CHQ CURIOSITIES CO.
• Utilize
15 feet of matting is required to remove the majority of dirt and debris from foot traffic. Carpet industry experts refer to this as the “Rule of 15.”
• Frequently vacuum the home. The CRI recommends vacuuming high-traffic areas daily, while other areas around the home may require less attention. Vacuuming removes dry soil before it can be ground into the backing of carpeting. For the best results, a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter will ensure the machine effectively removes dust instead of just
redistributing it into the air while vacuuming.
• Get a deep cleaning. Major carpet manufacturers, including Shaw and Mohawk, require Hot Water Extraction every 12 to 18 months on their carpets to maintain warranties. Professional cleaning removes even more debris and keeps carpeting in pristine shape.
• Apply a protectant. While most new carpets come with a factory-applied finish to protect fibers, this wears off over time. Reapplying a carpet protector (like ScotchgardTM) creates a shield that lowers the surface tension of the fibers, helping homeowners clean up spills fast before stains set in. Reducing dirt tracked inside, vacuuming frequently and arranging for periodic professional
of residential
Don’t Trash It
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Salamanca making can, bottle recycling quick and easy
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Audrey & Co. Reloved Boutique giving back to Little Valley community
BY DEB EVERTS
LITTLE VALLEY — A
local entrepreneur with a mission to give back to her community recently opened Audrey & Co.
Reloved Boutique at 211 Erie St., helping fill the need for high-quality, gently used clothing at affordable prices.
Owner Alyssa Fuller held the grand opening for her boutique Jan. 17.
She said there was no soft opening because she was in a whirlwind of preparing the leased storefront and putting the merchandise out on display in just two short weeks.
“My mother-in-law bought the building, and they closed on it midDecember. Then we had to do the floors, so I put this together in about two weeks before my grand opening,” she said. “We knew we were gonna get the building, and then it took a while to close, so I just kept accumulating. When we closed, I just brought everything in.”
It may sound incredible and a bit daunting, but Fuller started sourcing merchandise last August.
The store offers clothes and gifts that appeal to everyone, including candles, jewelry, macrame, wall hangings, books and bookmarks, nightlights, handmade hats, tallow skincare, decoupage boxes, plants, keychains and more.
Fuller offers brand-name clothing for men, women, children and infants at affordable prices. She also features a gift section that includes handmade items by local artisans and
other vendors, including G Health & Wellness, Vanishing Pixies, Lord & Co. Designs, Fairy Bookmother, Enchanted Mountain Candle Co., Non’s Custom Crafts, Daise Designs and Country Wife Creations, as well as items made by Kristina Donahue Ficek and Heather Kagelmacher. Fuller’s 11-year-old daughter, Leighton, sells her plants. “We started with the simple idea of bringing the best thrifted items from us
to you,” Fuller said. “Buying preloved clothing is not only environmentally friendly, but you’ll also have the best closet out of any of your friends.”
Audrey & Co. Reloved Boutique is a familyoperated business. Fuller said different family members, including her sister-in-law and daughter, who is learning how to do everything, help her out.
Fuller’s thrift shop stands out from typical secondhand
stores because she handpicks all the merchandise for her boutique to offer the highest quality items. She does not accept consignments because, she said, consignment can be hard and overwhelming.
“You have to keep track of every single item and how much every item people get paid out,” she said. “I own everything. I just go out and buy it. I also take donations, but a lot of my donations get spread out elsewhere and
distributed to local clothes closets.”
According to Fuller, she named her business in honor of her late grandmother Audrey, who was a foster child herself. She cared for foster children in the 1970s and ’80s, so she understood their challenges. Fuller wants to continue her grandmother’s commitment to helping people in foster care and kinship care. Another fact that makes Fuller’s business unique is
her desire to give back to the community. One goal is to give people of all ages, especially local teenagers, a safe and inexpensive place to spend time and shop.
“There’s definitely a need for something like my shop, especially in this area. Kids that don’t have a lot of money can come here and shop. We can make it work,” she said. “My main goal is to be an asset, not just for clothes but also for a safe, comfortable place to spend time and relax.”
Fuller, a lifelong Little Valley resident, is a busy mom with three young children. She volunteers with the local Girl Scouts and helps coach softball in the spring.
In the future, Fuller hopes to use donation money to sponsor a local youth sports team and offer free clothing via $25 shopping vouchers for kids in foster care and kinship care.
“There are no strings attached. People with vouchers can come in any month or every six months, and they don’t have to buy anything else,” she said. “They can get some clothing items or pick whatever they want because I know that’s important.”
Beginning March 1, the boutique will be open six days a week and closed Mondays. Fuller said her hours currently vary, so people should check her Facebook page, Audrey and Co Thrifts, for the exact hours each week. No business phone, yet. Any questions can be directed to her via Messenger.
