Boasting of several shops, restaurants, coffee houses and bars, Elmwood Village is the perfect spot for those who want to spend the day browsing through goodies, enjoying great food and drink or simply taking in the lively vibe of this activity hub. From shops like Spoiled Rotten and Second Chic to Fern +Arrow and Anna Grace, the shopping hub ensures there is something in store for everyone. The array of designer and secondhand goodies also ensure that people of all tastes and budgets can shop from here. A lot of souvenirs and items for gifting can be found here as well. Don't hesitate to head to any one of the eateries to recharge your batteries after the shopping spree. If you are in the mood to indulge in some retail therapy, then Elmwood Village is your best bet.
Whether it's clothing from local designers or from as far away as Bali, this Allentown shop stocks it for the woman with discerning tastes. The shop's clothing lines are not only comfortable, they're unique. One of the top local designer lines represented here is Flax, created by a woman working out of her farmhouse in Ithaca, NY. Bali's Kusnadi produces individually-styled and cut clothing with Indonesian accents and jewelry. There is a second location in the Village of East Aurora.
In a city known for its ethnic foods, this indoor market has been the place to go shopping for over 100 years. At over 100,000 square feet, the market is one of the largest in the country, featuring 40+ vendors specializing in sought-after German, Polish, and Eastern European comestibles in this neighborhood. If you are hungry for home-made kielbasa, bratwurst, or real Polish ham, this is the place for you. There are also restaurants, bakeries, poultry and candy stands scattered throughout the market.
A small shop opened for business in 1927; today it is the largest independent bookstore in western New York. The location has changed over the years, but the extensive collection of books and first-class service has remained constant. The store sells or will order just about any title. On the shelves you will find a wide selection of books about the Niagara region and western New York. The store includes three floors with colorfully painted walls and local artwork. Nearby attractions include Schoellkopf Geological Museum.
The Grand View Marketplace is named so because it offers a stunning view of the falls and the nearby surroundings. You will love the lively theme of the marketplace that is filled with local sellers and a fun gift shop. It is great to pick up souvenirs, antiques and other memorabilia from your trip. They also conduct many street shows, plays, and artists dressed as various starlets and stars perform live for the audience.
A full-service tobacco shop in Buffalo's North End, this establishment offers one of the widest selection of cigars and cigar-related products in Western New York. You can get domestic and imported cigarettes, premium cigars from around the world, and top-of-the-line pipe tobacco. There's a walk-in humidor and the opportunity to smoke one of their products while relaxing in the lounge with a cup of coffee and the TV tuned to the big game. The shop is also proud to be part of Buffalo's annual Herf-In-The-Snow (HITS) cigar crawl!
When it comes to repairing and reconstructing pianos, no one does it better than Vincent Illos. One of his restored pianos has made it to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. In the business since 1961, Illos worked as a technician for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for 15 years before starting his own North Buffalo business. Today, his crew of trained technicians and repair people can do everything from sand a piano to building one from scratch. Each piano is hand-restored from start to finish.
Located within the Niagara Glen Nature Areas, part of the Niagara Parks Commission, this store is dedicated to birds in particular and nature in general. Among the items to be found are bird feeders, houses, bird-seeds, bird art, carved birds, bird-embellished clothing, and coffee mugs. The store also serves as the starting point for local area guided tours as well as hikes down the Niagara Gorge. Nearby attractions include the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, world-renowned Butterfly Conservatory.
On the cusp between Allentown and the Elmwood Strip, this non-profit gallery and store offers both art and imported goods from Central and South American crafts co-ops. Run by the local Latin American Cultural Association, the store also features language, dance and cooking lessons, as well as exhibits of contemporary art. Friendly staff is on hand to help should you have any questions about their products or classes.Poetry lovers can partake in the occasional readings held at 7:30p, after normal store hours.
The Quilt Farm, located about 25 miles southeast of Buffalo, is the largest quilt shop in Western New York. Located in a circa 1939 dairy barn, this shop has over 5,000 square feet of quilts and quilting supplies over two floors. The shop was established in 1989 by Isabelle Schmitt, whose family operated a dairy farm here for 39 years. The shop has yards of fabrics, along with patterns, books and notions. If you don’t have the time or inclination to make a quilt, they have a large selection of already made quilts for sale. The shop offers machine and hand quilting services as well as classes, including weekend quilting retreats and a block-of-the-month club.-Christine A. Smyczynski
Meibohm Fine Arts has been owned and operated by the Meibohm family for three generations. They have a reputation for personalized attention and customer service. The business was started by Carl Meibohm in 1901 right after he was one of the photographers at the Pan-American Exposition held the same year in Buffalo. Meibohm Fine Arts is located in two buildings along Main Street in East Aurora. The front building houses an art gallery, which features the work of local artists. The back building houses the Art Shop, which sells prints and original artwork. They also do custom framing for both individuals and businesses.
This shop, located in the heart of the village of Williamsville, features the work of over 100 local artisans and craftspeople. It is the only store in western New York with goods made all by local artisans and craftspeople. You'll find affordable gifts, including jewelry and home décor. Some of jewelry selections include charm necklaces, chunky necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and more. Form the home, choose from vases, cheese plates, buffalo shaped cutting boards, hand-painted ornaments, painted furniture, photography, and other unique items. It is a great place to shop for a gift in any season.