Shopping in Ferndale

Priced Green cultivates a constantly-changing inventory of high-end, gently used clothing, with each item available for five dollars or less. The boutique overflows with tank tops, dresses, skirts, and sportswear, all of which are carefully inspected by co-owners Bill and Danielle Perry and their eagle-eyed staff. Along with designer labels, the boutique also features heels, flats, and fashion-forward accessories.

Pintsize shoppers litter the aisles at Connie's, a kids' clothing store specializing in adorable formalwear for first communions, baptisms, and weddings. Dresses, suits, and shoes abound at this time-tested retailer, which was started more than half a century ago by Maxine and Sidney Kort, whose daughter Denise now operates the business. She stocks school-uniform components such as jumpers, skirts, and shirts throughout the year, as well as casual duds emblazoned with Michigan colleges and Detroit sports teams. Her voluminous selection of husky to petite attire caters to most body types, rendering one-size-fits-all flour sacks obsolete once and for all.

Every year at Ann Arbor Fest, Catching Fireflies founders Steve and April paused from manning their paper-arts booth to admire the folksy paintings of local artist Chris Roberts-Antieau. When they finally saved up enough to purchase their favorite piece, “Catching Fireflies,” it led to a flash of inspiration: a shop dedicated to showcasing similarly whimsical artwork and supporting local artists.

Now, Catching Fireflies’ inventory spans the spectrum, from leather-bound journals and wall art to children’s toys, and has been lauded in Rochester-Rochester Hills Patch. Once customers have honed in on wares, staff can gift-wrap them free of charge, thereby eliminating the need to conceal them behind Groucho glasses.

At Anne’s on the Avenue, proprietor Anne Waters and her staff of fashion experts curate a collection of women’s styles from well-known labels and up-and-coming designers from Europe and Canada. Trendy wearables from Joseph Ribkoff, Frank Lyman, and Spanner grace the racks, dressing guests to the nines for formal or casual events with seasonal dresses, sweaters, scarves, and jewellery. Consultants employ Anne’s passport for style during private consultations to help clients assemble flattering ensembles for any occasion, from classy office cocktail parties to runway-style sashays to the mailbox.