Find Anything and Everything at Vidler’s Five & Dime
Ladies and gentleman, step right up and witness the almighty Vidler’s 5 & 10! Come one, come all, to this legendary variety store located in East Aurora. Witness the bizarre, the charming, the colossal, the family-owned destination. Stories of this landmark are all true…just pick a door under the red and white awning and step right into a wonderland of shopper’s bliss!
Celebrating 94 years in business, this 5 & 10 dominates EA’s charming Main Street. With 4 connected buildings, Vidler’s offers twelve departments of fun. A visit is like walking back in time, where the lineup of penny candy jars is never-ending and you can buy Christmas ornaments year-round.
What I love most about Vidler’s is the wacky and wild things you can buy. Owner Don Vidler estimates the store stocks a whopping 75,000 unique items! If you’re looking for something for yourself or need a gift, you will find the perfect one for your mother who takes gardening to another level, your father who loves anything camo, your sister who loves to cook, and your brother who loves anything with a Buffalo on it. This is the place to find everything, and anything you’ve ever wanted, and didn’t even know existed.
You could spend hours in this haven of happiness, and I’m not exaggerating. Every corner you turn puts a smile on your face, and there are a multitude of corners, nooks and crannies too. Could you use some bacon-flavored floss or a mini Hello Kitty frying pan or even a Buffalo Wing infused soda? It’s like every dream you’ve ever had woke up and sat on a shelf. The straightforward but vintage department names alone should help paint the picture: candy, school supplies, bath & body, specialty foods, retro & collectables, seasonal, home décor, crafts, toys, “take a look nook,” kitchenware, and fabrics & yarns. From room to room the sheer size of this store is incredible, and there’s even a basement jam-packed with gourmet and home-spun kitchenware and sundries. I would recommend packing a snack and bringing a water bottle in case you get lost amidst the aisles (perhaps a GPS visitor tracking system would help?), but why not just buy while you are there and taste along the way.
If this hasn’t gotten you into your car and driving towards East Aurora, I don’t know what will. You can’t miss the spot. Look for the GIANT smiling “Vidler on the roof”. It’s family owned and now run by the 3rd generation. So, stop in and play. Even just purely for an epic Instagram photo. This circus of fun is awaiting your visit!
