Shop Local: Supporting Skaneateles Businesses This Holiday Season

Shop Local: Supporting Skaneateles Businesses This Holiday Season

  • Ellen O'Connor
  • 11/29/24

As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better time to support the wonderful small businesses that make Skaneateles such a vibrant community. Whether you’re shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts, indulging in festive treats, or simply soaking in the holiday atmosphere, Skaneateles offers a variety of local gems that deserve a spot on your shopping list. Here’s why shopping local matters and a roundup of must-visit spots this season.

Why Shop Local?

  1. Support Your Neighbors: Local businesses are the heart of our community, owned and operated by people who care about Skaneateles, NY.

  2. Unique Finds: From handcrafted goods to boutique items, Skaneateles shops offer unique products you won’t find elsewhere.

  3. Boost the Local Economy: Every dollar spent locally helps create jobs and strengthens the Skaneateles community, including its thriving real estate market.

Must-Visit Skaneateles Shops

1. The Sherwood Inn Gift Shop

Located inside the historic Sherwood Inn, this shop offers charming home decor, ornaments, and unique gifts perfect for the holidays. Pick up something for your loved ones or a keepsake for yourself in Skaneateles, NY.

2. Imagine That...

This gallery and fine craft boutique is a treasure trove of handcrafted jewelry, artwork, and pottery by local artisans. It’s the perfect place to find a meaningful, personalized gift in Skaneateles. Supporting local businesses like this helps maintain the charm that makes Skaneateles real estate so desirable.

3. Skaneateles Artisans

Discover beautifully crafted items, including woodwork, textiles, and fine art created by regional artists. Shopping here is a great way to support the local art scene while finding something special in Skaneateles. This local pride extends to the Skaneateles real estate market, where unique homes reflect the community's creativity.

4. Creekside Books & Coffee

Books make excellent gifts, and Creekside Books offers a carefully curated selection. Pair your shopping with a warm cup of coffee from their cafe to make the experience even cozier in Skaneateles, NY. Cozy shops like this mirror the inviting atmosphere of Skaneateles real estate, perfect for buyers looking for a warm community feel.

5. Rhubarb Kitchen & Garden Shop

For the foodie or gardener in your life, Rhubarb offers gourmet kitchen tools, artisanal foods, and delightful garden decor. It’s a one-stop shop for unique and practical gifts in Skaneateles, ideal for complementing your Skaneateles home’s kitchen or garden space.

Don’t Miss the Dickens Christmas Festival

Enhance your holiday shopping experience by visiting Skaneateles during the Dickens Christmas festival. As you browse local shops, enjoy festive carolers, horse-drawn wagon rides, and the timeless charm of Charles Dickens-inspired characters strolling the Skaneateles village. If you’re new to the area or considering a move, this festive time is also a great opportunity to explore Skaneateles real estate and see why this charming town is a wonderful place to call home. Ellen O'Connor, a dedicated Skaneateles real estate agent with Sotheby’s International Realty, can help you navigate the local market to find your dream home or investment property.

Tips for Supporting Local Businesses

  • Shop Early: Beat the holiday rush and secure the best finds by starting your shopping early in Skaneateles.

  • Buy Gift Cards: Not sure what to get? A gift card to a Skaneateles shop lets your recipient choose something they’ll love.

  • Share on Social Media: Share your favorite finds and local experiences in Skaneateles on social media to encourage others to shop locally, too. Supporting small businesses contributes to the unique charm of Skaneateles real estate, which draws both visitors and residents alike.

This holiday season, let’s celebrate the unique businesses that make Skaneateles such a special place to live and visit. By shopping local in Skaneateles, you’re giving more than a gift — you’re giving back to our community. And if you’re considering buying or selling a home, reach out to a trusted Skaneateles real estate agent who can guide you through the local market like Ellen O'Connor with Sotheby’s International Realty and help you find the perfect place to settle in this idyllic town.

 

 

 

Skaneateles real estate agent

Ellen O'Connor

Associate Real Estate Broker

About The Author

Ellen O'Connor ABR, CLHMS, GRI, SRES, 
Licensed Associate Broker
Uniting Extraordinary People with Exceptional Places
 

Impeccable service, top-tier area expertise, and a keen eye for potential. These are just some of the many qualities you can expect when working with Ellen O’Connor, realtor and real estate broker. Primarily serving the greater Syracuse area, Ellen has 18+ years of industry experience, and prides herself on matching her clients to their dream homes. 

Born and raised in Central New York, Ellen is a lifelong resident of the area and is one of Skaneateles’ leading industry experts. Her real estate career began in 2004 when she decided to combine her love of historic properties and helping others. Through many years of hard work and dedication to her clients, Ellen has become one of the area’s most renowned real estate experts. She has also painstakingly renovated over 19 properties, some dating back to the 19th Century, giving her unique insight on real estate investment in the area. Ellen is a licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, a Member of the National Association of Realtors, and holds numerous industry designations, including Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). In addition to her industry awards and accolades, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Lawrence University. 

Ellen is well-versed in many different facets of a real estate transaction. From her first-hand experience of property restoration to her many years of brokering deals, she has built an exemplary reputation as a top-tier agent. Ellen understands the nuances of lakefront properties and the hidden potential of under-appreciated assets, which give her a distinctive edge over the competition. She guides her clients through every aspect of a real estate transaction, from the first meeting to the closing table. Ellen works with buyers, sellers, and investors throughout the Central New York Region, specializing in lakefront homes, historic houses, investment properties, and vacation homes.

Along with building a successful real estate career, Ellen has made a wonderful life for herself beyond her work. She is the proud mother of two grown sons. She currently lives in Manlius and on Skaneateles Lake with her rescue dog, Beauregard, a Jack Russell/ Australian Cattle Dog mix who definitely runs the show. Her passions include historic property restoration, gardening, cooking, decorating, and design, as well as perusing vintage shops and estate sales for antiques.

Work With Ellen

Ellen O'Connor offers impeccable service to real estate clients in the Central New York region, with a specialized focus on waterfront and distinctive properties.

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