There is no doubt everyone is feeling some sort of effects from the pandemic and the recent mandate to shut down temporarily due to WNY being in the orange zone. Like many, I wanted to share my list of favorite locally owned businesses and some of the places I’ll be supporting this holiday season.

Whenever I’m at Rev it really is the best day!

Fitness Studios:

Revolution Buffalo - Take a virtual or on-demand class, purchase merch or a gift card

Reform - Purchase merch or a gift card to gift to your fitness pal or use when restrictions are lifted

Barre Centric - Sign up for a virtual class, purchase merch or a gift card

Space on Seneca - we could all use a little inner peace and zen right now. They are offering virtual classes during this time.

Clothing + Jewelry:

BKind City - Katie offers everything for clothing for adults and kids, and new home decor!

Anna Grace - this has always been my favorite clothing boutique in town, this store reflects some of my taste in clothing, jewelry and home decor items.

Indie Twenty - Rachel’s boho style and the jewelry she creates makes me enjoy seeing her continue to grow in her business.

Rusterior - Carrie offers a wide variety of clothing, toys and decor for those who have the adventure soul.

Half & Half Boutique - currently offering 20% off your order of $100 or more at checkout.

Copper & Steel Chainmail jewelry (on Instagram)

Peg’s Hardware - I love everything Gretchen creates, pay a visit to her new space for the holiday season at 657 Persons Ave in East Aurora. (Check her social media before heading to the store).

Home Goods + Decor + Candles + Art:

Finishing Touches by Caitlin Krumm

Food + Drink:

Whether you’re ordering take out or purchasing a gift card it will help these businesses be here for when we can be back together again.

Winkler + Samuels - did you see the have a Wine & Spirit Advent calendar - use code holiday fun for $20 off before Thanksgiving.

Paradise Wine

Resurgence Brewing Co.

Hartman’s Distilling Co. - they have a Holiday Market taking place 11/27 thru 11/29, face masks required and social distancing will be enforced. Vendors will be announced the morning of each day.

Hydraulic Hearth

Hearth + Press

The Grange Community Kitchen

Meet + Eat Charcuterie - don’t feel like cooking? This is a perfect way to have a custom board made for you. Kristen creates some of the best charcuterie and cheese boards in town.

Bflo Charcuterie Creations - (on Instagram)

What’s Poppin Gourmet Popcorn

Coffee Shops:

Healthy Options:

Florists:

Who doesn’t love a fresh floral bouquet or wreath for the holidays?!

Wild Blossom Hollow

Wild Root Floral

Petrichor Flora

Kinloch Farmstead - they are offering cute gift sets to purchase, Lavender package or the Bee package

Pet Stores:

Buffalo Barkery

Cultural Institutions:

I’m going to use my platform as a way to promote organizations who need are support if we want them to remain open. There are MANY organizations in WNY that need our support (any little bit counts). Below are cultural institutions and non-profits near and dear to my heart, please consider donating to one of these or to an organization that is near and dear to your heart. The point is to support each other the best way we can during this difficult time, that can be financially or by volunteering your time and talents.

Shea’s Performing Arts Center

The Buffalo Zoo

Albright Knox Art Gallery

Art Park

The Botanical Gardens

The Buffalo Science Museum + Tifft Nature Preserve

Non-Profit Organizations:

Aquarium of Niagara

The Central Terminal

UPward Design for Life

Let them LOL

Make-A-Wish of WNY

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

The John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital

Carly’s Club

Explore & More Children’s Museum

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.

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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

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