Lewiston merchants celebrating mom

‘Give Mom Lewiston’ event set for May 3-4

Left of Center by Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

Anybody can stage a sale or offer a discount weekend.

The Lewiston Business Group likes to go one step further with its promotions, and include a clever theme – oftentimes serving treats and raffling off prizes, too.

“I think there is a lot always going on in Western New York. … I think it's just more fun,” said Kathy Pignatora, owner and artist at Center Street’s Inspirations on Canvas.

“There's always shopping here. You could just come out and shop anytime. But we get a real kick out of (these themes). We meet on a regular basis. We come up with these ideas together. We really work well together, just up and down Center Street and off Center. I think we have as much fun coming up with these ideas as we hope that people have in coming and participating in them.”

Next weekend, the merchant collective will present “Give Mom Lewiston.” The pre-Mother’s Day event runs from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4.

Pignatora, who is co-coordinating, explained, “One of the things that I think would be fun is making it an event that you could just bring mom to. Each of the stores that are participating are going to be having little (raffle) boxes for no purchase or anything – you just throw mom's name and her phone number in there. We've all donated gift certificates.”

She noted, “You don't have to bring mom, if you're going to do it in secret. Come buy her some great gifts. Just put her name in, giving her an extra chance to win – and then coming back again to visit Lewiston again, and using the free gifts.”

Image courtesy of the Lewiston Business Group

Customers can find beautiful, meaningful gifts – like this collection of enewton jewelry available at Chéri Amour, 522 Center St.

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“Give Mom Lewiston” is co-organized by Donna Garfinkel, whose husband, Neil, runs Sgt. Peppers Hot Sauces, Etc., between Center and Ridge streets.

“This is a great opportunity to shop local for mom,” she said. “We have six giveaway bundles, worth $50 to $60, of gift certificates from the participating shops to be raffled off on Sunday. 

“Please come out, shop, and enjoy a meal at the end. 

“Lewiston Business Group members are so thankful for all the support received all year-round. We host these events to show our appreciation.”

Local merchants have said the North American tariff battle has led more Canadian shoppers to stay away. With an event like “Give Mom Lewiston,” “We're really looking to boost people getting out to Lewiston again and remembering we're here,” Pignatora said.

“There's some challenges that we're facing, I think, with tourism and whatnot; so, we're getting ahead of that, if we can, and seeing what we could do to think about that more positively. …

“It’s getting people back out to support local and support shopping small. …

“It would be really great to see our locals come out and support us. The benefits, I think, of keeping your money locally and into the economy are just countless.”

Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce President Amanda Haseley said, “With the weather finally starting to break, it’s a perfect time to get out, enjoy the village, and find something special for mom. This two-day shopping event is great reminder that, when you shop local, you’re not just bringing home a really great gift, you’re supporting your neighbors, your community, and the small business that make Lewiston so special.

“And if my family’s reading … I’ll happily take a surprise from any of the Lewiston bakeries!”