Dec 12, 2009

Hospital gift shops offer feel-good shoppingBy Jennifer Lata RungBuffaloNews.com

There’s the mall. The Internet. And the great little shops you’ll find everywhere from Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo to Main Street in your town.

But there’s one alternative this Christmas season you probably haven’t considered: hospital gift shops.

The thought may seem a bit odd at first. After all, many of us don’t want to think about them — much less go to them — unless we’re forced to.

But some of us have to, anyway, whether it’s for work or maybe just for a visit. And, while you’re there you may be surprised to learn that there are some hidden gems of consumerism lying within the lobbies of hospitals throughout the region.

In fact, if you haven’t been to a hospital lately, you may be in for a surprise. Many hospitals have made efforts to update and expand their inventories to meet a more varied demand.

Hospital gift shops are not just limited to cards, candy and campy knick-knacks anymore. Looking for a new Vera Bradley bag? Sisters Hospital and Roswell Park have got you covered. A unique kid’s gift? Women and Children’s Hospital may be the place. At Sisters, they’ll even wrap your gift, free of charge. And best of all, the profits generated by all of these stores go directly back to fund hospital initiatives.

Shopping has never felt quite this good.

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