Shea's Seneca Theatre was built in 1929 and, after decades of disrepair, the South Buffalo landmark is returning to its former beauty. 

Schneider Development Services has poured millions into the building that was once a movie house.

Ali Martin works for Classic Events, now using the beautifully renovated lobby area and ballroom for weddings, banquets and parties.  The original theater was torn down years ago, but there's been extensive work to fix up the walls and the floors, prompting a nostalgic feeling from those who remember how the theater used to look, Martin said.

"People walk in and I feel like they don't know where to even look," she said. "They're looking up at the ceiling they're looking at all of the great work that's been put into the building and just restored." 

Four other local businesses are moving into the building's storefront along Seneca Street.  April Spencer Floral Designs is now open, just a quick walk for Spencer, who lives around the corner. That's why she's so proud to be a part what's blossoming around the neighborhood.

"It's incredible. It anchors the street. It just really the street the vibrancy that it needs,” Spencer said.

Next door to the floral shop, longtime bartender Billy Lewis and his partner Nate Manna are tapping into the craft beer craze with Bottle Rocket, which serves and sells different styles of specialty brews. 

"A lot of the people that come in, they're always looking for something new, something fresh,” he said. “Have you heard this? Have you tried this sour? There's a million things popping up and we need a place to go.”

Lewis, a Buffalo firefighter who grew up in South Buffalo, sees a resurgence brewing in the neighborhood as more businesses and people flock to Seneca Street.

"This was the place to be. There was a ton of bars. There was shops. There was everything," he said. "Kind of seeing that come back is great and this is where we wanted to be."

Shea's Seneca will also house a Public Espresso Coffee shop and Catina 62 Mexican restaurant, along with 23 high-end apartments as work inside and out continues into next year.