Did you know Rochester has three area gift shops run mostly by volunteers and have a nonprofit status? While they have limited hours compared to regular retail stores, they offer the Rochester holiday shopper a chance to visit a small, hometown gift store. Proceeds support the nonprofit.
For Friends on your Holiday List, Stop by the Library
Friends’ Library Store at the Rochester Hills Public Library – photo by Michael Dwyer
Located on the ground level of the Rochester Hills Public Library, this small shop has an array of gifts, cards, and collectables. “The mission of the Friends Library Store is to provide merchandise which fulfills the educational, informational, recreational and cultural interests of the community served by the library.”
The store almost doubled its size two years ago and features local art, Michigan themed accessories, and Made in U.S.A. items. While some of the stock is imported, the helpful volunteers will point you to the local goodies. Michigan made gifts include jewelry from the Blue Mohawk Studio, gifts made by people with developmental disabilities from Straits Area Services, and ceramic tiles produced in Detroit by Pewabic Pottery.
The Friends’ Library Store uses all volunteers to operate, around 50 donate 3-4 hours per week to keep this gem open. Area residents may inquire about volunteering with Darlene Tomczyk, the manager and buyer for the Friends’ Library Store.
The Friends’ Library Store of the Rochester Hills Public Library 500 Olde Town Drive Rochester, MI 48307 248-650-7179 Monday 10-8, Tuesday 10-6, Wednesday-Saturday 10-4, Sunday 1-5
Sick of Shopping, Come to the Hospital
On the border of Rochester and Rochester Hills is Crittenton Hospital. The gift shop in the lobby area is full of gifts for all budgets. It’s a gift shop in a hospital, not a hospital gift shop.
Crittenton Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop – photo by Michael Dwyer
Like the library, over 40 volunteers work one shift per week to run this gift shop. Proceeds benefit the various hospital departments.
Crittenton Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop 1101 West University Drive Rochester, MI 48307 248-652-5650 Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m. -7:30 p.m.
You Know the OPC
Many area residents know about the Older Persons’ Commission in Rochester. If you’re 50 or older, you’ve probably used one of the many services they have. While most of the programs offered at the OPC are geared toward the older person, the Mary Elizabeth Gift Shoppe is open to all ages.
Mary Elizabeth Gift Shoppe at the OPC in Rochester – photo by Michael Dwyer
They offer Michigan themed gifts and locally made products. The shop also rotates a variety of products made on site. The OPC has a working woodshop, jewelry studio, stained glass studio and pottery studio. Members who engage in these arts donate their work, made in the building, to be sold in the shop. Proceeds benefit the operations of the OPC, including the art department.
Mary Elizabeth Gift Shoppe at the Older Persons’ Commission 650 Letica Drive Rochester, MI 48307 248-656-1403 Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
About Michael Dwyer