Blab Business
Lancasters New York Store to Close After 97 Years; Community Events and Bank Expansion in Buffalo Region
After 97 years of service, the New York Store on Central Avenue in Lancaster will shut its doors for the final time.
On July 20, 2026, owner Alan Kurtzman posted on Facebook that he was retiring. The post announced a retirement sale that began in early July and is continuing until the store’s inventory runs out.
The shop’s roots stretch back to 1929, when Kurtzman’s grandfather opened the first location on Central Avenue. For nearly a century it has been a familiar fixture in the Village of Lancaster and the surrounding Erie County.
Kurtzman said the decision to close came after a careful review of the store’s future viability and a desire to retire after a lifetime of business. The retirement sale offers customers a chance to buy merchandise at discounted prices before the final closing date, which is expected to fall in late September, coinciding with the end of the current fiscal quarter.
Local residents have expressed mixed emotions. Many recall the store’s role as a neighborhood staple, while others note the practical realities of a changing retail landscape.
The New York Store’s shutdown reflects a broader trend of long‑standing local retailers facing new economic pressures. Although the exact closing date has not yet been set, the sale will continue until all inventory is sold.
In other community news, Kids Escaping Drugs is preparing for its 7th annual Rise for Recovery Walk, scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at Canalside in Buffalo. The 1.8‑mile walk will honor those who have died from drug overdoses, celebrate individuals in recovery, and raise awareness about substance abuse. The nonprofit will provide a memorial, educational resources, and a community lunch as part of the event.
Meanwhile, Canal Bank is expanding its presence in the Buffalo region. A groundbreaking ceremony for a new branch at the intersection of Union Road and Center Road in West Seneca took place on the morning of Tuesday, August 11. Construction is already underway, and the bank’s leadership said the new location will offer a full range of retail banking services—including deposit accounts, loans, and financial advisory services—to residents of West Seneca and surrounding communities.
Canal Bank currently operates a branch on Main Street in Williamsville, and the new West Seneca branch is intended to complement that footprint as part of the bank’s broader strategy to increase accessibility in suburban Erie County.
The combination of the New York Store’s closure, the Rise for Recovery Walk, and Canal Bank’s expansion illustrates the dynamic nature of the Buffalo‑Erie County business landscape. While some long‑standing institutions are winding down, new initiatives and investments are emerging to meet evolving community needs.
As the region moves forward, stakeholders will monitor the final days of the New York Store, the turnout for the September 12 walk, and the completion timeline for Canal Bank’s new branch. These events underscore the importance of local commerce, public health, and financial services in shaping the economic fabric of Western New York.
On July 20, 2026, owner Alan Kurtzman posted on Facebook that he was retiring. The post announced a retirement sale that began in early July and is continuing until the store’s inventory runs out.
The shop’s roots stretch back to 1929, when Kurtzman’s grandfather opened the first location on Central Avenue. For nearly a century it has been a familiar fixture in the Village of Lancaster and the surrounding Erie County.
Kurtzman said the decision to close came after a careful review of the store’s future viability and a desire to retire after a lifetime of business. The retirement sale offers customers a chance to buy merchandise at discounted prices before the final closing date, which is expected to fall in late September, coinciding with the end of the current fiscal quarter.
Local residents have expressed mixed emotions. Many recall the store’s role as a neighborhood staple, while others note the practical realities of a changing retail landscape.
The New York Store’s shutdown reflects a broader trend of long‑standing local retailers facing new economic pressures. Although the exact closing date has not yet been set, the sale will continue until all inventory is sold.
In other community news, Kids Escaping Drugs is preparing for its 7th annual Rise for Recovery Walk, scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at Canalside in Buffalo. The 1.8‑mile walk will honor those who have died from drug overdoses, celebrate individuals in recovery, and raise awareness about substance abuse. The nonprofit will provide a memorial, educational resources, and a community lunch as part of the event.
Meanwhile, Canal Bank is expanding its presence in the Buffalo region. A groundbreaking ceremony for a new branch at the intersection of Union Road and Center Road in West Seneca took place on the morning of Tuesday, August 11. Construction is already underway, and the bank’s leadership said the new location will offer a full range of retail banking services—including deposit accounts, loans, and financial advisory services—to residents of West Seneca and surrounding communities.
Canal Bank currently operates a branch on Main Street in Williamsville, and the new West Seneca branch is intended to complement that footprint as part of the bank’s broader strategy to increase accessibility in suburban Erie County.
The combination of the New York Store’s closure, the Rise for Recovery Walk, and Canal Bank’s expansion illustrates the dynamic nature of the Buffalo‑Erie County business landscape. While some long‑standing institutions are winding down, new initiatives and investments are emerging to meet evolving community needs.
As the region moves forward, stakeholders will monitor the final days of the New York Store, the turnout for the September 12 walk, and the completion timeline for Canal Bank’s new branch. These events underscore the importance of local commerce, public health, and financial services in shaping the economic fabric of Western New York.
