Podcast: Summer travel in Michigan
Hear from Ken and Wilda Hopper, owners of Bird's Eye Outfitters in Sault Ste. Marie, as they discuss the past year and what travel will look like in Michigan this summer. MLive's Eric Hultgren hosts.
Podcast: Navigating COVID-19 a year later
Hear from Jennifer Rook, MRA's VP of Communications and Marketing, Becky Beauchine Kulka, owner of Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds & Fine Jewelry in Okemos and MLive's Eric Hultgren as they discuss the high and lows of the past 14 months,…
In Her Own Words: Ball Park Floral & Gifts Owner Jennifer Stehouwer
The corner of Fulton St. W. and Valley Ave. N.W. has been the home of Ball Park Floral & Gifts in Grand Rapids for over a century. Always locally owned and operated, Ball Park Floral & Gifts opened its doors…
In Her Own Words: Molly Mast-Koss of Ann Arbor’s Mast Shoes
Mast Shoes was founded in 1942 on Main Street in Ann Arbor by Walter and Helen Mast. As the customer base grew, Walter and Helen opened two new locations and bore two sons, Tom and Greg. After Walter and Helen passed…
In her own words: Jennifer Reattoir of Sault Ste. Marie’s Mole Hole
In 1979, Jennifer Reattoir’s grandparents finished construction of a building in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Immediately after, her parents opened The Mole Hole, a store stocked with collectibles, unique gifts, apparel and décor. Thirty-one years later, Jennifer and her husband…
In her own words: Mary Cambruzzi of Ann Arbor’s FOUND
“We’re navigating through it.” Those were the first words from Mary Cambruzzi after we hadn’t spoken in a few months – unprecedented months for retail in Michigan. FOUND was set to be the April Retailer magazine’s “In Her Own Words”…
Sault Ste. Marie native wins $500 gift card on Buy Nearby Weekend
Michigan Retailers Association awards prize in #buynearbymi photo contest. Terri Joe Linacre’s downtown trip to the Sault Ste. Marie over Buy Nearby Weekend won her a $500 gift card from the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) for buying nearby. She started…
Michigan Retailers Association’s Annual Buy Nearby Weekend is Oct. 2-4
Shoppers encouraged to enter photo contest, get deals at participating retailers Retail businesses across the state will celebrate Buy Nearby Weekend on Oct. 2-4, offering special merchandise or sales and the chance for one lucky shopper to win a $500…
Be part of our #MIRetailSpotlight
Become a #MIRetailSpotlight where we feature your stores and your stories all while encouraging shoppers to keep their money local and Buy Nearby. The application process is simple: complete the information at this link and send a quality photo to MRA's Rachel…
In their own words: Hastings Ace Hardware
When you think of a family- and community-focused business, Hastings Ace Hardware would vie for top honors. Parents of current owner, Jerry Bolthouse, can prove it. Gerald and Anna Bolthouse had 13 children, 37 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren. The business…