CITY OF LOCKPORT: Kenyon’s building gets new life

By Joyce Miles<br><a href="mailto:joyce.miles@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Joyce</a>
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

July 06, 2009 11:48 pm

— Aaron’s Inc. will complete its move to downtown within a week.
The rent-to-own store is heading to 1 Walnut St. — last the site of Kenyon’s Variety — from the Lockport Plaza.
It’s a move designed to put the store in better sight of pedestrians, according to General Manager Steve Speer.
“It’s an opportunity to be closer, and more convenient, to our customers,” Speer said. “We couldn’t ask for a better spot. ... Hopefully with the concert series going on, we’ll see a lot more foot traffic.”
Aaron’s is leasing the space from Kenyon Limited Partnership and has undertaken extensive interior and exterior renovation of the building, which housed a Kenyon’s convenience store for 38 years until it was closed last year. In one of the biggest changes, floor-to-ceiling glass panels are being installed on the Walnut Street side of the building for pedestrian views of the showroom.
Aaron’s is continuing to operate sales and service from its current location while moving, Speer said. The move should be completed and the store operating from its new site by next Monday, he added.
The planning board approved the Aaron’s site and sign plans on Monday. One, two-sided freestanding sign and one face sign, both lit, will be erected. They’re the same style of signs, using the corporate logo, as have been at Lockport Plaza, according to company official Stephen Reddy.
Another Man’s Treasure is moving into Aaron’s old spot in the Lockport Plaza, 288 S. Transit St. It’s a consignment store that deals in all manner of used goods, from furniture, appliances and electronics to household goods, antiques, toys, even vehicles.
According to a representative of its local sign maker, Wilcox Bros. Sign Co., “AMT” began in Atlanta, Ga., and now has outlets nationwide, including three in Western New York.