BUFFALO, N.Y. — Preservation advocates in Buffalo are concerned that a demolition hearing scheduled for Thursday morning could lead to the former Wonder Bread factory being torn down.
The factory, which was constructed in 1914, shuttered in September 2004. For decades, countless loaves of Wonder Bread and Hostess cakes were baked at the East Side facility.
In 2018, the Buffalo Preservation Board gave the building a local landmark status. In 2021, the former Wonder Bread factory was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Since its closure 20 years ago, there have been a few different owners, however, Hamilton-based developer Harry Stinson purchased the property in 2020.
Stinson initially planned to invest tens of millions of dollars to turn the former factory into an office space for startup companies.
However, Stinson put the plans on hold in October 2023, as he was still dealing with the fallout of the fire at his Buffalo Grand Hotel property that occurred in December 2021.
While the property languishes under Stinson's ownership, the Buffalo housing court has a demolition hearing scheduled for Thursday morning.
It is possible that Judge Patrick Carney could rule that the building could be demolished.
According to sources, Stinson doesn't plan to defend the property against demolition at the hearing.
Additionally, multiple sources told 2 On Your Side that Stinson is planning on selling the former bread factory. One of the suspected buyers, according to sources, is JM Smucker, which operates the Milkbone factory next door.
Stinson purchased the property for $897,000.
2 On Your Side reached out to JM Smucker to confirm the plans and the company replied with the following statement:
"While we are always evaluating opportunities to support the needs of our business and employees we do not currently have any agreement in place with respect to this location."
A spokesperson for JM Smucker went on to say there isn't even a pending agreement in place.
According to Erie County property records, Stinson has not paid his taxes for the former Wonder Bread property since 2023 and owes the county more than $8,600.
2 On Your Side reached out to Stinson for comment, but did not yet get a response.
While Judge Carney could determine the building could be demolished, that doesn't mean crews could dismantle it immediately.
The Buffalo Preservation Board has to approve any demolition of a local landmark.
"There is a process," said Preservation Board chair Gwen Howard. "We value Judge Carney's role in that process, but there is a process to demolish local landmarks in Buffalo."
Howard cited two Cobblestone district buildings that were initially granted a demolition order by Judge Carney, but was then denied by the Preservation Board.
Advocates with Preservation Buffalo Niagara are launching a "Save Wonder Bread" campaign.
In a statement, PBN Executive Director Bernie Radle said:
"We have tried to work with the property owner of Wonder Bread for over a year. We have provided him with letters of support, organized a tour to raise awareness and funds for boarding the property, and we have connected him with several potential preservation friendly buyers of the property. The building itself is in pretty decent shape and is a far cry from being a candidate for emergency demolition. With a Housing Court demolition hearing set for Thursday, December 5, we must take action now. We ask the Honorable Judge Carney to deny any demolition of this historic building and instead, require the owner to board up the property and sell it to a preservation friendly developer who can bring it back to life."
The demolition hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 in Buffalo housing court.
