2] SHOPPING

DEPARTMENT STORES

PERSONAL SHOPPING SERVICE

Nordstrom, The Mall at Partridge Creek; The Somerset Collection; Twelve Oaks Mall
Exceptional service – the business philosophy that John W. Nordstrom embraced when he founded his shoe store in 1901 – continues to this day at Nordstrom. Nordstrom was the top choice for the positive and helpful attitude of associates regardless of the price of the purchase, ease in making returns, and overall shopping experience.
www.nordstrom.com

DISCOUNT STORE

Target, various locations
Target has made every woman’s shopping life easier with its clean, well-organized (the aisles are wide for better basket maneuvering) and bright stores that provide most of the essentials of life. But beware. It’s not the type of store you can venture into for just one item. With its high-quality and stylish (designer clothing, no less) items, it’s difficult not to be tempted by the selection and affordable prices.
www.target.com

ALL-PURPOSE DEPARTMENT STORE

Macy’s, various locations
A true department store. This is the draw of Macy’s, which offers items meeting most lifestyle needs – from a pair of socks to designer apparel to living-room furniture collections. Some brands, such as Tools of the Trade (kitchen utensils) to the Style&co. clothing (in sizes ranging from petite to plus-size) and everyday useful items, such as glasses, bedding and towels.
www.macys.com

BOUTIQUE DEPARTMENT STORE

V2V, Ann Arbor
Owner Tes Haas provides clientele with a well-edited shopping experience in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown with items ranging from jewelry, home accessories and furniture to body care, cosmetics and fashions (up to women’s size 14) that rival boutique offerings found in such urban environments as New York and San Francisco. With 9,000 square feet on two shopping levels and spacious dressing rooms, V2V offers contemporary, unique and organic lines.
415 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, 734.665.9110

GIFT SHOPS

ARTISTIC GIFTS

Catching Fireflies, Berkley, Rochester
April McCrumb’s paper creations (a.i. paper design) and the works of Michigan and national artists are the foundation of Catching Fireflies’ offerings. Walk through the door, and you’re pleasantly greeted by niches, shelves and displays of colorful, whimsical and one-of-a-kind stock, including jewelry, handbags, and paper designs for everyday and special occasions. A warm, welcoming and helpful staff adds to the shopping experience.
3117 W. 12 Mile Rd., Berkley, 248.336.2030; 203 E. University Drive, Rochester, 248.650.3318, www.shopcatchingfireflies.com

GLOBAL GIFT SHOP

16 Hands, Ann Arbor
This former co-op of eight artists continues to be true to its original mission of introducing artists (there are now more than 500 represented) and works to those looking for unique, cutting edge and, in many of its lines, artistic yet functional pieces. Owners Jill Damon and Rick Wedel carry handmade, mixed-media creations from jewelry to prints to home accessories (such as everyday measuring cups and spoons) and furniture to a wealth of artist-created greeting cards in their 2,100-square-foot gallery.
216 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, 734.761.1110, www.16handsgallery.com

WIDE SELECTION

Art-O-Craft, Mount Clemens
With 22,000 square feet of floor space, it’s no wonder that Art-O-Craft gets a nod for wide selection of merchandise and personal services, including bridal and baby registries, custom framing, invitations and design studio. In addition to home and holiday décor and collectibles, offerings include fashion boutique and baby items, gourmet treats and garden accents, and Michigan products, including Country Home Creations, Huckleberry People and Sun Blossom Gifts.
70 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens, 586.463.4545, www.art-o-craft.com

GIFTS FOR THE HOME

Shine, Royal Oak
If your tastes lean to quirky, you’ll join those who placed Shine on the top of the list for gifts for the home. Offering usable (most are dishwasher safe) and/or collectible melamine (now there’s a word from the past) plates in designs by Andy Warhol, Bob’s Your Uncle, French Bull and Thomas Paul; designer candles (Er’go, Jimmy Belasco, Kobo Soy, Skeem, Illume and Votivo) and Deglingos stuffed creatures – definitely not your ordinary stuffed animals – there is something to tease every woman’s home décor appetite. Look for brighter colors in the offerings this spring.
621 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 248.414.5277, 866.75.SHINE, www.store.shopshine.net

STATIONERY

GIFT WRAP SUPPLY

Lisa’s Gift Wrappers, Royal Oak
The challenge of making a gift look special or just getting it wrapped has been handled by Lisa Gleeson and her band of “wrap artists” offering more than 100 paper and 700 ribbon choices. Challenge is exactly what Gleeson has faced with some of her customer’s needs. “We’ve wrapped an unboxed moon chair, a fur coat that a customer wanted to look like a household appliance and a gift that another customer wanted to look like chocolate chip cookies,” Gleeson says. For the do-it-yourselfer, the store offers gift-wrapping classes, and paper may be purchased by the foot; ribbon by the yard, and boxes also are available.
28834 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 248.547.9094, www.lisasgiftwrappers.com

DECORATIVE PAPER SUPPLY

Hollander’s, Ann Arbor
Colors, textures and designs burst throughout the 9,000-square-foot store that houses Hollander’s and its complementary School of Book & Paper Arts, which provides classes in such arts as book binding, box making and printmaking for women looking to get in touch with their creative side. The store offers more than 1,500 styles of hand- and machine-made decorative and artist papers from around the world, as well as paper products (stationery, albums and journals), and how-to books and kits.
410 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor, 734.741.7531, www.hollanders.com

INVITATIONS

Write Impressions, Royal Oak
Since Lori London established Write Impressions in 1989, the store has tripled in size to 3,000 square feet to accommodate its ever-growing stock of invitations, stationery and gifts. An impressive selection of invitations – there’s more than 2,000 choices – covers all special events and celebrations. Paper and adornment selections, as well as in-house printing and calligraphy services, are available to create your own custom invitations, announcements and stationery.
407 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 248.541.8921, www.writeimpressions-mi.com

PET SUPPLY STORE

LOCAL

Val’s Pet Supplies II & Val’s Pet Supplies, Clawson, Troy
With a loyal following, Val’s Pet Supplies II (and its other location in Troy), owned by Val Robbin, has served its human and creature customers for 25 years by offering a great selection of all things needed for the health and welfare of its clientele. With an interest in helping the local economy, the store’s stock includes products of Michigan companies and distributors.
Val’s Pet Supplies II, 4 S. Rochester Rd., Clawson, 248.588.2177; Val’s Pet Supplies, 6975 Livernois Rd., Troy, 248.813.8961

NATIONAL CHAIN

Pet Supplies “Plus,” various locations
With more than 10,000 different items available in each store, pet owners (or wannabe owners – adoptions are available in the store coordinated with animal-rescue programs) have a one-stop place to shop for their fish, bird, reptile, cat, dog or small animal, such as gerbil or hamster. This Michigan-based company offers a place to find accessories for pets at an affordable price.
www.petsuppliesplus.com