Our editors have some great ideas for shopping local this year to finish your list
By Andrew Harris, picture by Melanie Hunt
Shopping for Christmas, Hannauka, and other holidays which culminate at the end of the calendar year is a big business. Forbes estimates that in 2025, Americans will spend over $1.6 trillion dollars on gifts, parties, and decorations, about $4500 per person.
Spending your holiday budget locally is more important that ever and has a big impact on the local economy. Compare a dollar spent at your locally owned gift shop compared to a purchase made on Amazon.com. That dollar spent at Tami’s Floral Expressions in downtown Wellsville doesn’t leave town. Tami uses it to buy lunch from Pizza King, Amazon.com uses that dollar to buy more inventory from China. Then Shane from Pizza King uses that dollar to pay his delivery driver, who goes to Short’s and buys a tank of gas. Frank Short takes the profits from that tank of gas and pays LaForge Disposal for garbage pickup service. Kevin LaForge takes that dollar and buys supplies from Fassett Lane Lumber.
The dollar spent on Main Street has the potential to visit several different locally owed businesses. The dollar you spend on Amazon.com is poof, gone.
While we all have become reliant on that friendly Amazon driver, we still have the power to purposely spend our dollars with locally owned small business. Wellsville has so many great options to support this holiday season:
From the Hart, Irish Import Store
This Main Street shop is a one-of-a-kind gem right next to the Wellsville Brewery and L’Italia Restaurant. Shoppers often travel to Wellsville just to shop at From the Hart because the collection is so unique, much of it comes right from Ireland or Scotland. We just did a feature story for more on what is available.
Visit FromTheHartStore.com for more and follow them on Facebook.
Tami’s Floral Expressions
Tami’s Jefferson Street shop is the undisputed Christmas shopping headquarters of the Main Street district. Tami and her team have hand-selected gifts, jewelry, accessories, sweets, and much more for holiday shoppers. Of course they have lots of houseplants and fresh cut flowers, both make great gifts! Stop into Tami’s just to take in the sights and amazing smells, grab a gift card for a stocking stuffer!
More about Tami’s at tamisfloralexpressions.com and Follow them on Facebook
Tippy Top Liquor and Wine
Wellsville’s brand new beverage destination is now open on Rt. 19 south of Wellsville. If you want to make your locally spent dollars have the maximum impact, support a brand new small business! The new owners have a full inventory of all the top brand names and at the best prices in the area. Check out the news of the grand opening which includes a full schedule of all upcoming tastings hosted by Tippy Top! Read our recent feature on Tippy Top here.
Check out TippyTopLiquor.com and Follow them on Facebook for upcoming tastings and sales
JB’s Family Fitness
Give the gift of good health! Wellsville is home to the top notch and innovative JB’s Family Fitness located on the corner of Pearl and Main Streets. Do you know someone who already loves to hit JB’s gym ? Renew thier membership for 2026 !! Ready to get the family in shape ? JB’s offers a great deal on the whole family! Check out JBsFamilyFitness.com and connect with them of Facebook.
Fassett Lane Lumber
has what the Do-It-Yourself go-getter in your life needs for that 2026 project or to replace that tool that broke in 2025. Fassett Lane has a comprehensive hardware store inventory including power tools and paint. They also are a kitchen and bath specialist with a showroom featuring everything including the kitchen sink. Whether you have a woodworker or a renovator on your list consider Fassett Lane and yes they do have gift certificates!! It’s FassettLaneLumber.com or connect with Fassett on Facebook
Buying for someone and have NO CLUE what to get?
Go with the one thing we all love: FOOD!
Still Water Pizza & Grill
The Stillwater Pizza & Grill, doing business in the former Pizza Hut on Main Street, is a sure thing for a great gift. This popular spot in Wellsville has a menu with something for everyone. Savor the best Chicken, Gourmet Burgers and Pizza in town, made with love! They are also open seven days a week and also have a full bar! Give a happy hour !! Check out the menu at Stillwaterwellsville.com and follow the “Stilly” on Facebook
Wellsville Country Club & Restaurant
Here is a great gift idea: Golf and dinner at the beautiful Wellsville Country Club in 2026 ! Buy your favorite couple a great date night or put a gift card in that golf lovers stocking.
Thinking about going big this year?? Why not give a season membership to your future Tiger Woods or current Jack Nicklaus ? Visit to learn more about memberships: www.wellsvillecc.com and be sure to follow WCC on Facebook for daily specials from the kitchen.
Get Groceries!! A gift card at Wellsville’s only independently owned grocer is a universal winner! Whether you are shopping for grandma or dad, credit at the grocery store is always a big win. You can support a family-owned business and help out with the grocery budget with a Giant gift card. Until 12/24 get free large pizza with a $50 gift card. Giant gift cards are good for either Wellsville or Cuba stores. Look for coupons at GiantFoodMart.com and keep track of the latest sales on the Giant Facebook page.
Pizza King
This Wellsville staple isn’t just the best pizza in town, it is an lunch and dinner institution! Eat-in, takeout, or delivery makes giving Pizza King for Christmas an easy and popular gift. Connect on Facebook and read about Pizza Kings 53 year history at PizzaKingWellsville.com
