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With the holiday season and Small Business Saturday just around the corner, we are excited to spotlight some of our team’s favorite local gems in each region where our NBS Experience Centers are located. To make it easier for you to shop small and support local in Southeast Michigan (SEM), we’ve put together a curated guide featuring standout restaurants, delightful bakeries, unique shops, fun activities, and more.
Check out some of our SEM team’s top picks!
Blind Owl – New Baltimore & Royal Oak, MI
Blind Owl is your ultimate destination for great food, handcrafted cocktails and an outstanding beer selection. Best of all, you’ll be taken on a global culinary adventure, where every dish is inspired by flavorful Latin, Asian, Mediterranean or American classics!
Dick O’ Dow’s – Birmingham, MI
At Dick O’ Dow’s, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a quaint Irish pub! From draught beer, cocktails, bourbon, Irish whiskey and wine, this local staple has been serving up the perfect pour for almost 30 years. To get the full experience, pair your drink of choice with their excellent menu featuring tasty shareables, sandwiches, flatbreads and burgers!
Nonna’s Italian Kitchen – Shelby Township, MI
“Nonna’s offers a warm family feeling and a super friendly staff. The food is AMAZING – their Arancini (rice balls) are one of my favorites on their delicious menu.”
– Pasquale, Accounts Payable at NBS SEM
Urbanrest Brewing Co – Ferndale, MI
Brewing and serving up a fantastic selection of beers, cider and sparkling wine, this local hotspot is a must-visit for anyone who loves a great drink. And if you’re feeling hungry, they have a rotating lineup of excellent food trucks to sample, or you can bring in your own favorite snacks to enjoy with your brew!
Cannelle – Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Detroit, Farmington & Keego Harbor, MI
Creating the finest French baked goods and pastries, Cannelle combines quality ingredients, rigorous techniques and high standards. Whether you like sweet or savory, this bakery has something that will satisfy your cravings, from croissants and specialty pastries to macarons and fruit tarts.
Gluten Free Specialties – Rochester Hills, MI
“As somebody with a lot of allergies, it’s amazing to find a place that makes delicious treats with all the ingredients clearly posted in an easy-to-read format. It’s so nice to enjoy a treat without having to bake everything yourself!”
– Kris, CFO at NBS
Quix Chocolate – Ferndale, MI
Calling all chocoholics! Quix brings rich, authentic Belgian-style chocolates and flavors right to our Southeast Michigan community. Crafted with love, passion and generations of family tradition, every bite takes you on a journey to Belgium. In addition to beautiful box sets, you can create custom designs for a unique and sweet gift!
Aurum Design Jewelry – Rochester, MI
Located in the heart of downtown Rochester, Aurum Design creates custom jewelry, providing one-of-a-kind pieces to each and every client. Whether you’re looking for sparkly rings, stunning necklaces or gorgeous earrings, this jeweler has you covered!
Catching Fireflies – Ann Arbor, Berkley & Rochester, MI
“Catching Fireflies is a great gift shop to find a range of fun and interesting items for those special people in your lives. The owner and staff are always very helpful and appreciative to anyone who stops in!”
– Brett, VP of Client and Operational Experience at NBS SEM
Greene & Co – Birmingham, MI
Looking for beautiful pieces for your home or office? Look no further than Greene & Co’s Shoppe in downtown Birmingham. Owner Heather Greene offers a curated selection of artisan and eco-sourced furniture and accessories that are sure to make a statement. If you need a complete refresh, Heather also offers full-service interior design to create timeless and dynamic spaces for her clients.
VITRINE at The Baker House – Plymouth, MI
Offering a unique collection of clothing, handbags, accessories and home goods, this shop has something for everyone on your holiday list. VITRINE also contributes a portion of their monthly profits to support local initiatives and fundraising events – talk about commitment to community!
Happy Tails Learning Center for Dogs – Shelby Township, MI
“They are a welcoming and loving group of people who know how to train dogs and their owners, to understand one another for a better life together! Plus, they care for your pup as if it’s their own when they are boarded with them. All around great company and passionate people who love what they do!”
– Heather, President of NBS
Olive’s Bloombox – Ferndale, MI
Feeling crafty? Olive’s Bloombox is one of our team’s favorite local florists, hosting fun interactive workshops where you can create seasonal floral centerpieces, holiday wreaths, bouquets and more! They also offer stunning floral arrangements – perfect for gifting or adding a fresh pop of beauty to your home.
We hope this list inspires you to try new spots and support local this holiday season! These remarkable businesses make it easy to shop small and support local, so please join us in giving back to our wonderful Southeast Michigan community!
For even more local business recommendations in Southeast Michigan, check out our 2023 small business guide, Shopping Small & Supporting Local: NBS SEM Edition.
