Three tenants have already been locked down for six new retail properties destined for Larkinville at 935 Seneca St.

“It was imperative that all of our retail clients are homegrown grassroots, Buffalo born businesses,” said Derek Sullivan, owner of Buffalo Bungalow, the Elma company behind the project.

Artisan bread maker Artigiana will be an Italian bakery, meat and sandwich shop where fresh bread, various types of sourdough focaccia, cured meats, fermented spreads and Sunday sauce are always available. It will provide a catering menu with such items as meatballs and sauce, Italian sandwich boards, cinnamon roll boards and affettati, which are cured Italian meats.

Artigiana is a female word for “artisan,” which describes owner Shannon Wilson. This will be her first brick-and-mortar location.

A cafe from the Southtowns, 49 Coffee House and Eatery, will open its fourth and largest location. It roasts and grinds its own coffee, and will serve breakfast and lunch. 49 Coffee has shops in Springville, Arcade and Holland with menus that feature such items as Berries and Chocolate Toast for $5, Veggie Hummus Wrap for $9.25 and Matcha Latte for $4.

Arrowhead Salon, an LGBTQ-owned inclusive hair salon, has outgrown its space 474 Seneca St. in Larkinville. When it moves into the new build, it will have three times as much room.

Buffalo Bungalow is planning six two-story commercial buildings for vacant land on Seneca and Exchange streets at the eastern end of Larkvinville.

“We are creating a killer Scandinavian vibe and style with these storefront designs that I don’t think exists anywhere in Western New York,” Sullivan said.

Work will be divided into two phases of three buildings each and construction is expected to take about five months.

“The first three we hope to have ready for early summer,” Sullivan said. “Once the city releases our permit to start we will get after it.”

The second phase of construction is expected at the end of next year.

– Samantha Christmann