Mar 30, 2009

Shops enrich Elmwood VillageBy Jennifer MogensenSpectrum.Buffalo.edu

For many people, there are few things in life more intimidating than feeling lost in a big box store or shopping. In search of a single item, consumers often wade through thousands of square feet and hundreds of shelves and products.

Skip the stress and shop local.

The Elmwood Village, located on Elmwood Avenue between North Street and Forest Avenue, is a shopper’s paradise. There are a variety of distinct local shops and great restaurants, bars and coffee houses.

“You can find anything you need on Elmwood,” said Justin Azzarella, executive director of the Elmwood Village Association. “We have a large and ever-expanding collection of men’s and women’s clothing, a nationally renowned community food co-op [the Lexington Cooperative Market], bike and skate shops, home décor, bath and home products, designer shoes and sneakers, eyewear and silk screening, flowers and pet supplies. Anything you can find at a big box store is for sale on Elmwood Avenue.”

There are over 200 local shops and restaurants in the village.

The TreeHouse, located at 793 Elmwood Ave., is stocked full of imaginative and creative children’s toys.

Gaetana and David Schueckler have operated the TreeHouse for 13 years.

The two live in the area and shop locally as well. They are involved in the community and believe in giving back.

“We both believe that no matter what you do, you have to be passionate about it,” Gaetana said. “As part of being in this community we do a lot of donating, especially to schools. We believe in supporting our core community.”

Read complete article.