Hertel Avenue: A tip-top spot to shop

If you want to support local businesses and find unique items for everyone on your list, head to Hertel. You’ll find the most diverse selection of shops and restaurants in all of Western New York.

It is an incredibly long street with a lot going on – more than could possibly be listed here. It’s well worth your time to check them all out for yourself. But to get you started, here are some of my personal favorites.

Bella Mia Chocolate Shop, 1096 Hertel Ave. This is the perfect place to load up on unique stocking stuffers at great prices. You’ll find all your favorite childhood candies – candy cigarettes, Now and Later, wax bottles – from 8 cents (Dubble Bubble gum) to $2.99 (Harry Potter chocolate frogs).

There’s imported candy (Coffee Crisp, Kinder, Mackintosh’s Toffee) for 99 cents to $3.29; a variety of candy-covered insects priced at $1.99; jar candy for $3.99 a pound. There’s a wide assortment of store-made chocolate, including chocolate-covered pretzels and potato chips. Sponge candy is just $15.49 per pound. There are also cartoon character and superhero metal lunch boxes for $7.99.

P.S. Accessories, 1442 Hertel Ave. This boutique is a favorite among locals. It sells a trendy assortment of women’s clothing, jewelry, handbags, belts, leggings and other accessories. The best part? Everything in the store is priced under $50.

Modern Nostalgia, 1376 Hertel Ave. This hip boutique wouldn’t be out of place in New York City. It carries high-quality, on-trend men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, including such brands as Coal, Lisa B., Bella Dahl, Herschel Supply Co. and Articles of Society. It can get pricey – you’ll find belts priced upwards of $100 – but you can find delicate, trendy bracelets for as little as $12. A recent sale rack was loaded with clothing marked down from as high as $235 to just $19.

room, 1400 Hertel Ave. Design visionary Michael Poczalski of Michael P. Design is credited by many with bringing the cool back to Hertel. At his stores room and BABYroom, you can find utterly stylish home furnishings and designer accents for the home, office and nursery. You can find festive little votive holders for as little as $9 or a blindingly beautiful Lawson bar cart with hand-cut fretwork for $2,745.

New Buffalo Graphics, 1417 Hertel Ave. Buffalo-themed merchandise is all the rage, but local artist Michael Morgulis was making Buffalo-centric art way before it was cool. His shop is filled with original designs on T-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, aprons, wall art, mugs – you name it.

The Second Reader Bookshop, 1419 Hertel Ave. This secondhand bookstore is a delight. You’ll find a diverse collection of carefully selected titles in a range of prices. There are also bookish gifts, such as notecards ($4) and author pins ($1.99).

Headin’ to Hertel, 1251 Hertel Ave. Everyone knows about Terrapin Station, 1172 Hertel Ave., which has been serving Deadheads for decades. But the 8-year-old Headin’ to Hertel is something to see. It’s owned by a local glassblower and his business partner, and features glassware from several local artists. It also hosts a massive toy drive each Christmas. Donate a toy and receive 15 percent off your purchase. Donate $100 worth of toys (bring your receipt) and receive a $200 custom-made piece of glass for free.

Vintage and Antiques. Hertel Avenue has some of the best antique shops in Western New York, all on the same city stretch. Buffalo Antiques, 1539 Hertel Ave., is a high-end showroom with gleaming inventory. The Antique Lamp Co. and Gift Emporium, 1213 Hertel Ave., has exquisite vintage lamps from the 1800s to the 1960s, as well as estate jewelry, china, glassware, linens, lace and furniture. Webb Exchange, 1507 Hertel Ave. has high-end furniture, antiques and art. Silent Voices, 1495 Hertel Ave., specializes in country, folk, painted furniture and Western New York regional art. J.M. Goldbuyers, John Marfoglia Antiques, 1484 Hertel Ave., buys and sells gold, silver and antiques. House of Jacob, 1453 Hertel Ave., has lots of cool musical instruments, vintage bar clocks and neon beer signs. Moda Vintage is at 1493 Hertel Ave.

Cone Five Pottery, 1508 Hertel Ave. The gallery sells artisan ceramic pottery and sculpture, as well as beautiful blown glass, candles, wood and jewelry pieces made by local artists. You might also consider taking a class in the store’s studio and making your own masterpieces.

Daisy’s Doghouse, 1448 Hertel Ave. A delightful little doggy boutique for all the canines on your shopping list. Stylish products selected with an artful hand and an eye on quality, featuring items from several local craftsmen. All pet food and treats are made in the U.S.A.

Chow Chocolat, 1438 Hertel Ave. Delicious chocolate candies and sweet delicacies.

Village Beer Merchant, 1535 Hertel Ave. Sample your choice of beer in its tasting room, then pick a cool growler and fill it with the brew you like best. Or choose from its wide selection of gourmet food, glassware and more than 1,000 specialty craft and imported beers.

Where to eat and drink. Hertel Avenue has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to restaurants. Just to name a few, there’s the wholesome and quick Globe Market at 1416 Hertel Ave., old standby Spot Coffee at 1406 Hertel Ave. and the yummy Jewel of India at 1264 Hertel Ave.

Bertha’s, the well-loved 1950s-style diner at 1430 Hertel Ave., opens at 6 a.m. Kostas Family Restaurant, 1561 Hertel Ave., is a local favorite. Lone Star Fajita Grill, 1855 Hertel Ave., has amazing fajitas for less than $4. CRaVing, 1472 Hertel Ave., is an underrated gem using locally sourced ingredients.

Marco’s Italian Deli, 1744 Hertel Ave., is a classic. The former Empire Grill is now Mac’s, 1435 Hertel Ave. The Public House, 1206 Hertel Ave., has pub food and an extensive beer list. Soccer bar and restaurant Mes Que, 1420 Hertel Ave., is very popular. Sterling Tap & Wurst, 1487 Hertel Ave., has such exotic sausages as wild boar, rabbit and elk. Wellington Pub, 1541 Hertel Ave., has a great fish fry and beef on ‘weck to die for. Lombardo’s, 1198 Hertel Ave., is Italian casual fine dining at its best.

Where to park. There is metered parking along the street, which becomes free after 6 p.m. There’s free parking on the side streets all day – be sure to observe the signs. There are also several free parking lots many people are unaware of. There’s a public one between Gecko’s Bar and Grill (1464 Hertel Ave.) and CRaVing. Bella Mia Chocolate, Jewel of India and Parker Pharmacy (1388 Hertel Ave.) all have their own lots for as long as you’re patronizing their businesses.

Don’t miss. The Hertel Business Association will hold its 20th annual Hertel Holidays from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5. All of the shops and restaurants will stay open late, and there will be refreshments, light and window displays, a clothing drive and a visit from Santa and his elves. The Antique Lamp Co. will host an ugly sweater party from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4, presided over by Father Christmas himself.

Next week’s shopping district: Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Send your retail tips and news to schristmann@buffnews.com