When you’re out there shopping this holiday season, don’t forget to support the local businesses that carry Buffalo-made gift items, even if they are not necessarily gift shops. East End Salon in Allentown carries 27 different types of handmade organic soaps, each with a unique aromatic and cleansing nature. From lemongrass to goats’ milk to chocolate coffee, the bars are organic without looking like they were made for a high school project. Actually, I was surprised to see that each bar has subtle (and not so subtle) visual characteristics, which allows for very attractive gifts, especially when packaged at the counter. The soaps are made in Buffalo by Buckdancers and retail at $4.25 a bar.
I will also throw some major kudos to East End for going the decorating distance when it comes to its window display. In it you will see an ode to the Main Street animated characters of days gone by. Salon owner, Patrick Monfort, has assembled a collection of mechanical elves in a setting that resembles Santa’s workshop. These types of displays go a long way toward bringing neighbors out onto the street both day and night. It’s this sort of investment that speaks wonders about a business, and hopefully customers will go out of their way to shop at the stores that contribute so much to the character of the neighborhood. The soaps make #6 on our Buffalo made holiday gift list – click here to see past picks.
East End Salon
47 Allen Street
Buffalo NY 14202
716-883-1830
