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When you want to shop locally and shop online, there's only one place to do it: Shop Batavia.

Here's some of the great offers on Shop Batavia now:

• Save $40 on a Hot Diamonds Sterling Silver and Black Agate bracelet from Lambert's
• Buy One Get One Free set of guitar strings from Roxy's Music
• Get a free T-shirt with every hoodie purchased (offer expires today) from Pink Gorilla
• $5 off your first massage from Rae Ann's Hands Relaxation and Therapeutic Massage
• $10 off repairs of $100 or more from L&L Transmissions
• 25-percent off your entire purchase from Anything Goes Books and More
• A $40 photo session with Jes Richardson Photography

You can also buy gift certificates for local businesses. Click here.

Check Shop Batavia's home page daily for new offers and promotions from local businesses.

When you shop locally, more of your hard earned dollars stay in the local community where they do the most good. Shop Locally. Shop Batavia.

With Shop Batavia, you can shop local (keeping more of your dollars in the local economy) and save money.

Check out the coupon page for great offers from local businesses, including, but not limited to:

• $5 off a new battery from Darien Auto.
• $100 off a shed
• $10 off a bill of $20 or more at North Pembroke Hotel
• $1 off a large sub from Northside Deli
• Buy one set of guitar strings, get a second free, from Roxy's Music
• Half-price tire rotation & spin balance from Sloat Tire

Also, from Turnbull Heating and Air Conditioning, you can purchase a special deal -- $25 off a residential heating and air diagnostic.

There are now 118 businesses signed on as sponsors of The Batavian. That's the highest total ever.

In the past two months, we've been please to have the following businesses sign on as sponsors:

• Awakenings Holistic Center
• Bill Fox Construction & Remodeling, LLC
• Exhale Yoga
• Greased Lightning
• Hot Heads of Le Roy
• Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant
• Louis Andolora, Tax Preparer Extraordinaire
• Palm Island Indoor Waterpark
• Pembroke Family Medicine
• R&D Factory Outlet
• Scooter's Family Restaurant
• Sweet Ecstasy Bakery
• Terri Starowitz, CPA
• Turnbull Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
• YWCA

I've written before about how supporting local businesses keeps more local dollars in our home community. Communities with vibrant local businesses demonstrate all kinds of benefits for local residents.

Along those lines, a recent study found that counties with thriving small businesses also have healthier residents.

The study of 3,060 counties and parishes in the contiguous United States -- published online in the "Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society" and forthcoming in its March print issue -- brings new evidence to a body of research literature and a debate among sociologists, who traditionally have advanced two competing hypotheses about how small business impacts public health.

Some sociologists argue that small businesses — unlike chain retail "big box" stores and large manufacturing plants — have a greater investment in the community and thus have more at stake when it comes to the well-being of employees, customers and other local citizens. The LSU and Baylor University researchers, who analyzed national population, health, business and housing data, found that the greater the proportion of small businesses, the healthier the population.

"Some communities appear to have thriving small-business sectors that feature entrepreneurial cultures that promote public health. A place like this has a can-do climate, a practical problem-solving approach in which a community takes control of its own destiny," said co-author Charles M. Tolbert, Ph.D., chair of the Sociology department at Baylor. "The alternative is the attitude that 'Things are out of our control.' "

It's critical we all do all we can to support locally owned businesses.

On The Batavian, you can find information, now, about 118 local businesses. On Shop Batavia, there are now close to 157 local businesses posting information about who they are and what they do.

In other words, it's now easier than ever to support your local business community.

