SHOP LOCAL

You can add something old to your home to make it feel like new.

Some of our best ideas come when we are on vacation and that is the story behind this local business that is bringing island vibes to the D.

A local business in Detroit is working to make health and wellbeing more accessible.

A boutique in Milford is mixing up the shopping experience.

Learn how she turned her passion for baking into an award-winning business.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and you might be looking for something special to show mom how much she’s loved. An artist in Ferndale is providing an option with her unique handcrafted gifts.

Earth Day is coming up this Friday, and one of the best ways to take care of our planet is to reduce, reuse, and recycle. So why not apply that idea to your wardrobe! We introduce you to Margaux and Max, an upscale resale boutique in downtown Ferndale that is shaking up the shopping experience.

Are you ready to celebrate your city? This Sunday is “National All Things Detroit Day” where you can shop local to support Detroit businesses and buy items to show off your Detroit pride.

As March comes to a close, so does National Reading Month, a time where we encourage young people to read more, keep them engaged and make reading fun. But how do you keep this going all year long? Tati Amare spoke with Jennifer Kendall from Coreander’s Children’s Bookshoppe in Grosse Pointe to give us her expert advice on how to keep the kiddos interested in reading.

There's a shop in Ferndale that's helping people fill their homes with fun items.

Since the pandemic started, Ann Arbor DDA has supported businesses in the area with several initiatives.

Your last chance to shop this year at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market is Wednesday.

It’s an ideal time to provide support -- to our community and to those who may face challenges in their everyday lives.

One gift idea that is unique and fun to the kids, and perhaps even some adults: vintage toys.

We’re in the thick of holiday preparations now, which can be such a magical time.

Many independent small businesses are still struggling to recover from the pandemic. Here's how shoppers can support them this holiday season.

While the Friday after Thanksgiving is, for most, dedicated to shopping, the following Saturday is devoted to shopping local.

Drop in to the Ann Arbor Art Center for a free magnet-making workshop on Black Friday.

Mark your calendar for four artist markets coming to Ann Arbor this season.

The holiday shopping season is here and billions will be spent this year on gifts. If you’re someone who likes to find that unique item to wrap up in a bow, and someone who likes to shop local, we have something that can help. “Buy Michigan Now” has released its 15th annual holiday gift guide.

Let us know below which Ann Arbor area cider mill is the crème de la crème, or in this case the sweetest of seasonal cider suppliers.

There’s a new neighborhood grocery store in Detroit, and it’s causing quite a buzz.

Trick-or-Treating returns to downtown Ann Arbor this year.

Browse art on residents' porches, in garages and tents during the fall art walk.

Bivouac will be holding a daylong raffle on Oct. 9 to celebrate 50 years in business.

Roeda Studio will be closing its downtown location at the end of the year.

A new bookstore will be opening in the old Bookbound space.

Here are some Ann Arbor area artists to look for at this year's Ann Arbor Art Fair.

See what will be on sale this week at Ann Arbor Art Fair.

While known across the United States for the massive crowds and talented artists it brings to Tree Town, the annual fair is also known for its wacky weather.

Here’s a rundown of some areas to explore in Ann Arbor.

Here’s a rundown of some areas to explore in Ann Arbor.

A whimsical new candy and soda shop will be opening its doors soon in downtown Ann Arbor.

Everything you need to know about the 2021 Ann Arbor Art Fair.

This year, the nationally-known art fair has been reduced to three days from July 15-17 instead of its traditional four.

The directors of the three fairs that comprise Ann Arbor Art Fair announced the event is on for July.

Bookbound Bookstore will close its doors this summer after nearly eight years on Ann Arbor's northside.

Organizers of Ann Arbor's Westside Art Hop hope to make a return in June with an outdoor event.

David Lin had to close two of his Ann Arbor businesses during the pandemic. He's hoping a new crowdfunding effort will bring back small businesses across the U.S.

