Shopping in North Tonawanda

The brainchild of Dr. Joshua M. Smith, his wife Satomi Smith, and his brother Matthew Smith, Serene Gardens blends Japanese-influenced gardening, art, cuisine, and culture in a fluid space that hosts a store, café, and educational space. Influenced by Josh’s stint as an apprentice at Japanese nursery and design company Furukawa Teijuen, the garden center lures in customers with Eastern plants and design elements ready for duty in yards, homes, or cars made of old terrariums. The music of Josh’s shakuhachi bamboo flute—featured on four CDs sold in the shop—wafts through the shop, previewing the art form that clients can learn during in-store classes. Other lessons delve into flower arrangement, which Satomi has studied since she was a child, and the choreography of a Japanese tea ceremony, which demands fewer pinkie lifts and more high-fives than a British high tea.

After lessons or shopping excursions, guests can find peace between the lime-green walls of a café serving tea brewed from loose-leaf blends. At midday, Satomi also delves into family recipes to conjure lunches that incorporate dishes such as edamame, gyoza dumplings, and miso soup.

Before they wrapped their first sale in their distinctive gift-wrap, the owners of Andrews Jewelers spent decades gaining experience in the industry. Today, their staff trains with the Gemological Institute of America to become qualified to appraise, grade, and administer SATs to jewelry and diamonds. Armed with experience and exacting taste, they shop the jewelry market—sometimes journeying as far as Belgium or Israel—to acquire an inventory of fine jewelry with varied style and consistent quality.

Their extensive collection of engagement rings and wedding bands displays Celtic, vintage-inspired, and modern design. Their network of wholesale diamonds comes exclusively from conflict-free sources. A rainbow of gemstones color bracelets, earrings with citrine, ruby, and sapphire, and custom designs glitter in customers' favorite colors.

A child’s ability to learn grows exponentially. That's why the team at Smarty Pants Educational helps foster that development early on with educational toys for kids 0–12. In the shop’s building and construction area, they encourage tykes to flaunt their creativity by stacking straws into skyscrapers or assembling cars with connectors. They also arrange play stations for kids to build railroads or master toy instruments, and they direct parents to therapy toys that nourish social, logic, and motor skills. The completely interactive store even hosts birthday parties jam-packed with craft projects, as well as art and music workshops that spark imaginations and extinguish childish dreams of growing up to be an auditor.

For more than 10 years, Buffalo Fleece & Outerwear has specialized in both utility and fashion, monitoring runway trends as well as the latest innovations of outerwear brands. Raincoats and activewear designed by companies such as Patagonia and Dansko keep bodies comfortable indoors or out, and SmartWool socks protect hikers' and floor keyboardists' feet from blisters. Alongside outdoor wear, the boutique also stocks business attire and formalwear for adults and playwear for adventuresome kids.

Brandon Tallau and Samantha Tagliarino founded OffBeat Emporium to give new character to vintage furniture pieces that would otherwise be taking up space in a landfill. Tallau and Tagliarino along with their crew of artists, restore furniture and home accessories back to the original quality or transform it into an offbeat piece with bold colors and patterns.

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.