One of my favorite things about living around Keuka is discovering the little hidden gems tucked away along country roads and winding hillsides.
You know the places.
They're not usually found on busy main streets. They aren't surrounded by flashing signs or tourist crowds. Instead, they're nestled quietly between lakes, farms, and small villages where life still moves at a gentler pace.
There is something timeless about places like these.
They hold more than the goods they sell. They hold the very heartbeat of the communities around them. They tell the stories of hardworking families, local dreams, and the same grit and determination that helped shape the Finger Lakes generations ago.
Some of those early dreamers changed the world.
Others simply built businesses, raised families, supported neighbors, and strengthened their communities.
Neither story is any less important.
That's why one of my favorite hidden gems happens to be just around the corner and down the road from me.
Welcome to LWL Gift Shop.
Located at 161 County Route 23 in Bradford, between the beautiful waters of Lamoka and Waneta Lakes, LWL Gift Shop is worth the short drive from Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Dundee, or anywhere around the Finger Lakes.
The initials stand for exactly what locals know and love: Lamoka-Waneta Lakes.
And if you've ever spent time around these smaller Finger Lakes, you understand why they deserve celebrating.
There is something special about these lakes tucked into the hillsides between Keuka and Seneca. The breeze drifting across the water. The quiet roads. The fishing stories. The summer memories. The way time seems to slow down just enough for you to catch your breath.
It's that feeling Tracy and Rob wanted to capture.
The story behind LWL Gift Shop actually began nearly three decades ago when Tracy and Rob started building a life together.
"We started our family almost immediately," Tracy shared. "Our three kids, Brook, Jenna, and Clayton, are hands down the greatest blessings of our lives. From the very beginning, they've been our why—the reason we've worked so hard, pushed through challenges, and dreamed big. We always wanted to build something meaningful for them."
Like many small business owners, the journey wasn't always predictable.
"Never in a million years did we think that through all the ups and downs we'd end up running a successful landscaping business and now opening a landscape yard with a gift shop," Tracy said. "It's something we used to daydream about—having a space of our own where we could support other small businesses and give back to the community that's supported us."
Together, Tracy and Rob bring more than 26 years of landscaping experience to their business. Working side by side isn't always easy, she admits, but she wouldn't want it any other way.
When they expanded by opening their landscape yard, their goal was simple: provide a convenient local source for landscaping materials while continuing to serve the community they love.
The gift shop, however, grew from a simple observation Rob made.
He noticed that while countless visitors come to enjoy Lamoka and Waneta Lakes each year, there wasn't really a place where they could purchase a keepsake that reflected the beauty and character of the area.
That realization sparked an idea.
Why not create a place where visitors and locals alike could bring home a little piece of these beloved lakes?
Today, LWL Gift Shop proudly features gifts crafted close to home and inspired by the land they love. The shop celebrates local creativity, local businesses, and the unique charm of the Lamoka-Waneta region.
It's exactly the kind of place that reminds us why shopping local matters.
Every item tells a story.
Every purchase supports a dream.
Every customer becomes part of the community.
And according to Tracy, one of the greatest rewards of business ownership has always been the people.
"Our landscaping business has already brought so many amazing people into our lives," she said. "The friendships, the connections, the stories. And now, with the gift shop, we can't wait to see who walks through our doors next."
That spirit of community doesn't stop at the shop doors.
In fact, Tracy and Rob are already planning a way to bring neighbors, visitors, and car enthusiasts together this summer for a day of fun around the lakes they love.
Save the Date!
The team at LWL Gift Shop and Tremaine Landscaping of the Finger Lakes is excited to host a community car show on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Registration for all cars and trucks is completely free, with registration beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Visitors can enjoy food trucks, local vendors, beautiful vehicles, and plenty of summertime fun throughout the day. Whether you're bringing a classic car, a truck, a muscle car, or simply coming to admire the rides and enjoy the atmosphere, everyone is welcome.
Much like the gift shop itself, the event is designed to celebrate community, create memories, and bring people together.
After all, some of the best Finger Lakes stories begin with neighbors gathering on a summer day.
Stay tuned as more details, announcements, and updates roll out in the coming weeks.
That's the thing about places like LWL Gift Shop.
On the surface, it's a gift shop.
But beneath that, it's something much more.
It's a reminder that some of the best places are found when you wander off the beaten path.
It's a celebration of local families investing in their communities.
It's proof that dreams built slowly, through years of hard work and perseverance, are often the ones that matter most.
And it's one more reason to explore the roads less traveled around Keuka.
Because sometimes the hidden gems aren't hidden at all.
They're simply waiting for us to slow down long enough to discover them.
It’s Give Away Time!
Keuka Roots™ is excited to be teaming up with LWL Gift Shop for a giveaway that's packed with small-town charm, local pride, and a whole lot of Waneta-Lamoka spirit!
Around here, we believe the best treasures aren't found in big box stores—they're discovered in cozy little shops, tucked along country roads, where every item has a story and every purchase supports a neighbor.
And now, one lucky winner is going to take home a
$50.00 Gift Certificate to shop the special collection of local goodness from LWL Gift Shop!
🌿 Rustic charm
🎁 Unique local gifts
🏡 Small-town treasures
❤️ Plenty of Finger Lakes personality
Because life is simply better when it's rooted in community.
To enter head over to the
Keuka Roots FB Page:
✅ Like the LWL Give Away post
✅ Comment on the post
✅ Tag a friend who loves unique shops
Contest will drop on Keuka Roots FB page later today! So be on the look-out!
Winner will be announced on Friday, June 19th!
From quiet country roads and lake sunsets to front porch conversations and hometown traditions, we're celebrating everything that makes this corner of the Finger Lakes so special.
Good luck, friends!
Keuka Roots Reflection
The communities surrounding Lamoka and Waneta Lakes have always reminded me of the quieter chapters of our region's story. The places where neighbors still wave from their porches, where family businesses become gathering places, and where the landscape itself seems to encourage us to linger a little longer.
LWL Gift Shop feels like one of those places.
A place rooted in family, built on hard work, and inspired by a deep love for the community it serves.
And in a world that often seems to move too fast, that's a gift worth celebrating.
Perhaps that's what I love most about these hidden gems scattered throughout our region. They remind us that success isn't always measured in size. Sometimes it's measured in the friendships formed, the memories created, and the communities strengthened along the way.
And that story is alive and well between the shores of Lamoka and Waneta Lakes.
Small Towns. Big Personalities. One Crooked Lake. ™
🍃 Stay Rooted. Stay Keuka.™
LWL Gift Shop
161 County Route 23
Bradford, NY 14815
📞 (607) 794-7805
🌐 lwlgiftshop.com
Gifts Crafted Close to Home. Inspired by the Land We Love.
