BUFFALO, N.Y. — While many folks may have already started buying Christmas gifts online, others still like the opportunity to visit and shop at locally owned businesses.
So we have a preview of several locations where merchants will definitely be open for business on this Saturday after Thanksgiving.
We know the pandemic issues really affected holiday shopping turnout the past few years. So Small Business Saturday, which actually started during another bleak time in the recession of 2010, is now really back for its 12th official year.
And here in Western New York, the doors are open and the shelves are stocked for Saturday and the season.
Let's start in Buffalo. The Christmas Holiday Market is once again open on Ohio Street in the city with various artisans among the 50 vendors. There is a similar setup on Lake Street in Hamburg to recreate those famous European Christmas marketplaces.
Christmas Market organizer Jillian Cannan told 2 On Your Side: "We are probably quadruple the size of what we were last year. Our footprint is bigger. We have a lot of different amenities that we didn't have last year, so we're encouraging people to come spend the day with us."
Then in Buffalo's Upper Black Rock neighborhood on Niagara Street, there is a shop-and-stroll event to check out 12 shops.
Vision Niagara Board Chair Barbara Rowe says some are newly opened.
"There's a brand new business called the Seltzery. It's Twin Petrals. Seltzery Company in the old Resurgence Building, and they're having a two-for-one special, and this is their grand opening weekend," Rowe said. "So there's any number of specials going on and we hope folks will check out our neighborhood, because it's really a growing and very cool kind of environment."
Rowe added: "Wonderful entrepreneurs that are really offering unique products and really building a thriving community for us."
You might also want to swing over to Williamsville where shops like Amy's Fine Jewelry have that seasonal sparkle and individual flair with a neighborly approach.
Owner Amy Paoletti told us: "It's not like in a chain store where you have different sales people over the years, so it's always been me. I'm here owning it, operating it. During Christmastime, I'm here every day open to close. I love seeing the people that come once a year for Christmas, and so we're able to know what the customers want, too, by getting to know their husbands or their wives. Some wives love picking out their pieces. Some husbands like coming in and surprising them."
Finally in that "Hallmark Christmas" Community of East Aurora there is a different vibe to the beat of a different little drummer boy. That's at a new Revolver Records store.
"We specialize in quality vintage and new vinyl pressings, and we have the widest selection anywhere in town. And yeah, we're just happy to be here in East Aurora. I think this area is really cool," manager Phil Machemer said.
Overall on Saturday, the federal government's Small Business Administration estimates that over 30 million independent businesses nationwide will take part in this Small Business Saturday promotion. They are hoping collectively for billions of dollars in crucial revenue for them.
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