Local businesses to support this holiday season
Photo courtesy of Photo Editor Faith Zatlukal
Gifts from local stores like the Not Dot Shop in Geneseo provide a unique flair to the present and can be perfect for any loved one this holiday season.
The holiday season quickly approaching is the perfect opportunity to shop locally. Buying gifts online may seem like the easier option, but it can be harmful to the environment and, at times, support problematic businesses. Here are some local businesses in the Geneseo area that will have some great gift options for your loved ones.
A personal favorite among many students is the Not Dot Shop. This store is located right on Main Street and contains handmade products from countless different local vendors. The shop also features other second-hand items such as house decorations, purses, dishes, children's toys, and countless other hand-picked items at a cheap price.
The shop also features Geneseo-themed products, making them perfect gifts for your fellow Geneseo friends. Necklaces and bracelets feature a variety of local and national sororities here at Geneseo. Handmade string and wooden signs that read “Geneseo” or “Go Bills” are also available at the shop.
For avid readers, Sundance Books is a bookstore also found on Main Street. The store features an incredibly wide selection of books despite its smaller interior. If you are not looking for a book, they also have a selection of assorted art supplies and other stationary materials.
Buzzo Music is located very close to Sundance Books and is one of my favorite places in Geneseo. With an incredibly welcoming atmosphere, they are the perfect place to buy something for your favorite music lover. They are very helpful and willing to answer any question you have, no matter how silly.
Touch of Grayce has a wide variety of gifts, including some of the most popular gifts this year. They have Jellycats, Natural Life headbands, popular stress toys, and even more Geneseo-themed merchandise. They also have an entire children's section with unique gifts and educational books.
If you are looking to be especially sustainable this year, shopping at the local Goodwill is a great option. Students often get rid of Geneseo merchandise they no longer want at the Goodwill located on Lakeville Road, making it a much cheaper option than the bookstore!
The Goodwill in Geneseo especially has a wide variety of non-clothing items. They have multiple shelves full of various trinkets and treasures. If you do a little digging, you can find baskets, blankets, yarn, cooking utensils, organization tools, and endless other things. They also have a book section, a music section, a kitchen section, and even shoes!
Driving just a little bit outside of Geneseo will lead you to Lakeville, which has the Alley Cat Boutique. This lesser-known shop among students is a fantastic small business to support. They have endless accessories, women's and men's clothing, crystals, costumes, and so many other incredible things at a respectable price.
If you are looking to buy a present for a fellow student but are coming up short on ideas, buying a gift card from a local food business is a fantastic idea. Crickets, Pizza Pauls, Mama Mia, Sweet Arts, and many other food businesses on Main Street are great options and are widely loved amongst Geneseo students and locals alike.
Throughout the holiday season, it is important to remember that it does not matter how much money you spend on a gift. It truly is the thought that counts. Planning a fun day of activities with a friend or family member is a gift that shows you know what they like and enjoy spending time with them—which is priceless.