Shopping

If you are looking for places to shop, the Buffalo area has numerous malls. The Walden Galleria is the largest and has all of your typical mall stores. The Boulevard Mall is a scaled-down version of the Galleria and is very close to campus. You can find the Prime Outlets in Niagara Falls, which have an “off 5th” Saks Fifth Avenue. You’ll find many chain stores along major thoroughfares such as Maple Road, Sheridan Drive, or Transit Road. But if you don’t like malls, do not despair. Despite Buffalo’s unsettling preponderance of oversized teenybopper hangouts like the Galleria, the true taste of Buffalo’s shopping comes from window shopping, especially in the Elmwood Strip and Allentown. Ignore the boarded-up and vacant stores, and find solace in artsy places like Everything Elmwood, tattoo places, and music shops. There are plenty of antique stores on Elmwood near and on Allen Street. Williamsville also has some more unique stores, but not exactly ones that cater to penny-pinching medical students. There are great gift opportunities abound! The key, really, is to get out of your car and explore; everyone has his or her own tastes for shopping pleasure. If you’re looking for high fashion, check out the Tony Walker plaza in Williamsville. Otherwise, head up to Toronto where you’ll be able to find all your favorite designers; check out the Bloor-Yorkville shopping area.

For haircuts, try Leon Studio One (5410 Main St.). The trendy stylists there do a wonderful job and are quite personable and friendly ($25 for a cut). The Birdcage (970 Brighton Rd) is also highly recommended, and charges about $20 for a cut. If it’s in your budget to fork out some serious cash on your tresses, try Capello Salon (3422 Main St in Williamsville). A cut here runs about $40-75, depending on which stylist you get. If you are looking for something really cheap, try Super Cuts. They are located all over the Buffalo area; you may have to check your hair for mistakes, so beware.

Of course, it would be impossible to make a comprehensive list of cool places to shop, but here are some of the more esoteric shops in town:

