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Small businesses get in on Black Friday

Small businesses opened their doors on Black Friday to kick off the holiday season.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Local shops in Buffalo proved to be just as busy as big-name retailers on Black Friday.

Elmwood Village hosted a boutique crawl beginning the day after Thanksgiving, allowing customers the chance to explore the smaller shops on Elmwood Avenue.

One of those shops was Everything Elmwood; Owner Gary LaMartini prides himself on the unique merchandise he and his wife select to stock their shelves.

"We don't sell mass market items, so you really have to come in to experience," he told 2 On Your Side.

LaMartini opened the store with his wife 36 years ago and have since grown in size and changed locations to accommodate growing business. There's another service that helps make his shop special.

"One of our claims to fame is we are a gift wrapping store."

Complimentary gift wrapping is available for every item purchased inside his store, adding a personal touch to each purchase.

Everything Elmwood isn't the only small shop on Elmwood Avenue offering unique items to entice customers.

Shopcraft LLC. specializes in selling items made by local artists. The store is located inside Thin Ice and offers shoppers the opportunity to meet the people whose products they're buying.

"Our working members get a higher percentage and they spend one shift in the store a month," said store owner Christa Penner.

Penner created the shop to help local artists like herself gain exposure. Since then, she's been able to feature at least 10 local retailers in her store.

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