Catching Fireflies
April McCrumb built her business, Catching Fireflies, through gradual progress and teamwork. Starting with their space in Berkley, Michigan, they’ve built a number of vibrant and colorful gift galleries. Over time, the business expanded to other locations, including Ann Arbor and Rochester, evolving with each move. Despite growth, and an addition of a sister store in Berkley, Yellow Door Art Market, they remain dedicated to providing unique items, always striving to enhance the customer experience. From jewelry and kitchen towels, to aromatherapy shower blasts, there’s something for everyone at Catching Fireflies!
Paper Trail Books
Book lovers Dave Brown and his brother Scott operate this eclectic book store full of literary treasures for every type of reader. From collectible hardcovers, to inexpensive paperbacks, there’s something for everyone. You can also bring in your pre-owned books for a store credit to put towards items in the store. Situated in downtown Royal Oak, this bookstore also carries magazines, board games, and comic books.
K. Carroll Accessories
In the heart of Auburn Hills lies K.Carroll Accessories, a boutique founded and helmed by Kelly Burgin. With a focus on authenticity, versatility, and affordability, K.Carroll Accessories offers stunning handbags and other accessories crafted from the highest quality vegan leather. What began in Kelly’s garage in 2002 has evolved into a certified, women-owned business operating out of a 6,500 square foot warehouse, and has even been included in Oprah’s Favorite Things list multiple times!
Birmingham Pub
If you’re looking for a gastropub experience in a fun atmosphere, head to Birmingham Pub. Offering craft cocktails like Pretty in Pink and others made with fresh squeezed juices, along with from-scratch dishes like pierogi and Grey Goose shrimp penne, the pub in downtown Birmingham is a popular destination for lunch, dinner and weekend brunches. Blendi Suvaria, general manager of Birmingham Pub, described a diverse brunch menu that includes everything from lemon ricotta pancakes to omelets and a healthy acai bowl. As it gets warmer, the upstairs bar windows will open up to add to the celebratory atmosphere. Online reservations are available through Open Table.
Batter Up
Lizabeth Hanks is a MIchigan State student studying computer science who also likes to bake. She’s experimented over the years and researched recipes, and last year she founded Batter Up, a home-based baking business in Farmington. She likes making decorated sugar cookies the best, but she can do cakes and cupcakes for special events, and is even planning to make a wedding cake and cupcakes this August. Contact Liz via phone or Instagram to discuss baked goods for a special occasion or just for fun.
Uma’s Market & Cafe
Melissa Lavender opened Uma’s Market & Cafe in downtown Mount Clemens as a way to offer something the area was lacking – a place to get affordable yet healthy to-go items like sandwiches, soups, salads, fruit and more. Named for her bulldog pug, Uma, the cafe is open for a late breakfast, lunch or early dinner. There are a couple tables for seating, or you can grab and go. Stop in and try one of Uma’s unique Red Bull mocktails.
Champagne Chocolates
John Merideth, Jessica Cory and Trip Dixon are the new co-owners of Champagne Chocolates in downtown Mount Clemens. The shop provides a wealth of chocolates for gifts, corporate events, showers and weddings, and more. All the products are made onsite, including the popular truffles and toffee, as well as seasonal items like Easter bunnies and eggs for the upcoming holiday. The trio plans to expand the brand to be offered in boutiques, markets and grocery stores in the near future.
Sundance Shoes
If the shoe fits, share it. Since 1973, Rob Wolk has been styling women with fashion-forward shoes since his first Sundance Shoes location in Northland Mall. In 1985, Sundance Shoes moved to West Bloomfield where his daughter, Katie, started hanging out and waiting on customers at age 3. The father-daughter duo are now business partners and, after 32 years in West Bloomfield, they moved their Sundance Shoes location to downtown Birmingham. Chic women can count on Sundance Shoes for the latest trends in shoes, clothing, handbags and accessories for casual through formal and day-to-night. As Katie Ray Johnston says, “Sundance Shoes is a store for shoe lovers, boho babes, rocker gals and everything in between.”
