Buy Here, Not There

Your guide to skipping the shipping and shopping local

By Abby McKiernan | Jan. 18, 2025

In an age where everything can be bought with a single click, it’s easy to default to online shopping. But our region is packed with incredible local retailers offering unique products, personalized services, and a chance to bolster your community.

Next time you’re tempted to click “Add to Cart,” consider the stories behind the products and the people offering them. For this Celebrate Local issue, we’re showcasing some great alternatives to online shopping.

Local businesses don’t just sell goods; they build community, support families, and keep our towns vibrant. It’s easier than you’d think to skip the enormous e-commerce sites and explore some of these local gems that support your neighbors. So let’s dive into specific items you might normally buy online and find out where you can shop locally instead. (And be certain: This list is by no means exhaustive and there are even more options in northern Michigan to explore!)

Pet Supplies

Instead of shopping at Chewy or Amazon, consider supporting these local pet supply stores:

Pets Naturally (Traverse City): Northern Michigan’s only holistic pet food store, offering a wide selection of natural pet foods, toys, and holistic care products. Their commitment to carrying 100 percent safe products made in the USA and Canada ensures your pets receive the best.

Pet Pantry (Harbor Springs): A charming pet shop with high-quality food and accessories for dogs, cats, and wild birds. Their focus on natural and raw pet foods addresses common health issues, and their dog bakery provides delightful treats!

Contigo Dogs (Traverse City): A boutique for your canine companions, featuring handcrafted collars, leashes, and unique gifts for dog lovers. Founded in May 2020, they bridge the gap between quality dog gear and affordable, handmade products.

River Street Dog (Elk Rapids): A local favorite for pet owners, offering a variety of pet supplies and accessories. Their personalized service and community involvement make them a standout choice.

Home Goods & Décor

Who needs a big-box stores when you have these local treasures:

Quiet Moose Home (Petoskey): Specializing in luxury home furnishings and décor, this store curates a collection that’s both elegant and cozy. Their interior design services help transform houses into personalized sanctuaries.

Redeemed (Manistee): A mix of upcycled and new items, offering unique finds and a sustainable approach to shopping. Bonus: Repurposed and upcycled materials give each piece a story and character.

Old Spud Warehouse (Gaylord): From furniture to quirky knick-knacks, this eclectic shop has something for everyone. An ever-changing inventory ensures a new discovery with every visit.

Bayside Gallery (Suttons Bay): Specializing in artisan-crafted décor and art, ideal for those looking to add character to their home. Showcasing local artists brings a unique touch to their offerings, but be prepared—you may find yourself roaming for hours here with so much to look at!

Kitchen & Cooking Essentials

For cookware, gadgets, and specialty foods, head to:

Peppercorn (Traverse City): A culinary haven filled with everything from high-quality knives to gourmet ingredients. Their knowledgeable staff can guide you to the perfect tools for your kitchen adventures, including gadgets sure to up your cooking game.

Mary’s Kitchen Port (Traverse City): Known for their beautiful and unique selection of kitchen tools and an unbeatable deli counter for takeout treats. Pro tip: Grab a turkey gobbler sandwich for one of the best fast lunches in town and thank us later!

The Ideal Kitchen (Manistee): A go-to spot for everything a home chef needs, including advice from friendly staff. Offering a unique twist, this gem also offers a wide variety of workshops and cooking classes, making it a hub for locals looking to take their culinary skills to the next level.

The Front Porch (Suttons Bay): A cozy store offering kitchenware and home items that are sure to inspire your next gathering with friends. Their selection of artisanal goods adds a unique touch to any kitchen!

Lynn and Perin Mercantile Co (Frankfort): This one-of-a-kind store has everything from wine to kitchen gadgets, specialty foods, and even an impressive selection of chocolates! If you are looking for a gift for the chef in your life, this store is a must visit to find something they don’t have yet.

