So Long Labatt, Welcome Buffalo Niagara Partnership

The massive space on Perry Street once occupied by the Labatt Brewhouse, with several floors of offices above it, won’t stay empty for long, and it’s a familiar name taking over the lease. 

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership announced Friday it will be moving into the property at 79 Perry Street in the heart of the Cobblestone District. 

“We are thrilled to move into this cool space in a fantastic neighborhood,” Partnership president Dottie Gallagher says. “Kim and Terry Pegula have consistently shown their commitment to Downtown Buffalo through development projects around KeyBank Center. It’s an honor to be part of what’s next for that area.” 

This announcement comes as the Buffalo Sabres, currently getting ready to play an exhibition game in Munich before opening the season next week Friday against the New Jersey Devils in Germany, earlier this week revealed their own new vision for the plaza just outside KeyBank Center, with a new mural depicting 27 former members of the Blue and Gold. The Sabres will return for their home opener on Thursday, October 10. 

The Partnership intends to use the 11,000-square-foot space to “provide networking opportunities and growth resources to Partnership members of all sizes,” the organization says. “The location continues the Partnership’s longstanding presence downtown and provides a central location, well suited to enhance the Partnership’s connection to the community.” 

Currently, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s offices are on Genesee Street in a space it’s leasing from Highmark BlueCross Blue Shield, but Highmark recently moved to Seneca One, and the Partnership took over space occupied by Evans Bank. The organization expects to be fully situated in the new space by mid-2025. 

“We continue to evaluate the different ways we can develop the area surrounding KeyBank Center into a gathering place filled with energy and excitement for the people of Buffalo,” said Pete Guelli, chief operating officer for the Sabres. “We believe the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, an organization with intricate and longstanding ties to our city, is an ideal partner to kickstart that shift.” 

When the Labatt Brewhouse announced it was leaving the location in June, the company announced it had no intentions of reopening the bar and restaurant in another location at this time.