Don’t Trash It - Salamanca making can, bottle recycling quick and easy
A way to redeem cans and bottles in a way owners call a better, more efficient system is being offered at Don’t Trash It - Salamanca, the redemption center at 282 Central Ave. Owner Kirby Fisher officially took over the already existing business operated by Salamanca Beverage and Redemption as the new owner last November and changed the name. This is Fisher’s second redemption center. He also owns Don’t Trash ItFalconer at 147 S. Work St. that is an indoor drive-thru with fully-automated, highspeed counting machines. He said this high-tech system makes his business stand out from a lot of other redemption centers.
Since Fisher has been at his Salamanca facility, he has brought in two high-speed can-counting machines, which have already been a big help to the employees. He said the high-tech machines have enabled them to count more accurately and get the customers in and out much quicker.
“We are continuing to rebuild the reputation that this place has had over the years. I’m trying to change the persona that it takes a long time when you come in here to get your (stuff) counted. With no pre-
counting or presorting, it doesn’t take that long anymore,” he said. “We’re getting great feedback. People say they love the machines and they love how quick they’re getting in and out, but I think it’s going to take time for that wordof-mouth to spread and get people to come back and give us a try again.”
Fisher welcomes can drives from schools, churches, groups and other organizations. He said it’s a great way for them to raise money. People can simply set up an account with the name of the organization, contact person, phone number and address, then bring in their bottles and cans to start fundraising.
“In Falconer, we have probably 75 different organizations that have an account set up with us. I want to move in that direction here in Salamanca,” he said. “Now that I’m getting familiar with the area, I want to get to know people in the school systems, churches, organizations and businesses to let them know we are here. This is a great way to raise money. Everybody drinks something.”
FISHER RESIDES in his hometown of Jamestown with his wife, JoEtte. Their two grown sons manage the Falconer location while he takes care of business at the Salamanca branch.
for a while. I had built a business in Falconer and it had done well over the years. I was adding machinery, equipment and automation,” he said. “We kind of got to a point where I felt like things were on autopilot and I needed something more challenging.”
“They do a great job overseeing and managing the store in Falconer,” he said. “They’ve allowed me the freedom and opportunity to come here to Salamanca and do what I need to do, from day to day.”
Fisher has been in the recycling business for over 15 years. His family-owned and operated business began in December 2010, at the old Agway building in Falconer. Four years later, he bought
property next to the Fastenal Fulfillment Center on South Work Street, from where he operates to this day.
He got into the business after working as a project manager and traveling the country for about seven years. Tired of being on the road much of the time, he decided to find something else to do and left that job in 2008.
“At the time, my wife’s uncle brought the idea
up to me about starting a redemption center,” he said.
“I didn’t know the first thing about it, so we started from scratch and began looking things up. We worked our way into it. We opened it up, and it just took off.”
Fisher said Don’t Trash It - Falconer grew year after year for 14 straight years. Then he and his wife talked about opening a second branch.
“We talked about it
THE IDEA became a reality last summer when John Hedlund, owner of Salamanca Beverage, contacted Fisher and asked if he would be interested in subleasing the redemption center part of his business, located in the building now owned by the city of Salamanca. The Fishers decided to accept the offer and branch out. Future plans include upgrading the redemption center to a more modern facility that will provide ample room for more storage, more machinery and shipping. Fisher said the new place will stay in this area, and he will be hiring periodically as the business grows.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No date has been set for a Grand Opening, but it’s coming soon. For more information, follow the business’s Facebook page, Don’t Trash It, Bottle and Can Redemption CenterSalamanca NY, or call (716) 499-4816.
Photo by Deb Everts
Don’t Trash It - Salamanca recently opened at 282 Central Ave., bringing local residents another option to redeem their bottles and cans. Owner Kirby Fisher is shown at his new bottle and can redemption business.
Wedding anniversaries are worthy of celebration no matter how many years have gone by. More than just dates on a calendar; anniversaries are milestones in a couple’s shared journey. Although romantic dinners and gifts are always fine ideas, what better way to commemorate love than to jet off to a romantic locale for some oneon-one time?
A recent study by American Express found that 62 percent of couples planned to travel for
their anniversaries in the coming year. So where should celebratory couples head to fall deeper in love? These romantic spots are all great options.
• Paris, France: Paris is known as the “City of Love” for a reason. History, food and culture collide in this historic European city. Picnics by the Eiffel Tower, moonlit cruises down the Seine, or wandering the streets of Montmartre are all ways to enjoy this location that exudes romance.
• The Maldives: The Maldives
may be Asia’s smallest nation, but this archipelago located in the Indian Ocean boasts sunkissed beaches and turquoise waters, making it a romantic travel paradise. Couples can enjoy private overwater bungalows, candelit dinners on the sand and vibrant coral reefs just waiting to
