Trendy Boutiques, Small Town Shops and Good Eats
Hunt for varied treasures and pamper your palate at these Michigan destinations. Discover fashion and fudge, beads and baked goods. Savor gourmet foods and wines. Experience extensive craft beers and delectable confection. You’ll find all these and more among indie boutiques, galleries and restaurants across Michigan.
CORKTOWN, DETROIT
Just west of downtown, the Motor City’s oldest neighborhood—settled by Irish immigrants from Cork County—now enjoys hip status after a recent renaissance.
Browse Menswear that’s masculine yet reflects a sense of creativity and fun fills George Gregory. Owner Caitlin Riney named the store using the middle names of her father and brothers. Find clothes for a relaxed Sunday, a business-casual office or a night out with friends. Bohemian, vintage clothing items, many tagged with the city where they were found, share space at Eldorado General Store with well-traveled decor, locally made goods, and assorted trinkets and treasures. Whether you’re a fan of the Detroit Lions, Tigers, Pistons or Red Wings (or all of them), shop for team apparel and souvenirs at Detroit Athletic Company, near where baseball’s Tiger Stadium once stood.
Take a Break A catalyst for Corktown’s rebirth, Slows Bar BQ beckons diners with ribs, pulled pork and the acclaimed pulled-chicken Yardbird sandwich. The mac ’n’ cheese wins raves, too. Choose from an extensive craft beer selection.
FRANKENMUTH
Founded by German settlers, Michigan’s Little Bavaria sits south of Saginaw Bay and draws visitors with shops and restaurants filled with charming, old-world atmosphere.
Browse The German-theme outdoor mall River Place Shops features more than 40 stores and attractions. Find fashion and fudge, beads and baked goods, even a winery. Board the Bavarian Belle from River Place to cruise the Cass River. On the lower level of the famous Bavarian Inn Restaurant, Bavarian Inn Castle Shops includes seven stores offering souvenirs, toys, chocolates, and German beers and wines. Drive about 7 miles south of Frankenmuth to Birch Run Premium Outlets, where more than 140 stores sell apparel and accessories from brands like North Face, Nike, Michael Kors, Lacoste and Coach. Also find decor giant Pottery Barn.
Take a Break Named for the German word meaning “cheers,” Prost! Wine Bar and Charcuterie serves a variety of beverages for toasting, including six wines on tap (the selection changes from time to time). Create your own meat and cheese board from the menu options, or try a panini.
Historic Gaslight District, Petoskey
The northern resort town’s shopping area, up a slope from Little Traverse Bay, charms with 19th-century streetlamps and brims with indie boutiques, galleries and restaurants.
Browse The gourmet food and wine shop Symons General Store elates epicureans with its deli, bakery case, cheeses and carefully curated wine cellar. An array of pots, tins and boxes holds jams, coffee and spices. All the bright yellow shopping bags you see on the street come from similarly hued Cutler’s, where foodies devour the fine kitchenware. The store sells women’s fashions (like Lilly Pulitzer) next door. Readers love delving the shelves at McLean and Eakin Bookstore, an independent store in business for 26 years. Besides books, find vinyl records and turntables, and check out author events.
Take a Break Flavors from Michigan farms and orchards set off the jars of goodness at American Spoon, a purveyor of jams, jellies, syrups and sauces. Sample the choices liberally before buying, and be sure to try the gelato.