One day we love to celebrate is Small Business Saturday, a day for shopping local and celebrating the small brick-and-mortar businesses that are the backbone of their communities. Shop small this holiday season and find neighborhood gems that range from unique handmade gifts to tasty homemade treats. You will find high quality and distinctive products offered with hometown hospitality that might just get you shopping small all year long.
Ontario County has an abundance of local businesses, some new and some Finger Lakes classics that have been around for years and years. There are just too many to list them all, but here is a curated list of some local favorites, sorted by community, that will help you find that perfect gift for anyone on your holiday shopping list.
The agricultural communities of East and West Bloomfield offer unique shopping opportunities ranging from cozy socks and the softest stuffed animals from Lazy Acres Alpacas to the 100 local artisans and vendors featured at Heartfelt Designs. Antique lovers will need a day or two to explore the Bloomfield Antique Country Mile which encompasses over 20 unique shops, each with its own distinct personality and offerings.
Shopping on historic Main Street in downtown Canandaigua is pure pleasure. Pedestrian friendly, vibrant, and full of specialty shops, it’s the place to be on Small Business Saturday (or any Saturday!) The custom created chocolates from Sweet Expressions are not to be missed! Have a dog lover on your list? Stop in Bad Dog Boutique featuring their own hand made in Canandaigua Bad Dog product line. Pop in F. Oliver’s for premium oils and specialty foods. Find classic, romantic, and timeless fashions at the Blue Door Boutique, locally owned and focused on fashions “Made in the US” and natural fabrics. The list of shopping opportunities goes on and on. I suggest you stop at Dalai Java for a cappuccino and pastry to refuel!
Main Street Clifton Springs features Victorian-era architecture with covered walkways and unique local shops. Main Street Arts specializes in art and fine crafts from Upstate New York artists. The Sulfer Book Store (named after the village’s famous springs) is an independent book store offering new and used classics along with current best sellers and plenty of choices for young readers as well. Dork Forest Comics sells games, toys, and comic books, of course! Take a rest stop at the historic and stunning Warfield’s Restaurant and Bakery.
The historic, charming, and picturesque small city of Geneva on the northern rim of Seneca Lake is a great place to shop for unique gifts including specialty food and wine, creative jewelry, antiques and even bicycles! People come from all over for the high quality bicycles at Trek Bicycle, voted one of the Top Bike Shops in the USA! Another downtown shopping gem is Stomping Grounds, a one-of-a-kind retail shop offering new and used books, carefully chosen gift items, prints and photos of the Finger Lakes, original and reproduction antique maps, and custom framing. Around the corner is FLX Goods, dubbed “The General Store of the Finger Lakes” and you will definitely see why when you enter the store full of everything from bath and body products to coffee and tea to jams, jellies, and preserves, all locally sourced in the Finger Lakes.
Historic and charming Naples is made for the artsy shopper looking for a variety of local and unique items. Artizann’s, featuring work by local artists, FLX Music Supply for musical instruments are a few of the independently owned shops that reflect the Naples artistic lifestyle. Venture just a little outside of downtown Naples to Arbor Hill Grapery and Winery for wine and grape infused products such as jellies and pie fillings, marinades and vinegars, and wine, of course, then stop for lunch at their Brew and Brats Restaurant.
Although Victor is known for the Eastview Mall, it also features some very cool independent shops. You haven’t tried gourmet popcorn until you’ve visited Prima Pop in Victor with its endless flavor options. Try their peppermint popcorn—that’s kettle corn drizzled with peppermint chocolate with peppermint candy canes sprinkled on top, featured during the holiday season. Experience something new at Brand Bar, an upscale women's boutique offers a unique experience for to sip and shop at the same time. Enjoy the cocktail bar and sitting area while you shop around the store for new additions to a loved one's wardrobe. Also, visit Ganondagan State Historic Site for their hand-grown, hand-picked Iroquois White Corn products with roots dating back 1400 years, or their gift shop full of Indigenous artist's work. How about that for a unique gift?
We hope this upcoming holiday shopping season whets your appetite to include small businesses in your array of Finger Lakes shopping opportunities all year round!