Here's a complete list of sponsors of The Batavian:

• Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle
• Alabama Hotel
• Alberty Drug Store
• Alex's Place
• Alli's Cones and Dogs
• Awakenings Holistic Center
• Baker's Frontier Kitchens
• Barrett's Batavia Marine and Sporting Supplies
• Batavia Downs
• Bill Fox Construction & Remodeling, LLC
• Beds 'n' Bones Pet Lodge
• Belhaven Kennels
• Bohn's Restaurant
• Bontrager's Auction
• Bontrager's Real Estate
• Bourbon & Burger Co.
• Bruggie's
• Carlson's Studio
• CB Beach Mortuary
• Cedar St. Sales and Rentals
• Center Street Smoke House
• CPR (Computer & Phone Repair)
• Crazy Cheap Cars
• D&R Depot Restaurant
• Dan's Tire
• Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern
• The Detail Shop
• Dupont TV
• Empire Tractor
• Espresso Salads and Subs
• Exhale Yoga
• EZ Budget Insurance
• Fastec Automotive
• Ficarella's Pizzeria
• Foxprowl Collectibles
• Genesee Community College
• Genesee County Emergency Services
• Genesee Dental Group
• Genesee Graphics
• Gilmartin
• Godfrey's Pond
• Grammy's Laundry
• Greased Lightning
• Greens of Le Roy
• Greg'ry's Bakery
• H.E. Turner & Co.
• Hardcor Audio
• Haul-4-Less
• High Voltage Tattoo
• Holy Family School
• Hot Heads
• I.R. Systems
• Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant
• The Insurance Center
• J. Leonard McAndrew
• Jagged Edges Salon
• John's Service Station
• Ken Barrett
• KleenAll
• Kravings Kafe
• Kreative Design Kitchen & Bath
• L.C. Mosman

• Lamb Family Medicine
• Lambert's Design Jewelers
• Larry's Steakhouse
• Le Roy Hearth and Home
• Louis Andolora
• LPL Financial
• Main St. Pizza Company
• Making Memories of Travel
• The Mane Attraction
• The Manor House
• Mark Lewis Agency
• Matteo & Mullen, CPA
• Max Pies
• Michael Tomaszewski
• Millennium Computer
• Mr. Wine & Liquor
• Next Level Fitness
• Nothnagle - Danielle Torcello
• Nothnagle - Frank Minuto
• O'Lacy's Irish Pub
• Oliver's Candies
• Optique
• Palm Island Indoor Water Park
• Pauly's Pizza
• Pellegrino Auto Sales
• Pembroke Family Medicine
• Planned Parenthood
• Present Tense Books
• Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center
• R&D Outlet
• Rancho Viejo
• Rebecca's Salon
• Reeb Family Moving
• Roxy's Music
• Salon VIP
• Salsa & Curry
• Scooter's Family Restaurant
• Scratch Bakery
• Select Collision
• Settler's Restaurant
• Sloat's Tire
• South Beach
• South Main Country Store
• Southside Deli
• Spirits
• Sweet Ecstasy Bakery
• Ten Cent Millionaire Tavern
• Terri Starowitz, CPA
• Terry Hills
• T.F. Brown's
• The Finishing Line
• TIm Kabel Builders
• Tri-County Glass
• Turnbull Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
• Valle Jewelers
• Viking Valhalla Restaurant & Rose Garden Bowl
• West Main Wine & Spirits
• WNY Fireplace Outlet
• Yasses Trucking & Construction
• YWCA
• Zoom & Groom Dog Grooming

There's been some great activity taking place on Shop Batavia recently:

• Turnbull Heating and Air Conditioning has signed on as a premium business.
• Making Memories of Travel WNY provides nearly daily updates about specials and events.
• About Morgs Sawz & Stoves is offering a free ton of pellets with purchase (a $244 value).
• Dumbleton Used Auto Parts Inc.'s Online Store is offering 5 percent off any purchase of $25 or more.
• Bill Fox & Son Construction & Remodeling has a new listing, as does Foxprowl Collectables.
• McAuley's Bargain Bin is offering a FREE gift with a purchase of $5 or more.

And the list could go on.

If you check the home page of Shop Batavia daily, you'll find new specials and new information about great local businesses.

Remember, when you shop locally, more of your dollars stay in the local community to help our community grow and thrive.

