A Village of Friends in Orchard Park
Orchard Park may be known nationwide as the home of the Buffalo Bills, but its appeal goes much deeper than its affiliation with our National Football League team. There’s an unmistakable small town ambience here that’s a refreshing contrast to strip malls and chain stores.
Speaking to shop owners and staff behind the counters of the small businesses in the vicinity of Orchard Park’s Four Corners – where North Buffalo Road meets East and West Quaker Streets – it’s hard not to walk away with a warm and fuzzy feeling. These merchants and the people who work for them all take pride in the relationships they’ve built with their customers over the years. This is a shopping district populated by shops with decades – in some cases generations — of experience serving the needs of their customers. That kind of longevity doesn’t come easy. It takes commitment and dedication as well as the ability to listen to what each customer is looking for and fill that need promptly, expertly and convivially.
“People who shop here always pick up on a family vibe,” says Ashleigh Corcimiglia, Manager of Arthur’s Home Furnishings. “Because we are a locally-owned store, we do have a very friendly feeling here because we are all from this community.”
Monae Pouliot of women’s fashion boutique Research and Design echoes those sentiments. “We have a strong network and have made friendships with many of our customers,” she says. “When people shop here they can tell there’s a close-knit feeling.”
The village of Orchard Park was founded, in part, by Quakers – also known as the Society of Friends – so it’s nice to imagine that their philosophy of cordial and peaceful coexistence lives on in the town today.
Here’s an introduction to a sampling of some of the businesses found in Orchard Park.
The Natural Way
6479 West Quaker Street, Orchard Park, NY 14127
716-667-3264
The Natural Way has been in business for 27 years and they specialize in all types of herbal programs, reflexology, raindrop therapy, and more. “Instead of making a corporation bigger and bigger, richer and richer, support local businesses,” says owner Sandra Winter. “Local businesses keep their communities strong – and they take good care of their customers.”
Bailey Slipper Shop
6466 West Quaker Street, Orchard Park, New York 14127
716-667-7810
The Bailey Slipper Shop has been selling dance shoes and dancewear to ballerinas, acrobats, and modern dancers since 1929. “When you shop here you know that you can walk away with something that fits properly, and is of good quality, that you were able to see in person,” says team member Lauren Welling. “Local shopping is supporting your neighbors.”
Village Togs
4282 S. Buffalo Street, Orchard Park, New York 14127
716-662-0977
Women’s clothing boutique Village Togs has been around for 35 years and prides itself on its selection of items you won’t see in a catalogue or big box store. “Shopping locally means quality, and personal attention,” says owner Dale Wopperer. “I love my customers and working with them: they’re loyal, and come from as far away as Pennsylvania, Chautauqua, and Ellicottville.”
Arthur’s Home Furnishings
4288 S. Buffalo Street, Orchard Park, New York 14127
716-662-2158
Arthur’s Home Furnishings has been selling indoor and outdoor furniture, among other things, to customers from throughout the greater Buffalo metro since 1946. “We always carry work by local artisans so we are supporting our local creative community,” says manager Ashleigh Corcimiglia. “With shopping local, it’s nice because you’re keeping everything in a community going,” adds Vice President David Even.
Arthur’s Hardware/Office
6471 West Quaker Street, Orchard Park, NY 14127
716-662-2155
Arthur’s Hardware’s roots go deep – it’s been around for 113 years! “Every dollar that’s spent in a local business is reinvested in the community over and over and over and over,” says owner Joseph Wales. “When you spend your money in a big box store, the money goes to their headquarters out of town, but when you spend money here, your money helps to support our business, yes, and the Orchard Park little league, the town recreation department, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, and more because we sponsor teams and support town events.”
Research and Design
4109 N. Buffalo Street, Orchard Park, NY 14127
716-662-0800
Located in a converted barn, Research and Design stocks fashion forward items for women. “We get shoppers who come all the way from Jamestown, North Tonawanda, even from other states,” says staff member Monae Pouliot. “And we do ship everywhere. We’ve had people who grew up in the area, and who miss it, shop on our site. And they do visit us in person when they are in town, customers become friends when you do business with local stores.”
sunshine + bluebirds
4125 N. Buffalo Road, Orchard Park, NY 14127
716-508-2007
Clothing, jewelry, accessories and specialty items for the Bills fan and Buffalover are what bring customers back to sunshine + bluebirds. “We love our community and we enjoy our customers,” says store manager Samantha Christ. “I enjoy helping them find their Buffalo gear here. We are all about being the City of Good Neighbors. We all thrive when we support each other.”
Runner’s Roost
4190 N. Buffalo Road, Orchard Park, New York, 14127
716-662-1331
Runner’s Roost is a locally- and family-owned business specializing in all things running: sneakers, clothing, and other essential gear. “Local businesses are most important to the community because generally the people who work here also live here,” says owner Robert Fox. “It’s more about giving back. You’ll see more donations for community charity events from local businesses.”
The Grange Outpost
4236 N. Buffalo Road, Orchard Park, New York, 14127
716-217-4100
The third outing from owners Brad Rowell and Caryn Dujanovich, the Grange Outpost to is the perfect grab-and-go cafe to fuel up for the morning ahead. Featuring fresh made pastries, breakfast sandwiches, hash browns, coffee, and more, it’s the same quality you’ve enjoyed from the Grange Community Kitchen and Ellicottville’s West Rose, but with all the convenience and charm of your favorite small town bakeshop.
Kaylena Marie’s Bakery
3144 Orchard Park Road, Orchard Park, New York, 14224
716-508-8491
The Bills are reputed to make regular appearances at Kaylena Marie’s Bakery (don’t let the coaches know) and their cinnamon rolls are so legendary that customers come from as far away as Rochester to indulge, but it’s the cozy atmosphere that’s a big part of the bakery’s appeal. “Local businesses create a sense of community, they’re more welcoming and they’re nicer for hanging out,” says staff member Brooke Sellers. “I always try to shop local, it’s like going to your second home to eat or to get treats.”
Danny’s South
4300 Abbott Road, Orchard Park, NY 14127
716-649-1194
Located across the street from New Era Field, family-owned and –operated, Danny’s is known for its Sunday brunch and Buffalo Chicken Wing Soup. “I try to always shop local, to shop the mom and pop stores,” says owner Mark Ebeling. “I don’t shop big box stores. I’ll always stay with local people. Even for produce I’ll go to three different farms near here, and the same if I need to get flowers. Shopping local keeps the whole area in good hands.”
