Nov 25, 2007

Orleans County: Shop local and saveBy Nicole ColemanJournal-Register.com

Why shop at a busy, crowded mall when you can buy gifts right in your own hometown?

As gas prices rise by the day, local residents may be looking for ways to stretch the holiday budget. Area stores and restaurants have adopted a similar motto this season: Save time, save gas, shop local.

To promote their unique wares, many will offer special discounts the next few weekends. It’s all about that personal touch — not long lines.

“We get to hopefully help our customers out and help them find that perfect gift,” said Barb Kujawa, gift shop manager at Ronsenkrans Pharmacy and Gift Shop on Main Street, Medina. The store’s holiday open house is Dec. 1. “It’s a fun day, it really is. In here, there’s something for everybody.”

Rosenkrans carries the popular digital stuffed animal Webkinz, Yankee candles and Jim Shore collectibles. The day of the open house, Kujawa said they will have demonstrations of their gourmet food, bath and body products and Henry’s Candies out of Alden. There will be a number of in-store specials, and all purchases will be gift wrapped for free.

“We’ll have it ready to go underneath your Christmas tree for you,” she said.

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