Chet & Al's
Address
486 Williams Street Buffalo, NY 14203
Establishment Type(s)
Restaurant
Physical Status
Demolished
Description
A new construction between 1920 and 1926 replaced dwellings at 486 and 488 William Street and a storefront and stables at 490 William Street. 486, 488, and 490 William Street became a large business block with a number of businesses housed within. The buildings were situated at the corner of William and Madison Street, facing south onto William Street.
The westernmost frontage was 486 William Street. It was separated by a frame partition from 488 William Street to the east. Additionally, the spaces were joined by a two-story section to the rear. 488 William Street also connected to 490 William Street to the east. The two-story structure at 490 extended to the rear along Madison Street. Both 490 William Street and 186-488 Williams Street had twelve-inch-thick walls.
Detailed History
A number of businesses operated out of 486 William Street during the twentieth century. During the earlier 1920s, there was a restaurant. By 1931, Harry Waldow owned a clothing store. Sometime before 1936, there was an ice cream parlor. Sophia Lewis ran Silver Star Cleaners by 1938. Angelo’s Restaurant was operating during 1945. By 1947, World War II veteran Homer C. Leftwich owned Chet & Al’s Restaurant. The next owner, Edith K. Meyer, operated the Tot & Teen Shop until its sale in 1963. Currently, a Rite Aid Pharmacy and a parking lot are on the land where 486 William Street was.
