Favorite locally owned stores worthy of our networking love?
Do you know a truly great local independent retailer here in SE Michigan who is quite worthy of some of our networking love, and hasn't gotten squeezed out by all the big box national chains?
I'm wondering about your favorite places where you specifically shop that are locally owned and operated. As I drive around, I see endless strip centers, malls and retail space that all could be the same in any major US city.. Tough financial times have made it a challenge for these local heroes to hang in there - but there are a few who actually are making a go of it ... and go unheralded.
Let all us know where you spend your dollars locally to all of us and point us in a direction where our dollars could also make a difference in the local economy.
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Well gee! If we're adding eating and ice cream places...
Sorellas Bakery on 5 & Merriman, best buttercream frosted cakes and Italian pastires.
Guernsey's on Novi Road between 8 & 9 Mile, best home made ice cream and best broasted chicken. They serve you a free serviing of flavor of the day with any meal
New Hong Kong on Telegraph North of Wick in Taylor best General's Chicken with your choice of mild, medium or spicy hot sauce and they also have good American food if you have a dining partner with a less adventurous palate....very generous portions.
I am quite gratified for such a strong response, since it's too easy to look for the same old same ol' stores and places, only now closer to where we work and live. I also know that many of these shops would have to lock their doors in order to attend MCC lunches and other networking events. Keep weighing in on great neighbors, friends and members of our community - places that have earned our trust and our dollars!
Wow, Andrew, thanks for listing Cafe Habana - I fell in love with Cuban food on a visit to NYC last year and have been hankerin' for it ever since.
I have to put in a plug for The Clothes Closet in Rochester - it is a clothing outlet for client's of the Rochester Area Neighborhood House (all clothing is donated), but they are open to the public on Wednesdays as a "resale" shop. The best part of shopping there is you can find some great slightly-used items, and your dollars go to support the charity... recycled clothes, recycled dollars.
I choose "Pointe Hardware" o Kercheval in Grosse Pointe Park, MI. It has survived and thrives in this world of Home Depots and the like. It is truly an independent, family owned store. Various members of the family work there and will go out of their way to help you resolve whatever home, business and even marine issue that you might have which requires a hardware input. It still will sell sandpaper by the sheet as well as SS screws individually, etc. and not make you buy everythng in bulk! It is more than the neighborhood hardware. And if you want a little Hollywood touch, it is the store that Clint Eastwood used in the movie he filmed here this summer and even used employees there as his extras, how about that for GO MICHIGAN! Dr. Randi Lou
How about Calder's Dairy? Great milk, ice cream and OMG - what about the egg nog!!!! They even have farm tours - fun for the whole family!
Cook's Dairy Farm at 2950 Seymore Lake Road - Ortonville, MI 48462
The most amazing homemade ice cream in Michigan and well worth the drive!
and I have to second ya'll on Bigby's Coffee f.k.a. Beaner's... great spot!
Don't forget about all the fashion, flare, tastes, and culture in Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Ann Arbor!
Here's some that come to mind for me:
Best Dairy: Grumpy's in Clawson and the Michigan State Dairy Store
Best Music Instrument Shop: Huber & Breese in Roseville and Elderly Instruments in Lansing
Best Pizza without making it an evening: Shields (the Round is top shelf)
Best Brew Pub: I'm partial to Copper Canyon, Black Lotus, and King Brewery
I'll "second" Keith's recommendation of Cooks Dairy Farm - well worth the drive! Even their single dip is huge. And a note to parents of small kids: you can visit the cows while you are there!
We can't forget Zingerman's in Ann Arbor! Northside Grill on Broadway St. in Ann Arbor (near the corner at Maiden Ln) is a great, inexpensive place for lunch, and I recommend their French Roast coffee.
Many local business owners do not have a "brick and mortar" location. When shopping, please remember your local direct sales consultant. He or she contributes to the local economy as well. And you can get many categories of high quality products and great service from distributors of companies such as Arbonne, Pampered Chef, Silpada, Tastefully Simple and many others. These companies allow those of us who want to own our own businesses, and own our lives, do so without major investments or having to relocate.
That being said, if you are ever in the downtown Farmington area, please check out Eclectic Elegance, the little purple store on Grand River. And if you are or know a beader, head to Bead Works in Franklin, MI.
Hello,
For all your sports memorabilia, jerseys, apparel, accessories, and fundraising needs, please come and visit my store Sports Authentics, in Rochester Hills. My partner and I are a independent two man operation that has been open since May 2006. If you would like to come and visit the store, and get the attention you deserve ( from the owners), we would love to take care of you.
Mention you are a MCC member, and I will offer you a 15% savings on your entire purchase. Great time to do your Christmas shopping in a nice relaxed setting.
To view what we have to offer, please visit my website www.sportsauthentics.net
Thank you,
Brian King
Sports Authentics
248-375-1515
Someone above mentioned Biggby Coffee. I was so blown away by my experience there that I tell everyone about. In fact, I wrote a blog post about it last month and several key members of the Biggby team took the time to respond. They know how to do it right. It's great to see a local company grow like they are growing.
And they use social media. I am following BiggbyBob on twitter. They engage in the conversation. That is why they responded to your blog post. Excellent example of how to do it right.
I agree totally that Biggby does it right. I meet with 2 separate groups at 2 different Biggby locations on the east side. Both of them, owned by different people, are so welcoming to our business and go above and beyond in customer service. I am so happy that they are a Michigan company. Melissa Emanuel mentioned Calder's Dairy and their egg nog, which is to die for but if you need a chocolate fix their chocolate milk is the absolute most chocolatey, wonderful, delictable treat. And while we are talking chocolate, Elan's Candies on Mack in Grosse Pointe Woods has a way of putting a smile on my face when I get or give one of their fantastic boxes of all 3 types of toffee/chocolate!
Steering back into the non food arena, visit the Brighton Tux Shop for any formal or tuxedo needs. Rick Bourbonais is the owner, and an awesome guy. Well known and respected in the community he is a great person to make a connection with. Brighton may be a distance for some of you, but if you have any formal wear needs, keep him in mind! www.brightontuxshop.com