The winner in our most recent Shop Batavia contest is Trish Cody.

Trish wins a set of handcrafted Valentine's glasses from Bruggie's.

The winner was selected at random from among people who "Liked" Shop Batavia on Facebook and registered for the contest.

Shop local!

Shop Batavia -- the only place in Genesee County to shop at locally owned businesses online, all in one place, and find coupons, gift certificates, recommendations and merchandise from local shops.

We have a new Shop Batavia contest: Like Shop Batavia on Facebook and complete the registration and you will be entered to win a set of handmade Valentine's Day Wine Glasses from Bruggie's. For more amazing handmade items created by Bruggie's, all available for purchase from Shop Batavia, click here.

Click here to enter the contest.

In the six weeks since we launched Shop Batavia, the response has been great.  People around town ask me about the site and tell me what a great idea they think it is and so far 135 local businesses have created accounts.

More than 100 items are listed in the site's marketplace.

A dozen businesses are selling gift certificates.

There are currently 10 money-saving coupons available.

More than 100 reviews have been posted.

And if you check the news feed daily on the home page, you can see the site is bustling with activity.

Thanks to all who have supported the site so far. We're excited about the good start and eager to see Shop Batavia grow, giving local businesses and local shoppers a great way to connect, do business and help the local economy.

The winner of our Shop Batavia review contest is Toby Cook, of Byron.

Toby wins a $100 gift certificate to Valle Jewelers.

We conducted a random drawing of the more than 220 reviews left during the contest period, and Toby's review was the one selected.

Thank you to all who participated.

I got a little held up in picking a winner for Week 17 of the Main St. Pizza Company NFL Challenge -- had a little technical challenge and needed to get some help from the company that runs the contest for us.

Plus, it's just been a heck of a busy week.

So, here's the winner: Joseph Duganier.

Joseph wins: One large cheese pizza with one topping. He has one week to claim his prize.

Oakland, in a losing effort to the San Diego Chargers (yay!), had the most offensive yards of the 10 teams contestants had to choose from and Joseph, who picked Oakland, was the random pick to win the contest.

There is just one day left in our contest:

You know there are local businesses that you just love -- tell us about them on Shop Batavia and you could win a $100 gift certificate from one of your favorite businesses.

The feedback we've received since launching Shop Batavia has been uniformly positive, but I really liked this note I got a few days ago from Michelle Thompson, owner of Hair Clip Holiday, a home-based business in Pavilion.

HI Howard,
I just wanted to take a moment and let you know how impressed I am with this website!!!  I love the traffic reports, messages, and all those little extras.  Someone put a lot of time into designing this!

I never heard of this website until last Sunday, I was shopping at a local gift shop, and I overheard two people talking about  ShopBatavia.com....don't get the wrong idea about me,  I normally don't ease-drop,   but they were right next to me,  and I couldn't help but to listen to them talk about your site.

Well, I will keep this short and sweet,  so I just want to say thank you for this service.

More than 100 local businesses have set up their storefronts on Shop Batavia so far. If you own or manage a local business and haven't done the same yet, you can get started by going to shopbatavia.com, finding your listing and clicking the "claim my business" link. If your business isn't listed yet, you can click the "add business" button on the home page. A basic, starter storefront is free.

Shop Batavia exists to connect local shoppers with local businesses, giving local businesses a place to promote their goods and services to local customers in a direct way online, any time of day, and give businesses a powerful option to promote what they do.

Just about everybody nowadays researches their purchases online, even if they eventually walk into a store to make the purchase. Local businesses, to remain competitive today, must have robust ways to promote themselves online.

Shop Batavia isn't just another "create a link in a business directory and hope people find it" kind of site. It's rich with features that include e-commerce capabilities, coupons, deals, gift certificates, restaurant menus, email newsletters, free websites and more. There's nothing else like it available to Genesee County-based businesses, not even from national companies.

