ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A store in Rochester's South Wedge has reopened after an armed robbery there last month. Little Button Craft is turning what was a challenging time into a little comfort and hope to help people in need around the city.

“We hit the 200 artist mark a little while ago,” said Shelby, owner of Little Button Craft on South Avenue. “Being able to represent that many artists is so much fun.”

What You Need To Know

  • Little Button Craft is collecting items or donations to create hygiene kits

  • Donations needed include white crew socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, period products and hand and feet warmers

  • Little Button Craft will donate the kits to local shelters like St. Joseph’s House, House of Mercy and will also distribute them throughout the community to anyone in need

Shelby and her Little Button Craft store, that's full of everything made in Greater Rochester, is still finding the time and the energy to give back to the community even after her store was robbed last month. The suspect is still at-large.

“People really resort to doing dire things like that when they’re really hurting and I know I’m not excusing what happened, but you have to keep that in mind,” Shelby said. “You know we need to heal, but we also need to acknowledge that there are other things going on and if we can help we will.”

She's empathetic and, of course, has had to change the way she runs the business. But what hasn’t changed is her commitment to the South Wedge. Little Button is collecting hygiene products to fill kits, some 500 of them, to give to anyone who needs one.

“It’s can sometimes life-saving with you know, having a warm blanket,” Shelby said. “These all came from the community. It really can make your day a little bit easier. Anything that makes someone feel like a human. “We are collecting simple things like Band-Aids, deodorant and period products."

Customers and other South Wedge businesses have donated all kinds of products. This generosity is why Shelby, who lives a couple of blocks away, loves her South Wedge.

The Little Button Craft Hygiene Donation Drive continues until January 28. If you’d like to donate, you can drop off any items at the store located at 658 South Ave. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday 12-5.