These LGBTQ+ Michiganders are creating community and investing in their neighborhoods—here’s how you can support them.
Supporting the LGBTQ+ community shouldn’t start and end with Pride Month.
In Michigan, there are plenty of LGBTQ+-owned businesses you can support all year round—that’s why we created this handy guide of some of our favorites.
Don’t see your favorite LGBTQ+-owned business on this list? Let us know by emailing [email protected].
WEST MICHIGAN
Woosah Outfitters
738 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Woosah Outfitters is a naturally inspired art and apparel brand that features the artwork of founder and owner, Rae Lang. The designs and drive behind Woosah revolve largely around woodcuts, the outdoors, and finding peace.
Rebel
1555 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Website / Facebook / Instagram
From snarky notepads to trendy jewelry, baby onesies to wine glasses, and Michigan-made artwork to handmade paper cards, there’s no shortage of goodies at Rebel. The eclectic gift shop in Uptown Grand Rapids has everything you need to create the best gift ever, even for that hard-to-shop-for friend or family member.
Black Cat Bodega
2456 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Black Cat Bodega isn’t just a shop—it’s an experience. From well-curated gifts and vintage decor to metaphysical supplies, Black Cat Bodega offers a variety of products you won’t find anywhere else. The shop also hosts a variety of workshops for community members.
Sticky Fingers
1503 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Located only a few steps away from their sister store, Rebel, comes Sticky Fingers—a candy shop in Eastown that offers a variety of sticky-sweet goodies, including classics, new faves, and trendy treats.
Happy Cat Café
447 Division Ave. South, Grand Rapids
Website / Facebook / Instagram
When they’re not busy taking over TikTok, the adoptable cats at Happy Cat Café are helping their human coworkers sling handcrafted lattes, teas, and mocktails. Happy Cat Café works with Fig and Friends Pet Rescue to help find their four-legged baristas loving forever homes.
Transfigure Print Co.
2221 Plainfield Ave. NE, Suite 107, Grand Rapids
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Since Transfigure Print Co.’s humble beginnings in founder Bailey Sell’s college apartment in 2017, the company has grown into a five-person crew with two brick-and-mortar locations in Grand Rapids and a massive following on Instagram. They’ve also raised over $92,000 in support of the LGBTQ+ community through the Transfigure Trans Fund.
Fox Naturals Apothecary
619 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Since opening in 2018, Fox Naturals has strived to help customers ditch the synthetic ingredients and chemicals in big-box retail products for healthier, plant-based skincare. Their products are crafted with potent, natural ingredients that support all skin types.
Lotus Brew Coffee/Dry Bar
211 Diamond Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
Website / Facebook / Instagram
A locally-owned LGBTQ+ library and café, Lotus Brew Coffee/Dry Bar offers a variety of local organic coffee, teas, and mocktails made with locally sourced ingredients. The café also hosts a library featuring a collection of LGBTQ+ books for customers to read for free.
Outside Coffee Co.
450 Center St., Douglas
Website / Instagram
In addition to serving coffee and handcrafted lattes in Douglas, Outside Coffee Co. donates a portion of proceeds to local community organizations. The outside coffee shop is the brainchild of local artist Rae Lang.
MID-MICHIGAN
Tiny Bit of Wood
507 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing
Website / Facebook / Instagram
This one-woman woodworking operation offers a variety of handcrafted wood furniture and art. Each month, Tiny Bit of Wood hosts woodworking classes and more for patrons of all ages.
Devil’s Day Tattoo
329 S. Washington Sq., Lansing
Facebook / Instagram
Devil’s Day Tattoo is an inclusive, welcoming tattoo studio in downtown Lansing owned and operated by various talented artists who identify as some shade of the LGBTQ+ community. Once a month, the shop offers themed flash days and donates a portion of proceeds to local community organizations.
Sparrow and Bloom
505 E. Shiawassee St., Lansing
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Sparrow and Bloom is run by besties Becca and Kait in Lansing’s Stadium District. The duo prides itself on creating magic through gardening and floral design. They also partner with local flower growers to use as many locally-grown flowers as possible during the growing season.
Strange Matter Coffee Co
Multiple locations in Lansing
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Strange Matter Coffee Co. is the invention of Cara Nader, with the help of more people than can be listed. Cara has spent over a decade in the coffee industry as a manager, trainer, and regional barista competitor. Today, Strange Matter’s coffee (and doughnuts) have become a beloved staple throughout Lansing.
Constellation Cat Cafe
3320 E. Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing
Website / Facebook / Instagram
A full-service coffee shop offering seasonal lattes, mocktails, “meowshakes”, and more, Constellation Cat Café is the purr-fect spot for cat lovers. Make sure to check out their cat room, which hosts nearly two dozen adoptable rescue cats.
A Novel Concept, Dear Ollie & Co.
222 Washington Sq., Lansing
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Located inside A Novel Concept, a queer, feminist, indie bookstore in downtown Lansing, Dear Ollie & Co. offers stationary and gifts from 100+ makers and designers with a focus on women and queer creators. On the first Thursday of each month, the shop creates a space for locals to meet for community, journaling, and crafts.
