(WWJ) — With the holiday shopping season kicking into full gear this week, thousands of Metro Detroiters will be heading out to stores all across the area and scouring the web for that perfect gift.
And while Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals certainly get most of the attention this time of year, there’s a growing movement to support small, local businesses during the holiday season.
That includes Small Business Saturday — the day after Black Friday — and what the Michigan Retailers Association calls the “Shop 3 Challenge.”
Originally launched in 2020, the Shop 3 Challenge is “a way to encourage consumers to go out and make a simple, small commitment to adding three local merchants to their holiday shopping destinations this season.”
“It’s very easy to do a lot of holiday shopping where we grocery shop or online, but making an intentional effort to go out and support three local retailers makes a really big difference,” Vic Veda with the Michigan Retailers Association told WWJ Newsradio 950’s Ryan Wrecker.
Drew Maloney with the American Investment Council told Wrecker Small Business Saturday is important because small businesses “are the backbone of nearly every community in America.”
With that in mind, here are some popular small, locally owned businesses across Southeast Michigan that Metro Detroiters can consider spending their money at while checking loved ones off their holiday shopping lists this season — many of which offer online shopping.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of local places to shop in Metro Detroit, but if nothing else hopefully it inspires you to check out some of the small businesses in your community this holiday season!
Something for everyone
You may be surprised at the fun things you can find at little stores you’ve never been in before. There are tons of gift shops and galleries across the area showcasing handmade art and gifts. You can find clothes, furniture, art and all sorts of kitschy and funky trinkets at places like Leon & Lulu in Clawson, Catching Fireflies in Berkley, Rochester and Ann Arbor and The Junk Drawer Mercantile in St. Clair Shores.
Popular toy stores in the area include The Rocket in Ferndale, Toy Box in Utica and Genuine Toy Co. in Plymouth.
If you’re feeling extra festive, you can head to Downtown Detroit to check out the Christmas tree and skating rink at Campus Martius, then swing by the Holiday Markets at Cadillac Square and check out the dozens of local shops in the area.
For the bookworms
We all know a Michigan winter can be cold and long, and many of us like to cozy up on the couch with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and get lost in a book.
You could easily spend hours in a number of bookstores across Metro Detroit, with some of the most popular being John K. King Used and Rare Books and Pages Bookshop in Detroit, Brown’s Family Bookstore in St. Clair Shores and Sidetrack Bookshop in Royal Oak.
For the music lovers
Speaking of cozying up inside this winter, why not dust off the old record player and get some new vinyl spinning? Detroit is well-known for its music scene, and the region definitely isn’t short on record stores. You can check out beloved places like Third Man Records or Peoples Records in Detroit, Dearborn Music, UHF Records in Royal Oak or Melodies & Memories in Eastpointe.
Another option for the music lover in your life is surprising them with tickets to check out a show at a small music venue like The Majestic or The Shelter in Detroit or the Royal Oak Music Theatre. And while you’re at it, swing by one of the local bars or restaurants beforehand!
For the foodies
Eastern Market is a a go-to Detroit shopping destination, especially this time of year, offering the Holiday Market every Sunday through Christmas. You’ll be able to find not only fresh meat and produce, but plenty of art, clothes and other gifts.
The Looney Baker in Livonia, Bon Bon Bon in Midtown Detroit and Lebon Sweets in Dearborn are popular places to get sweet treats, while Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co. and The Congregation are go-to destinations in Detroit for coffee
Whether it’s someone’s favorite food, a bottle of wine or six-pack from your local liquor store, or simply just a gift card to a bar or restaurant they’ve been dying to try, there are countless other food-related options across Southeast Michigan, from restaurants and food trucks to delis and farmers markets and beyond.
For the Detroit sports fans
With Lions fever reaching an all-time high in Detroit, there are tons of places to get new Honolulu Blue gear, but The D Line offers all sorts of Lions, Tigers, Pistons and Red Wings shirts, stickers and more, while many local gift shops are also selling locally made sportswear and swag. Of course, you can’t forget Detroit vs. Everybody in Eastern Market.
With card collecting becoming popular again, there are tons of locally owned card and memorabilia shops across the area, including Lewton’s Sports Cards and Collectibles in Clawson, Eternal Games in Warren and Chesterfield, and The Detroit Shoppe at the Summerset Collection in Troy.
For the outdoor and fitness enthusiasts
If you or your family are going to hit the slopes this winter, you can gear up at places like Schumer’s Ski Shop in Grosse Pointe Woods or The Peak Ski and Sports in Keego Harbor.
For those eying a New Year’s resolution of getting fit in 2025, The Exercise Warehouse offers workout equipment in Utica, Livonia and Ann Arbor, while lots of local trainers are posting on social media this time of year about programs to help you reach your goals.
What to do about Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Just because Small Business Saturday is growing in popularity, that doesn't mean you can't shop small on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Plenty of local businesses will be just as busy on Friday, and lots will offer ways to shop come Cyber Monday, as well as the rest of the season.
This year the MRA is pushing the "Michigan Monday" movement, encouraging consumers to try to buy Michigan-made products on Cyber Monday.