Support Local

ink of pine design (thanks K. Sweet for the gift!)

It’s been a while since we’ve all experienced what was once normal life. These last few weeks have been difficult for many, but through it all we manage to find a way to get thru each day. I decided throughout the month of May I would feature different local businesses on my social media platforms. I asked my followers for recommendations this past weekend so I could post and link to their websites below (thank you to everyone who shared the recs with me!). I also am sharing some places I have supported throughout the pandemic. Take a look at the list, many places have been offering specials, discounts or teaming up with other businesses to create special packages. All supporting one another!

Flowers

Gourmet Popcorn

Fresh Veggies

Wine

Fish Fry

Throughout the month I’m going to be surprising people (at random) on social media with gift cards to some of these places listed below.

If there are any places you’d like me to share please feel free to post in the comments or message me here.

Continue to be well & stay safe

oo

-B

• Anna Grace

• Black Monarchy

• Bloomsbury Lane Toy Shoppe

• Breadhive

• Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper

• Buffalo Zoo

• Butterblock

• Cone 5 Studio

• Dani Fit

• Danny’s Restaurant

• Edge of Town

• Fashion Lab NY

• feather & dots

• Fig Tree Patisserie

• Fowlers

• Hartman’s Distillery

• Ink of Pine designs

• La Nova

• Let them LOL

• Lloyd

• Make-A-Wish of WNY

• Mon Ami

• Morgan Reed Salon

• MuseJar

• Oxford Pennant

• Paradise Wine

• Pasta Peddler

• Pastry by Camille

• Penzey’s on Elmwood

• Petrichor Flora

• Remedy House

• Resurgence Brewery

• Ro

• Rusterior

• Shop Craft

• Talking Leaves

• Tarantino Foods

• The Grange

• This Little Pig

• Tipico

• Treehouse Toy Store

• UPward Design for Life

• What’s Poppin’ Popcorn

• Wild Blossom Hollow

• Wild Root Floral

• Wild Things

• Winkler & Samuels

• Wonder Coffeehouse

*Please note some of these small businesses may be closed or have limited hours right now due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check them out. Once this is under control it will be an opportunity for you to pay a visit.

Updated 6/10/20:

Gifts cards given out from giveaways on IG during the month of May - Remedy House (winners Mackenzie and Lindsay), Butterblock (winner Mandy), The Grange Community Kitchen (winner Buffalovebirds), Valu Home Centers (winner Erin)

A Trip Down Memory Lane - West Rose & A Day In Ellicottville

Today I’m entering into my fourth week of staying home during this pandemic, like most people we are all yearning for the time when things can go back to the way they were, being able to freely leave our homes and go about our lives however we enjoy doing so.

For me, I am looking forward to the days I’ll be able to go on random day adventures and explore new places, new businesses in the region that have opened, be able to travel again, the list goes on and on.

As I’m sitting here I thought I’d share my thoughts on West Rose - a fairly new restaurant that opened in Ellicottville this past December. West Rose is the sister restaurant to the Grange Community Kitchen in the Village of Hamburg. Owners Brad and Caryn Rowell opened this wonderful place as a second “gathering place for all” in the heart of ski country.

On a Sunday afternoon in February my friend Kelsey and I took a day trip to Ellicottville to pay a visit to West Rose (it was on both our bucket lists of places to visit) and just have a change of scenery from the City of Buffalo. From the minute you walk in, you are taken away by the beautiful decor. The tall ceilings, exposed white washed brick with gold accent pieces and soft colors make the ambiance of the restaurant feel cozy, comfortable and at peace all while feeling a part of a community where guests gather to catch up or spend a day enjoying each others company. The food is seasonally inspired, shareable, comfort and delicious all in one and the staff are attentive, welcoming and friendly.

After brunch we decided to walk around the village of Ellicottville. We went from store to store and stopped at some local businesses checking on winter sales they had going on. We visited a local bakery and winery and picked up some treats for a friends dinner later that night. While our trip was only a few hours out of the day, it was nice getting some fresh air and visiting some places that were new to us and some that we don’t get to visit that often.

It’s the memories and experiences like this that I miss currently. While I’m grateful to have the memories to think of during this difficult time its hard to think what life will be like after this is all over or I should say once this is under control, I don’t think this will be over for a while. While we are all doing our part to help one another, it’s scary to think of what the economy, local business and life will be like in just a few months. I realize that is a bold and broad statement I’m making, but it’s my opinion and what I’m thinking about more frequently now a days.

It’s little adventures like these that help me get through these long and sad days that I find myself facing more often, its the memories I have that help give me hope that there are brighter days a head, until then I will continue to go down memory lane.

Continue to stay safe & be well,

-B