Shopping in Norton Shores

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.

On the edge of Lake Michigan, three generations of family members wade out into the water for a paddleboard class. Some seem apprehensive, unsure of how the lesson will unfold, but the mood changes once Susan, the groups' 70-year-old matriarch, stands atop her board and dips her paddle into the water. Encouraged by her bravery, the rest of the boarders stand upright and step out of their comfort zones.

Real experiences like these set the tone for MACkite's classes, which cover kiteboarding, snow kiting, surfing, and standup paddleboarding. Instructors put nervous students at ease, helping them face fears of falling off a board or accidentally pulling the lake’s plug. The experts can also add inventive twists to lessons, such as leading yoga poses on top of paddleboards.

Additionally, MACkite's crew hangs up their wetsuits and waterproof cummerbunds to man the business’s retail shop. Known to sport silly garb such as pink board shorts and fake mustaches, they help visitors peruse Naish equipment as well as one of the largest selections of Cabrinha gear in the Western hemisphere. Their extensive stock boasts individual items such as wetsuits and complete packages.


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.

Skilled artist Regina Marie Johandes employs more than 30 years of experience working with fused glass as she creates original pieces and enlightens budding artisans. Regina's vibrant, full-service studio brims with chromatic creations including jewelry, home decorations, and celestial road maps. Informative workshops taught by Regina and a team of talented instructors bestow glass-fusion knowledge upon nascent creators, teaching each step from cutting and coloring to fusing and tossing into a wishing well. Students leave with a one-of-a-kind bauble, and local artists working at the studio are available to enhance custom pieces with their wire- or metal-manipulating prowess.