The picturesque Village of Lewiston is just one square mile in size, but it’s busting at the seams with historic charm.
Center Street is packed with retail shops and restaurants, and surrounded by historic homes all decked out for Christmas. What a fun place to do some shopping.
Sister Brother Children’s Apparel, 484 Center St. Adorable children’s clothing and accessories you just don’t see anywhere else, and at great prices. This is the place to get your kids’ Christmas morning jammies. They have old-fashioned peignoir sets ($35 to $45) and the “Little House on the Prairie”-style flannel nightgowns with eyelet trim ($20 to $32). Holiday dresses are $40 to $60. And there are the cutest little bomber jackets you’ve ever seen, complete with military patches and an airplane zipper pull. Clothes start in size preemie and go up to size 14 for girls, size 7 for boys.
Canterbury Place, 547 Center St. A delightful mix of treasures in a wide range of prices. You’ll find handcrafted, wooden Byer’s Choice Caroler figurines from Pennsylvania, from $20 to $265; locally handmade wooden bowls ($28 to $68) and walking sticks ($30); Casa Fina stoneware from Portugal ($12 and up); handmade nutcrackers and smokers from Germany; candles from Mole Hollow, Root and Northern Lights; Joseph Joseph kitchenware ($10 and up); Lewiston and Youngstown salt-glazed crocks ($32) and mugs ($21) and La Cigale acrylic-coated tablecloths ($70 to $100).
Cheri Amour, 522 Center St. Anyone on any budget can find beautiful, unique women’s and girls’ jewelry and accessories at this lovely little shop.
There are beaded rings for 85 cents, Disney “Frozen” CHARM IT! charms for $5 and Umbra Zoola ring holders for $8.95. Or you can find colorful, art deco-style Firefly earrings for $32, Thomas Sabo charms from $25 to $95 and Uno de 50 jewelry from Madrid, starting at $100.
You’ll also find hot brands like the Giving Keys (which support homeless people in Los Angeles) and Her Story (born in Niagara Falls) as well as Alex and Ani, Mantraband, Pura Vida, Lokai, Lizzy James and Luca + Danni.
Sue’s Frame of Mind, 748 Center St. You’d be cutting it close to Christmas to have something made now, but keep this place in mind for future gift ideas. They have created one-of-a-kind treasures framing personal memorabilia such as the golf ball from a hole-in-one, a father’s monogrammed handkerchief, a dog’s paw print and collar, a grown baby’s clothes, a champion horse’s shoes and blue ribbon, and touching collections of military photos, medals and dog tags. There is also original artwork from local artists for sale and Lewiston notecards for $5.95.
McNerney’s Irish Imports, 480 Center St. Aran knit sweaters, $70; Irish wool caps, $50; and all kinds of Celtic home decor, ornaments and jewelry. They have the cutest baby clothes, including a kilted onesie ($19) with a matching tartan bow tie ($10) and silk shamrock booties ($14.95).
Grandpaws Pet Emporium, 402 Center St. A giant pet accessory store. You can buy a naturally shed jumbo elk antler chew, $11.98; an SPCA calendar, $10; doggy hair bows, $4.99; and a huge selection of high-end dog food including Preppy Puppy biscuits that look like frosted cookies ($3.99).
The Country Doctor, 549 Center St. A darling antiques shop with such gems as a fur-lined, baby buggy sleigh and taxidermied animals.
Village Goldsmith, 744 Center St. Eclectic, artsy fine jewelry starting at $20 and going into the thousands. There are also locally made fused-glass gifts dinnerware ($6 for a napkin ring or $134 for a five-piece place setting) and rustic jewelry boxes made from reclaimed cypress and hot-rolled glass ($65 to $95).
Dash of Divinity, 345 Center St. Luxury chocolates, specialty foods, candles and body products. Cocopotamus chocolates are $2 apiece, 50-hour Jazz Candles are $17.99, and Butt Naked room spray is $8.49.
Fine Antiques, 105 N. Fourth St. A varied mix of antiques, vintage and collectibles, from a book signed by Theodore Roosevelt to a Jesse “the Body” Ventura vinyl record.
Lewiston Music, 791 Center St. A full-service music store that sells and repairs new and used instruments and equipment. Lessons are available, too.
Soully Created, 744 Center St. European-style women’s clothing, footwear and accessories from Los Angeles, Montreal, Italy, New York City, Bali, Paris and Toronto. You’ll find sweaters from $39.99 to $149.99, Western-style rain boots for $79, and wide, 1980s-style belts for $29.95.
