Need ideas for stocking stuffers? Check out The Sassy Olive, a handmade headband boutique in downtown Allegan started by a college student with $42 worth of fabric and a sewing machine in her parents’ basement. Or reserve a halotherapy session for a loved one at The Salt Haven, a mother-and-daughter-owned business that operates a cabin-themed salt cave in Berrien Springs.
Elsewhere around the Mitten state you can find the latest new releases at the world’s greatest comic bookstore, Perfect Storm in Paw Paw, deliciously-scented, 100% soy candles ethically handcrafted at Kalamazoo Candle Company, and a nifty car accessory or two at the Cereal City Group Napa Auto Parts store in Hastings. At the family-owned and operated Redbud Hardware in Buchanan, you can get great customer service while picking out tools for your next DIY project and even say hello to the store cats, Millie and Owen.
These small Michigan businesses all offer unique gifts just right for someone on your shopping list. What’s more, when you shop at local retailers, you get the joy of supporting people right here in our own communities.
That’s the same reason Honor Credit Union works with each of these local businesses and many more all over the state.
“Our philosophy has been to bank where we live and support the organizations that we know,” said Alex Grumbine, director of commercial relationships for Honor. “We like to bank with people that live, work and play in Michigan.”
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Here’s a handful of other unique Michigan gifts to put on your list for the holiday shopping season:
- Get quality fabrics and quilting supplies for a heartwarming Christmas quilt from the Quilted Oak Leaf in Dowagiac.
- Discover stylish home décor, furniture, one-of-a-kind collectibles and more at Le Vintage Rose antique mall in Allen, near Coldwater.
- Order custom-embroidered spirit gear and promotional items at The Spirit Shoppe in Kalamazoo.
- Pick up a gift card for massage therapy or a couples retreat at Centre Street Spa in Portage.
- Find super cute holiday mesh tops and more women’s and children’s clothing at Dottie + June Boutique in Hudsonville.
Of course, wherever you’re out and about doing holiday shopping, there are great local restaurants and cafes where you can refuel for the rest of the day. In the Kalamazoo area, you can grab a maple cinnamon latte and a panini at MI Grounds in Plainwell or organic loose leaf tea and a flatbread sandwich at Mezzo Coffee House in Otsego. Along the lakeshore be sure to stop at Sweet Shop Café Italiano in Buchanan for artisanal pasta and a gelato.
Near Battle Creek, sit down to one of Michigan’s best char-broiled burgers at Players Grill in Augusta. And in the Grand Rapids area, pop into Affogato’s Ice Cream & Coffee in Allendale for a coffee flight and tasty seasonal treats.
Gift certificates are available to many of these local Michigan businesses, too.
If you’re looking for some special entertainment this holiday season, how about a U.P. getaway at The Up North Lodge near Marquette? The charming log cabins at the home of the “almost” world-famous BBQ ribs is the perfect place to gather, celebrate and make memories with friends and family.
Along with endless outdoor recreation in the middle of Michigan’s winter wonderland, you’ll be close to indoor comforts such as warm beverages at Campfire Coffee in Negaunee, therapeutic massage at Gwinn Chiropractic and classic bowling fun at River Rock Lanes in Ishpeming.
Just like you can support Michigan businesses this holiday season, Honor Credit Union works year-round to help commercial ventures thrive in our local communities. With a wide variety of business products and services from checking, savings and money market accounts to equipment financing, lines of credit and SBA loans, Honor is a helpful partner to many small businesses in manufacturing, retail, hospitality and other industries.
Honor promotes the success of local Michigan businesses in many ways including low-fee or no-fee services such as free business checking accounts that even come with a welcome bonus. There’s also a local Community Development Officer in each region of the state, presenting a familiar face that connects both large companies and small mom-and-pop shops to the right products and services for every stage of business development.
With local decision-making and a community-based approach, Honor provides personalized business solutions that are more flexible than those available at many larger financial institutions. Plus, Honor offers small businesses a slew of helpful products including customizable payroll and credit card processing.
Aspiring entrepreneurs or established small businesses seeking a financial partner for their next phase of growth should visit one of Honor’s 28 full-service branches or schedule a call or meeting.
“We’ll walk you through the process,” Grumbine said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a one-man shop or a 500-person corporation, we focus on that local relationship. We love to know your story and we want to be a part of it.”
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