It's rather busy at Hydraulic Hearth in the evening with people flowing in an out almost constantly. This photograph shows the restaurant set in the context of the Larkin Square, Buffalo's first business district, with cars zooming by leaving light trails behind in the long exposure, creating a livelier mood that is a better reflection of the reality. The restaurant offers brick oven pizzas, starters, and in house brews and draws quite significant crowds.

The history goes back to 1827 and the establishment of the Buffalo Hydraulic Association and the construction of Hydraulic canal, thus facilitating the establishment of several mills in the district. In 1876 John D. Larkin began making soap in a small factory on Seneca Street, based on a direct sales business model (manufacturing to end consumer). Lots of retail businesses grew in the area and many of the warehouses are now undergoing restoration. The Larkin Terminal Warehouse was completed in 1912 and acquired by Larkin Development Group in 2002, kicking of a significant redevelopment of the area and adding to the list of successful projects in recent Buffalo history (e.g., the Outer Harbor waterfront development).

Larkin Square holds Live at Larkin summer concert series, Food Truck Tuesdays, Larkin Market, Larkin Square Author Series, and more.

References: Hydraulic Hearth - History of Larkin