I found this hidden treasure while looking for a downtown Grand Rapids bookstore. What I found was…read morean amazing store front for various local small businesses to display their products. If you're in the West Michigan area, and wanting to shop for a special gift, this is a beautiful, unique, and affordable place to browse and find something special.

This is such a cool concept and store. The Arts Marketplace is a nonprofit that exists to support…read moreand further woman and minority owned businesses by providing them subsidized rent to have their goods displayed at the Arts Marketplace store. This is a one stop shop for anyone you could probably think of! I saw tons of fun gifts and products, including clothes, jewelry, accessories, home goods, coffee, Polish pottery, books, tea, cards, art, etc. I love that it gives the opportunity for these small businesses to have a space to sell things even if they don't have their own storefront. I'm not sure how often the vendors rotate, but it's always fun to stop in and check things out. I especially love the Public Thread bags and accessories, the Polish pottery, and all the interesting art. There are signs everywhere letting you know that if you break something, you buy it, so be careful. I have purchased gifts here for myself and others and hope it sticks around for a long time!

Best selection great vibes and honestly the best smelling store in the state! Prices are very…read morereasonable and the staff can't be beat. I love this place!

Great staff, amazing selection of festival wear, and such a cool vibe in the store. Everything I…read morebought is unique and high quality. I finally feel set for the summer music season.

A really great space filled with all sorts of cute gifts, household merchandise, and more! I've…read morealways heard about the shop from friends and coworkers and finally stopped by. I was able to park right outside the entrance, with metered street parking. They have been hosting small businesses to do popups and the day I went was to visit a friend who runs a micro-bakery called Smorris Desserts. It was easy to support a small business who also pours back into other local small businesses and the community. There are so many cute things and also other small artists and creators hosted in the store as well such as Atelier Celeste which is one of my favorite local ceramics artists. I bought a super cute necklace from their jewelry/build your own charm bar near the registers. They had a mix of gold AND SILVER which was really nice since so many places I go to often only sell gold. I also got a cute bag charm for my purse. The prices were honestly really reasonable especially for a small local business. I think if you're able, I would try to get gifts here for friends, parties, etc. The staff is also super great. Lindsay is one of the people who I often see there and they are the coolest, kindest, and most knowledgeable people about the are. They are able to give really great recommendations for things in store and also gave me a local business recommendation for something they didn't carry. Tip: spread out your gift purchases, especially for christmastime, throughout the year! It's easier on your budget to do small things at once and it feels so nice at the end of the year to realize you already did all the hard work!

I came here as a tourist from out of town, found a mass produced book and pulled out my phone to…read morewrite the book name down. The reality was, I couldn't travel with the book because it was too large and heavy to add into my luggage. The person who I ASSUME is the owner came over and immediately raised his voice and started calling me names. Saying I'm being shitty and I shouldn't "do that to a small business." I tried to explain why I was doing what I was doing and he made sure to tell me he didn't care. Not that this person will change how they operate but all he had to do was be like "hey do you mind?" And I would have pulled my head out of my ass and been understanding. However! Raising your voice and approaching anyone in that manner is deeply shitty and clearly an attempt at humiliating me. I'm not here to argue that I was in the right, I was just too busy thinking about myself and how I was bummed I couldn't travel with the book. Anyway can't wait to receive that book from literally anywhere else but this shop

Originally saw a tiktok of this place and knew that I had to check it out!…read more It's a bit down the way on Plainfield but worth the trip. The inside is dark and witchy with really interesting pieces of art and trinkets. It's a good spot for anyone looking for a unique find or gift! Lots of funny items and also useful Some items were marked pretty fairly while others were a bit out of my price range and that's okay. Take a visit here if you're looking for some wonderfully weird things! The lady working behind the counter was also very kind and awesome! Really liked her!

This is one of my favorite spots in GR. A metaphysical shop with all things witchy and wonderful,…read morethey sell everything from tarot cards, to gems, to candles, to perfume, to artwork, etc etc. it smells amazing in here and the staff is knowledgeable and super friendly. Love this place 10/10

Love this concept!…read more Come support the Pack Elephant, a shop filled with local artists that make a variety of items from clothes, edibles, cards, jewelry, etc. Everything is laid out beautifully amongst small display areas that I assume local artists rent out. I fell in love with these pictured earrings, but I'm currently on a budget and resisted the urge to purchase. Way to go will power! Check this place out to gift something special to someone you love, or maybe treat yo'self! I love that the staff slides in the artist business card during check out. It makes you feel connected with whom you bought from. Overall great vibes here.

