Shopping in Comstock Park

An eclectic inventory of celebratory combustibles lines the shelves inside each of Pro Fireworks' 10 Michigan storefronts. Each store appeals to clients' inner pyrotechnic with everything from fire fountains to artillery shells that launch into the clouds and bloom into fiery flowers, thundering like the rattling sabers of a thousand George Washingtons. The explosives emporium also hosts kid-friendly novelties, such as sparklers, snappers, and poppers.

Fruit Basket Flowerland’s 20 acres of nursery space contain beautiful hanging baskets, annuals, and perennials. The nursery has seen those perennials bloom dozens of times since it opened back in 1949, and today the business has blossomed out to three locations. Home gardeners can peruse a huge selection of soil, fertilizer, and plants, or sign up for instructive gardening classes, which teach participants to care for their plants and to exterminate weeds without running afoul of weeds-rights activists. Fruit Basket Flowerland also houses a vast selection of patio furniture and three lines of Weber grills.

At Play It Again Sports, knowledgeable equipment masters outfit athletes of all sports with new and used gear from major-league brands such as Nike, Callaway Golf, Adidas, Easton, and Bauer. An ever-rotating inventory keeps lockers stocked with spare balls, dressers filled with run-ready shorts, and secret laboratories populated with gleaming treadmills. Proud recipients of the Gold Standard Store award, amiable staffers stand ready to answer questions or assist with fittings, ensuring that each athlete leaves with the appropriate helmet, bat, or free-weight set. The shop also doles out cash or credit for trade-in gear, completing the ethereal circle of sports.

For more than 90 years, the experts at Henderson Glass have kept glass in cars, homes, and business in working order with their high standards for maintenance and repair. Cars shine like new after a windshield repair and replacement with a 20-month, 20,000-mile warranty available for purchase. The experienced technicians also handle glasswork for the house, ranging from replacement windows and storm doors to shower doors, custom mirrors, glass tiles, and invisible walls. Their services also expand into the commercial realm with procedures such as emergency board-up and installation of doors, glass partitions, and handrails.

When Dorothy and Tony Myers first hit the local farmers’ market with their kettle corn, lines wrapped around the corner for the fluffy treat. Inspired by the huge demand, grandson Kyle Behm transformed the mom-and-pop stand into a thriving storefront dubbed Dorothy and Tony’s Gourmet Kettle Corn. Kyle and his staff, with occasional help from Grandpa Tony, set kettles of kernels over open flames, following a secret family recipe to craft the low-calorie snack. They avoid gluten, preservatives, saturated and trans fat, and the withering stares of hardcore caramel-corn enthusiasts.