Shop Small This Holiday
It's that time of year again where I share my small plea for you to support your favorite small businesses this holiday season. November and December can make or break a small business. The holiday season is like our Super Bowl. We plan for it all year long. We look forward to it every year. I know that shopping small isn't always the easiest, cheapest or most convenient choice, but so many small businesses are offering things like free shipping or holiday promotions in order to try and keep up with the "big guys." Shopping small preserves the character of our communities. It offers you a chance for connection, not to mention some of the most unusual and thoughtful gift options.
This year I would like to share some of my favorite Ann Arbor businesses. My list would be never ending if I shared them all, so this year I decided to just focus on the businesses that you can walk to from T&B. Come to town, park in one of the lots (I suggest the Anne and Ashley lot) and then walk to all of these wonderful places. These are the businesses that I would visit during an afternoon shopping in Ann Arbor, and the places that I usually visit to check off my holiday shopping list. If you aren't local, many of these shops have excellent online shops as well or I encourage you to visit the small shops in your own community.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of my little shop. It literally means the world to me.
Start your afternoon of shopping at T&B, of course. We have the most incredible selections of holiday goods and unusual gift options for the person on your list that has everything.
Next, stroll over to the Kerrytown Shops. Pick up a gift certificate at Nuuyuufor your environmentally conscious friend. Stop into Bohmey Beauty to buy some natural beauty goods. I am a big fan of Ilia Makeup and they have a nice selection there. Make sure to stop at Found and browse their amazing selection of holiday goods. Their displays are so gorgeous and inspiring. My son and I like to pick out an ornament for our tree there every year.
Next, take a break and fuel up with some lunch. Detroit Street Filling Station is a favorite of mine. I eat a Power Up Bowl at least once a week and the vegan baked goods are incredible. Another favorite lunch spot of mine is Spiedo. The sandwiches are delicious, but I love ordering a bunch of the veggie sides and dips and sharing with a friend.
Stroll down Fourth Ave and pop into one of my husbands favorite places, Encore Records. Stop into Tea Haus to grab yourself a tea, I personally love their Rooibos blends, and pick up some tea for host gifts. My son LOVES the macarons at Tea Haus if you need a little treat.
Keep walking down Fourth Ave until you get to Literati. If there ever were warm fuzzy feelings as a shop, Literati would be it. I love looking at the staff book picks. Next, stop into the newly relocated The Get Up Vintage to browse a fantastic selection of vintage t-shirts and other treasures. Cross the street and visit Dear Golden to admire their stunning selection of vintage clothing, apothecary goods and modern clothing as well. I am currently coveting a vintage barn jacket. Next up, do some damage at Today Clothing. While this eclectic collection of indie brands is mostly for the gentlemen in your life, they also have some pretty incredible accessories, like hats and socks, that could work for all of the super stylish people on your list. They also have just about the nicest staff in town. Don't forget to stop into Olympia and peruse their great selection of sneakers. My husband is a huge fan.
Turn the corner on Liberty St and make your way to Spencer. Pick up some wine for all of your holiday entertaining needs. They have the most knowledgable staff and make wonderful suggestions for your holiday meals and host gifts. I don't know a ton about wine, but I always feel confident going to a holiday party with a bottle from Spencer.
Make your way to Main Street to pop into Rock Paper Scissors. While they are known for snarky goods and wonderful gift boxes, they also have an excellent selection of goods for the little ones in your life, including a great collection of Jellycat stuffies. Walk over to Downtown Home and Garden and pick up some amaryllis bulbs.
If you want to keep going, make your way over to the Nickels Arcade. Not only is it one of the most charming places in Ann Arbor during the holiday season, but it has so many wonderful shops as well. Pick up some chocolate from our friends at Bon Bon Bon, browse a lovely unisex clothing assortment at One DNA and buy a gorgeous wreath at University Flower Shop.
Once you have finished your holiday shopping, treat yourself to a facial at K. West. This is hands-down my favorite way to treat myself and my family knows that I always love a gift certificate for a treatment. Katie is a magician and leaves you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and your skin glowing.
I could keep going and going and going, but this is a nice little list to start inspiring you to shop small this holiday season. Thank you so much and happy shopping!