716 Transformers: The Entrepreneurs

Co-owners Brett Mikoll and Dave Horesh started Oxford Pennant in 2013, inspired by a love of nostalgic pennants. Their handiwork – classic triangular pennants, inspirational camp flags, and large four- or five-sided banners (aka championship banners) – is produced in their storefront on Main Street near Buffalo’s Theatre District. Their building is the one that features the large-scale sign reading “Keep Buffalo a Secret.” Oxford Pennant also sells pro-Buffalo T-shirts (“Keep Buffalo a Secret” shirts are for sale), ballcaps, hoodies, and patches. Horesh, originally from Rochester, came to Buffalo to study at University at Buffalo. After graduating he worked for Block Club, a branding and strategy agency. “We’re doing our best to build a company that people can be proud of,” he says. “We’re building a successful company that does well for its founders and employees. We are most proud of manufacturing in Buffalo products that are recognized around the world. That’s what we are most proud of and that we are living and raising kids – and a business – here in Buffalo. I’ll take a mid-July summer day here over a mid-summer day anywhere else. Buffalo was a punching bag for a long time, but we’re taking the pejorative back and embracing it. If you’re in on the secret, keep it that way and let people still take their shots at it. Our brand helps people craft a narrative of their own lives and my home is no different. But my wife does have a one banner per room rule at our house.”

716 Tips

“Go to Jay’s Artisan Pizzeria in Kenmore. I have traveled around the world, and their pizza is the best. I order the Detroit style with just cheese and tomato sauce. I could eat it for every meal every day. And their salads are a gem, I order the one with citrus.”