In 1987, Mike and Sharon Murphy started Lockport Canal Tours with two pontoon boats and a dream. Today, the business, now called Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Inc, has blossomed into one of Niagara County's most popular tourist attractions. With the acquisition of their property located at 210 Market St. in Lockport, the company can also boast having Western New York's unique banquet and meeting facility. 210 Market Street is a steel building as an addition to the remains of an 1840s canal stone building. Among the industries housed in the building were the Boston & Lockport Block & Tackle Company and the Western Block Company, a business that manufactured block and tackle for pulleys used on canal boats. The Niagara Preserving Company was also housed in the facility at one time and was among the first companies to use metal containers to preserve food. The building has been remodeled and a visitor will be taken back in time to the turn of the 20th century. Visitors will stroll along a brick street, past the "Meeting Room" with its planked floor, the spacious elegant yet casual Veranda Dining Room with over 100 windows overlooking the canal, the authentic mahogany bar in the "Pub", the original 1840s walls, the cafe, and the Canalside Gift Shop. They will enjoy strolling the 477 feet of private canal bank where our vessels are docked and relaxing in the private sheltered picnic area.