For many people, there are few things in life more intimidating than feeling lost in a big box store or shopping. In search of a single item, consumers often wade through thousands of square feet and hundreds of shelves and products.
???Skip the stress and shop local.
???The Elmwood Village, located on Elmwood Avenue between North Street and Forest Avenue, is a shopper's paradise. There are a variety of distinct local shops and great restaurants, bars and coffee houses.
???"You can find anything you need on Elmwood," said Justin Azzarella, executive director of the Elmwood Village Association. "We have a large and ever-expanding collection of men's and women's clothing, a nationally renowned community food co-op [the Lexington Cooperative Market], bike and skate shops, home d?(c)cor, bath and home products, designer shoes and sneakers, eyewear and silk screening, flowers and pet supplies. Anything you can find at a big box store is for sale on Elmwood Avenue."
???There are over 200 local shops and restaurants in the village.
??? The TreeHouse, located at 793 Elmwood Ave., is stocked full of imaginative and creative children's toys.
???Gaetana and David Schueckler have operated the TreeHouse for 13 years.
The two live in the area and shop locally as well. They are involved in the community and believe in giving back.
???"We both believe that no matter what you do, you have to be passionate about it," Gaetana said. "As part of being in this community we do a lot of donating, especially to schools. We believe in supporting our core community."
???Just down the street, Katharine Jemison and her partner Mark Earll, owners of the gift boutique Spoiled Rotten at 831 Elmwood Ave., hold similar communal beliefs. Both owners have lived and shopped locally since opening their store over seven years ago. Jemison enjoys the creativity and freedom that comes with owning her own small business.
???According to Azzarella, the majority of the business owners share Schueckler and Jemison's beliefs.
???"Many of the business owners work behind the counter and make sure that your shopping experience is pleasant and enjoyable," Azzarella said. "You won't find friendlier or more knowledgeable business owners anywhere in Western New York."
???Azzarella advocates shopping locally and keeping dollars in the local economy.
???"When purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned businesses, more money is kept in our community," Azzarella said. "Most locally owned businesses purchase products and supplies from other local businesses. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as the local tax base."
???Annie Adams, owner of jewelry boutique Annie Adams at 810 Elmwood Ave., also lives in the area and agrees with Azzarella about the benefits of shopping at businesses in the village.
???"[Shopping locally] supports the local economy [and] it supports the families of those that work for the small businesses," Adams said. "UB students are missing out on a great Buffalo experience."
???For some UB students, it's all about location. Rafiat Ajomagberin, a senior health and human services major, shops locally for convenience. She chooses her shopping destination based on location and how accessible the business is.
???The opportunity to find one-of-a-kind gifts and apparel provides entertainment, and students will find satisfaction in knowing that their hard-earned dollars are supporting the local Buffalo economy. With the weather starting to warm up and the semester quickly coming to a close, a little shopping excursion may be in order.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
