Tag Archives: shopping

A Fun Visit to Newport Marketplace

Posted on November 16, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday morning my sister Cheryl called me and said it was such a dull, rainy day, why didn’t we take a drive to Newport and wander around Newport Marketplace for a while.  I readily agreed.  I had not been there in a while but enjoy following them on Facebook.  For one thing, the guy often makes a pun about the picture he’s sharing.  I fancy myself quite the pundit (see what I did there?).

It’s a great place!

We took a long time wandering around.  There is so much to see, and it is one of those places where there is always something new. I saw lots of stuff that would make great Christmas presents.  Cheryl and I talked about how it is not worth gift-giving if it causes you more stress than joy. I get a great deal of joy from giving presents.  My only problem is my desire to give people presents they really want and/or can use.  I see so many beautiful antiques and decorations, but one only has so much room in the house.

I ended up purchasing a very small snow globe, maybe an inch high, of a little Christmas tree.   It would be a good present; almost anybody could find a space in their home for it.  However, I just might have to keep it for myself.  It is so cute!

I could make one!

Outside the Marketplace, we noticed a sweet decoration made with a pallet.   I even have some old Christmas balls like that!  I wonder if I could find a space in my home for such a thing.

Newport Marketplace is located at 7583 Main St., Newport, NY, phone number 315-845-8822.

 

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A Little Stop at a Little Shop

Posted on August 21, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last week as I walked around Herkimer, NY, I stopped in at A Little Touch of Country on South Washington Street.  It is a lovely little gift shop.  Unfortunately, I rarely have a need to give gifts, and I have far more decor than my house needs.  However, I had read a lovely Facebook post the owner had made about helping a local customer select a gift, and it made me want to stop in.

Lots of things to look at!

Naturally I took a few pictures for a blog post.  I also enjoyed a nice chat with the owner.  That is the beauty of these small, local shops.  You get a real hometown feel.

I liked the tins, but I have far too many tins already!

I admit, I purchased a small decoration for myself.  I will not share a picture of it, in case I decide to give it to someone as a gift in the near future (sometimes you have to invent occasions to give gifts).

A reminder to us all!

I enjoyed my little stop, and I am happy to recommend this little shop to all.

A Touch of Country is located at 334-348 S. Washington St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-219-5650.  And don’t forget to follow her on Facebook for lovely pictures and sweet stories!

 

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I Will Go Back to Back in Time!

Posted on February 18, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I neglected to do a post about the great new antique place I found:  Back in Time Collectibles & Crafts in Richfield Springs, NY.  I found it quite by accident.  I was headed for the library, which of course I drove right past (anybody who knows me is not surprised).  Turning back and finding the library, I saw Back in Time and could not resist checking it out.

One lump or two?

As soon as I walked in the door the collection of tea cups caught my eye.  My sisters, mother, and nieces have had a few fancy tea parties.  It is actually my turn to host one.  I don’t know if I could dare purchase and use such beautiful old cups!

You know I looked at the jewelry!

Vintage jewelry, on the other hand, I rarely hesitate to wear, unless I am going someplace where I may get too rambunctious.  Regular readers know I do not always behave with the proper decorum of a woman my age.

Something for the Disney fans.

Full disclosure:  I am not a Disney addict, have never been to World or Land, and I don’t love Mickey Mouse.  If anybody feels the need to cut my acquaintance because of this, I will understand.  I took the picture, because I like to include pictures I think people will like.  Also, there is a lot going on here:  Hot Wheels and PEZ, for example.

Tins I can get into! Not literally.

I do like tins.  Actually, I have too many tins.  My late husband Steve and I were in the habit of picking them up at rummage sales and such, because we thought we would put Christmas presents in them.  “Put a present in a present,” was Steve’s motto.  It didn’t always work out.  For one reason, we couldn’t always fit a present to a tin.  For another, sometimes the recipient would say, “Oh, here’s your tin back!”

I did not buy any Christmas presents at Back in Time.  For one reason, I was there in January.  When I buy Christmas presents that early, I tend to forget them by December.  I bought a sweet tiny frog for myself.  Steven used to collect frogs.

Back in Time Collectibles & Crafts is located at 112 Main St., Richfield Springs, NY, phone number 315-858-6003.

 

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Must Stop at the Mustard Seed!

Posted on December 23, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I let today go by without leaving the house, thus losing another chance to Christmas shop.  However, I still have some pictures of previous Christmas shopping, so I can give a shout-out to another local business, which local readers still have a couple of days to go to.

This delightful lady will be there!

This is Juli Webster, proprietor of The Mustard Seed in Little Falls, NY.  See how Christmasy she looks!  The Mustard Seed has artisan herbal goods, scents, spice blends, gluten free foods, and more.  I spent a goodly amount of time there chatting with Juli and her mother.  I even wrote an article about the place for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  It is just the sort of distinctive local business they like to highlight.

Cool decor!

