El Buen Amigo has been a bridge for the community in many ways. Not only is it a bridge between the Elmwood Village and Allentown, it’s also a bridge between Western New York communities and Central and South America. Over the years, I’ve picked up some very beautiful items from the shop, which is much more than just a shop. That’s because the proceeds from sales directly support the talented artisans. Everything that El Buen Amigo does is for just and fair purposes.
Founded by Santiago Masferrer in 1989, the non-profit, fair trade retailer and cultural center has become an indispensable neighborhood resource and cultural hub. The retail shop, located at 114 Elmwood Avenue is also home to the Latin American Cultural Association (LACA). Because of its multipronged mission, El Buen Amigo is a lot of things to a lot of people. It’s a place to purchase Latin American clothing, ceramics, and jewelry, as well as a place to participate in the arts, including salsa dancing, and events revolving around Central and South American traditions.
“We sell fair trade crafts from Central and South America, as well as teaching Spanish classes,” said Vera Potter, who works at El Buen Amigo. “Our classes provide affordable continuing education to people from all walks of life. Learning a new language is an experience that helps people broaden their worldview and improve their employment opportunities, and we want to make it available to as many of our neighbors as we can. In these divided times, we strive to promote cross-cultural learning and understanding.”
When I asked Potter if there were any interesting community projects underway, she told me that El Buen Amigo is currently fundraising for a new mural. “It’s going to depict the history of the Americas,” said Potter. “With a focus on the fight for human rights for all.”…