Shop Small, Shop Local

It’s a new year! We’ve safely made it out of 2020 and into a, hopefully, more normal year. We are all painfully aware, however, that we’re not out of the woods. We must still be careful, be safe and unfortunately, be socially distant. While this effects us all on a daily basis, it’s also effecting our local small businesses. The pandemic has kept many of us at home keeping us from frequenting small local businesses and increasing the profits of online giants like Amazon. Online retail giants are thriving and will survive, but our favorite local spots will not—without our help. While the end is in sight, we have to run the final leg of the race and insure that we’re helping as many along the way as possible.

This month, we’ve put together a list of small local businesses that could use your help. While the holidays are over there are still gifts to be given and even some special items they offer that you deserve for making it through last year. So peruse at your leisure and visit early and often.

Grandpa Shorter’s

Family owned and operated in Petoskey Michigan, Shorter’s has been a downtown Petoskey staple for more than 70 years. Located at the corner of Lake and Petoskey, they’ve been your source for jewelry, crafts, and traditional northern Michigan gifts. You may even find a Great Lakes Proud decal or two!

You can also shop online at: https://grandpashorters.com/

Grand Rapids Downtown Market

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a mixed-use facility that brings together local food production, education, and entrepreneurship opportunities. It’s an indoor facility featuring 20+ vendor market hall with two full-service restaurants, while dozens of artisans line our outdoor market shed during special events. This is the perfect place to get the foodie on your list artisanal small batch salsa, spices, and more!

Check out the market at: http://downtownmarketgr.com/market-hall

Visit them in person:

435 Ionia Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Peninsulas

If you’re downstate, pay a visit to Peninsulas in Berkley. The Peninsulas collection includes high-quality home goods, apparel, accessories, and gifts inspired by lake – great and small – and land. Most of the items are custom. Many are Michigan-made.

Perfect for your Great Lakes people, especially those that have moved away from the region but are still in love with the lakes!

 Visit their website here: https://shoppeninsulas.com/pages/downstate

Or stop in at:

3125 Twelve Mile Road
Berkley, MI 48072

Transit Tees

In Chicago? We’ve got you. Check out Transit Tees for all things Chicago. Transit Tees takes visuals from Chicago's metropolitan landscapes and transforms them into fashionable artwork, accessories, home goods and more. An official manufacturer of Chicago Transit Authority products, Transit Tees locally designs, fabricates and retails their signature brand online and at two storefronts in Wicker Park and Andersonville. Items in stores are created in their design studio and produced on-site by local artists and craftsmen.

 Check them out at: https://www.transittees.com/

Or in person at:

Wicker Park

1371 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622

Andersonville
5226 N. Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640

Cuyahoga Collective

Cleveland native? The Cuyahoga Collective is for you. They offer home goods, apparel and artwork inspired by the Lake Erie coast. Many of the products sold in the store are created right there in Ohio, and the company also collaborates with local brands, offering copywriting, interior design, strategic services and more.

Visit their site: http://www.cuyahogacollective.com/

Or in person at:

15701 Madison Ave

Lakewood, OH 44107