The small business community in Detroit and the Metro area is one of the most exciting areas of improvement in the region in the last several years.
When you shop locally owned businesses, you keep 62% of every dollar you spend in the local economy vs. 38% at a chain store.
From artists or furniture manufacturers to grocery stores and coffee shops, this appears to be a trend that shows no signs of stopping. With Small Business Saturday upon us, we wanted to give you our last minute list of great local shops and such to visit.
1. 3 Dogs 1 Cat 4 Detroit
This Eastern Market bark-tique has everything special for your four-legged friend. Whether it’s just the right collar, a new bed to keep the pup snuggled and warm over the holidays, or whatever else – this store is the cat’s meow.
2. The Peacock Room
15 E Kirby St, Detroit, MI 48202 – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
This funky spot features a collection of women’s clothing, jewelry, handbags, scarves, hats, fascinators, gloves, and more. Located inside the lobby of the fully-restored Park Shelton building just north of the DIA, you also get 2 hours FREE parking in their secure parking structure with validation. They’re offering 50% off cashmere ponchos, 15% off Michael Michaud jewelry, 15% off solid black dresses (excluding Stop Staring) and 15% off vintage apparel (excluding fur).
3. Hello Records
1459 Bagley Ave, Detroit – 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Jam packed with jams for you, or the music lover on your list. The store offers a welcoming atmosphere with an wide, diverse and ever changing selection of vinyl and shellac recordings, with a focus on party and dance music from the 1940’s through the 2000’s.
4. City Bird
460 W Canfield St, Detroit – 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
This little spot in Midtown packs a punch with their signature line of Detroit-themed housewares and accessories, as well as work by more than 200 other artists and designers. A great place to shop for the Detroit ex-pat on your list.
5. FRIDA
A great women’s clothing store in Midtown that has fun and classy accessories and more! They have deals, too. 20% off all jewelry, 20% off all books, 15% off all clothing and 15% off all purses.
6. Nest
460 W Canfield St #101, Detroit – 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
As the sister store of City Bird, here, you’ll find candles, soaps, terrariums, bar and kitchen accessories, and home decor. A fun store to poke around in with family from out of town.
7. Hugh
4240 Cass Ave, Detroit – 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Hugh opened in 2009 as Southeastern Michigan’s first pop-up retail store. Now a permanent fixture in the Midtown area, the collection is rooted in a classic modern aesthetic, with a rotating selection of housewares, personal accessories, and gifts, as well as furniture and lighting.
8. Nora
4240 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201 – 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
A quirky collection of home goods and great gift ideas. The store is beautiful, and will make your home just that much better with just the right thing you didn’t know you were looking for, but once you see it, you’ll have to have it.
9. Germack Pistachio Co.
2517 Russell St, Detroit – 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
The nation’s oldest roaster of pistachio nuts and an Eastern Market staple. Founded in 1924, Germack offers an amazing selection of gourmet gourmet nuts, chocolates, candies, and dried fruit that are perfect for gift giving, or stuffing your own face. Also, in 2012, Germack launched a coffee roasting division, Germack Coffee Roasting Co., that offers a cafe and on-site roasted coffee.
10. Detroit Mercantile Co.
3434 Russell St, Detroit – 7:00 a.m. – 7:00p.m.
The Detroit Mercantile Co. is a store that offers a collection of retailers with a wide selection of vintage and contemporary products, focused around the theme of Detroit.
11. John King Books
901 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit – 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Detroit’s largest bookstore by far. Beyond having an outrageous collection of rare books, the space offers a one of a kind shopping experience, with 5 floors packed with floor to ceiling book shelves to suit just about nay interest.
12. Pure Detroit
Guardian Building (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.), Fisher Building (9 a.m. – 8 p.m.), GM Ren Cen (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and inside the Belle Isle Aquarium (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) are all open.
Founded in 1998, these guys have been creating Detroit inspired merchandise since the beginning. Enjoy a wide selection of T-shirts and other fun items.
13. Detroit Hustles Harder
1353 Division, Detroit – 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Every other city wants to hustle harder, but we Detroiters know they can’t. There’s a variety of gear you can find at their Eastern Market store. They’re offering a whopping 40% off for Small Business Saturday if you visit their Eastern Market store.
14. Metropolis Cycles
2117 Michigan Ave., Detroit – Special hours: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The weather may not be 100 percent conducive for biking on Small Business Saturday, but we heard there’s quite the deal to be had at this new entrant to Corktown on Michigan Avenue. We first learned about Metropolis when they had an awesome cardboard model of their vision; and today, it’s reality. They’re running a 2015 model year bicycle sales, with 15% – 20% off any 2015 bicycle in stock and 20% off all used bikes in stock.
