Shopping

Feel the bay breeze caress your face and ruffle your hair as you stroll historic downtown St. Ignace, breathing in fresh lake air scented with hints of chocolate nut fudge! Here you can explore a wide variety of shops and emporiums, a pharmacy and gift shop, restaurants, pubs, and museums that hug the Moran Bay waterfront for more than a mile. Browse a fine selection of high-end sportswear, work by local artists, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Eat ice cream cones, world-famous fudge, and sample a famous U.P. pastie, all while gazing out at the bold, blue bay.

The following recommendations may not include all the shopping options in St. Ignace.

Souvenirs and Clothing

The Mackinac General Store carries Michigan-made items, bath and body products, t-shirts, jewelry, jams, mixes, and more. Located inside the Mackinac Grille restaurant, this is an easy stop before or after grabbing a bite to eat, where there is something for everyone in your group.

Northern Sails prides itself on offering everything inside for under $24. This includes clothing in sizes infant to adult 5x, souvenirs, gifts, jewelry, toys, and sunglasses.

The Historic Totem Village and the Indian Village are two distinct souvenir stores that honor the Anishinaabe culture of the area. At Totem Village you’ll find Native-made jewelry, beadwork, carvings, and regalia, alongside antique tools, herbal teas, crystals, and hand-forged items from a local blacksmith. Indian Village has similar offerings, in addition to more generic souvenirs, and is wallpapered with birch bark decorated with pictographs of arrows, animals, canoes, and headdresses.

If you forgot your swimwear, need some beach accessories, or are looking for the perfect souvenir shirt, check out Tropic North for a diverse selection to choose from.

Wolfe’s Emporium and Simple Sweets combines gifts and sweets into one special shopping experience. Here you can find wildlife sculptures and Michigan-made décor alongside handcrafted gourmet candies.

For a wide variety of souvenirs, collectibles, and seasonal items, Das Gift Haus is a fun stop for the whole family to look for something to commemorate the trip to St. Ignace.

If you forgot to bring layers or want to expand your selection of outdoor gear, Adventure Up North is the place to stock up. Here you’ll find a curated selection of backpacks, hammocks, apparel, and more. You’ll also find one of the largest selections of Stormy Kromer hats and gear in the region.

Antiques, Resale, Vintage

If you’re up for a little adventure shopping, The Hope Chest Resale Shop on Ferry Lane, a half block from the Family Fare grocery store south of downtown, has gently used clothing for babies, children, and adults, shoes, dishes and housewares, furniture, sports equipment, toys, books, and so much more for perusing and purchasing. You never know what treasures you will find at The St. Ignace Hope Chest. Because the Hope Chest is run by volunteers, it is open for limited hours only. For information about hours of operation, visit The Hope Chest on Facebook.

North of downtown, you’ll find Cottage Up, which offers home décor and vintage pieces. Cottage Up has a curated selection of vintage furniture, décor, and accessories to furnish your Eastern Upper Peninsula cottage or bring back home with you as a unique souvenir. This family-owned and operated store also offers hand-picked local art and artisan pottery, whimsical accents, antiques, textiles, and statement pieces.

Upper Peninsula Mercantile offers an eclectic selection of items for your cabin or cottage, art, antiques, and gifts. While you look through the hand-picked vintage goods, original art, cozy furnishings, and creative gifts, you can also enjoy hot coffee from the coffee bar.

Groceries and Essentials

Ace Hardware and True Value Hardware are your best options for items related to paint, housewares, camping, hunting, and fishing. If you need accessories or repairs for your bicycle, RV, or car, the extensive selection offered by these two hardware establishments is sure to have what you need.

With so many restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and treat shops, it is hard to believe you might need to stop for groceries. But whether you’re looking for a quick snack for the road or want to cook a dinner at home in your rental, Family Fare is your stop for all grocery needs. You’ll also find items like ice and bug spray that you’ll need for camping, or toothpaste, shampoo, and other toiletries you may have forgotten.

If you’re looking for some beach toys, sunscreen, towels, or any essential you can think of, St. Ignace offers two dollar stores, Family Dollar and Dollar General, for quick and easy shopping.

Snacks and Treats

The Straits of Mackinac is one of the best places to buy fresh whitefish. With several stores to choose from, including Mackinac Straits Fish Company, Manley’s Fish Market, Gustafson’s Smoked Fish, options for fresh fish are plentiful. These shops are also a great place to get advice on how to prepare whitefish, among other fresh fish, and try other variations of whitefish, including dips and smoked options.

On the sweeter side, Sully’s Sweet Shop and Zak & Mac’s Chocolate Haus are two options for a take-home dessert. Whether you want to choose from an extensive bulk candy selection or try something richer, the smells alone are enough to draw you into either establishment.

Art and Flowers

St. Ignace in Bloom offers fresh floral arrangements as well as a selection of houseplants if you’re looking to brighten up your hotel room or cottage.

Mackinac Straits Photo Gallery serves as both entertainment and shopping, as looking at the photos of the Straits of Mackinac region is an immersive experience. Local photographer David M. Black showcases images of wildlife, lighthouses, the Mackinac Bridge, and more, all of which may inspire your own vacation photography.

For those looking to take home a more refined souvenir, check out Gold Mine Jewelry for a selection of Polish pottery, custom Michigan stone pieces, sparkling diamonds, and hand-crafted artisan work.