Lumber City Development Corporation

10/03/2025

Got a business idea? Make it real this fall!
Join the IBC Fall Cohort 2025 for FREE startup classes.
✨ Build your business model
✨ Learn from mentors
✨ Network with other entrepreneurs
✨ Compete for up to $2,500 in our pitch competition!

📅 Sept 30 – Nov 20, Tuesdays & Thursdays
📍 Ibero Business Center, Niagara Falls
🔗 Register now: www.iberobusinesscenter.org

Seats are limited so save yours today! 💡 (the classes have begun, but there are a few spots still open!!)

10/01/2025

🎉LCDC’s Small Business Spotlight of the Month goes to Aunt Eno's Sandwiches located at 280 Oliver Street. 💚💜 Despite the name, Lorelei Chase is serving up a lot more than just sandwiches. Daily specials such as goulash and soup, milkshakes, and tacos are a few to name.

Lorelei has loved North Tonawanda for the quiet, safe neighborhood, North Tonawanda offers. Her husband and her loved the charm of their building and purchased it back in 2007. She is also a member of the Oliver Street Merchants Association!

Aunt Eno's just wrapped up her 5th-year and has found great success in serving up breakfast ALL day, as well as only using fresh ingredients and never frozen options. Using fresh vegetables from her garden when in season, and local vendors such as Mineo & Sapio truly make her food special! If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by, and you won't leave hungry.

Patronizing Oliver Street businesses is a way to enact positive change. Even if it comes in the form of a breakfast sandwich! 🥪 🍳

P.S. Her husband's company next door, Buffalo Key and Lock, is the oldest locksmith in WNY. 😮

09/26/2025

Saturday September 27 from 9-3am North Tonawanda Botanical Garden Organization will be hosting a FREE event to celebrate the Canal Bicentennial. The event coined "Celebrate Our Beginnings" will feature guest speakers, food vendors, over 20 exhibitors, kids games and inflatable fun, plant sale, basket raffle garden tours and more!!

Part of the day will feature three Intro to Kayaking Sessions held by Paths Peaks & Paddles, Inc. in partnership with Nor-Ton Red Jacket Club, Inc.

The sessions which are at 10am, 12pm and 2:30pm will feature:
🛶On-shore instruction and safety
🛶In-water experience (kayaks, paddles, life jackets provided)
🛶Guided canal experience from expert kayakers
What you need to know:
🚣‍♀️For BEGINNERS only
🚣Participants must be at least 10 years old (children 10-17 yrs old MUST be accompanied by an adult)
🚣‍♂️Adult chaperone should only register themselves if they plan on participating in a kayak (otherwise they should plan to observe from the shore).

Limited spots available. Pre-registration only at https://northtonawandany.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30149

Deadline to register is 9/25

For more information on all the days events head to https://ntbgo.weebly.com/

09/26/2025

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, or a current business owner wanting to brush up on your skills- these classes benefit everyone!
Beginning on November 3, virtual classes will be held on Monday and Thursday evenings until November 20th.

Online link to register: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/niagaracc/items/582718/calendar/2025/11/?full-items=yes

09/23/2025

The DRI funding has been a key part in helping our downtown NT boom! Thank you to all partners involved, including LCDC staff/board members who has been working from the beginning of project development! A huge thank you to ESD for your continuous partnership!

✨ North Tonawanda’s downtown is coming alive! Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of two DRI-funded projects that are revitalizing the heart of North Tonawanda:

🎭 West Herr Riviera Theatre – $1.7M to expand & modernize this historic gem
🎠 Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum Music Hall – $746K to restore and preserve its legacy

These investments are energizing downtown, creating opportunities for local businesses, and celebrating the city’s rich history.

Learn more: http://on.ny.gov/3IC3loa

09/19/2025

Hello everyone! We would like to announce that we will be once again helping the disc golf club at the University at Buffalo by helping club president Trevor Goodyear run a fundraiser event to help raise funds for the club to help with registration fees, travel, and other costs associated with playing college events. This event will take place on Friday Oct. 3, will be a flex start with tee times starting at 8am, and last card going out at 5:30. The location will be Ellicott Creek Park. We will also be offering an option to support via playing Sunday Funday at Joey D on Oct. 5 as well. Please read the description on the disc golf scene page for all info, and please help support our local college disc golf team!

https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournament/2025_University_at_Buffalo_Disc_Golf_Club_Fundraiser_Event_1_2025

09/01/2025

Our office is closed in observance of Labor Day as we honor the hard work and dedication that drives our communities forward. We'll resume normal operations on Tuesday, September 2nd. Wishing everyone a restful holiday!

08/29/2025

The World Canals Conference 2025 is set to take place Sept. 21-25 in Buffalo! On its 200th anniversary, the Erie Canal provides the perfect backdrop for the 2025 conference.

The tour will highlight in North Tonawanda on September 23rd as one of the field sessions, showcasing our booming economic development around the canal.

The full itinerary is here: https://wcc2025buffalo.com/

Registration is open for one-day or full conference attendance through Sept. 12.

08/21/2025

Coming up next Thursday 8/28/25, Empire State Development (ESD) will be hosting a free webinar:

‘Unlocking Growth: Maximizing NYS Loan Programs for Long-Term Success’

Date & Time- August 28, 2025 11:00 AM

Description- Looking for financial solutions to grow and sustain your small business? Join us for an in-depth webinar that covers New York State’s top Small Business Capital Access Programs, including SSBCI, and learn how to leverage these programs for maximum financial impact.

Link- https://zoom.us/meeting/register/65lJ-dGZSYeGYV_QNgli2A #/registratione

As the economic development agency for North Tonawanda, we encourage business development and finding ways to make the process as efficient and affordable as possible!

Check it out!

08/20/2025

On Saturday September 13th, we will be at the North Tonawanda City Market answering all of your burning questions about the update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan!

While you’re grabbing your veggies and coffee, stop by and chat with us. We want to hear your input!

What’s in a Comprehensive Plan you ask? 👀 Future plans and goals, and more.

See you then. 🥦🥕📝☕️

08/19/2025

Our small business spotlight of the month goes to Walker Bros. & Monroe Jewelers located at 84 Webster Street!

Walker Bros & Monroe Jewelers, known as the Antique Clock Doctor, just hit their 100 year mark! Jay Soemann, who has been in the business for 51 years says, “Our 3rd-generation family business has been a proud part of Webster Street in North Tonawanda, the oldest shop on the street! Known nationwide as the “Antique Clock Doctor,” we repair and restore clocks from all over the country, all in-house.”

Jay was also the Webster Street Merchant’s Association president for 41 years and still remains involved.

With Shannon (21 years) and Troy (13 years) on their small but mighty team, they’re keeping quality craftsmanship and community spirit ticking for years to come. ❤️

Read more about the history of the 100 years in business ➡️