Photos by Brian Rozman
From toys to jewelry, these southeastern Michigan shops give you unique gifts for the holidays with an important message behind them.
FERNDALE, Mich.—The winter holidays are fast approaching and new opportunities to support local businesses. In an unprecedented year complete with a pandemic, civil unrest, and an economic crisis, Michigan shoppers are more mindful of the ways they spend their dollar.
In southeastern Michigan, business owners like Melannie Chard are proud to operate locally and serve her customers—ethically.
“I moved back to Michigan six years ago to see how my skills would translate to helping emerging and mid-level artists solidify their markets here,” Chard, who spent the first ten years of her career at the famed Sotheby’s auction and exited as its vice president, told The ‘Gander.
Her gallery, M Contemporary Art, prominently displays a Black Lives Matter sign in the front window that Chard said she considers a “no brainer.”
“For me, it was about expressing my support for my friends and my community,” she said.
And her support goes beyond the signage. Certain purchases through the gallery directly support Black Lives Matter and other local initiatives to see meaningful progress come to Black communities.
Half of the proceeds from sales of Rashun Rucker’s Reguget Cineribus series will be donated to the Ruth Ellis Center, a Detroit-based LGBTQ+ haven for Black queer people.
“I represent a lot of Black artists,” Chard said. “I have a lot of Black friends and live in Detroit. I never really considered not doing [my Black Lives Matter sign]. I have one on my house too.”
Michiganders can shop consciously as you shop small and local this season with these metro Detroit businesses. Each supports the local economy, practices social distancing, and believes that Black Lives Matter.
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Berkley
Clothing, Shoes, and Jewelry
Sum Girls Boutique
3015 Twelve Mile Rd. | Sustainable fashion for “teens, tweens, and ladies of all ages”
Clawson
Clothing, Shoes, and Jewelry
Margaux & Max
224 W. Nine Mile Rd. | Women’s clothing
Regeneration
23700 Woodward Ave. | New and used clothing
Ferndale
Clothing, Shoes, and Jewelry
Bags & Beads
22750 Woodward Ave. | Handbags and accessories
Tooth & Nail
22801 Woodward Ave. | Jewelry and oddities
Food & Drink
Detroit Bubble Tea
22821 Woodward Ave. | Bubble tea, cafe
Drifter Coffee
770 Woodward Heights Ave. | Coffee shop, community space
Hair & Beauty
Flip
251 W. Nine Mile Rd. | Beauty salon
The Hi Hat
195 W. Nine Mile Rd. | Hat and barber shop
Lefty’s Barbershop
155 W. Nine Mile Rd. | Specializing in classic cuts
Lucky Star Salon
23333 Woodward Ave. | Unisex salon
Rouge Organic Beauty
23337 Woodward Ave. | Nails, brows, lashes, makeup
Socially Distanced Experiences
9 Lives Tattoos & Piercings
309 W. Nine Mile Rd. | Body modification
Found Sound
234 W. Nine Mile Rd. | Record store
M Contemporary Art
205 E. Nine Mile Rd. | Contemporary art gallery
Painting with a Twist
200 W. Nine Mile Rd. | Pro-guided painting (booze optional)
Lifestyle/Gifts
Nine Furniture and Design
22757 Woodward Ave. | Vintage and handmade furniture
BDT Smoke Shops
23420 Woodward Ave. | Smoke accessories, tobacco
The Rocket
200 W. Nine Mile Rd. | Toy, candy store
Detroit
Art
N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art
52 E. Forest Ave. | Contemporary art gallery featuring artists of the African disapora
Hair & Beauty
The Social Club Grooming Co
1515 Broadway St. | Barber shop
Wheels
Detroit Bikes
13639 Elmira St. | Bicycle shop
Hamtramck
Novelties & Books
Book Suey
10345 Joseph Campau Ave. | Bookstore
Detroit Threads
10238 Joseph Campau Ave. | Vintage clothing, music, movies
Royal Oak
Art
LIFT
228 W. 4th St. | Art gallery, novelties
Why Shop on Small Business Saturday?
Small businesses Saturday is observed Nov. 28. The day immediately follows Black Friday, where large retailers like Amazon and Walmart offer deep discounts in an effort to garner a large portion of the holiday money spent.
And just two days later, local businesses compete against Cyber Monday, a day traditionally reserved for even deeper discounts for shoppers at online retailers. It’s estimated that US shoppers spent more than $9 billion in online sales alone last year, according to Adobe Analytics.
Small Business Saturday—initially started as a marketing and economic recovery stimulus tactic after the 2008 recession—brought in an estimated $19 billion nationally, according to a BusinessWire report.
All photos by Brian Rozman.
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Ellen Chamberlain is The 'Gander's multimedia content producer. She is a seeker and sharer of truth.
