Arbor Update

Ann Arbor Area Community News

Buy Local in Ann Arbor: Last Minute Gifts and Stocking Stuffers

24. December 2007 • Juliew
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Forgot about Aunt Millie? Can’t think of anything good for your brother-in-law? Need a last minute present for your officemate? Did you forget about stockings?

Try these local businesses for can’t miss presents:

Peaceable Kingdom on Main Street has great stocking stuffers. Really great stocking stuffers. In our house, Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without them. While you are on Main Street, check out 16 Hands, and Selo Shevel Gallery for beautiful gifts, and Acme around the corner. Sams on Liberty has great and inexpensive socks, hats, mittens, Swiss Army knives, watches, and bandanas of all colors. Sams is great for that little extra something to round out your gifts. Middle Earth is another great place for stocking stuffers. There is a reason they have been voted “Best Gift Store” by Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor News, Current Magazine, and the Michigan Daily. Shopping there is guaranteed laugh therapy.

Stumped for a present for that hard to buy for person on your list? How about tickets to the Crossroads Ceili at the Ark December 28 or 29? Or sponsor an Ark membership for that music lover you know. The Michigan Theatre will celebrate its 80th birthday on January 5. If you or your friends were members, you would know about all the special events to mark the occasion (like 80 cent film admission on January 5 and special tours of the Barton Organ). Members also get discounts on tickets at the Michigan and State Theatre and dicounted parking while supporting the theatre. Everyone can use a Michigan Theatre membership or gift certificate.

RelaxStation Massage has gift cards and through December 31, for every $100 you purchase they will give you a 15 minute gift card free. They are open Monday (Christmas Eve) from 1:00-8:00. If those hours don’t work for you, give them a call at 734-623-1951 and they will try to work something out (try that at a chain store).

Encore Records may get swallowed up by encroaching chains soon so buy there now while you can. They sell CDs, LPs, 7”, 78 rpm, 16 rpm, tape, reel-to-reel, cylinders, piano rolls, sheet music, books on music & musicians, music memorabilia, and t-shirts so someone you know must need something here. Schoolkids Records in Exile has also opened up a temporary clearance sale in Nickels Arcade so stop on in.

Village Corner has 5000 wines, 600 spirits, 150 beers, and 350 cigars, plus gift certificates so you don’t have to go empty-handed to that Christmas Eve celebration. South University is quiet this time of year and there is easy parking.



  1. I stopped in and talked to Peter at Encore a few weekends ago. He said all he knows about threats to his space is what he reads in the newspaper – his landlord’s never said a peep about it. (I made my “Ypsi needs a record store” pitch anyways…)


       —Murph.    Dec. 26 '07 - 05:09AM    #