4 small-town destinations around Michigan made for a holiday shopping day trip
Metro Detroit shoppers looking for a weekend excursion to find unique holiday gifts are in luck: Many downtowns in cities big and small in Michigan offer a variety of stores all within walking distance to complete holiday shopping in one stop.
These downtown areas may look a little different than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic that led to small businesses closing their doors — and lasting impacts on the way consumers shop and work.
However, many of the stores that did survive now offer more options for customers, like online shopping and curbside pickup, and an explosion of entrepreneurship in the pandemic offers shoppers some new options to check out.
The Detroit Free Press highlighted a few stores in downtowns across the state that may not be well-known for their shopping but perhaps should be. They are all at least an hour's drive from Detroit, so we asked store owners to suggest other shops and restaurants so visitors can make a trip out of it.
Bridge Street Exchange in Fenton
Go here for: High-quality, curated men's clothing brands, such as Carhartt and Stormy Kromer, an Ironwood-based accessories and apparel company.
"We do a wide variety of smaller brands that people have heard of but they're not necessarily quite sure of until they come in and see it," owner Kevin Begola said. Begola's background is in men's apparel and accessories (he created a line of men’s wedding bands called Titanium Buzz) but he recently expanded into offering women's apparel and accessories, too.
For more details, visit BridgeStreetExchange.com.
While you're here: Begola said he's already seeing an "unbelievable" number of metro Detroiters who drive up to Fenton for a weekend day trip, but for the uninitiated, he says what makes Fenton great is its independent businesses.
Begola recommends stopping in the boutique Seasons on Leroy across the street from Bridge Street Exchange, The Iron Grate ("a staple in Fenton," Begola said), Luna's for retro fashion and The Cheese Lady to try out different types of cheeses.
Begola suggests The Laundry, Crust, Ciao, Fenton Fire Hall and The Vault for a bite to eat after shopping.
How to get here: Fenton is about 60 miles north of Detroit. Take exit 101 from I-75 North and then head west on Grange Hall Road for about seven miles.
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McPherson Local in Saline
Go here for: Michigan-made goods.
"Our mission is to support local makers, artists and farmers and to really bring back enthusiasm for shopping small," Owner Jen McPherson said. McPherson describes her store as a "Michigan-made general store" because she sells a wide variety of products ranging from food products, jewelry, pottery, bath and body products and products for dogs.
Don't know exactly what you're looking for? "We actually really pride ourselves on being able to help you find a gift for literally anybody," she said.
For more information, go to McPhersonLocal.com.
While you're here: McPherson said Saline is a thoroughfare so "people don't always realize the great things that we have." She recommends visiting Fine Print Bookshop, the art studio Whitepine Studios, Eleanor's Sweets and Sodas for candy and One Stop Soul Shop for custom dreamcatchers.
How to get here: Saline is about 45 miles southwest of Detroit. Take I-94 West and get off at exit 180A to merge onto US-23 South. Take exit 34 for US-12 toward Saline.
Bumble's Dry Goods in Chelsea
Go here for: American-made goods but also pottery from Poland, scarves from Vancouver and crocheted dolls from Bangladesh. Shoppers can find ceramics from Michigan and food products sourced from around the state. Bottom line, Bumble's Dry Goods sells products that likely aren't found in big box stores, Owner Carolyn McNagny said. McNagny said she's also known for her greeting cards, making Bumble's Dry Goods a one-stop-shop for holiday gifting.
For more details, visit BumblesDryGoods.com.
While you're here: McNagny said Chelsea is "just the cutest Michigan town. There's all these different kinds of stores downtown and what I like is they're very unique."
She recommends stopping at the three Potting Shed Stores, which has a wide selection of products for gardening and beyond, Garden Mill and Culture Creations, which recently opened.
McNagny also said there are lots of good restaurants to eat at while in town, such as Smokehouse 52 BBQ across the street from her store, Zou Zou's Cafe for coffee, pastries and soup, The Grateful Crow for sushi and hamburgers and Chelsea Alehouse Brewery.
How to get here: Chelsea is about 60 miles west of Detroit. Take exit 162 from I-94 West. Turn right onto East Old U.S. Hwy. 12 and take that for about 2.5 miles.
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Poppy Things in Suttons Bay
Go here for: Local and handmade gifts and products. Owner Chelsey Skowronski sells her watercolor paintings and features art from other women painters around the country.
"We honestly have something for everyone," she said, including knit hats, socks, handmade nail polish and candles and soaps from local makers. That's one side of her store and on the other, shoppers will find home decor, prints, local handmade pottery and children's items.
For more information, go to PoppyThings.com.
While you're here: Skowronski recommends visiting Wild Lettie for outdoorsy gifts and MI Market for food products, charcuterie and locally-made gifts. To eat, she recommended a brand new restaurant called Gilchrist Farm, a tasting room that offers small plates and desserts.
How to get here: Suttons Bay is about 270 miles north of Detroit. Take exit 254 from I-75 North. Turn left onto M-72 West and then continue onto M-22 for about 15 miles.
Contact Adrienne Roberts: amroberts@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 4 small-town Michigan destinations perfect for holiday shopping
