Source Booksellers owners Janet Webster Jones and Alyson Jones Turner inside their Midtown shop. Source holiday books will be on display during Merry Midtown.
Source Booksellers owners Janet Webster Jones and Alyson Jones Turner inside their Midtown shop. Source holiday books will be on display during Merry Midtown. Credit: Micah Walker, BridgeDetroit

The holiday shopping season is here, and while folks may think about hitting up the malls to buy presents for their loved ones, there’s plenty of places here in Detroit to shop from.

Businesses such as Source Booksellers and City Bird are offering discounts for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, while The Peacock Room is dedicating an entire weekend for holiday shopping. For those looking for variety, the Downtown Detroit Markets at Cadillac Square are open, as well as the holiday markets at Eastern Market. Or, if you’re looking to gift someone artwork during the holidays, an upcoming exhibit allows guests to purchase pieces for as low as $80.

Here are some Detroit businesses, markets and organizations you can support during the holiday season and year-round. This list is in no way exhaustive, and if you have suggestions of places to add, let us know!

(H/t to the Freep for sharing their list with us. Check them out for even more holiday shopping info, including small businesses in the suburbs)

Black Friday (Nov. 28)

Midtown

  • City Bird and Nest are offering deals for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Specials include 20% off all apparel at City Bird and 20% off plants at Nest and a free gift of a $30 value for the first 20 customers at each store. The stores will also have other activities going on, such as photo ops with its classic Detroit Architecture carnival cut-out and a DJ spinning tunes throughout the day. Hours for both stores are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
  • Source Booksellers will also be having Black Friday deals. Customers can get 20% off books and 50% off their book cart. Then for Small Business Saturday, Source will be participating in Indies First, a national campaign for independent bookstores in conjunction with Small Business Saturday. Hours are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and 12-6 p.m. Saturday.
  • If gifting an experience feels more your style, Painting with a Twist Detroit at 1420 Washington Blvd. is offering an upgrade on its “Take Home Kit for Two.” All retail kits purchased during Black Friday will include a hand-painted ornament and a $5 bounce-back coupon to use at your next in-studio visit. Walk in or place order online.
The Downtown Detroit Markets at Cadillac Square are back. (Decked Out Detroit)

Downtown

  • The Downtown Detroit Markets at Cadillac Square are back, operating until Jan. 4. Located across from Campus Martius Park, shoppers can browse and buy from local vendors like Bespoke By Feldman, Not Sorry Goods, Big Mitten Linocuts and SkinCare SocialClub.
  • Premier Pet Supply, which has 14 locations, including downtown Detroit at 1511 Washington Blvd., has more than 50 special offers running on Black Friday. Most of the offers will still be available on Nov. 29, for Small Business Saturday. On Small Business Saturday, it will offer an additional 10% off on all dog and cat food, cat litter and wild bird seed. It will also offer 20% off everything else in the store.
  • Golf, activewear and lifestyle apparel brand Greyson Clothiers at 1500 Woodward Ave. is offering up to 40% off starting Nov. 24-Nov. 30. Exclusions apply.
  • Heritage Optical at 87 Monroe St. is offering a free eye exam with a package purchase. It also has a BOGO 50% off sale.
  • Hot Sam’s Detroit, the Black-owned, longtime men’s clothing store at 127 Monroe St., is offering up to 50% off select suits, 25% off coats and outerwear and 20% off shoes.
  • If you’re looking for gifts for sports fans, Fanatic U at 1901 Brush St. Detroit is offering a variety of deals including:
    • Lions Hutchinson home jerseys for $97 (regular price $130)
    • Lions select player jerseys for $100
    • A Lions retro fan chain for $12.99 (regular price $35)
    • 90% off all Michigan National Championship items (Jackets are 60% off)
    • 75% all team clearance dotted items ($15 for all team hats that were previously $20 on sale)
    • 40% Michigan Jordan jerseys (navy, maize and white)
    • 50% off Michigan State hats and apparel
    • 30% off Michigan hats and apparel
    • 30% off Tigers home men’s and women’s jerseys
    • 10% off Red Wings 100th anniversary items
  • The Aroma Labs at1435 Farmer St., Suite 122, a store where customers create their own scents, is offering a free travel spray (one per person) with any purchase.
  • Cosmetics store The Lip Bar at 1444 Woodward Ave. is offering 30% off plus a gift with a purchase over $50 (lip liner and pencil sharpener) and $75 (lip liner, pencil sharpener and a mini duo.) The sale runs from Nov. 28-Nov. 30.
  • Threads & Legs at 660 Woodward Ave., No. 15 (in the First National Building) is a women’s clothing and hosiery boutique. It’s offering a free pair of Detroit Lions earrings with any purchase this Black Friday, while supplies last.
  • Woodhouse Spa Detroit at 1447 Woodward Ave. is offering an online promotion on gift cards through Dec. 2. The bonus cards are good until March 2026.
    • $200-$299 get a $25 bonus card. Code: 25DETGC
    • $300-$399 get a $35 bonus card. Code: 35DETCG
    • $400+ get a $45 bonus card. Code: 45DETCG
    • Woodhouse is also offering an in-store gift card promotion. Purchase a gift card for $300 or more to receive a robe, while supplies last.
  • Costa D’Oro Jewelers at 333 E. Jefferson Ave., No. 343, is offering natural diamond earrings for $24.99 (regular price $49.99), along with other in-store specials.
The Peacock Room in Midtown. Courtesy photo

