Shopping in Cheektowaga

Lisa Keating, who founded Leelee after the birth of her daughter in 1998, glides across the shop's amber hardwood floors, casting an experienced eye over proud mannequins draped in threads by Tracy Reese and Trina Turk. Lisa peruses offerings by brands including Nicole Miller, Hard Tail Forever, and Autumn Cashmere to curate brimming alabaster racks in the boutique. At-home wardrobe assessments and personal-shopping services let professionally selected items leap into ensembles to add class.

Linda Van Buskirk and Dorathy Gallo, the jewelry-making duo behind Beaded Finery, ornament wardrobes with eye-catching accouterments and edify students with the skills to do the same. The talented ladies incorporate glass beads, Swarovski crystals, and semiprecious stones into a lengthy list of handcrafted products that range from draping necklaces and moroccan-tile bracelets to satin handbags. A rotating schedule of classes instills amateur jewelers with the bead-stringing and clasping skills needed to express their style through colorful, sparkly accessories similar to those populating Linda and Dorathy’s shop. Each functional item is forged in Beaded Finery's private studio, ensuring one-of-a-kind craftsmanship and a safe place to vent one’s anger at the lack of crystal-encrusted medals presented at the Olympics.

Mattress Mattress of WNY Inc. promotes sweet dreams with a gallery of quality sleeping surfaces. Mattresses from top brands such as Sealy and Stearns & Foster come outfitted with features such as an extra-firm feel, Posturepedic pillow-tops, and pre-inserted peas to determine the legitimacy of a supposed princess.

Each edition of the award-winning Buffalo Spree magazine delivers a full month of event calendars, local feature stories, and articles showcasing art, design, and culture across Western New York. Dining guides highlight the best local eateries, and profiles of the area's movers and shakers introduce notable businesspeople and do-gooders. Shopping guides and reviews of designers and stylists keep readers up to date on the latest trends. Home and garden coverage bores a peephole into area abodes through photographic tours of residential interiors, exteriors, and laundry rooms.