detroit free press – PLAY insert 5.10.07
Antiques, beads and the world’s coolest flip-flops
Downtown Berkley shops full of offbeat, irresistible treasures
Handmade soaps? Fabulous toys? Hip and happening shoes and sandals? Surprise! You’ll find all those things in once-sleepy downtown Berkley.
Long in the shadow of its glitzier south Oakland County neighbors, downtown Berkley – the portion of 12 Mile between Coolidge and Greenfield – is emerging as a shopping destination.
Several new stores have opened in the past year or so, drawing new shoppers and introducing them to some pretty fabulous longtime businesses, too. Berkley merchants say rents are less expensive than in some neighboring downtowns, which makes up for some shoppers’ lack of familiarity with the city.
Diners are more familiar with Berkley, home to Amici’s Pizza and martinis; Nippon Grille, which has tasty sushi; Mr. Kabob, a Middle Eastern carryout and gas station; and The Berkley Front, a bar that specializes in interesting beers.
Sprucing up the sidewalks – and keeping them clean, which hasn’t always been the case – makes the area look more inviting than ever.
"It’s gotten better," says Linda Kapolka, 56, who lives in Warren but travels to Berkley to shop for yarn at Have You Any Wool?, which opened three years ago and last year moved to a larger location. "You’re getting different shops… It’s like an old fashioned Main Street. You can just park and walk!" An added bonus: Parking is free! Intrigued? Let’s get started with 10 reasons to shop in Berkley.
Shopping here is fun in the way that shopping at an incredible garage sale is fun: You never know what you may find. The store has an interesting selection of new and used household items, including furniture. Check out the stuff from the 60’s! It also has the state’s only ArtOMat. Put $5 in the revamped cigarette machine, pull a knob and you’ll get a piece of original art the size of a cigarette package. 302 W. Twelve Mile. 10am-6pm Tue-Sun 248-691-1978
Whimsical and witty cards, decorations for walls and gardens, nifty household items and pet products. There’s also a small selection of indie clothing ranging from $24-$100. The store has been open for almost seven years. (frog tape dispenser featured) Free gift wrapping! 3117 W. Twelve Mile. 10-6 Mon-Sat 10-8 Thur 248 336 2030
3. City Style
Open just three months in a space that used to be a dry cleaning establishment, this store carries purses and shoes with a bit of hip edge for women and a smaller selection for men. (Check out the Havaianas; they’re the THE coolest flip-flops on the planet.) The store also has a selection of Made in Detroit shirts and jackets. 3017 W. Twelve Mile. 10-6 Mon-Fri 10-7 Sat 12-5 Sun. 248-548-2489
4. Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier Shop
A fixture on the city’s shopping landscape – it moved here from Detroit in 1953 – this toy store (and doll hospital) has only gotten better. Full of educational games, toys and baby dolls you won’t find at just any toy store. Barbie isn’t big here. The store also specializes in playscapes. 3947 Twelve Mile. 10-5:30 Mon-Sat 10-8:30 Thur 12-4 Sun. 248-543-3115
5. Garden Central
Shrubs, trees flowers, cute cement garden statues and iron accents. What’s great about this 11 year old business is the service – even at closing time, you won’t feel rushed; I know I didn’t – and the knowledgeable staff. Obviously the selection isn’t as great as that at a garden super center, but sometimes smaller is better. 2682 Twelve Mile. 9-6 Mon-Thur 9-3 Fri-Sat 11-3 Sun. 248-542-6640
The yarn store has been in Berkley for three years. The establishment which displays its yarns in bushel baskets, is friendly – knitters’ socials take place the second Friday of the month. Look for specialty yarns, too – including yarn made from corn, bamboo and organic cotton. Organic wool yarn is expected for fall. 3455 Robina. 11-7 Tues & Thur 10-5 Wed & Fri 10-4 Sat. 248-541-9665
7. Ida Belle Handmade Soap
Open just a year, the tiny – only 400 square feet – and charming store sells 25 varieties of all-natural handmade soaps wrapped in fabric or pretty paper. Among the most popular? Sweet Vanilla and Seaweed with Lavender. Prices start at about $2. Also: vintage linens, a few teapots, books. Owner Mei-Mei Zhao takes special orders. Her soaps are popular gifts for bridal showers. 3435 Robina. 11-6 Tues-Sat. 248-544-7699
8. Munro Crafts
In business for 37 years, Munro has morphed from a store specializing in macrame to the ultimate bead superstore. Prices range from a few cents to hundreds of dollars. The 7,500-square-foot store also stocks clay and twines and other art supplies. But it’s the beads – including Swarovski crystals – that lure shoppers from all over. 3954 Twelve Mile. 9-8 Mon & Thur 9.5 Tue-Wed & Fri 9-4 Sat. 248-544-1590
9. Odd Fellows Antiques Mall
Fifty vendors spread over two levels sell everything from retro planters (McCoy!) to gorgeous and very important antique chandeliers and furniture. (The "Christmas Story" – inspired lamp on the cover is sold, proof you need to act fast when something catches your eye.) Reasonable prices compared with what you might pay at a shop in Royal Oak or Ann Arbor. 3248 W. Twelve Mile. 11-5 Mon-Sat 12-5 Sun. 248-399-6098
10. Time Travelers
Expect to find about a quarter-million comic books in stock – including one featuring the first appearance of Spider-Man ($3,000). Comic books date back to the 1930’s, but owner Mike Lester says the biggest sellers are from the 1960’s. The crowded and overwhelming 4,000 square-foot store has been here since 1990. Lester says it’s only a matter of time until activity from surrounding hot spots- Ferndale, Royal Oak, Birmingham – trickles down to Berkley. 3277 Twelve Mile. 11-7 Mon-Sat 12-5 Sun. 248-548-7213
