This holiday season, get ready to give the best gift of all: something totally unique for your loved ones! From meaningful experiences to special retail finds, Ypsilanti has that ultimate gift you're seeking.

Your Shopping Inspiration

Explore this guide for creative gift-giving inspiration. Remember to pick up something for yourself. You deserve it!

 

Ypsi Experiences & Gift Suggestions

 

Ypsi-Themed Gifts & Unique Retail

  • World of Rocks: Popular gem and rock shop carrying rare gems, fossils, and crystals. Help design and create custom jewelry with your choice of gems.  
     
  • Bloodroot Herb Shop: Bulk herbs & teas, plants, zines, and herbal ware in a beautiful historic building downtown. You'll feel welcome in this Ypsi space. 
     
  • Blackstone Bookstore & Cultural Center: Your ultimate stop for books, specializing in African American literature. It's easy to find what you're looking for with their connection to the industry’s largest active book inventory.
     
  • The Rocket: Thousands of super cool gifts including Rosie the Riveter items and Ypsi T-shirts. Find stocking stuffers like ornaments, Pop! Figures, and prepackaged candy.
     
  • View Ypsilanti shops here

 

Antique & Vintage 

  • Salt City Antiques: Two stories of Mid-Century furniture and antiques with a selection of retro holiday decorations and gifts that will take you back in time.   
     
  • A2 Vintage: Must-visit downtown shop for vintage gifts. Discover nostalgic collectibles, clothing, records and more at this Ypsi gem.
     
  • Find and Shine Vintage: Carrying an eclectic collection of vintage items ranging from clothing, signs, and figurines.
     
  • Jim MacDonald’s & Apple Annie’s Vintage: Depot Town storefront carrying silver goods, apparel, a selection of old and new toys, Kit-Kat clocks, and all things vintage. 
     
  • Lucky Haskins: Nostalgic treasures to rediscover like toys, games, posters, and more from your childhood.
     
  • View more antique & vintage shops here

 

Love of Music

  • Ziggy’s: Support area musicians and artists by buying comic books, CDs, cassettes, and other swag. 
     
  • Grove Studios: 24/7 recording studio and creative space offering gift cards for self-service music, DJ, podcast, photography and video, and merchandise.
     
  • Wyrd Byrd: Unique shop displaying everything from zines to rare music finds. Catch a movie and special events hear year-round.
     
  • Records & more: Search a large selection of vinyl records at A2 Vintage in downtown Ypsilanti. The thrift shops also carry a number of records.

 

Coolest Clothing

  • Puffer Reds:This Ypsi destination carries the latest apparel exclusives, rare sneakers, and premium brands. The family-owned business prioritizes community year-round.
     
  • Love at First Try: Pick up new arrivals and seasonal top picks at this boutique carrying curvy love apparel and the latest fly, fun, feminine fashion.
     
  • Thrift Shops: Thrift shops in Ypsi offer toys, clothing, shoes, decorations, and all kinds of goods. Visit the Ypsilanti Thrift Shop downtown, and the Thrift Depot in Depot Town.

 

For Artists & Art Lovers 

  • This, That & the ODDer Things: Pick out stocking stuffers and mystery pre-made gift boxes. Find artwork, tarot decks, spell kits, and one-of-a-kind finds here.
     
  • Twisted Things: Carrying work of 50+ area artists, shop organic apothecary and curious goods including oddities, plus ethically and sustainably sourced animal and plant items.   
     
  • Nelson Amos Studio: Give the gift of creative artist services including custom cards, framing for all sizes, oil portraits, and images of Ypsilanti to share the Ypsi love.   
     
  • Ypsi Art Supply: Find professional artist items, high-quality products, and several accessories and chat to the expert shop owners.
     
  • Art Galleries: Gift a unique art piece from Michigan Art Gallery. Visit 22 North for expressive and visual artwork  and Luna Gallery sells pieces from local artists.
     
  • Vendor Markets: Purchase artwork from talented artists at vendor showcases including the Riverside Holiday Art Fair. 
     

 

Hobbies & Special Interests

  • Best In Games: An entertainment epicenter, Best In Games provides 3 stories attractions including go-karts, a full arcade, laser tag, restaurants and much more. 
     
  • Schultz Outfitters: Fly-fishing shop & guide service specializing in angling, instruction, and fishing trips. Schultz carries everything a fly-fisher needs.
     
  • ModelCave: Carrying model cars, planes, boats, and figures with new and vintage kits, tools and paint supplies.
     
  • Comics and Board Games: Visit Fun 4 All Comics & Games for new comics. Golden Rhino Games serves the tabletop gamers, and browse pre-owned games and consoles at Gamepawn Ypsi.
     
  • Give Back: Groups like the Secret Santa Society of Ypsilanti are giving back by supporting local families by collecting, wrapping, and delivering gifted donations.