ANN ARBOR – Here’s a ranking that doesn’t surprise us. TravelMag recently released its 30 Most Charming Small Cities in the USA list and Ann Arbor appears along other famed small cities -- and college towns -- like Annapolis, Maryland, Charleston, South Carolina and Bloomington, Indiana. “Home to the University of Michigan, it has long been a seat of higher education, forward-thinking, technology and progressive ideas,” wrote TravelMag. “You can see echoes of these elements everywhere, including at the numerous annual events held in the city, including expos, airshows, and the annual film festival that has been running for decades. “In the city’s lively dining scene, this same balance of tradition and modernity is reflected by Ann Arbor mainstays such as Zingerman’s Deli, right through to the trendy international cuisine from across five continents.”AdWith the award-winning Ann Arbor District Library, 161 beautiful public parks and educational and cultural events abound, it certainly is a wonderful place to live.

ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan’s Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners is celebrating 25 years with a virtual gallery due to the ongoing health crisis. The annual Prison Creative Arts Project at U-M is now one of the largest exhibitions by imprisoned artists in the world. (University of Michigan - Prison Created Arts Project)Krinitsky said the organization has wanted to expand to a larger audience for some time. (University of Michigan - Prison Created Arts Project)“It was an extraordinary year, although it was some time ago that we visited,” Hamilton said in a release. “Many PCAP artists rely on sales revenue to purchase art supplies as well as things they need for daily living.

ANN ARBOR – The Guild of Artists & Artisans will be launching its newest all media exhibition, “ANYTHING GOES,” in the Gutman Gallery on Friday. Throughout the open house-style reception, Guild staff will appear on the live feed to discuss the exhibition and to give virtual viewers a tour of the gallery. "Chryslais" by Robin Speth. For more information about the exhibition, upcoming events, scheduling curbside pickup or to shop virtually with gallery staff, visit www.shopgutmangallery.com. AdThe Gutman Gallery is at 118 N. Fourth Ave.

ANN ARBOR – BYOC Co. will be opening its doors soon at Liberty Square at 255 E. Liberty Street downtown. Hess offers a variety of personal care and household cleaning products that she will fill customers’ containers with. “I want people to feel confident in the things they’re buying.”Emma Hess sells her all-natural products at one of her pop-ups. All of her sustainable products are natural and are hand-selected based on the needs and preferences of her customers. BYOC Co. is here to help with whatever small steps that people can take to make their lifestyles more sustainable.

ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Statewide CSA Network will be hosting an upcoming virtual CSA fair featuring Michigan farms on Feb. 26. A Community Supported Agriculture share is a subscription program to a local farm in which you pay a farmer upfront for a regular delivery or pickup of their harvest. The CSA fair will consist of two drop-in Zoom sessions: one at “lunch hour” from noon to 1 p.m. and a “happy hour” session from 5-6 p.m. Regional breakout rooms will be available so you can learn more about which farms offer shares in your area. Here are the Ann Arbor area farms offering CSAs this year:Interested in participating in the fair?

Co-owner of 24th CC, Sean Brezzell, recently collaborated with Five Shores Brewing and beer blogger Siren of Stout to craft a pastry stout as part of its “Support Black Businesses Beer Series.” The February beer is the first in the series, which coincides with Black History Month. Read: Family-run 24th CC fills cheesecake void in Ann Arbor food sceneSiren of Stout’s Barb Baker and Five Shores brewmaster Oliver Roberts developed the beer recipe that features 24th CC’s sweet potato pies. Ad24th Cheesecakerie's sweet potato pies go into the mash to create a pastry stout with Five Shores Brewing and Siren of Stout. (Barb Baker)“The 24th Cheesecakerie is a third generation business and they make stellar cakes and pies,” Baker wrote A4 via email. The limited edition beer will be released on Feb. 26 and can be purchased on the Five Shores Brewing website with pick up options in Royal Oak and at Cultivate in Ypsilanti.

