WEDI’s purpose is to focus on “business and educational opportunities for the citizens of Buffalo’s West Side.” WEDI continues to bring together those who want to make the West Side a viable community and those who have the resources to do so. WEDI’s economic development program was born out of local needs. The West Side of Buffalo, notably Grant Street, was once a flourishing business sector but has since lowered over the years. 

WEDI’s current initiatives include the ENERGY after-school program, company development, mentorship, micro-loans, and West Side Bazaar.

Westside Bazaar debuted on March 3, 2011, at 242 Grant Street near Lafayette Avenue, housing six freshly minted company entrepreneurs from Rwanda, South Sudan, Peru, Indonesia, and the USA. Westside Bazaar immediately became a gathering spot for locals to shop, eat, and chat at. Since then, three entrepreneurs have successfully expanded their enterprises beyond the Bazaar.

In 2012, Westside Bazaar received a 21st Century Grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo and extended its storefront in the center of Buffalo’s Grant and Ferry Marketplace. Exotic handcrafted items, apparel, and jewelry from all over the world, as well as fresh fascinating ethnic meals, are available at 25 Grant Street.

Almost 10 years later, Westside Bazaar is looking to expand to a much bigger space. In the next year, Westside Bazaar is looking to move into a new location on Niagara Street. This new location will have room for 20+ restaurants, a variety of retail and different businesses, and a second floor that will be used as a community space. This will be big for people that have visited Westside Bazaar over the years and people that are new to seeing Westside Bazaar for the first time. There will be more places to visit and see and more business opportunities for the local community.