By Carol Fisher-Linn
Betsy’s High-End Consignments About thirty years ago the concept of a consignment shop was virtually an unknown in the area. Betsy Peyser set out to change that when she and Jimmy Lennon came back to Ellicottville after a few years of living in Aspen, Colorado. In Aspen Betsy worked in a high-end consignment shop (Susie’s), fell in love with the business, educated herself about every aspect of it and decided to bring the concept to Ellicottville. Initially she had her shop in Bobby McCarthy’s house on East Washington Street until he sold it. The “Ellicottville Mall” where Betsy’s is now located became available.
ers from Poland created an authentic European style
salt cave. In the last few years, new owners Doug
and Caroline Anderson continue to add to their pro-
gram under the efficient guidance of managers Da-
kota Colf and Jamie Bailey (pictured left to right)
One thing that makes Betsy’s one-of-a-kind is that 99% of her merchandise comes from out of town. For years as many as half the homes in Ellicottville were owned by our friends from Canada so they brought Betsy items. Betsy originally from Cleveland, Ohio has kept those friendships alive. Many Cleveland skier friends stop in and bring in high-quality items like Patagonia, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, etc. She has only one requirement about her gently worn items: the condition must be like new. When Betsy started her shop 30 years ago, those products were simply not found in Ellicottville, unless you went to Betsy’s.
Betsy’s items are eclectic, including consignments for women, men and children (don’t forget jewelry, shoes, bags and accessories for that new outfit). You will also find an interesting collection of household items and lovely art pieces. A bonus service Betsy’s offers is dry cleaning drop off. Every Tuesday, garments come and go from Anderson Cleaners in Jamestown.
Shopping at Betsy’s is low pressure. She offers to help, then leaves you alone to wander and try things on in one of her two try-on rooms in the back. She’s an expert at accessorizing and is honest when asked how things look. She’s seeks to please the customer and have her/him come back above the immediate sale.
Betsy’s in open 7 days a week from 12-4pm and can be reached by calling 716-699-6131.
Ellicottville Salt Cave
Salt therapy has incredible health benefits. This was discovered by Dr. Karl Herman Spannage when his patients seemed healthier after hiding out in the salt caves during in WWII. Spas and health clinics in Europe included this therapy with the largest underground treatment and rehab center in the world in the massive, incredible Wieliczka Himalayan Salt mine in Poland.
In Ellicottville, 20 tons of Himalayan salt and builders from Poland created an authentic European style salt cave. In the last few years, Doug and Caroline Anderson continue to add to their program under the efficient guidance of Dakota Colf and Jamie Bailey.
This team is all-in on the benefits of the salt cave. Salt draws moisture, so imagine as salt Is inhaled it enters the airway linings and draws water into the airways, thinning the mucous, thus making it easier to breathe. Not great science, just good old fashioned remedies, right here on 32 W. Washington Street. Modern tech is everywhere in our lives, creating positive ions, making us feel off kilter. Salt therapy creates negative ions creating balance in our system. The salt cave has special lighting tuned to specific vibrations in the body, targeting different ailments. And their shop offers many of these remedies to take home or to gift.
Owner Anderson said, “Living here we wanted to support the wellness of the community. We felt this was a good health-based investment.” In a phone conversation with this team of managers, they remarked that The Salt Cave is always expanding services and continuing to grow.
One can enjoy private one-on-one, 50-minute yoga classes in the Salt Cave itself. Bring up to four friends – 3 yoga instructors available. One can simply sit and breathe during a
healing Sound Bath – meditation accompanied by singing bowls, drums, gong, chimes.
A Certified reflexologist and a Reiki Energy Healer both are part of their team as well.
In their shop you can find Himalayan Salt energy balls, bath salts, bath bombs, microwaveable salt bags for pain, lamps, as well as natural based facial products used in the shop and, of course, Salt Cave gear. The Ellicottville Salt Cave can be reached by calling 716-699-2068. They are open Sunday 11-2, Monday 10-5, Wednesday through Saturday 10-5, closed Tuesdays. Find them on Facebook or ellicottvillesaltcave.com.