Stuart Sports, 486 Center St. Screen printing and embroidery, sports apparel, varsity jackets, personalized jerseys and equipment for everything from hockey to disc golf.
The Village Bake Shop, 417 Center St. Nationally recognized baked goods. Its cookie platters start at $25. They sell a ton of cute ornaments and gift items, too, such as a pair of Santa pants that holds two bottles of wine, $19.99.
Angel to Apple, 467 Center St. Los Angeles-style women’s clothing and accessories. You’ll find chunky rings for $14; long, fingerless gloves for $19.50; an orange and gold Sorrentino handbag for $56 and an Aztec-sleeved cardigan for $59.50.
Antique to Chic, 536 Center St. A variety of items from jewelry and clothing to furniture and home decor, as well as a nice selection of Christmas items. My personal favorites were a pair of metal rollerskates and several vintage window frames.
Spiritually Rooted, 402 Center St. Gemstones, crystals and incense. Psychic readings are available in a room at the back of the store.
Sgt. Peppers Hot Sauces Etc., 402 Center St. Hot sauces, dips, jams and specialty foods as far as the eye can see.
Lovin’ My Bags by Barbara, 704 Center St. Leather handbags from such brands as Kooba and Lancaster, as well as a full line of “handbag spa” products to cleanse, condition and protect them.
De Rivier Jewelers, 445 Center St. An extensive selection of earring and necklace sets.
End of the Road Boutique, 335 Center St. A girlie gift boutique. Don’t miss the scrumptious Plumeria cupcake bath bombs made in Grand Island or the locally made Gramma’s Girls hair accessories starting at $7.
D’Avolio Olive Oils, Vinegars and More, 449 Center St. This is the company’s original location. It has opened eight since 2010.
DiCamillo Bakery, 535 Center St. Everybody loves this third-generation Italian bakery’s bread, biscotti and cookies.
Enchanted Florist Gift Gallery, 739 Center St. Flowers and gifts such as feathered wreaths, thatched woodland creatures, glass mistletoe ornaments and pillows that look like giant ice cream sandwiches.
Artpark, 450 S. Fourth St. Gift certificates are available in any denomination and can be applied toward any ticket purchase with no expiration date. You can buy them at the box office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday or by phone, 754-4375.
Theatre in the Mist at Stella Niagara, 4421 Lower River Road. Buy tickets for upcoming performances of “Alice in Wonderland” Feb. 5 through Feb. 14 and “Into the Woods” April 22 to May 1. Call 1-877-856-0694.
Some places to eat. You can’t go wrong with Apple Granny, 433 Center St. People love Orange Cat Coffee, 703 Center St. Brickyard Pub BBQ, 432 Center St., has homemade sides. 700 Juice Bistro, Cafe, 700 Center St., serves fresh juices as well as vegetarian and gluten-free options. You can get a burrito for $5 at the Spicey Pickle, 463 Center St.
Water Street Landing, 115 S. Water St., is a destination restaurant on the Niagara River. Casa Antica, 490 Center St., has great Italian. Carmelo’s, 425 Center St., serves fresh, simple, seasonal dishes. Stop into the Lewiston Stone House, 755 Center St., for a good glass of wine or grab a slice or a full meal at Brio Pizzeria and Restaurant, 436 Center St. Center Cut Steakhouse, 453 Center St., has a dinner-for-two special on Mondays for $69 as well as extensive Scotch and wine lists.
Where to park. There’s free on-street parking along Center Street. More parking is located at Academy Park, Center and Ninth streets; Village Hall, 145 N. Fourth St., as well as near the waterfront at Water and Center streets.
Don’t Miss. Stop into the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, 895 Center St., and grab “A Guide to Historic Lewiston.” It has everything you need for a self-guided, historical walking tour. You’ll learn about the former Bucket of Blood tavern, 65 Center St., where men were forced into the Merchant Marine; Barton Hill, where American troops camped during the War of 1812; the former Silver Dollar Saloon, 419 Center St., built in 1830; the former town jail at 425 Center St. and the Frontier House, 460 Center St., which was known as the finest hotel west of the Hudson and was visited by Charles Dickens and the Marquis de Lafayette of France.
While you’re at the Chamber of Commerce, you can buy gift cards that are good toward dozens of businesses on the strip.
You’ll also want to stop for a selfie or two at Hennepin Park, on the corner of Center and Fourth streets. Its white gazebo and Christmas tree make the perfect backdrop.
email: schristmann@buffnews.com