Vidler's, an old-fashioned five and dime store, is one of East Aurora's most beloved landmarks. You'll find it by looking for the red and white-striped awnings along the village's historic Main Street. The 15,000-square-foot store, located in four 1890s-era buildings, has original hardwood floors and brass cash registers. It was opened by Robert Vidler Sr. during the Great Depression in the 1930s and continues to be family-owned and operated. You can find pretty much anything here, including unique, hard-to-find items. Choose from old-fashioned penny candy, yarn fabric, craft supplies, house wares, books, toys, books, cards and much more.
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.
This long-time fixture on Williamsville's Main Street carries more than 30,000 classic toys, like science and building kits, puzzles, books, sock monkeys and other educational toys. They also carry items for dress-up play, erector sets and Playmobile figures. Clayton's is one of the largest specialty toy stores in the area and they carry many items you won't find in the big-box stores. If you are buying a gift for your favorite child, they offer free gift wrapping. Moreover, the shops knowledgeable staff can help you select the perfect gift for the special child in your life.
This family-owned toy store is stocked with a variety of toys that will spark imaginative play, such as toy soldiers, puzzles, and board games. One thing you won't find here are video games, as the shop's owners want to encourage creative play. The shop is also jam-packed with an ever-expanding collection of over 10,000 models of cars, trucks, planes, fire engines, tractors and construction vehicles. In fact, they have the world's largest selection of construction vehicle models, including bulldozers, cranes, backhoes, and dump trucks. Each year, they host the International Model Construction and Truck Show. - Christine A. Smyczynski
Antique World is the largest indoor and outdoor antique and flea market in New York State. Indoors, hundreds of dealers display their wares year-round in 100,000 square feet in 10 buildings. You'll find glassware, pottery, dishes, furniture, jewelry, textiles, collectible items and more. On Sundays during spring, summer and fall, hundreds of additional dealers set up their wares outside. Two huge “super” flea markets are generally held in May and August. Since Clarence, the oldest township in western New York, is considered the antique capital of the region, it's fitting that this large complex is located here.
What makes this store unique is that everything they carry is 100% made in America, including the packaging and even the shelves in the store! The idea behind the store is to promote American products and save American jobs. They also support our armed forces; veterans and active duty military personnel get a 5% discount. They carry a variety of items, from jeans and t-shirts, socks, flags, candles, flag pole holders and more. There is a selection of classic toys, like slinkys, silly putty, crayons, playing cards, and even tiddly winks. There is a large section of food items, with locally-made items, like Perry's ice cream, Webber's mustard, and Chef's sauce, along with items made in other parts of the Untied States. They also carry a handful of local interest books. -Christine A. Smyczynski
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.
For over 70 years, folks in Erie and Niagara County have come to Niagara County Produce for their top choice in quality produce. In season, choose from home-grown apples, corn, peaches and more, along with floral items. In the off-season, enjoy apples and potatoes from cold storage, as well as produce from other parts of the country. The market's full-service deli offers meats and cold cuts at very reasonable prices, as well as several types of freshly made sausages. They also have a variety of groceries, locally made candies, gardening items, and much more. They have a second location in Lockport. – Christine A. Smyczynski
This 1,400-square-foot deli and gift shop specializes in items imported from Eastern Europe, with many goods from Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Bulgaria. Many of the customers who frequent this shop are of direct European descent and find many foods here that they enjoyed in the "old country." You'll find chocolates and cookies, as well as coffees, teas, sodas and imported beers. They have a deli with fresh meats distributed by European companies, along with breads, cheeses, sausages and more. The owners, who are both of Ukrainian descent, travel to New York City about once a month to make purchases to restock the store. - Christine A. Smyczynski
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
This family-owned toy store is stocked with a variety of toys that will spark imaginative play, such as toy soldiers, puzzles, and board games. One thing you won't find here are video games, as the shop's owners want to encourage creative play. The shop is also jam-packed with an ever-expanding collection of over 10,000 models of cars, trucks, planes, fire engines, tractors and construction vehicles. In fact, they have the world's largest selection of construction vehicle models, including bulldozers, cranes, backhoes, and dump trucks. Each year, they host the International Model Construction and Truck Show. - Christine A. Smyczynski
This long-time fixture on Williamsville's Main Street carries more than 30,000 classic toys, like science and building kits, puzzles, books, sock monkeys and other educational toys. They also carry items for dress-up play, erector sets and Playmobile figures. Clayton's is one of the largest specialty toy stores in the area and they carry many items you won't find in the big-box stores. If you are buying a gift for your favorite child, they offer free gift wrapping. Moreover, the shops knowledgeable staff can help you select the perfect gift for the special child in your life.