Reader comments in this post reported that the owners of University District’s Shango were going to open a restaurant on E. Huron Street downtown. They appear to be right. Buffalo Business First reports that Shango will open a seafood restaurant at 5 East Huron Street, a charming former shoe store fronting Roosevelt Square owned by Iskalo Development.

From Business First:

The deal, which is expected to be completed this week, will see a new, seafood-themed restaurant open sometime this winter. Shango, with its New Orleans-themed menu, will remain open and separate from the new restaurant.

Officials from Iskalo Development and Shango could not be reached for comment.

Iskalo Development purchased the 4,500 sq.ft. property in 2006. The building’s distinctive terra cotta façade has been repaired and new storefront windows were installed. The interior of the building has distinctive terrazzo floors and ornate aquatic-themed wall frescos.

Located at the corner of E. Huron and Washington streets, the building was constructed in 1946 as a Waldorf Lunch, a popular restaurant at the time which had 75 locations throughout the northeast. The building later became home to Howard Shoes which it remained for many years until the venerable shoe store closed a few years ago.

The building is located across the street from Electric Tower, the former Niagara Mohawk Building that the developer renovated for multi-tenant use. The property is part of the resurgent 500 Block of Main Street.

Get Connected: Iskalo Development, 716.633.2096