Edwina Tries… A Morning in Albion

Nick Warren

If you've never visited the borough of Albion in Erie County, take a tip from Edwina and try it! With a hearty dinor breakfast, a fun thrift experience, and some locally made donuts, you'll find lots to love in Albion.

Just 20 miles southwest of the City of Erie is Albion Borough. On the outskirts but still in Erie County, it's a lovely (not-too-far) drive to take on a Saturday morning. After co-workers suggested a few places to me, my partner and I did just that. It's best to get to Albion early. In traditional small town manner, much of Main Street closes by 2 p.m.

We started our visit with breakfast at Big Irene's Little Diner. It's really cute and serves up big dishes, lots of fresh coffee and local, real maple syrup. I'm a sucker for places with whimsy and there was a black and white picture of a goat with googly eyes attached right next to our table – box checked! I had blueberry pancakes with a side of home fries and it made me do my happy food dance. The service was friendly and fantastic and I look forward to going back in the future.

Next we moved on to One-Eighty Consignment & Thrift Shoppe. Now, if you know anything about me at all, you know your girl loves a thrift store. This place is packed with tidy, well-curated finds. They know what they have but the prices are fair and there are treasures aplenty to be found. It's two floors of fun with literally something for everyone. I snagged a North Face fleece for my daughter and a Lands End jacket for myself for just a buck apiece. I plan to go back soon to check out the assortment of vintage kitchen and glassware. The real bonus though is that the owner's two dogs, who are featured in the store's marketing, were on-site behind the counter and greeting shoppers during checkout.

Before we headed home, we stopped at Albion Marketplace. The former Shurfine was mentioned as a can't-miss place for "cronut" type doughnuts from the in-store bakery – they did not disappoint. But the biggest surprise at the marketplace was that, as part of their redesign, they are assembling a vast array of Asian foods. We spent some time checking out the truly huge variety of items and took home some ginger drink packets and my new favorite condiment obsession: mushroom soy sauce. We enjoyed our morning out in the county and I heartily suggest taking a drive out soon as a peaceful respite from the holiday bustle.

Big Irene's Little Diner – 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday with fixed menu dinner Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. // 79 E. State St., Albion

One-Eighty Consignment & Thrift Shoppe – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Friday and 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturdays // 10 E. State St., Albion

Albion Marketplace – 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily // 23 E. State St., Albion

Edwina is Erie's (self-proclaimed) biggest fan who loves being a tourist in our own town. If you have an idea of something new she should try you can email her at edwina.capozziello@gmail.com