568. Max & Ollie’s – July 14, 2022 – Mount Clemens, MI

Max & Ollie’s offers a sweet selection of old and new! The shop in downtown Mount Clemens has a thoughtfully curated collection of vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories, glassware, china, and other home goods. And it’s got brand-new items, too: candles by Mitten Candle Co., for one. Not only are these handmade soy candles crafted made by a friend of mine, they smell downright fabulous (the Firewood scent alone – SO good!).

And Max & Ollie’s is fabulous, too! Not only for stocking my friend’s candles and giving beautiful pre-owned goods a second life, but also for having an owner who is warm and welcoming. This is definitely a small business worth championing!

65 Macomb Pl.

Mt. Clemens, MI 48043

218. Opendohr – December 27, 2016 – Plymouth, MI

Hi guys! Happy Tuesday! I’ve been lax about recounting my visit to downtown Plymouth the last week of December, so it’s time to catch up. Here’s another shop I visited: Opendohr. The store offers – as its front door proclaims – a mix of vintage, antique, and new finds. The eclectic items displayed there appear to be carefully chosen and are incredibly fun to take in – check out the gorgeous tower bejeweled with a variety of colorful plastic items shown in the photo above.

470 Forest Ave.

Plymouth, MI 48170

www.opndohr.com

85. Rust Belt Market – November 29, 2014 – Ferndale, MI

After months and months and months of meaning to hit the Rust Belt Market on the weekend, I finally did last Saturday (on Small Business Saturday, appropriately enough). And I have to say, it’s pretty fantastic! If you love handmade stuff and antiques sold by local vendors like I do, then this place will be heaven for you.

This is just a great place to visit if you’re trying to avoid being generic in your holiday gift-giving. Uniquely flavored handmade chocolates, one-of-a-kind jewelry, handpainted mugs, and Michigan-themed T-shirts emblazoned with quips like “Bitch, please. I’m from Detroit” are just some of the many wares featured in a space referred to on its website as a “once defunct big-box store.” It makes me so happy to know that a formerly corporately owned space is now a market for artistically-minded independent entrepreneurs.

22801 Woodward Ave.

Ferndale, MI

(Open Saturdays and Sundays, with additional dates during the holiday season, plus a small boutique open Mondays thru Fridays; check the website for specific dates and times)

http://www.rustbeltmarket.com