Everybody shops, and here at Revue, we shop local.
From clothes to gifts to books, antiques, flowers and more, West Michigan has it all, and voters have some recurring favorites. For instance, Lost & Found Treasures of Old and New remains the favorite for Antiques; Schuler continues to win the Bookstore category; and Rebel is still the Gift Shop of choice.
Of course, we saw changeups as well! Bill & Paul’s jumped into first place for both Athletic Goods; Kingma’s beat out Bridge Street Market for Grocery Store this year; and Mitten Floral took home top Florist.
This year, we also introduced a new category, Best New Store/Business. First place is Black Dog Books & Records, specializing in used books and records but with a fascinating list of things they do and don’t buy, with an emphasis on radical, alternative and progressive media. Then we have finalist Della Soul Records, also selling vinyl alongside unique gifts, “bringing the community a place to celebrate music, culture, Blackness, vinyl, light, love, and energy.” The other finalist being 2RST (pronounced tourist), a clothing shop “where life becomes an endless adventure.
It’s also exciting to have cannabis and CBD categories in Best of the West now, especially as the industry shifts and more fully local spots begin to open. Pharmhouse Wellness, owned and funded entirely by former caretaker Casey Kornoelje, continues to impress.
Some things change, and some things stay the same, but everybody shops!
*Each category lists the winner with two finalists listed alphabetically below.
Antique Shop
Lost & Found Treasures of Old and New
facebook.com/lostandfoundtreasuresofoldandnew
Elevated Grand Rapids
Warehouse One
Athletic Goods Store
Bill and Paul’s
billandpauls.com
Dunham’s Sports
Gazelle Sports
Bicycle Shop
Grand Rapids Bicycle Co.
grandrapidsbicycles.com
Freewheeler Bike Shop
Switchback Gear Exchange
Book Store
Schuler Books
schulerbooks.com
Argos Book Shop
Books & Mortar
Bridal Boutique
Magnolia Bridal (TIE)
magnolia-bridal.com
Renee Austin Wedding (TIE)
reneeaustinwedding.com
Bridal Elegance
Butcher
Sobie Meats
sobiemeats.com
E.A. Brady’s
Louise Earl Butcher
Cannabis
Pharmhouse Wellness
pharmhousewellness.com
Ascend
NOXX
CBD Retailer
House of Dank
shophod.com
CBD Store of Michigan
Pharmhouse Wellness
Comic Book Store
Vault of Midnight
vaultofmidnight.com
Argos Book Shop
Tardy’s Collector’s Corner
Florist
Mitten Floral
mittenfloral.com
Hyssop Floral
Stems Market
Gift Shop
Rebel
rebelgr.com
Agate & Herb
Black Cat Bodega
Grocery Store
Kingma’s Market
kingmasmarket.com
Bridge St. Market
Martha’s Vineyard
Health Food Store
Harvest Health
harvesthealthfoods.com
Health Hutt
Sawall Health Foods
Hiking/Outdoor Gear
Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus
billandpauls.com
Earth’s Edge
Switchback Gear Exchange
Men’s Clothing
Fitzgerald’s Mens Store
fitzs.com
A.K. Rikk’s
Everywear
New Store/Business
Black Dog Books & Records
blackdoggr.square.site
2RST
Della Soul Records
Pet Store
Chow Hound
chowhoundpetsupplies.com
Fido & Stitch
Your Pets Naturally
Shopping District/Destination
Eastown
uptowngr.com
Downtown Rockford
Wealthy Street
Thrift/Consignment Shop
New 2 You
new2youshop.org
Otono
Rock Paper Scissors
Women’s Clothing
Lee & Birch
leeandbirch.com
Basic Bee Boutique
Covet Leisure
STAFF PICKS
Beer/Wine/Liquor Store: More or Less
Drinking doesn’t always have to include alcohol, which is why I love More or Less, Grand Rapids’ only NA liquor store. This locally owned shop sells your favorite cocktail ingredients–as well as spirits, wine, beer, and ready-to-drink beverages–without the buzz. As the sober-curious lifestyle continues to trend, More or Less is here to restock all your bar cart needs–sans alcohol, of course. — Michaela Stock
Thrift/Consignment: Ditto Upscale Resale
This shop in Holland is a treasure chest of furniture, clothing, and accessories. Shopping at Ditto isn’t your usual second-hand shopping experience; from well organized store displays to racks of gently used clothing, Ditto intersects thrift and consignment. They constantly refresh their items too, making it the perfect stop to add on your regular route of errands (you know, errands…getting coffee and going thrifting). — Michaela Stock