The Art of Eclectic Curation

How northern Michigan boutiques build the perfect collection

By Abby McKiernan | April 5, 2025

Boutiques across northern Michigan have mastered the art of curation, carefully selecting an ever-evolving mix of goods that cater to their communities while reflecting a unique vision. From handcrafted ceramics and locally sourced skincare to pantry staples and one-of-a-kind home décor, these shops seem to effortlessly blend creativity with commerce.

We spoke with three boutique owners about how they build their collections, the trends they’re seeing for 2025, and the local artisans they love to highlight.

Poppy Things of Suttons Bay

Owner Chelsey Skowronski

Known For: Thoughtful gifts, home goods, and an ever-growing children’s section

Local Brand Highlights: Since opening in 2020, Poppy Things has become a destination for customers looking for unique gifts and home items. Skowronski thrives on keeping her shop dynamic. “I love to keep my customers on their toes by changing it up often. This year, we have remodeled half the store, literally.”

Among her favorite local brands is Circles and Cycles, a toxin-free skincare line by Isa Scott that uses homegrown and locally sourced ingredients. Another staple is Farmhouse Candle Co., a Lake Leelanau-based brand producing all-natural soy wax candles in a variety of scents. “They are simple, affordable, and smell incredible. I am consistently reordering from her.”

How She Curates: Skowronski prioritizes women-owned, fair trade, and local brands. “I don’t carry anything that I don’t know where it came from or how it was made. We really want to stand behind our products and feel good about what we sell.”

With a background in fashion and color theory, Skowronski also curates through the lens of her customers. “You have to be dialed into exactly who your customer is,” she says, and always be on the hunt for items that are “functional and practical but bring a sense of delight and small sparks of joy.”

2025 Trends: Skowronski has noticed a growing demand for embroidered details—on notebooks, sweaters, and homegoods. Another category on the rise? Party décor for kids’ birthdays. “The items are SO fun to buy, and I can’t wait for my customers to see what is coming in!”

Seasonal Must-Haves: Maileg mice and swaddles for newborns; colorful temporary tattoos and craft kits for older kids; and small-batch pottery and beautifully packaged candles.

Lynn & Perin Mercantile Co. of Frankfort

Owner Victoria Mekas

Known For: Pantry staples, kitchen goods, and local gourmet products

Local Brand Highlight: For nearly a decade, Lynn & Perin has been a must-visit for food lovers and gift seekers alike. Mekas takes an interactive approach to curating products, always listening to her customers. “When a customer comes in and says, ‘We wish you had fill-in-the-blank,’ we go out and try to find it. We have an entire book of customer requests that we consistently go through.”

A standout local product for her is Brixstone Farms’ maple syrup, produced in Bear Lake. “The owner, Keaton Foster, cares deeply about his product, his vendors, and his customers. The whole place is just beautiful and quintessentially northern Michigan.”

How She Curates: Mekas’s product mix is about 40 percent Michigan-made and 60 percent from small makers across the country that she finds through markets, trade shows, and just shopping in different areas for unique products.

Lynn & Perin also has an unexpected shopping element: a basement filled with antiques dating back to the 1950s. Mekas purchased the building in 2017, and with it came a treasure trove of forgotten artifacts, including a secret room stocked with 80-to-100-year-old paper NYE party supplies, painted clown decorations, and vintage Italian shoes. “There’s so much history in this space, and I love that we get to share it with people who appreciate it.”

2025 Trends: Mekas is leaning into themed product baskets, especially “Jelly Totes” filled with different treats and products for travellers and locals alike. Baskets vary based on the theme, carrying anything from locally made soaps, lip balms, and beach essentials, to different types of jams and foods. Customers are gravitating toward unique gift sets for friends and family, making these curated baskets a hot item for the year ahead.

Seasonal Must-Haves: Grand Traverse Sauce Co.’s veteran-owned hot sauce; Lynn & Perin Traditional Dark Balsamic; and Cellar Door Soap from Canton, Michigan.

Flora Bae Home of Petoskey

Owner Natalie Bae Lauzon

Known For: Boho-chic home goods, botanical beauty, and artisan-crafted décor

Local Brand Highlight: Flora Bae Home is all about bringing artistry and intentionality into everyday living. Lauzon describes her store as a lifestyle experience rather than a traditional boutique. “I focus more on having an ever-evolving boutique whose mission is to inspire creativity, bring community together, and offer a beautiful experience,” she says.

Among her local favorites is Reseed Ceramics, a husband-and-wife duo from Eaton Rapids creating Michigan-inspired, small-batch pottery.

How She Curates: Lauzon is often the only U.S. stockist for certain artists, carefully selecting pieces from around the world. “Traveling the world has always been a passion of mine. My hope is to weave a ‘tapestry’ at Flora Bae Home of artists and small business owners that introduces their stories and craft to a larger audience.”

She also prioritizes women-owned businesses—85 percent of Flora Bae Home’s 100+ brands fit that category. “Being an artist myself, and growing up around my grandmother who was a sculptor, painter, seamstress, Hungarian, foul-mouthed, renaissance woman,” Lauzon feels that her exposure to art and culture has “allowed me to nurture a love of unique artisans and styles.”

2025 Trends: Consumers are seeking out items with deeper meaning. “I believe people are being a lot more intentional about their spending and purchases. I’m seeing more appreciation for handmade items that tell a story or create nostalgia,” Lauzon tells us.

Seasonal Must-Haves: Trovelore’s nature-inspired embroidered brooches; Market of Stars’ whimsical scarves; and hand-woven totes from Chiapas, Mexico.