The Broadway Market has a long, storied
history in Buffalo, and you'd be hard-pressed to find someone in the area that has never heard of it. The Market first opened in 1888 as a merchant of unique foods that brought ethnic traditions, mostly from Polish and other Eastern European immigrants, to Buffalo's East Side. Anchor businesses in The Market have been handed down generation to generation, and new businesses have arrived on the scene in recent years; both groups understand the meaning of being in that historic space. Those of us who go way back with The Market hold it close like a dear, old friend. I have many memories--like most Buffalonians--of going to the market with my grandmother. It was what we did together. And even though The Market--just like any entity, business or neighborhood--has undergone changes since first opening, there is much about The Market that remains the same. For one, the traditions. Second, the food. And, perhaps above all, the love people still hold for this place. Each time I walk through those doors, I am instantly taken back to my childhood. And I know I'm not alone in that feeling. It's exactly for this reason, I want to honor The Market during this special time of year.
Shop suggestion: Enchanted Market Gifts & Cards @ The Broadway Market | 999 Broadway | Buffalo, NY 14212 | (716) 893-0705 |
Best Seller:
Enchanted Market Gifts & Cards has been a vendor at The Broadway Market for over 20 years, and offers an enormous selection of beautifully printed holiday cards printed in Polish and made in Poland. I know this sounds like a setup to a "You Know You're From Buffalo When..." joke, but there is no denying the significant number of people from this area that have some sort of Polish descent. Well, now you can send a little holiday cheer from the Mother Land. These beautiful cards range from $1.25 to $3.50 each, or $9.95 for a pack.
Unique Gift Idea:
Belgium has chocolates, France has
wine, England has tea, and Poland has pottery. Whether you're Polish or not,
anyone can appreciate the artistry and dynamic patterns and colors of authentic
Polish pottery. Both Enchanted Market and Jabco General Store offer a wide
array of handmade pottery imported from Poland. Rich, cobalt blue is a
traditional color of this pottery, but you will also find hues of yellow and
green, and occasionally red. Available pieces are mostly utilitarian, ranging
from mugs (lead image) to salt & pepper shakers to tea pots. Pieces that would be
available for more special occasions or decorative uses include serving
platters and vases. Each piece is unique, and all pottery is microwave,
freezer, dishwasher and oven safe. Prices start at $5 (for a thimble) and go up
to $300 (for large decorative vases). Most items are under $100.
There's another unique gift available
at both of these merchants that I'd like to mention, which are handmade and
hand-painted ornaments made in Poland and other Eastern European countries. The
ornaments are all one-of-a-kind, and range in price from $10 to $15. A
beautiful addition to any home, these ornaments make great gifts for Secret
Santa exchanges, holiday party hosts, or even for yourself as a reminder of the
memories you have from The Broadway Market.
What To Do While You're There:
Niagara Popcorn | www.niagarapopcorn.com
I had my first taste of Niagara Popcorn last year and fell in love with this treat. It's deliciously gooey, with mixes of chocolate, peanut butter and marshmallow drizzle--depending on the product you select. They have a range of creative goods showcasing their signature candied popcorn, including POPcorn Bark, LolliPOPs, CurryPOPs, CelebrationCakes and CandyCakes. Pick up one of the cakes and take it to your next holiday party as a unique gift, or try some CurryPOP as a snack at your holiday happy hour. Prices range from $3.50 to $20. The shop is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays, or you can order your products online and click "WNY Pickup" to arrange a pick up time at The Market. You can also catch Niagara
Popcorn at the Niagara Holiday Market on Old Falls Street in Niagara Falls.
Bonus Stop:
Kriskindlemart is a holiday event at The
Broadway Market, offering special holiday foods, crafts and vendors, as well as
live music. Kriskindlemart is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Market every Saturday
in December, and daily from Sunday, December 18 through Saturday, December 24.
The event is free and open to the public.
Photo credits: Katie Krawczyk, Niagara Popcorn
Gift Suggestion #4 - San Bor Sports
Gift Suggestion #3 - reimagine
Gift suggestion #2 - The Buffalo Scooter Shop
Gift Suggestion #1 - Homeward Bound
were these pics taken at the market or Pier One?