Nov. 25—A group of local businesses are encouraging their neighbors to shop small this weekend in Newfane.
Gift shop Artisan Alley, 2714 Main St., will feature arts, crafts and other locally made offerings from nearby businesses and creators for Small Business Saturday.
"(We focus on) gifts homemade by local people," store owner Rhonda Daigler said.
She said that collaboration amongst local businesses closely coincides with the goals of Small Business Saturday to celebrate and support the local small businesses as "a hub for local artists."
"We hope to promote everybody that's in here because everybody that's in here is a small business," Daigler said. "It promotes a lot of local people on one day."
As a part of the Small Business Saturday celebrations, Newfane-based author Diana Tuorto's latest children's picture book, "Ms. Alberta: Feline Barn Manager," will be released today.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuorto and contributing oil painter Ava Bucci, a Lockport High School student, will sign purchased copies. While supplies last, free dog greeting card crafts will be distributed.
For Tuorto, this will be her third year participating in Small Business Saturday at Artisan Alley. She said that in addition to supporting one of her favorite local stores, it was the place where she and Bucci first met.
"I was looking for an illustrator for my book and Rhonda had Ava as an art student (at the shop)," Tuorto recalled. "I saw her work and thought it was really great."
The book is based on the true story of a feral barn cat who is torn between the outdoor world she knows and her desire to live with her special human "Mama."
Tuorto said she would donate a portion of her book sales to local animal rescues and charities.
On Sunday, Artisan Alley will be hosting a book signing for Phillip Eaton's "Living Here Still" from noon to 3 p.m. and a live oil painting demonstration from noon to 4 p.m.