There’s something delightful and mysterious about a secondhand shop. Even the most dilapidated shop in the remotest corner can hold a sense of wonder and instill a feeling of curiosity: What life did these objects have before they came to reside here? To me, secondhand shopping is a way to get off the consumer conveyor belt and be intentional about what I bring into my home, all while recycling and upcycling discarded things. We are fortunate that Southwest Michigan has some incredible vintage, antique and secondhand shops. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are five fantastic shops for five different vibes:
Kalamazoo Fashion House
426 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Fashion House offers a curated collection of quality secondhand clothing that just screams, “Yes, I have a great tailor, and, no, I will not share their number.” With spring on the wing, this is the place to go for your next light sweater or timeless outerwear. A handful of local vintage clothing vendors have racks on the right side of the shop floor, while the rest of the clothing racks are organized by color, making it extremely easy to find the missing piece for your spring break ensemble or your next statement piece. Just a note: This shop is only open on Fridays and Saturdays between noon and 5 p.m., so plan accordingly.
Kalamazoo Kitty Marketplace
581 Romence Road, Portage
When you’re looking to refresh your home’s interior — whether your dog tore up your beloved couch, a clumsy relative burned your kitchen table, or you’re just sick of looking at that ratty recliner — you can go to Kalamazoo Kitty Marketplace. Be forewarned: The amount of good-quality, well-cared-for and fabulous furniture in this marketplace can be overwhelming. Be sure to carve out a good chunk of your day — say, the entirety of your Saturday late morning and afternoon — and to start your venture fully caffeinated and with a full stomach so that you can focus on the hunt. And don’t forget your measuring tape!
Schoolcraft Antique Mall
209 N. Grand St., Schoolcraft
Do you like kitsch? Then get your booty down to Schoolcraft Antique Mall. Don’t get me wrong; here you will discover many wonderful antiques, but this shop also possesses a level of vintage kitsch that is utterly charming. And the great thing about the Schoolcraft Antique Mall is that it offers a wide variety of items. From furniture, home decor, jewelry, glassware and antique collectibles on the first floor to vintage and secondhand clothing, jewelry and accessories in the basement, Schoolcraft Antique Mall has much to offer the thrift shopper.
Amazing Grace Antiques
106 E. Michigan Ave., Marshall
You know your single, well-traveled, adventurous and totally chic aunt/sister/friend who can usually be found wearing a unique item of clothing, jewelry or other accessory and always has some sage advice or wild story? Well, Amazing Grace Antiques in Marshall is the embodiment of the attic you imagine she has. Every corner and tabletop in this vintage storefront is lovingly curated by vendors and supplies tons of aesthetic inspiration to entice your inner tastemaker. This shop is the place you go whenever you’re looking for something but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. Trust that Amazing Grace Antiques will provide!
Heritage Architectural Salvage & Supply
150 N. Edwards St., Kalamazoo
Have you been bitten by the highly contagious DIY-renovation bug that has had a chokehold on certain neighborhoods of the internet for at least the past decade? Heritage Architectural Salvage & Supply will not only inspire your next do-it-yourself project, but provide good-quality materials salvaged from historic homes that have become victims of the wrecking ball. You’ll find stunning period light fixtures, solid wooden doors, clawfoot tubs and so much more, all with dazzling potential to transform your home into a page right out of Architectural Digest. If you’re harboring a secret (or not-so-secret) desire to build a greenhouse out of old windows, this is your go-to shop.
