Buffalo, NY (WBEN Newsroom)  -- The economy may not be making spirits bright and New York consumers will continue to restrain themselves from jingling those cash register bells. A Siena College Research Institute poll of consumer spending plans for the holidays reveals an upward trend; 65% of consumers anticipate spending less than $600 for gifts this year. Last year’s number was 61%. Also included in the survey; the number of New Yorkers making charitable donations dropped from 77% to 72% compared to last year.

 

Catholic Health has opened a new Laboratory Patient Service Center in the OLV neighborhood at 55 Melroy Avenue in Lackawanna.

 

Coffee Culture is expanding eastward across the state. The newest location is on Court Street in Batavia.

 

Lockport’s Arrowhead Spring Vineyards has reported record growth this year. Its restaurant and store accounts were up 33% for the first nine months of 2009.

 

The WBEN Buffalo Business Report is sponsored in part by the 2010 Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Awards. Finalists will be honored in May, but first nominations are needed. You can find those forms by following the highlighted link.