Top Seedz was already an award-winning manufacturer of approximately 1 million boxes of crackers annually from its Cheektowaga, New York, production facility, but founder and CEO Rebecca Brady was interested in more space for her company to automate its processes, increasing output and hiring more people. The process of making and assembling Top Seedz' line of organic, vegan and gluten-free handmade seed crackers, roasted seeds and mixes was time- and labor-intensive, but to move to automation would require a larger facility.
Ed McGinn, director of Newmark Ciminelli, found the ideal location at 101 Oak Street in Buffalo, which will allow the company to expand into 5,000 square feet of administrative space and 30,000 square feet of production capacity. The total lease value is approximately $3.13 million, and the contract rent is $9.10 per square foot.
The Oak Street building already houses a brewery, so facilities are food-grade and have common areas and interior loading dock accommodations that Top Seedz requires. It is located close to major highways, ideal for distribution and transportation.
The building did face a power deficit, but the landlord committed to upgrade the power supply throughout the building.
Room for automation equipment means Top Seedz' output will increase to 6 million packages annually, and Brady is planning to hire 20 additional employees to support that growth along with a planned expansion into Canada.
A diverse workforce is a cornerstone of Top Seedz' philosophy; many of the company's current employees are refugee women from more than 15 countries, and the company works with Journey's End, a regional refugee service, to find and recruit talent. The company also partners with Community Services for Every1, which offers vocational training to help people with special needs build the Top Seedz' product packaging.
The combination of building a larger, more diverse workforce, strengthening the Buffalo downtown core and expanding the company's production capacity earned it a 2023 CoStar Impact Award, selected by a panel of local industry professionals.
About the project: Top Seedz' move into downtown Buffalo is important to the area, which is recovering from increased vacancies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What the judges said: "This project adds employment opportunities and additional diversity to the downtown core. It also encourages the continued growth of the local small business community," said judge Brandye Merriweather.
They made it happen: Founder and CEO Rebecca Brady and Chief Operating Officer Will Brady are with Top Seedz. Edward McGinn with Ciminelli Real Estate Corp. represented the tenant. Steve Blake with Blake Commercial Real Estate Group represented the landlord. Paul Iskalo and David Chiazza with Iskalo Development Corp. are the landlords, and Danielle Shainbrown with Bellwether Advisors advised on the project.