Local 4 knows there was plenty of time in 2020 for spur-of-the-moment purging and cleaning. With the hope of warmer weather on the way, these Metro Detroit resale shops are perfect for your 2021 spring tidying endeavors. Plus, don’t forget to take a look at the top children’s resale picks! Our Sponsor — We’d like to thank Wallside Windows for their longtime sponsorship of Vote 4 the Best and their support of southeast Michigan’s local businesses. Wallside is a Taylor, MI-based family business that manufactures and installs custom replacement windows, now in their third generation.

ANN ARBOR – For the third year running, the Main Street Area Association is honoring an individual who is central to its mission and the vitality of the downtown area. This year’s recipient of the organization’s Dennis Serras Award is Lauren Kosowski, an IT professional who has become a passionate advocate for and supporter of the Main Street area. “This year we nominated Lauren Kosowski for the award, someone whose job has nothing to do with downtown,” MSAA executive director Sandra Andrade said in a statement. AdLauren Kosowski is the recipient of the 2020 Dennis Serras Award. It’s people like you, with that love, that will help our businesses survive.”MSAA’s first two awardees were Lucy Ann Lance and A4′s Meredith Bruckner.

ANN ARBOR – Throughout the month of January, visits to local restaurants for outdoor dining or curbside pick up can earn you a chance to win prizes. How it works:Download the getDowntown Commute Central app from the App Store or Google Play, or sign up via getDowntown’s website. Win badges and prizes based on participationUsers who earn 40 points a week will automatically be entered to win a $50 gift card. The challenge is sponsored by ShowYourLoveA2, an initiative by the downtown area associations to bolster support for local restaurants and shops. Shopping at local businesses can also earn you points and prizes.

You can do it by supporting a local business and visiting one of the best landmarks in Detroit, Eastern Market. Vintage Detroit in Eastern Market has unique, fun items from 26 local vendors and artists that will help curate your space. He is a former veteran with a passion for vintage items and home design. He joined Tati Amare live from his store and showed off quick suggestions and how to refresh your space with vintage items. Check out the video below for décor ideas that will elevate your mood and create fun nostalgia in your home.

ANN ARBOR – Downtown area associations have joined an annual campaign to encourage visitors to continue shopping and dining in the city throughout the month of January. Typically a slow time of year for business, the pandemic has only exacerbated the lack of customers at local establishments. The Main Street Area Association, State Street District, Kerrytown District Association, and South University Area Association have partnered with the getDowntown Program for “Conquer the Cold - Pandemic Edition.”The annual challenge by getDowntown -- in partnership with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide), the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and the City of Ann Arbor -- is designed to encourage and educate commuters to use alternative modes of transportation during the cold winter months. Many restaurants will be participating in the Comfort Food Challenge, and users can get prizes for dining outdoors, ordering curbside and shopping downtown. “The Downtown Districts are excited to be partnering with GetDowntown for Conquer the Cold this year,” Sandra Andrade, executive director of the Main Street Area Association said in a statement.

Local 4 wants to help you shop and support local businesses when they need it most! Not only can you support favorite local businesses, you can get your fill of comfort food carryout for these cold, snowy months at home. Backed up by the support of local voters in Vote 4 the Best, here’s where to get that warm, comforting bowl you crave during winter:Winners in ‘Chili’ categoryIf you’re looking for soup, our 2019 voters said that Polish Village Cafe and Apple Annie’s both serve a mean bowl! Our Sponsor -- We’d like to thank Wallside Windows for their longtime sponsorship of Vote 4 the Best and their support of southeast Michigan’s local businesses. Wallside is a Taylor, MI-based family business that manufactures and installs custom replacement windows, now in their third generation.

Thousands of small businesses are probably gone for good because of the failure of the federal government to act quickly enough. To avoid catastrophic failure across large swaths of our small business economy, we need to quickly get a large number of small sums to a substantial portion of the 50 million small businesses and freelancers across America. If you include the 24.8 million businesses that are sole proprietorships, 98% of U.S. businesses employ fewer than 20 people. Don't make the mistake of thinking that because a business is small or a solo business, it isn't valuable or an economic driver. Drilling down on small business demographicsHere's another misunderstanding: America's small business owners aren't white males anymore.