The bumble bee is prominent in the store and as part of the logo.  This is because of the story of the bumble bee:  it is not supposed to be able to fly, but the rules of aerodynamics or physics or something (I remember very little of my high school science).  BUT, nobody told the bumble it couldn’t fly, and so it does!  I had heard that about the bumble bee and always liked the story.  I find it inspirational, although people have, in fact, told me I cannot do certain things.  I’ll just pretend they didn’t.

Another bumble bee.

The store is only the Mustard Seed’s latest home.  It has been a staple at area craft and vendor fairs as well as having a store in the building that houses the Stone Mill Inn some years ago.

I highly recommend The Mustard Seed as a good place to shop, for Christmas or for yourself.  They are located at 407 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-823-0718.

 

 

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Thanks, Weisser’s!

Posted on May 25, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I suddenly remembered I wanted to give a shout-out and thanks to Weisser’s Jewelers in Herkimer, NY.  They helped me out with a gift recently.  Of course I could not make the post till I had actually given the gift, which accounts for the delay.

These guys are great.

My late, beloved husband Steven, had given me a couple of wonderful presents from Weisser’s, and I had visited the store myself, so I knew it would be a good place to find a nice present for my mother for her birthday.  I walked to North Main Street one Saturday morning and explained my mission.

There was a lot to see.

I looked around, admiring different necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.  I hesitated over some rosaries.  My mother collects them, so I thought one might be nice.  However, I was not sure what colors she has and did not want to give her a duplicate.

Who wouldn’t like a Herkimer diamond?

I was taken with the Herkimer diamond jewelry, some of which was paired with different months’ birthstones.  Ultimately, however, I decided not to go with Mom’s birthstone, emerald, because I thought she wore more blue than green.  I picked a beautiful, delicate necklace with a blue stone. Alas, I neglected to take a picture of it.  The nice lady offered to wrap it, which I was grateful for.

Mom liked her present, and I am thinking of returning to Weisser’s soon to purchase something for myself.  Maybe with a Herkimer diamond!

Weisser’s Jewelers is located at 246 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-826-2544.  The are open 10 a.m. to 5:30 Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

 

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Wrist to Forehead Sunday is Not a Crime

Posted on January 29, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is the time of day on a Sunday where I need to either start getting ready for my Monday or make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post.  I pick the blog post.  I purchased one of them there Roku doodahs today so I am kind of sort of looking at In Ice Cold Blood as I type (with ten fingers on my Chromebook, lounged on the couch, just to give you the picture).  True Crime, one of my loves!

My friend Kim and I took a trip to a store which needs no plug from Mohawk Valley Girl, and that was just about as much as I bestirred myself today.  Well, I did do the dishes, and I took a shower (not at the same time, although I did splash around a lot of water while doing the dishes).  I composed an email which I sent to the actors for our upcoming murder mystery at Salisbury Grange.  I outlined the situation and listed the characters.  I hope they do not email me back and say stuff like, “Well, that’s pretty lame” or “I don’t want to play THAT character!”  I just do not imagine they will.

He did it! No, she did it!

This is a shot from a rehearsal of the murder mystery we did last spring at Salisbury Grange, Shooting at the Grange.  A few of the same actors will be in this one.  I thought an illustration would look well just then.

I must get to work writing the new mystery, which is as yet untitled.  That would certainly be under the heading of Useful Things Accomplished.  And it is a little more interesting than, for example, making tomorrow’s lunch.  At any rate, I am over 250 words for my Sunday blog post, so I will sign off with a wish that your had a lovely weekend.  I hope to see you all again on Monday, Monstrous or whatever it turns out to be.

 

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Congratulations, Renewed and Rescued!

Posted on November 7, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday marked the fifth anniversary for Renewed and Rescued, one of my favorite Herkimer businesses.  Naturally I went down to celebrate with them.

Renewed and Rescued is the anchor store and the founder of Mohawk Community Market, a wonderful vendor market in the old Munger’s Department Store on North Main Street in Herkimer.   They feature a wide variety of items ranging from repurposed vintage furniture to local artisan products and even including some food!

Getting ideas for Christmas!

I wrote my congratulations on a poster board they had set up, following my name with “aka Mohawk Valley Girl” but foolishly did not take a picture.  After looking through the room with clothes (I could use a new fabulous outfit), I went on to the food samples.

Good stuff!

I sampled some cheeses and a delicious pumpkin butter while chatting with some of the people who worked there.  They were very friendly and kind.  I was especially fascinated by some flavorings you can add to water.  Personally I drink plain water all day every day and love it, but I was just talking to a co-worker who can’t stand it plain. I will have to recommend these to her.

You could also add them to coffee and other beverages.

I wandered around looking at the other vendors’ wares and on into the basement, which now includes Mungers 1918 Luncheonette.  I mean to go there for lunch one day soon.  That will make for a delicious blog post!

