Accardo, Dyster Take Different Approaches To Running Small Family Business Here

Niagara Tradition Homebrewing Supplies

As different as night and day.

Incumbent Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster and his most likely opponent in November’s general election, former city Councilman John Accardo, are alike in a remarkable number of ways. Both were born into prominent families here during what are commonly referred to as the Baby Boom years, both attended Bishop Duffy High School and each has dabbled, with varying degrees of success, in the fields of politics and small business here.

Accardo’s father, Frank Accardo, was a standout football player at Niagara University who went on to found the Accardo Agency, perhaps the city’s most prominent insurance office. He was a revered presence on Pine Avenue, where he did business, and was often sought out by city residents looking for advice on issues that had little to do with insurance.

The mayor’s father, Dr. Melvin Dyster, became a beloved family practitioner working out of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, and was as proud of his bookish boy Paul as Frank Accardo was of his son John.

Paul Dyster excelled at his studies and ultimately decided to leave Niagara Falls, as do many of our bright young citizens. What distinguishes him there is that he came back after a relatively short period, young family in tow, to take up residence at his parent’s house.

John Accardo stayed in the city after college, going to work at the insurance agency his father had founded and eventually starting his own business, Accardo Niagara Bail Bonds.

Dyster would also start a business, Niagara Tradition Home Brew Supply, which sells ingredients and other supplies that allow people to make beer in their own homes.

It’s kind of ironic, because many of Accardo’s clients had been drinking beer prior to doing whatever it was they did to land in jail and require a bondsman’s services.

Accardo’s business is open more than 40 hours a week while Dyster’s is open fewer than 25 but, the main difference is that Accardo chose to do business in Niagara Falls while the mayor picked Tonawanda as the location for his enterprise.

That’s right, the mayor of Niagara Falls, who tells voters constantly of his efforts to attract new business here, chose to open his own business outside the city.

Why?

Dyster told his predecessor as mayor, Vince Anello, on Anello’s WJJL radio show that opening his Niagara Traditions beer store in Tonawanda is simply smarter than opening it in Niagara Falls.

"It's sound business practice. It serves a regional market," Dyster said on the air.

Did he realize that one day he would pursue a career in local politics? Did he envision ever having to run against one of the most successful small businessmen in Niagara Falls?

It isn’t likely. But the longer he is in office, the more apparent it becomes that Paul Dyster is not a man who thinks things through in advance to any appreciable degree.

When it comes to spending and other matters, he does what he thinks will serve him best in the short term, and the city’s current instability provides volumes of evidence on that count.