And readers, a reminder about our contest: You can win a $100 gift certificate if you leave a five-star review of a local business on Shop Batavia. One review will be randomly selected and the author of that review will receive a $100 gift certificate to that business. So review your favorite local businesses today -- only two days left in the contest.

It's a New Year, time to get a fresh start, make some resolutions, set some goals for 2012.  Shop Batavia is here to help:

• Learn to play a musical instrument with the help of Roxy's Music.
• Get in shape, improve your health, enroll in fun fitness classes at Next Level Fitness.
• Learn fencing at En Garde.
• Achieve tranquility with classes at Exhale Yoga.
• Improve your mind at Genesee Community College.
• Turn your body into a canvas for art at High Voltage Tattoo.
• Visit the Magic Kingdom with the help of Making Memories Travel of WNY.
• Learn to create using glass at the Oakta School of Glass.
• Help make your community stronger by shopping locally more often, starting with Shop Batavia.
• Give your home the make over it deserves with Suzanne Interiors.

Don't forget about our contest: Leave a five-star review for a local business on Shop Batavia for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from that business.

Last week, several NFL backs eligible for picking in the contest had two receptions, but none had three.

In a random drawing of the entrants who picked one of the back that had at least two receptions, James Demmer came out the winner.

Demmer wins a large cheese pizza with one topping. He has one week to claim his prize at Main St. Pizza Company.

To enter this week's contest, click here.

You know there are local businesses that you just love -- tell us about them on Shop Batavia and you could win a $100 gift certificate from one of your favorite businesses.

Here's how it works: Register as a user on Shop Batavia then find the listing for your favorite business(es) and leave a five-star review.

On Jan. 7, we'll randomly select one of the reviews left on The Batavian and if you're the person who left the review, we'll buy you a $100 gift certificate to that business. (If that business doesn't offer gift certificates, we'll buy a gift certificate to another favorite business you reviewed).

So, head over to Shop Batavia, now and start leaving reviews.

Cookies and Milk would like to inform everyone in the community that they going out of business as of Saturday, Dec. 31.

There are lots of items for sale such as an oven, tables and racks. All equipment is for sale.

Stop by Cookies & Milk, 29 City Centre or contact Lorraine Schaub at 585-356-7759 for additional information.

To enter the contest, Click Here.

If you've previously 'Liked" Shop Batavia, you can still enter this contest. You just need to complete the registration form. Click Here.

If you haven't checked out Shop Batavia yet, Click Here.

In Week 15 we asked which team would record the most sacks. Among the 10 teams available for picking in the contest, four recorded four sacks. We randomly selected a winner from among the entrants who picked those four teams.

The winner for Week 15 is Thomas Lennon. He wins two personal pizzas with cheese and one topping, and two house salads. Tom has one week to claim his prize at Main St. Pizza Company.

NOTE: The majority of this week's games are being played on Saturday. Deadline for entry is 1 p.m., Saturday. Click here to enter.

If you still need to finish out that Christmas shopping list, there are plenty of local businesses with just the right items to make the special people in your life quite happy.

A few of them have items readily available on Shop Batavia, such as:

• Roxy's Music
• Adam Miller Toys and Bicycles
• Charle's Mens Shop
• Wendy Wood's Custom Design
• En Garde
• Valle Jewelers
• Bruggie's

Most readers know that a big motivation behind what we do at The Batavian is promote our local community.  We believe that communities that are filled with volunteers, people who make a personal investment in their community and -- just as important -- shop locally, help improve their community and create a community that thrives.

That's always been a part of our goal at The Batavian, and Shop Batavia helps us focus that aim.

According to NPR, this breed of localism is a growing trend. Here's the article, which unfortunately promotes the very un-local Groupon and Living Social instead of mentioning the more than 100 local online news sites (similar to The Batavian), which truly are part of the localism trend.

Whether you use Shop Batavia or The Batavian to shop local, just remember, for the sake of the health of our community, shop local first.