‘Tis the season of giving, but English Gardens, with six locations in the southeastern portion of the state, donates year-round. With goals of helping out local causes and organizations, John Darin, President of English Gardens, explains why giving back is…
Michigan Retailers Association awards prize in #buynearbymi photo contest. Robin DeHaan’s trip to Grand Rapids over Buy Nearby Weekend won her a $500 gift card from the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) for buying nearby. DeHaan visited Mokaya, an artisan chocolate…
When you walk into The Cheese Lady, owned and operated by Heather Zinn, in the Midtown neighborhood of Grand Rapids, you’ll feel welcome as soon as you walk through the door. With the eight location opening soon, The Cheese Lady’s…
If Michigan consumers changed just one in 10 of their out-of-state purchases to a Michigan store, our economy would get a $1.9 billion boost and add nearly 14,000 jobs. With 122,000 stores, Michigan’s retail industry employs about 758,000 workers and…
Shop local, enter photo contest, get deals at participating retailers Many businesses, including Michigan Retailers Association members, across the state will celebrate Buy Nearby Weekend on Oct. 1-3, offering special merchandise or sales and the chance for one lucky shopper…
Located in downtown Charlevoix, thistle wants to make every woman feel beautiful no matter what they are wearing. Deidre Weller's Vision Deidre Weller’s love for fashion took a backseat as she worked as a public accountant and then in healthcare…
Listen to MLive's Eric Hultgren speak with Rachel Lutz, owner of The Peacock Room, Frida and Yama, women's clothing stores and boutiques located in Detroit. Eric and Rachel talk pandemic, the differences between her stores' aesthetics, and how to prepare…
Wilda and Ken Hopper opened Bird’s Eye Outfitters in 2016 to inspire others to get active, eat healthy, and have a good time doing it. Wilda Hopper grew up in Fort Myers, Florida and found herself making a long trip…
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,…
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…