Clean Refillery
1136 ½ S. Washington Ave., Lansing
Website / Facebook / Instagram
In Lansing’s REO neighborhood, the owners of Clean Refillery want to be a springboard to help people swap out their bathroom and laundry products for more natural, eco-friendly options. Customers are encouraged to bring in an empty container and fill it as in one of the Refillery’s products—like laundry detergent, shampoo, shower gel, hand soap, and more.
Thrift Witch
108 César E. Chávez Ave., Lansing
Facebook / Instagram
Do you know of any stores in Michigan that sell wet specimens of baby pigs and vintage clothing in the same place? Now you do. Thrift Witch specializes in oddities, original dark art, pop-culture collectibles, creepy antiques, plus new and vintage clothing and accessories. It’s also home to The Dark Art Market, a small business incubator.
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Not Sorry Goods
22963 Woodward Ave., Ferndale
Website / Facebook / Instagram
By combining upcycled, pre-loved clothing with their bold, eco-friendly designs, Not Sorry Goods built a brand that doesn’t just look good—it’s also good for the environment. Co-founded by Detroit native Dy-Min Johnson, Not Sorry Goods’ Detroit Collection is a love letter to the city’s grit and culture.
Public Thrift
10237 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck
Website / Facebook
A worker-owned community thrift store, Public Thrift is a place to shop sustainably and affordably while supporting your local community. Public Thrift also partners with mutual aid groups and non-profits to donate excess items, according to their website.
Bobcat Bonnie’s
Locations in Ferndale, Lansing, Corktown, Wyandotte, and Grand Rapids
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Bobcat Bonnie’s feels like a home away from home for all who enter. Named after owner Matt Buskard’s grandmother who enjoyed working the fields of her farm with her Bobcat front loader, this restaurant serves up a menu loaded with tasty comfort foods—from stacked, specialty burgers to boozy brunch.
Eli Tea Bar
108 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Eli Tea Bar specializes in loose-leaf tea and offers customers samples from the shop’s collection of 50+ ethically sourced teas and herbal infusions. Looking to take your tea to-go? No problem—you can purchase bags of tea, plus apparel and other merchandise, online.
Browndog Creamery
12930 Capital St., Oak Park
Website / Facebook / Instagram
In addition to concocting ice cream flavors inspired by beloved Michigan pop brand, Faygo, a portion of Browndog Creamery’s sales go back to supporting local animal rescues. Can’t make it to their flagship store in Southeast Michigan? No problem! Pints of Browndog Creamery’s artisanal ice cream can be found in select stores across Michigan, and can even be shipped nationwide.
The Butters Hygienics Co.
Ypsilanti
Website / Facebook / Instagram
The Butters has plenty of all-natural products to add to your skin/hair/whatever care. This black-owned business offers its wares online and in select stores across Michigan.
NORTHERN MICHIGAN
B’s Music Shop
613 N. Mission St., Mt. Pleasant
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Some places sell musical instruments and offer music lessons, and then there’s B’s Music Shop. Not only are they a space for the music-loving community, but they are also the creators of the Meowdulator—a guitar pedal that transforms every note you play into a symphony of “cat-astic” sounds.
Bodega
517 North Third Street, Marquette
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Through sourcing from local farms, Michigan brewers, and purveyors from around the Upper Peninsula, Bodega offers a menu that’s fresh, healthy, and delicious.
baby bangs! salon
3125 Wright St., Marquette
Website / Instagram
Whether you’re looking for a trim or a complete style makeover, the folks at baby bangs! salon has you covered. These local stylists will have you feeling good from your head to your nails.
Dead River Coffee Roasters
119 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette
Website / Facebook / Instagram
As the original coffee roaster in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Dead River Coffee in downtown Marquette is a caffeine addict’s dream. Their Bob’s Deer Camp Blend, a special blend created just in time for deer season, provides the perfect pick me up for ‘Ganders who need to get shit done.
SOUTHERN MICHIGAN
Dabney & Co. Cocktail Bar and Lounge
344 N. Rose St., Kalamazoo
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Dabney & Co. is paying homage to the unsung Black mixologists who’ve significantly impacted the cocktail industry. Through their handcrafted cocktails and fostering an inclusive atmosphere, the staff at Dabney & Co. aims to inspire and encourage future generations to uphold their legacy of innovation and excellence.
Heirloom Arts Tattoo
1919 Stearns Ave., Kalamazoo
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Heirloom Arts is stacked with a staff of professional, creative, LGBTQ+ artists who specialize in American Traditional, blackwork, floral, and fine-line tattoos.
Dormouse Theatre
1030 Portage St., Kalamazoo
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Housed in a 125-year-old repurposed church building, Dormouse Theatre produces its own unique brand of sketch comedy and hosts live music and other performance artists throughout the year.
Bea True Flower Farm
Maybee
Website / Facebook
Bea True Flower Farm is a family-owned farm in southeast Michigan that specializes in growing over 400 varieties of dahlias. Every summer, the farm opens its bouquet community-supported agriculture program to members of Monroe and Washtenaw counties—which delivers bouquets to members from July through October.
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