Top Rated Shopping in Buffalo

This company was started in 1920 by Ehrhardt Koch in Buffalo, NY and named New Era Cap Company in 1922. In the 1930's they got into the sports cap business and by the 1940's were providing caps to a variety of sports teams. In the 1950's they were the only independent supplier to professional teams. By the 1990's they had the first exclusive license with Major League Baseball. They are the largest growing headwear manufacturer in the United States, and the store in Buffalo, which is one of their flagship stores, has a huge selection of caps. They also have stores in New York City, Atlanta, Toronto, and London. -Christine A. Smyczynski

With more than 60 stores located along Main street in the Buffalo Place area of the city, this mall is the only one in the downtown district. The mall, with MJ Carroll and Hit or Miss as anchors, has the advantage of being in the free fare zone for Metro Rail. It is also close to numerous downtown attractions and accommodations such as the Theater District and the Hyatt Regency.The mall also features public art exhibits from the CEPA Gallery.

This unique store/gallery promotes printing and book-related art. They carry bookbinding supplies, paper for letter press printing and decorative art stationery that comes from all over the world. They also carry a selection of books, cards, and posters. Lectures and workshops about printmaking, papermaking, illustration, design, writing, and binding are also on offer. Participation in the International Edible Book Festival, which is held around April 1, is an annual event at this shop. Artists create an edible book that's judged on appearance as well as taste; one can literally eat their words! The April 1 date is not an April Fool's joke, it actually was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826), a French gastronome who wrote the book, Physiologie du Gout. -Christine A. Smyczynski

Playing out of Dunn Tire Park in downtown Buffalo, this triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians baseball team has proved a success in the field and at the box office. In recent years, the team often outdraws some major league outfits and has the distinction of the largest Opening Day crowd ever in the minor leagues (19,699).

Explore three full floors of retail space at this bookshop located in a circa 1896 building in the heart of downtown. The shop, housed on 35,000 square feet of retail and warehouse space, overflows with a large selection of antique and rare books, collectible books, maps, autographs and engravings. It is one of the largest antique bookstores in upstate New York and, if by chance they don't have an item in stock, they will locate it for you. Since you will probably spend quite a bit of time here, stroll into the small café on the first floor before wandering through the aisles. - Christine A. Smyczynski

This popular candy shop and ice cream parlor, which has the largest selection of locally-made chocolates in western New York, was established by Joseph Boyd Oliver in 1932. Mr. Oliver started out by selling peanuts door to door and alter crated his signature cashew glaze. The shop carries over 350 varieties of candy, including a regional favorite: sponge candy. Non-chocolate specialties include maple candy, popcorn, jelly beans and lots of varieties of nuts. The ice cream parlor in the back of the shop is open year-round. Gift baskets are available. - Christine A. Smyczynski