Adventure Cards & Comics, 904 Elmwood Ave.: The name says it all.
Campus WheelWorks, 744 Elmwood Ave.: Bicycles, skates, and accessories.
Caruso’s Italian Imports, 1212 Hertel Ave.: Imported Italian foods and other goodies from the old country.
The Cowpok, 177 Elmwood Ave.: Seems like everyone in Buffalo gets their piercings done here.
Delaware Camera & Video, 2635 Delaware Ave., 7474 Transit Rd, and inside the Boulevard Mall: Darkroom supplies, film developing, cameras.
Diggin’ It!, 801 Elmwood Ave.: Indoor and outdoor gardening supplies.
Dip & Dive, 500 Niagara Falls Blvd.: Scuba diving, swimming gear.
Don Apparel, 1119 Elmwood Ave.: Vintage clothing and collectibles from the early 20th century; stuff you’d find in Grandma’s attic.
El Buen Amigo, 114 Elmwood Ave.: Arts and crafts from Central and South America, and other “fair trade” products. The store is run by the Asociacion de Cultura Latinoamericana, a non-profit group. They also feature exhibits by local artists, cultural workshops, and conversational Spanish classes.
Everything Elmwood, 740 Elmwood Ave, and on Main Street in Amherst: Jewelry, stained glass, ceramics, handmade soaps, and other fancy gifts. Huge selection of unusual gift cards.
Fowler’s Chocolates & Ice Cream, 754 Elmwood Ave., 2468 Niagara Falls Blvd.: Homemade candies.
Ginseng Unlimited, 3164 Main St.: Herbal preparations, mostly from China. The products are arranged artfully in glass cases lined with red felt. Some products include ginseng, royal jelly, and whole Ling Zhi mushrooms.
Greeks & Sneaks, 3230 Main St.: Clothing to show off your fraternity or sorority. Whoopee!
Hertel Stamp & Coin, 238 Winston Rd.: International stamps, coins, postcards, plate blocks, and pocket watches for collectors.
Home of the Hits, 1105 Elmwood Ave.: CDs, records, etc.
Hyatt’s, 910 Main St.: THE place to shop for art supplies!
Hydroponics of Buffalo, 1497 Hertel Ave.: Everything you need to grow plants indoors without soil.
Illos Piano Rebuilders & Music Center, 2940 Main St.: Although they are primarily a piano dealer and repair shop, they have a wide selection of classical sheet music and scores in the back.
M & W Color Lab, 1408 Hertel Ave.: Used cameras, darkroom supplies, but no digital. Film processing is pricey here.
Music City, 3236 Main St.: Guitars, amps, and sheet music. They also offer lessons.
Myth & Magick, 814 Elmwood Ave.: Herbs for people and pets, witchcraft books, fragrances.
Neo, 55 Allen St.: Beautiful home furnishings, but a bit pricey.
Ni Hoowa Seafood Restaurant, 3173 Sheridan Dr.: This is not a restaurant, despite the sign. They sell Chinese groceries, kitchen utensils, and frozen and prepared foods. The front entrance facing Sheridan Drive is always locked. Enter through the back door.
O’Connell Lucas Chelf, 3240 Main St.: Fancy clothing for a good price. Dresses, men’s suits, etc.
Old Editions Bookshop, 3124 Main St.: Wide selection of used books.
Parkside Candy, 3208 Main St.: Satisfy your sweet tooth at the old-fashioned soda fountain right next to South Campus. The interior is beautiful, with plenty of seating. Sample the fudge, chocolate, and truffles, and feel your blood glucose level rise.
Pavilion International, 3234 Main St. and Transitowne Plaza: An odd stoner shop close to campus. They have tapestries, bidis, herbal “ecstacy,” bongs, jewelry, hemp bracelets, and all sorts of bizarre detox remedies.
Positively Main Street, 773 Elmwood Ave.: Unusual gifts.
Queen City Bookstore, 3184 Main St.: A comic book collector’s paradise. They also have a nice selection of action figures.
Record Theatre, 3500 Main St., in the plaza across from South Campus: Great selection of CDs and a growing vinyl selection.
Rust Belt Books, 202 Allen St.: Cozy used bookstore - check out the anarchy, labor, and gay and lesbian sections.
Snowflake Ski Shop, 245 South Transit St, Lockport: The only good place in Buffalo to get your skis serviced.
Spoiled Rotten, 831 Elmwood Ave.: Candles, handbags, bath salts, etc.
Squeaky Wheel Media Collective, 175 Elmwood Ave.: Okay, this is not really a place to shop, but it’s a fun place to visit anyway. For all you budding physician-artists, this place offers video and film cameras, editing equipment, and multimedia stations for rent at discounted prices.
Super Bazaar, 3218 Sheridan Dr.: Big South Asian supermarket with wide selection of foods and spices from India. Check out the fresh Indian sweets, sold by the pound.
Talking Leaves Bookstore, 3158 Main St., or 951 Elmwood Ave.: Locally-owned independent bookstore with a great selection of unusual magazines. The one on Elmwood has a great coffee shop next door.
Terrapin Station, 1172 Hertel Ave.: Funky deadhead shop, lots of tie-dyed stuff, incense, pipes, and other novelties.
Thunder Bay Metro, 734 Elmwood Ave.: Unique gifts from around the world, Buffalo souvenirs.
Tony Walker & Co., 5110 Main Street: Has some of the bigger name brands that are not available in many places in Buffalo.
Trash Queen, 806 Elmwood Ave.: Hip, new and vintage clothing, and quirky novelties.
The Treehouse, 754 Elmwood Ave.: Lots of fun toys and games, including educational toys.
Urban Threads & Sleds, 736 Elmwood Ave.: Skateboards, snowboards, and skater gear.
Watson’s Chocolates of Distinction, 738 Elmwood Ave.: Candies and gifts.
Zabiha Meat & Islamic Accessories, 1742 Hertel Ave., near Starin.: Halal meats, Middle-Eastern foods, clothing, and religious items.