During the summertime, Saturdays are for exploring the city, and Sundays are for exploring the outskirts of town. For a while, I’ve had the Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market on my mind… ever since I first wrote about it back in November. Since that time, there have been a number of additions to the market, including the arrival of the White Linen Tea House.
So my friend and I made a road trip to the retrofitted farmhouse setting this past Sunday, despite rain in the forecast. Although the trek was a little bit longer than we expected (we found ourselves in corn country, and leapfrog development sprawl country), the quaint destination was worth every minute (around 25 minutes to get there from Allentown).
Despite the drizzle (not enough for umbrellas), we decided to walk the grounds first, before heading inside to seek out the various farmhouse retailers. At the entrance of the grounds, we came across Boudreaux’s Animal Rescue Krewe (see Facebook and website), who had brought out a number of homeless dogs. Please, if you are looking to rescue a pup of any age, these four-legged friends were all in need of loving mommies and daddies, warm homes, and lots of treats and tummy rubs.
Due to the weather, there was no classic car rally, although some of the cars were puttering and prowling around the parking lot. There were also fewer outdoor vendors set up in the lot, but some sellers came prepared for the weather, including Bar Fiore mobile flower trailer (lead image). Since 2020, owner Jessica Weiss has taken her flowers on the road in WNY, setting up at markets, festivals, and even weddings – the trailer is gorgeous and adds such a delightful presence to any occasion (book the flower trailer).
After poking around the grounds, we headed inside, where we came across boundless rustic provisions, including farmhouse décor, signs, glassware, hand towels, upcycled antiques, metal art, soaps, pet-themed goods, glass art, crafters, ceramic art, jars of honey and jams, cookies, teas. The list goes on and on, and so do the buildings, the vignettes, the products… it’s impossible to take it all in during one visit.
My favorite part of the experience was visiting the antique barn, which is akin to an indoor flea market. Aside from all of the interesting odds and ends, bits and bobs, and the like, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the towering, vaulted barn roof that seemed to extend into the heavens. It was actually a bit surreal. One minute my brain was concentrating on looking for unique finds, and the next my neck was craning upwards to view the magnificence overhead – an ethereal groundedness, if that’s possible.
The one thing that we felt was missing at the Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market was a place to grab a bloody mary (Sunday is ‘a day of brunch’ after all). We did come across Big Mike’s Uptown BBQ pop-up, but by the time we had walked all over God’s creation, we were looking to huddle, regroup, and chat about the experience (with drinks and some ‘brunchy’ food). So we headed into North Tonawanda and settled in to a couple of yummy bloodies at Dwyer’s Irish Pub.
Our visit to the Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market has inspired us to explore more of these types of singular market destinations in WNY (on Sundays). There are so many markets (food, flea, etc.) to visit, as can be attested to by Steven Appler who is the considered the king of flea markets. I’m happy to jump aboard this Sunday search and reveal train, as long as there is a bloody mary waiting at the end of the line.
Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market is located at 6610 Shawnee Road, North Tonawanda NY 14120 | 716-907-9318
Open year-round, 7 days a week with late night hours
Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market offers Online shopping, curbside pick-up and Home delivery via the Rustic Buffalo Courier Service
Currently taking special orders for birthday parties, anniversary parties, and celebratory cookie platters