New Center/ North End

  • Comic book retailer Vault of Midnight is having a Black Friday super sale at all its locations, including its Detroit store, 2857 E. Grand Blvd. Discounts include 15% off board games, 15% off comic books priced at $20 or less, 15% off graphic novels and 15 % off vinyl, toys, plushes and statues. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
  • Clothing boutique The Peacock Room is celebrating Small Business Saturday early with a three-day party at its Midtown and New Center locations. The event will include discounts and giveaways, including 20% off on Mary Frances handbags, Michael Michaud jewelry and housewares, and TokyoMilk Perfumes and Lotions. And for shoppers who spend $50, they’ll be able to pick an item from the store’s treasure chest. Hours for The Peacock Room’s Park Shelton location are Friday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Fisher Building hours are Friday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Corktown

  • Old Western Market is gearing up for new Corktown neighbors Detroit City FC with its Black Friday and Small Business Saturday markets. When shoppers purchase DCFC merchandise, they’ll receive a free plant. Folks will also be able to browse from other vendors and grab something to eat from food trucks Joe Bones Hot Dawg Joint and Pillar Pride. Hours for the markets are from 12-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The soccer club itself is offering 20% off a customer’s entire purchase at its DCFC Capitol Park store.
Teasers Boutique on the Avenue of Fashion
Teasers Boutique on the Avenue of Fashion Credit: Bill Kubota, Detroit PBS (Shutterstock)

Avenue of Fashion

Black Friday shoppers on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion could get a little extra spending money for buying from the local boutiques. Black Leaders Detroit, a nonprofit that provides funding for local Black entrepreneurs, will give away gift cards from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., while supplies last, to shoppers for use at Black-owned stores along Livernois:

Other neighborhoods

  • In Rosedale Park, Jessica Blair Beauty Supply at 18724 Grand River Ave. is offering 30% off a bundle of three hair extensions of any texture and any length (discount automatically applied at checkout).
  • In Boynton, check out the Moetivated Black Friday Market on Friday at Rollercade. Dozens of small businesses will be selling clothing, accessories and gifts.
Pages Bookshop co-owner Jeremiah Steen, center, talks with Kady Robinson-Larsosa, left, of Detroit, and Shanere Duncan, of Detroit, as they go through a box of books from Steen before having a meeting to discuss the opening of Pages Bookshop in Detroit’s North Rosedale Park on Monday, April 7, 2025. The bookshop has new owners, a group of young people who want to boost literacy in the city.
Pages Bookshop co-owner Jeremiah Steen, center, talks with Kady Robinson-Larsosa, left, of Detroit, and Shanere Duncan, of Detroit, as they go through a box of books from Steen before having a meeting to discuss the opening of Pages Bookshop in Detroit’s North Rosedale Park on Monday, April 7, 2025. The bookshop has new owners, a group of young people who want to boost literacy in the city. Credit: Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press

Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29)

Sunday, Nov. 30

  • Eastern Market’s holiday markets are back for the season, with the first one taking place from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday. Shoppers can expect to see Michigan-made gift options, including clothing, art, jewelry, beauty products and more.
Rachael Adadevoh-Woods, owner of Art Loft Midtown Detroit, is one of the participating businesses for Merry Midtown.
Rachael Adadevoh-Woods, owner of Art Loft Midtown Detroit, is one of the participating businesses for Merry Midtown. Credit: Courtesy of Rachael Adadevoh-Woods

Saturday, Dec. 6

  • Merry Midtown, a temporary Noel Night replacement event for shops and restaurants in Midtown, offers a variety of special events and deals. More than 50 neighborhood institutions are participating, including gift-giving havens Carhartt, Third Man Records, Detroit Artists’ Market, Nest and Art Loft among so many others. Check out this list for the most up to date participants and details on the activities. Organizers are also bringing in ice carvers, fire jugglers and a roving Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman and carolers. There will also be a fireside sing-a-long.

Micah Walker joins the BridgeDetroit team covering the arts and culture and education in the city. Originally from the metro Detroit area, she is back in her home state after two years in Ohio. Micah...

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