Culantro Peruvian Eatery
Betty Shuell and Alvaro Herrera are co-owners of Culantro, a Peruvian restaurant in downtown Ferndale. The mother-son team spoke about their passion for Peruvian cuisine and their desire to make every meal a celebrati on. Culantro offers a range of traditional dishes like ceviche (served with a little less heat than it would have in Peru), pollo a la brasa, empanadas and more. And don’t forget dessert. Among the choices are a light and fluffy passion fruit mousse and flan, a creamy custard dessert. Shuell would also love for people to check out Culantro’s new location on Main Street in Ann Arbor, which opened just two months ago.
DeeDee’s Fine Vintage
As a career criminologist, Amanda Burgess-Proctor, Ph.D., has put her sleuthing expertise to work as the owner and founder of Dee Dee’s Fine Vintage in Clawson. Burgess-Proctor searches the country for unique and precious antiques including beautiful furniture which she and her team refinishes and restores to their original condition. Dee Dee’s was named the 2023 Best of Detroit winner for Furniture and Home Goods Resale. One-of-a-kind pieces range from the 1860s through more recent vintage furniture from the ‘60s and ‘70s. In addition, Dee Dee’s upholsters all of their textiles which are handmade inside their historic 1923 bungalow storefront. Dee Dee’s Fine Vintage also carries décor items, accessories, candles, jewelry and other small gifts which are made locally by women-owned businesses. Check the website for DIY furniture refinishing classes.
deedeesfinevintage.com
facebook.com/deedeesfinevintage
instagram.com/deedeesfinevintage
Grape Leaves
Mike Chalhoub has been in the restaurant since he was very young, and for the last 20 years, he’s run Grape Leaves, a full-service Mediterranean restaurant in Troy. The eatery, located on Maple and Coolidge, features classics like deboned chicken, shish kabob, vegetarian and lamb grape leaves, vegetarian classics like mujadara, raw juices and more. You can order online or dine in, and Grape Leaves will also happily cater your next event.
Debone Grill
Morgan Hammoud, owner of Debone Grill in Farmington, enjoys cooking Mediterranean food the way his grandmother used to. He uses traditional family recipes to make the eatery’s shawarma, hommus, fattoush and more. Stop in for a taste of what you would get on a street corner in the Middle East, with nothing added or subtracted. There are also plenty of raw juices and smoothies, including Hammoud’s signature forever young smoothie. Debone offers carryout, dine-in, online ordering and catering options for your convenience.
Modern Natural Baby
What started as an online-only retailer for cloth diapers when their first son was born is now Michigan’s largest baby store. And while Emily and John Murray no longer sell cloth diapers, their Modern Natural Baby store in downtown Ferndale has everything you could possibly need for infants through age 5. Customers can use a personalized checklist for setting up the nursery as well as a baby registry and gift wrapping services. Modern Natural Baby carries everything from cribs, gliders, strollers and nursery décor to toys, clothing, car seats, books and the largest selection of Jellycats. With safety as the #1 priority for Modern Natural Baby, any car seat purchased through the store will be installed by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. And sports fans, Modern Natural Baby even carries Detroit Lions swag for the whole family. www.modernnaturalbaby.com.
Kitchen Creations
Just before the pandemic hit, Missy LaRussa took over Kitchen Creations as the longtime baking supplies company’s third woman owner. The niche business now benefits from a remodeled store, online purchase options and more. Stop by Kitchen Creations for custom cake toppers made in-store, premade edible flowers and other decorations, chocolate molds, premade icings, customized edible images and more. Sign up for the Feb. 10 make -n- take brownie event for Valentine’s Day.
Rochester Mills Beer Co
Located in the historic Western Knitting Mill in downtown Rochester, Rochester Mills Beer Co. is not only a fixture in Rochester, but is the largest beer-producing brew pub in the state. Director of Marketing Jon Lapolla told us about the pub’s ten house brews, plus seasonal offerings. Rochester Mills also offers a full bar and a wide range of food, including goulash, jambalaya, salads, sandwiches, pizza and more. Seating up to 400 people, the brew pub offers plenty of musical entertainment. Lapolla invites you to stop by and enjoy a seat on the patio when the weather warms up, or book your next party at the Lazy Daze Lounge inside the brew pub.
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