Outdoor Enthusiast Equipment

Looking for a new hobby that gets you outside in the beautiful northern Michigan region more this year? Instead of scrolling Google for ideas, find inspiration by wandering these aisles instead:

Latitude 45 (Petoskey): A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, offering high-quality bikes and gear, plus expert advice on staying active. The store hosts community events and workshops to foster a love for the outdoors and will leave you feeling excited to try a new suggestion from their team or product you picked up.

Play It Again Sports (Traverse City): Looking for a deal? Play It Again Sports is perfect for finding gently used sports equipment at a fraction of the cost for both adults and children. Their focus on recycling sports gear makes it both eco- and wallet-friendly choice for athletes and those looking to try out something new without the cost of brand new gear. (P.S. You can also bring in your gently used outdoor and sports equipment to sell!)

City Bike Shop (Traverse City): Beyond just bikes, this shop offers accessories and equipment to fuel the outdoor lifestyle you are craving. Not to mention, their top-notch service department ensures your gear is always in peak condition.

TCH Gear (Grawn): New to the scene, TCH Gear has a wide selection of hunting, fishing, archery, camping, backpacking, and tactical equipment. With no shortage of items to explore, you are sure to find inspiration for your next outdoor hobby here.

Healthy Eating

Prepackaged meals from an online food subscription service are convenient, but these local spots provide the expertise you won’t find in a product review:

Oryana Community Co-op (Traverse City): Organic vitamins, supplements, oodles of healthy food options, and a knowledgeable staff make this a trusted choice for locals. Filled with passionate shoppers and employees ready to answer questions, this is a great store for those just starting on their health journey and seasoned vets alike.

Grain Train Natural Foods Market (Petoskey): A hub for health-conscious shoppers, offering a wide selection of health-conscious offerings. Their dedication to sustainability and local sourcing makes it even more appealing!

Edson Farms Natural Foods (Traverse City): Known for its community-focused approach, hard-to-find products, and commitment to quality, you are sure to find everything you need at Edson Farms.

Mel & Fel (Leelanau County): There are even meal prep services here in our backyard! Mel & Fel has a weekly menu available for delivery in Empire or Glen Arbor, or for pickup at the Lively NeighborFood Market.

And while you’re thinking about food, don’t forget about CSAs, or Community Supported Agriculture, in which local farms pack up boxes of fresh goodies for their patrons.

Books

Books deserve a spotlight of their own! Avid readers will agree, there is nothing quite as comforting as the weight of a book and the smell of a bookstore. Instead of turning to Amazon, support one of these independent bookstores:

Brilliant Books (Traverse City): If you choose to shop for books online because it is more convenient, this store has the perfect solution: A monthly book club where an expert bookseller chooses a book they think you will love and ship it directly to you each month. (Good news, if you don’t like the book, they guarantee their selections!)

Horizon Books (Traverse City and Cadillac): A local institution with a fantastic café, membership perks, and knowledgeable staff. This bookstore is so beloved by the Traverse City community that when they considered closing their doors, the community rallied together to make sure they stayed firmly where they belonged—open and thriving.

McLean & Eakin (Petoskey): Two floors of books, records, games, merch, and more await. The store is also known for its excellent author events and signed editions from authors across the state and beyond.

Leelanau Books (Leland): A picturesque store with a strong sense of place, perfect for browsing on a weekend afternoon as you take a break from the beautiful beaches.

Cottage Book Shop (Glen Arbor): Located in a charming log cabin, this shop offers a delightful range of titles for all ages. (And we must say, the cabin smell only amplifies the experience when mixed with the books.)

Bay Books (Suttons Bay): This store has a small but mighty selection, touting itself as “a little bookstore with a whole lot of literature.” Like many of our local bookshops, this one is a “two-fer” where you can buy local authors and support a local business.

The Bookstore (Frankfort): Tucked among the charming shops of downtown Frankfort, this little spot has a way of making time stop. Check out their unique selections and store layout while you watch locals and visitors walk by, excited for their day.

Hidden Nook Booksellers (Grayling): The name says it all. This indie store celebrated their second year in business last October and keeps a curated collection of hot new titles and literary gems in stock.

Many of these stores also partner with Kobo and Libro.fm for e-books and audiobooks, so you can shop locally even for your digital reads!