There are projects, and then there are projects!
When I first heard about a plan by a group of women to potentially purchase the historic George Urban Mansion, to convert it into a “modern era” women’s club called WNY Femme Salon, I was thrilled. You might recall that the George Urban Mansion was the benefactor of the 2025 Decorators’ Show House makeover by the Junior League of Buffalo? While that was very exciting news for the mansion, its potential future life as a women’s club would be a dream come true.
I spoke to Sarah Fonzi, one of the collaborators helping to drive the club mission, who told me that she and others have been pondering the possibilities of social alternatives for women in Western New York. Men’s clubs in Buffalo have always been places where inspirations have struck and friendships have been made. Clubs have been places to work out, conduct business, launch campaigns, socialize, and/or simply grab a bite or a drink. Yes, there are women’s clubs, but the one that Sarah and her cohort have in mind would be different, in a lot of ways…