Shopping in Big Rapids

The friendly folks behind Y-Knot Embroidery stitch and screenprint names, logos, or favorite phrases onto a range of accessories and clothes for individuals, businesses, teams, and volunteer groups. The staff can personalize any accessory or article of attire—which can include brightly colored tees, hats, coats, and work-worthy button-ups—in their entire inventory. They can spiff up a polo shirt with an embroidered monogram, or distract potential thieves hoping to steal your beach bag with a screen-printed math problem.

To give back to their community, the staffers promote cancer awareness, stocking items such as Kid’s Cancer Storys, which benefits Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Institute.

Rocket Express, located on the campus of Reeths-Puffer High School, joins forces with Y-Knot Embroidery to emblazon school emblems across a variety of merchandise. Pupils can assert their high-school-student status with the 100% cotton of a Reeths-Puffer t-shirt or hooded sweatshirt, which help justify a tendency to sleep until noon. Stow scalps beneath a pink ladies Port Authority cap, or sip milk from a 22-ounce refillable tumbler. The shop can customize much of its merchandise, embroidering items with names, numbers, or locker combinations.

The store opens its doors during lunch on school days, from 11 a.m. to 12:35 p.m., and after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. The public can also select their spirited wares during basketball games, choir concerts, and indoor events.