Keep your dollars in Detroit

Whether you're decorating your living room, stocking your pantry, refreshing your wardrobe, or picking something up for that special someone, there's a way to do it and keep all your dollars in metro Detroit. Now is a better time than ever to shop local with myriad new companies popping up seemingly every day. Here's just a short list of some of our favorite local stores, markets, online retailers, and brands.

HOME GOODS

Looking for contemporary furniture to keep your home looking fresh and modern? Hit Royal Oak's Bright Ideas. The furniture store has been a family business for over four decades, winning numerous awards for their great selection of living, working, and dining furniture. They don't make the pieces themselves, but they do make sure most of their products come from the U.S., Canada, or Europe.

Folks that shop at Gardella have more traditional tastes. Sure, the store has updated its stock countless times since it opened in 1939, but you'll still find a classic sense of style and design prevails in their showroom. Expect grandiose, Victorian-inspired bedroom sets, tufted leather chairs, and dramatic dining sets inside this Detroit-owned furniture store.

Dave Hudson makes all the furniture he sells under his brand Hudson Industrials himself. He scavenges all the materials and molds the pieces together in his Ferndale shop. He's particularly fond of doing custom pieces and says he enjoys involving his clients on the project from start to finish. His maker sensibilities come from the years he spent as an underwater welder in the Navy and later making sculptures he sold at the Dirty Show and other local art shows.

Yes, sometimes it seems like the barrage of reclaimed wood furniture will never end, but we can't deny that every now and then a company takes what was once garbage and turns it into timeless, long-lasting furniture. Workshop, found inside the Fisher Building, is one of those companies. They use pine that been salvaged from Detroit homes and other materials that would have otherwise been thrown out.

Cleaning products, air fresheners, even dryer sheets can be toxic, harmful to breathe in, and bad for the environment. The Old White House makes all-natural lavender-based products like laundry soap, linen spray, kitchen and bath cleanser, and carpet freshener, and they do it all in metro Detroit. You can usually catch them at Eastern Market on Saturdays during the summer, but during the colder months you can always shop online.

This local company makes super graphic prints that are also customizable. Newer to their collection is a line of bright, bold, hand-tufted rugs. You can check out their goods at Great Wall Custom Coverings in Livonia.

Sister and next-door neighbor to City Bird, Nest focuses on home goods, succulents, and all things kitschy. Think: "Rest in Grease" spoon rests, Paddywax candles, vintage posters, and even some retro toys.

Pillow designs inspired by vintage maps, star charts, and natural history prints? Yes, please! Oven mitts printed with a map of Michigan? We'll take two! Detroit-based Saltlabs makes decorative throw pillows, tea towels, and plenty of other interesting and eye-popping decor. Check City Bird, Nora, Rail and Anchor, and Detroit Mercantile for their wares or hit their website to get custom work done.

EAT

Oh, the flowers! The beer! The olive bar! Westborn Market has long been one of our favorite places to shop for anything from creamer to a great bottle of wine to a cool new vase. And we can't forget about that whole section they devote to Michigan-made products. If you're looking to make sure your money stays in Michigan, this is the place to do it.

This locally owned market has a tip-top beer, liquor, and wine selection. Plus, they've got a bakery, which means delicious, doughy bread, bagels, buns, and more. Oh, and don't forget about their great coffee selection! You can grind a fresh bag on the spot or bring the beans home for an extra fresh cup of Joe.

If there is a more beloved outdoor market in Michigan, we've never heard of it. On a summer Saturday, Eastern Market bustles with local farmers and eager shoppers picking up everything from fresh fruit to flowers to pickles to jam, cheese, herbs, cacti, succulents, and more. Surrounded by a meat market, a spice shop, some great restaurants, some local boutiques, and even a dispensary, to say this is a hot spot is an understatement.

This little market on the east side of Detroit does its best to stock all things local. Pick up some Risky Biscuits, Friends Potato Chips, Mary Ann's soda syrups, Dilla's Delights, Michigan beers, and plenty more.

Owned and operated by a little lady named Lisa Ludwinski, Sister Pie doesn't just make, well, pie. The little company, about to open their own bakery across from Parker Street Market, also makes cookies, muffins, and savory handpies.

