenter holds many hockey events every weekend, 716 is a premiere destination, and RiverWorks has already begun the sport of curling.

Of course, none of this would be happening had it not been for Buffalonians' passion for sports. All of the locations are hockey oriented. The possibility also exists, in the not so distant future, that a new Buffalo Bills stadium could come downtown. Everything Buffalo would be right in the backyard.

          A simple follow and you’re part of the Buffalo boom.