Broadway Market Bustling on Good Friday After $45M Renovation

Tradition and new vendors draw crowds to historic Buffalo market during Easter weekend

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:51am

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A highly stylized, silkscreen-inspired illustration featuring a repeating grid pattern of a single iconic market item, such as a pierogi or fresh produce, rendered in a palette of neon colors and heavy black outlines to capture the lively, celebratory atmosphere of the Broadway Market.The vibrant energy and diverse offerings of Buffalo's historic Broadway Market come alive in a bold, pop art-inspired illustration.Buffalo Today

Buffalo's iconic Broadway Market saw a surge of customers on Good Friday this year, with the market's $45 million renovation project helping to draw additional interest beyond the annual Easter weekend tradition. The market featured 90 vendors, including both longtime favorites and new additions, offering everything from pierogi to wine and distilled spirits. Shoppers expressed excitement about the market's revitalized look and layout, which is restoring the space to its 1950s aesthetic with new windows, a central "Main Street" aisle, and plans for a food court area.

Why it matters

The Broadway Market has long been a beloved institution in Buffalo, serving as a gathering place for the community and a source of local, artisanal goods. The recent renovation project aims to preserve the market's historic character while modernizing the space to better meet the needs of contemporary shoppers. The influx of customers on Good Friday suggests the renovations have been well-received, boding well for the market's future as a hub of activity and community in the city.

The details

This year's Good Friday event at the Broadway Market featured 90 vendors, including both longtime favorites like the market's wineries and distilleries as well as some new additions such as Half Baked Cookies. The $45 million renovation project, which is restoring the market's 1950s aesthetic with new windows and a central "Main Street" layout, has also helped drive increased interest and attendance. Shoppers expressed nostalgia for the market's long-standing role as a community gathering place, while also looking forward to the planned food court area and other modernizations.

  • The Broadway Market was open on Good Friday from 6am to 7pm.
  • The market will also be open on Saturday, April 5, 2026 from 7am to 5pm.
  • The market is closed on Easter Sunday.

The players

Kathy Peterson

The general manager of the Broadway Market, who discussed the increased vendor participation and customer interest this year due to the ongoing renovation project.

Scott Kindrowski

A shopper at the Broadway Market on Good Friday, who expressed nostalgia for the market's long-standing tradition as a community gathering place.

Dorothy Flakes

A shopper at the Broadway Market on Good Friday, who also reminisced about the market's historical significance in the Buffalo community.

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What they’re saying

“It's good to see them come out, you wish it were like that all year.”

— Scott Kindrowski, Shopper

“I remember back in the day this is where everybody came to shop.”

— Dorothy Flakes, Shopper

What’s next

The Broadway Market will continue its renovations throughout 2026, with plans to open a new food court area and restore the market's historic 1950s aesthetic. The market's success on Good Friday suggests the renovations have been well-received by the community, and the market is poised to remain a beloved institution in Buffalo for years to come.

The takeaway

The bustling crowds at the Broadway Market on Good Friday demonstrate the enduring appeal of this historic institution, which has served as a community gathering place and source of local goods for generations of Buffalonians. The ongoing renovations, which aim to preserve the market's character while modernizing the space, appear to be resonating with both longtime and new customers, boding well for the market's future as a hub of activity and entrepreneurship in the city.