Allentown and Hertel small businesses ready to welcome holiday shoppers [Video]

BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — Fewer than 20 days until Christmas and the holiday shopping season is in full gear, but some small businesses got off to a tough start last weekend when lake effect snows prevented travel.

However, Friday night and this weekend offer a chance for those businesses to reboot as big holiday celebration events are planned.

I visited the Allentown and Hertel Business Districts where they are ready for shoppers.

“We’ll have hot chocolates for everyone,” said Jodie Drew the owner of Spoke & Dagger on Hertel Avenue, a coffee shop and motorcycle apparel and vintage goods store.

The Hertel business district will feature a giant holiday tree lighting event and the Hertel Holiday Walk on Friday night.

“It’s always the neighborhood people that come out, but we really love to see people from outside the area enjoy …