9th Annual Best of the West: Shopping

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