Fabulous Finds: Boutique Shopping on the Art Coast of Michigan
Frequent visitors to the Saugatuck area know that when it comes to our carefully curated retail experiences, there are unique discoveries behind every door.
With two separate shopping districts, there’s plenty here that rivals the style, selection, and service you’d expect to find in much bigger cities. Whether you’re interested in outdoor gear, fine jewelry, home goods, Michigan-made gourmet foods, or just a delightful day of shopping discoveries, you can find it here.
Some stores, like Landsharks, have been a neighborhood fixture for decades. This outdoor clothing and equipment store traces its roots back to 1989 when it opened as a T-shirt shop. Today, it’s the area’s go-to spot for outdoor brands, carrying everything you need for a day (and night) in Saugatuck, from sandals, shorts, and sundresses to hammocks, coolers, and water bottles. The store also stocks graphic tees—many of which you won’t find anywhere else. Owner David Lokker says, “We work with a couple of graphic designers around the country to roll out our Saugatuck collection. We’re picky about the designs, and you won’t see them anywhere else in town.”
A few streets away from the main shopping drag, the neighborhood takes on a more artistic character. Here, you’ll find lifestyle mercantile Kindel & Company, which is easy to spot, thanks to the two-tone 1958 Nash Metropolitan that sits out front. Richard Williams and his partner Christian Kindel take pride in filling their store with a unique mix of new and antique items sourced from around the globe and updated for every season. “We carry wardrobe, home, and apothecary for men and women, with some one-of-a-kind vintage finds mixed in,” says Williams. “We put a lot of thought and effort into displays, and we have a curated style that sets us apart.”
Other stores have made their home here because of the area’s artistic character. Chris Koorey, manager and goldsmith at the family-owned jeweler Koorey Creations, recalls that her father was drawn to the area because he wanted to be an artist in jewelry-making. As a master goldsmith, Koorey’s father developed his own creations, only working with the finest gemstones and materials and making every piece by hand, one at a time. Today, the firm’s commitment to art and quality has remained unchanged. “We make heirloom pieces,” says Koorey. “Built the way they used to be built and handed down through families for years and years.”
If fine art is what you’re looking for, Button Gallery is Douglas’s oldest running business, dating back to 1966. Throughout the shop and the sculpture garden, you’ll find an eclectic mix of 2D and 3D work, including works on paper, oil and acrylic paintings, bronze, glass, ceramic, and wood. A customer “fan” favorite artist is a ceramic sculptor who makes large-scale dogs, which often can be found greeting visitors on their way into the shop. Chicago native and gallery owner Michael Burmeister says he and his family relocated to the area because of the locale and because “The whole community really welcomes and supports the arts. The fact that art is pretty central to the area is just huge.”
It’s easy to discover something special in the downtown shops of Saugatuck and Douglas. Take an afternoon to explore our one-of-a-kind boutiques—you’re bound to find something calling your name.
