Bullfeathers

J. P. Bullfeathers and Wine Cellar on Elmwood Avenue closed in 2015. It was a shock to drive by and see it boarded up. Other bars and restaurants in the area were doing fine and new ones were opening up all the time. People apparently had stopped going to Bullfeathers. We hadn't been there in ages although we had been going to places right down the street.

Back in the 80's and 90's Bullfeathers was one of our go to places. We were there all the time. We would walk down there all the time when we lived nearby off of Elmwood Ave. We would be there for dinners and for just hanging out in the bar with friends. There were three spaces in the restaurant. The main bar area was very nice and comfortable and there was a large back room for dining. There was also the so called Wine Cellar downstairs that was tight and cozy.

One time in the early 80's my brother Dan was visiting us. He was actually in Buffalo for some college related event and staying at a motel near the UB South Campus. We picked him up and took him to Bullfeathers for lunch which of course including chicken wings. This was his first time having wings and he ordered them hot. He was eating them and really enjoying the experience when he broke out in a serious sweat that was dripping down his face. Then his glasses suddenly slipped right off his face and landed in the bowl of sauce covered wings. We all had a wonderful laugh and told the story for years.

I saw an article online this week about the reopening of that space under new management and the new name Jack Rabbit. I also realized that there has been a lot of controversy over the site of Bullfeathers during the past few years.  A development company from out of state had tried to purchase the site which includes the block of buildings to construct a high rise apartment building with retail space and a multilevel parking garage. The community protested and the plan was not allowed to move forward by the city. Then the owner of the site wanted to tear everything down and build a large parking lot. That didn't work out either and the people of Elmwood Village demanded better. Fortunately now the building remains and is being renovated and there will be a new bar/restaurant in the former Bullfeathers location. Looking forward to checking it out.