GIFTS

This adorable Berkley collective is a treasure trove of gift ideas. From handmade soaps to locally-made hand salve to prints to cute greeting cards and calendars to crocheted stuffed animals to pottery and jewelry — you're sure to find something funky and fabulous here.

It's easy to forget that this enormous market was once an Old Navy. The collective has quickly and easily become a universal favorite among localvores. Hit Lady Lazarus for sharp jewelry and fresh succulents, Pink Lady Trashions for all things weird, and Incognito Eyewear for some chic shades. And don't forget to stop by often, you never know what new vendor you'll spot.

This collective of local crafters prides itself on "putting the D in D.I.Y." They put on the biggest indie craft fair in Michigan, the Detroit Urban Craft Fair, which hosts 100 local makers every December. It's a one-stop stop when you're looking for pick up something unique for everyone on your list.

Want to get a little bit of Michigan delivered to your front door every month? Mitten Crate is one of those mail-order services that puts together fun, new, and locally made products for you to try. Sure, you could give it as a gift, but don't forget to order a subscription for yourself.

What seems like decades ago, but was really only a few years, a brother and sister opened this boutique in Cass Corridor on West Canfield. Now, Andy and Emily Linn's gift shop is probably one of the best known in the city. A recent expansion has given metro Detroiters even more square footage to shop in. Stop by for greeting cards, etched glass tumblers, Michigan-shaped cutting boards, T-shirts, and more.

If you're looking for a cool gift and don't mind spending a little extra dough, Willy's is the perfect place. While prices are a little, well, pricey, their goods are often one-of-a-kind and they carry a lot of Michigan brands and designers. Their stock rotates, so pop by often to check out what's new.

This locally owned jewelry maker buys broken pieces and fixes them up to sell on the cheap, but she's also got a higher end line of necklaces she makes using bullet casings, feathers, and other trinkets. You'll usually spot owner Heather Franklin in a booth at festivals like Ferndale's DIY, but if you can't wait until summer, hit up her website, ilovevv.com for some funky finds.

CLOTHING

Heavy-duty threads are the name of the game at Carhartt. Men and women who work in construction trades count on their lined jackets, coveralls, and steel-toed boots. You can shop online or pick up their threads at just about any sporting store. Plus, this Michigan-based company just announced they'll be opening a store in Midtown this year.

Established way, way back in 1883 in Rockford, Wolverine has long been supplying Michiganders with the durable shoes our climate calls for. Of course, they're not all work boots and steel toes. Wolverine also makes some very stylish kicks for men that like the rugged, yet well-kempt look.

This Detroit-based designer gained some fame from appearing on Project Runway before bringing his talents back to Detroit. He started Fashion in Detroit where he showcases not only his jeans and sexy leather jackets, but also the works of other locals.

Fotoula Lambros launched her label back in 2011, and since then she's been known for making organic clothing that's designed and manufactured in Michigan. From her award-winning convertible tube tops to her sassy jumpsuits, her designs are always forward-thinking and, perhaps more importantly, affordable.

The fabulous Randal Jacobs runs this Eastern Market boutique, where he stocks men's clothing, accessories, and hygiene products. The at any point in time store's stock could include Ralph Lauren button ups, Brooks Brothers outerwear, Evolution Man skin care, and plenty more.

Rick Williams and Roland "Ro Spit" Coit own this Royal Oak shoe shop. Sure, they sell all the best sneaks, but they also collaborate with brands like Reebok and New Balance to create Detroit-centric shoes. Our favorite had to be their cerulean blue Spirit of Detroit collaboration with Reebok, although we love the Vernors-inspired shoes they teamed up with New Balance for. Oh, did we mention they have a Web-based reality show too?

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

The outdoor outfitter is headquartered in Madison Heights, with stores in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Rochester, Grosse Pointe, East Lansing, Clinton Township, and Birmingham, as well as three other states. Sure you can pick up a parka, ski equipment, running shoes, climbing gear, and tons more, but we really visit their website for the tweets from Office Dog.

In a 50,000-square-foot warehouse on Detroit's east side, Detroit Bikes assemble about 100 bikes a day. You can buy them at Al Petri & Sons, Wheelhouse Detroit, Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop, and a host of other places around southeast Michigan. Bikes run about $700.