With the holiday season upon us and ever growing excitement happening downtown, new developments abound, increasing the downtown workforce and residential base. When it comes to shopping, we often tend to focus on Elmwood, Allentown and Hertel Avenue as the premier city shopping districts. But, did you know that we have over seventy retailers spread all over downtown? That equals more retailers than all of Allentown. So, it’s about time we thought of downtown as a growing shopping destination once again. Following is a walk through some of what downtown has to offer when it comes to clothes and gifts.

I’m not going to include all seventy plus stores in this post, but will point out a few of the basics.

Let’s begin with the south end of Downtown at the Ellicott Square Building, located at 295 Main St. Inside the main lobby is a unique and trendy boutique store for the ladies called, Sarah Danielle.

Always stocked with the latest styles, trends and accessories. Also inside this beautiful old building is the Diamond Cutters of Western New York, located on the 2nd floor, accessible from the main lobby. It’s the perfect place to get a gift for someone special or to treat yourself. Also the place to get something touched up, re-vamped or re-sized.

Let’s move north along Main Street to the Main Place Mall. Yes, it’s not on the radar, but retail still exists inside with such big names as Foot Locker, Kid’s Footlocker, Payless, GNC, Rainbow Kids, as well as local retailers such as Steppin’ Shoes – ladies apparel, shoes, boots, men’s hats, etc.

For locally made treats, check out Barker Chocolate Box. Then for the Buffalo theme gifts and other unique gifts, The Gift Loft is a must!

Across the street from Main Place is the Buffalo Flagship location for Rainbow – this store offers the latest styles for you ladies at the most reasonable prices. Two doors down heading towards Lafayette Square is New Generations Jewelry – watches, rings, necklaces and beyond, for men and women.

Speaking of jewelry, take a step further inside the same building that the above-mentioned retailers are located in, The Brisbane Building. Take the elevator in the lobby to the 3rd floor where you’ll find Behringer Diamonds. Behringer specializes in diamonds, rings and jewelry repair and has been around for generations.

Around the corner in the same building facing Lafayette Square you’ll see, EmbroidMe.

Need something printed onto a shirt, a bag, or something else? This is the place to get it done and on site.

Two doors down is Edible Arrangements, which may not be your typical retailer, but a chocolate covered fruit gift basket works for me.

Now let’s step into the Hotel @ The Lafayette where we have three special retail choices:

Room2, located next to the Washington Street entrance, offers home décor accessories such as scented candles, pillows, Buffalo themed objects and whole lot more.

On the Washington and Clinton Street corner of the hotel is the biggest store here, Woyshner’s Flower Shop. This isn’t just a flower shop. Woyshner’s also carries locally made chocolates, hand-made jewelry, house wear, books on Buffalo and more unique gift ideas.

Now let’s go to the Clinton Street entrance for a one of kind ladies boutique called ‘anatomy’.

Anatomy offers ‘made to design’ dresses for all occasions from weddings, proms, balls, to even a special party and cocktail dress. Dresses and accessories are in store waiting for you. A few blocks east at 198 Oak Street we have Western New York’s only full-service scooter dealer and shop – Buffalo Scooter Company. Not just cool scooters here, this place also carries stylish jackets, sun glasses, helmets, hand bags and more!

Around the corner at 141 Broadway, more chocolate for you sweet tooth fans, Choco Logo Confectionary Design – custom made treats such as logos on chocolate. See how it’s made and take home a few treats all in one visit.

Now let’s head back over to Main St. near Lafayette Square. Turn right heading north and we have Main Jewelers, located at 440 Main St. Jewelry for the men and women for any occasion.

One block north we have the ever changing 500 block of Main St. Still a lot of work taking place, but one unique spot currently available is located right above a cool art gallery inside the 515 Main St. Studio on the 2nd. floor called, MAIN (ST)UDIOS Gift Shop – this shop offers locally made greeting cards, soaps, clothing, home décor…

Across the street we have the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Yes even inside a hotel we have unique offering open to not just travelers. A small gift shop off the main lobby offers cool Buffalo and Niagara Falls souvenirs, and facing Main Street is Spa Alexis – pamper yourself and take home a few home pampering products afterwards. Hyatt’s is also where you will come across the Festival of Trees.

Around the corner at 468 Washington Street (corner of Mohawk Street) we have another unique gift shop and a creative place to check out – Western New York Book Arts Center – not only is this the only place in WNY to take a class in book binding and learning old school printing techniques, but its gift shop offers one of kind locally themed gift cards, prints and and other print and book related gifts.

Speaking of books, let’s head one block north over to one of the country’s largest antiquarian bookstores, Old Editions Book Shop, located at 74 E. Huron Street (corner of Oak Street). Find anything there from historical Buffalo publications to vintage movie magazines to newer books, all under one roof.

Now let’s get back on Main Street and into the new Theatre District. I say ‘new’ because, well, have you seen the construction on this block lately? Let’s begin in one of the country’s oldest mini malls, the Market Arcade located at 617 Main Street.

Within the Market Arcade we have a few amazing choices, all local. For starters we have the Buffalo Niagara Visitor Center – the official visitor’s center in Buffalo with brochures, an ever-changing art gallery, a unique mini theater with rotating short films all about Western New York and of course Buffalo theme clothing for all ages. Then there are holiday decorations such as Buffalo ornaments. Across the lobby we have Queen City Gallery – an art gallery catering to the Buffalo area, with prints for sale. From vintage to new Buffalo available at all times – a must see!

For female shoppers, we have two choices for you. J. Christian Fashion Boutique – a wide

selection of the latest styles for any occasion and accessories to go with them. And, Sasmita Batik Indonesia – clothing, accessories and unique gifts from Indonesia. This unique boutique also carries items for men such as scarves and shirts.

A few doors north of the Market Arcade we have Midway Jewelers located at 659 Main Street. This place has been around for years and still carries the best quality sales service for men and women with stylish watches, earrings, rings and the like.

Next door we have a store for anyone of any age – Althea’s 2nd Time Around Boutique – from vintage to new clothing, shoes, baby wear, furniture… all under one roof.

Across the street we have Tent City at 674 Main Street. Everything from name brand designers such as Timberland, Nike, Columbia, etc., with shoes, boots, jackets, work gear an all sorts of other great finds. The perfect place to check out for warm attire.

Heading north to the 700 block of Main Street we have City Wine Merchant – 715 Main Street at Tupper. A locally owned independent wine shop with a wide selection to choose from. Up the block from there, we have one of the most unique stores in the area, DC Theatricks, located at 747 Main Street. This places carries costumes of any character that one can think of, as well as costume jewelry, wigs and accessories that can be used all year long, not just for Halloween.

Let’s turn right onto Tupper Street and we have Lincoln Coin & Stamp Co. at 33 W.Tupper Street. If you’re a collector of coins and or stamps, this is the place for you!

Next let’s go to Delaware Avenue and turn left, heading south. To our right we have David Tiftickjian & Sons, located at 300 Delaware Avenue. The only Oriental rug store in downtown Buffalo.

And last but not least on our downtown shopping 101 guide, we have the New Era Flagship Store at 160 Delaware Avenue. Home of the official New Era cap. Not just fitted hats here, they also carry other stylish hats, bags and more!

So, the next time you’re looking for new and unique places to shop, and happen to be downtown and wonder where to go, or thought there wasn’t much to offer in downtown Buffalo, then consider all the choices given in this post. The list of shopping amenities is growing, and the support of the community is needed in order to see the shopping trends continue.

Downtown really does have a lot of shopping options and it’s bound to grow as exciting developments unfold around just about every corner.