Pack Elephant is a new store located in the Studio Park plaza downtown. It features gifts and…read moreproducts from local artisans and makers, many are women and minority owned. The space is large, bright, airy, and open, with lots of space for distancing and plenty of local artwork on the walls. My boyfriend and I stopped in on Valentine's Day and were pleasantly surprised with the wide range of items we found! Coffee, greeting cards, apparel, snacks, bath and body products, tea, pet items, beauty products and makeup, eco-friendly products, plants... I could keep going! Each maker has a little bio and information about the products which is so cool. This is one of the many reasons why I love supporting local shops like this. Getting to know the backstory behind someone's business makes me more likely to purchase something! Pack Elephant is definitely going to be high on my list for go-to shops for when I need a gift. I love the mission of the place - supporting hyper local, small makers and especially women and minority owned businesses. I ended up getting some tea, cheese popcorn, and coffee! The employee who rang up our purchases was very polite and sweet. They've just recently opened so definitely check them out if you're in need of a gift for yourself or a loved one.

I absolutely adore this store and it's right downtown, so very very walkable! I'm seriously just a…read moresucker for all things cute, and Oh Hello really does the best with providing local artist and curated items that every time I go, I cannot help but buy something! Even if it's just a little sticker, a pin or something more. It's the perfect shop for a small gift for a loved one and if you are interested, you should join the locker club! It's a monthly club and I finally got a sneak peek inside.. absolutely ADORABLE!! What a great way to support a local business and artists.

Oh Hello is one of my favorite places to go to! It's right downtown in the middle of so many nice…read morethings. If you have any time to kill before a concert, it's a third Thursday, or you're just wanting to browse, this is definitely the place for you. The store specializes in cute fun gifts and trinkets. They have everything from cookbooks to baby toys to stickers. There are gifts for almost every age and demographic. There are often goods from local artists and creatives which is really nice. One of my favorite features is the monthly art locker. For a one-time cost, you get a physical key with access to a locker with monthly goodies! The staff may be some of the kindest I've met. You can always talk about your day or learn about what's been going on downtown. There is a shop cat named Yuki who is soooooo cute and is my personal "where's waldo" whenever I'm in the store. Their marketing and promotions are really fun and the videos often make me laugh. They offer some free and paid events, making it a nice place to meet new people and engage in creativity. One of these days I need to make their cloud workshop!

Commune is one of the cutest shops in Grand Rapids! The shop is filled with an assortment of home…read moregoods, trinkets, gifts, and more. The vibes of the shop are playful, chic, and cozy. One thing that sets this store apart is the owner. She is genuinely so kind and goes above and beyond to help with the little things without you having to ask. She seems to be supportive of other local businesses and actively works with other community members. I was lucky enough to buy a small collection of presents for friends and she diligently handwrapped each one without me even having to ask. The items in the store will be slightly higher price but I've found the quality is often reflected in the price. It's centered in a really great location that makes for a fun day out and about. NOTE: There are stairs that lead into the main entrance, there may be an alternate route for those who may need it!

One of my favorite places to shop during the holidays. Their window display is always so modern and…read morefestive. Then have the best gifts for the hostess in your life. I've picked up cookbooks, martini glasses, wine openers. They are some of my favorite gifts to give. Pro tip: go check out their jewelry and perfume all the way toward the back. So underrated, and you can find some great deals!

The Color Forest is literally one of my new favorite places in all of Grand Rapids!! It's a small…read morebusiness run and owned by a Grand Rapids female!! It's a polymer clay earring business... and the earrings are so colorful and so fun!! There is a storefront located on Division... that is so bright and happy!! Things you can do at the store... shop the earrings, participate in earring making classes, or shop all of the other goodies in the store!! I participated in an earring making class, and it was one of the most fun DIY classes I've ever done!! You get to make your own earrings from start to finish... and it's so neat to be able to do this entire process!! I'm for sure going to do another class!! If you're not interested in a class or shopping the storefront... you can order some earrings online!! If you're from Grand Rapids or are traveling to Grand Rapids... PLEASE make some time for The Color Forest!!

I love independent bookstores! Cellar Bird Books is now open on Bridge Street in the former Mitten…read moreState shop. I think it's a really great addition to the area, and a nice place to pop in if you're waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant or walking in this area. The vibe inside is a bit moody and dark but I like the big window in front. It was decorated with origami cranes when I was there. The selection of books I saw was varied and I think they stock something for everyone. The owner Lea was very kind and chatted with me a bit about her background. I always love learning about business owners so that was really nice. I particularly liked the non-book items like puzzles, tote bags, locally made pins, cards, handmade mugs, and more. I'll definitely be visiting again in the future for gifts for myself and others!

We were passing through on our road trip and stopped in between our brewery visits, so in awe of…read morethis cute, local, independent bookstore! Staff was friendly to share about the store and area!

Fantastic arrangements, and super friendly people. The flowers were loved, would certainly use them…read moreagain

The new owner Rachel is so kind to work with. Always providing beautiful floral arrangements for…read moreany occasion. Their service is prompt, fulfilled as promised and made with love. As a wedding vendor and recipient of her work, I can tell she truly cares. Can't wait to see the store remodel when it's done.