About Us

At First National Gifts, we carry an expansive collection of hand-picked gifts for your friends, loved ones, and coworkers. Our staff searches for unique, high-quality items that are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.

The Building

Our family-owned-and-operated business is located in The National Bank and Trust Company of Skaneateles, a historic building that first opened its doors in 1928. It survived the stock market crash of 1929 as well as the Great Depression, and, in the late 1980s, became the site of Key Bank. The building could not survive the demand for modern conveniences, such as drive-through windows and ATMs, and Key Bank was forced to relocate. The building eventually became home to First National Gifts in 1991.

The owners have worked hard to keep the feeling of history alive under the former bank's 30-foot high ceilings, preserving many of the original attributes and unique architectural points of the building. The bank's vault has been transformed into an exhibit maintained by the Historical Society of Skaneateles and houses historical photographs and bank memorabilia as well as tourist information on regional attractions, lodging, and restaurants.

The Town

Our store is located in the quaint, charming village of Skaneateles, New York. Founded in 1830, the village sits at the north end of pristine Skaneateles Lake and is acclaimed for its picturesque views and natural beauty. The name Skaneateles, pronounced "skan-ee-atlas," is an Iroquois word meaning "long lake." The 16-mile stretch forms the pinky finger of the Finger Lakes region of Central New York State and is said to be one of the cleanest lakes in the world.

In the historic downtown district, restored buildings that date back to the mid-1790s now house the village's distinct shops and galleries. Skaneateles offers a variety of excellent foods, distinctive fashions, local art, home accessories, antiques, and Mirbeau—the area's only four-star spa.

The village is host to thousands of vacationers each year and welcomes visitors with special events such as the world-famous summer music festival, antique boat shows, summer concerts in the park, Charles Dickens' Old-Fashioned Christmas (featuring caroling and horse-drawn carriage rides), nearby Finger Lake winery tours, and much more.

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