Renewed and Rescued and Mohawk Community Market are located at 124 North Main St., Herkimer, NY.  They are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

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Small Wins on Non-Sequitur Sunday

Posted on August 28, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

If I manage to finish and publish this blog post, I will have made all my weekend posts on time (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  Some might argue that I do not have much room to feel pleased with myself over it.  After all, daily on time posts are what I am supposed to do as a daily blogger.  Still, I like to celebrate every small win.

For another example, earlier today I was at a big box store and took my purchases to self-check-out.  When I finished, I said to the employee who was standing right there, “I made it all the way through without needing help, are you pround of me?”

“Yes,” she replied, “It makes you the best customer of the day!”  I complimented her on her hair (it was really pretty, thick and brown in one big braid) and went about my business.

She looked fabulous.

I thought it was time to add a picture to pep things up.  Before I could find anything remotely apropos in my Media Library, I saw this one of my friend Mary Jane in Shooting at the Grange, the murder mystery we did in April to benefit Salisbury Grange.  I need to spend some time working on new murder mysteries (Preview of Coming Attractions), so perhaps it is apropos.

I am having a pretty OK Sunday myself.

I am once again watching an episode of Columbo.  I enjoy watching Columbo on a Sunday night.

I guess that makes this a kind of a Non-Sequitur Sunday Post, not my usual day for such things.  Still, it is a Sunday Post on Sunday.  Like I said, celebrate the small wins.

 

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Sad Shout-Out, Sweet Shop

Posted on September 28, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, this is sad.  I was about to give a long overdue shout-out to A Little Touch of Country, a lovely gift shop in Herkimer, NY.  Accordingly, I logged onto Facebook and went to their page for phone number, hours, etc.  And I saw a post saying the store will be closed for the rest of the week due to a loved one losing his battle with cancer.  Very sad!

However, the shop will re-open next week with new hours, so I will share the pictures I took the last time I was there and post about them again next week when I learn the new hours.

Pig, sheep, and Betty White, what’s not to like?

A Little Touch of Country has been in business a little over a year.  I know this, because the last time I was there was when I saw on Facebook they were celebrating an anniversary.  I stopped in and took these pictures. I also purchased a present for a friend who needed a little pick-me-up. I admit with some shame that this was probably a couple of months ago.  Well, regular readers know I have been a bad blogger lately. I am trying to do better, hence this post about a local business.

Yes, thankful and blessed is how I ought to feel.

I first discovered the shop even longer ago, when I was in a rare run on that side of town.  I usually stay on the north side of State Street, also known as Route 5, not from any feeling that it is the “right” side of town but because it is a large, busy street, not easy to cross.  In this case, I was glad I did and soon made my way back to shop.

Dolly knows it’s a good place to shop.

I do not go to Touch of Country very often, only because I do not shop for this sort of thing very much.  Quite frankly, I have too much stuff in my house and need rather to get rid of things.  On the other hand, perhaps I will get rid of some stuff so I can go back to A Little Touch of Country and purchase more!

A Little Touch of Country is located on South Washington Street in Herkimer, NY.  Oddly, their Facebook page does not mention a number, but you can’t miss it.  Their phone number is 315-219-5650.  I’ll share their new hours as soon as I know them!

 

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And They Have a Dog!

Posted on February 13, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I began my Valentine’s Day weekend by shopping at a new place for a gift for my husband Steven: Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast in Herkimer, NY.

One does not usually think about a bed and breakfast as a shopping destination, but I saw on Facebook that Grand Colonial was opening their gift shop to the public on Friday and Saturday just for the occasion. I was naturally delighted to check it out, especially as they said they carried locally sourced items. Additionally, I am seeking a topic for an article for Mohawk Valley Living magazine. A local B&B might fit the bill.

The first thing I saw when I walked in the door was the nicest dog! I barely remembered to shut the door before I went over to let him. His name is Brick, and he loves people.

A rare still moment.

Linda Costanza and Michael Martin, two of the owners, could not have been nicer. When I told them I wanted to write about their place, they showed me around and answered all my questions. I took a lot of pictures. If I can’t write the article, I can definitely get another blog post or two out of it.

A lovely display.

I also accomplished my intention of purchasing a present for my husband.

I almost purchased something for myself as well.

They said they could offer testers of the Berkman 1802 products, but such things could not be left just out these days, due to COVID. Sadly, COVID has wrought havoc on their business. Problems continue as, for example, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown goes virtual for their annual inductions. Obviously, these kinds of precautions are necessary during a pandemic, but I feel we are justified in saying, this really sucks (pardon my French).

Just a few more choices.

I think it was pretty smart of the folks at Grand Colonial to use Valentine’s Day to call attention to themselves and bring in a little gift shop business. I asked if the shop was open to the public at other times. Linda said anybody interested could give them a call and they would be glad to open.

“Ooh, private shopping by appointment,” I said. That would actually be a perfect way to shop during COVID times.

For anybody who wants to stop in for Valentine’s Day, the Grand Colonial will be open tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are located at 112 W. German St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-982-5004. You can visit their website at https://grand-colonial.com/. You can also Like them on Facebook.

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