Shopping in Tiffin

Meig’s selection of on-trend clothes and accessories suits women of all ages who cultivate a young, carefree, modern-bohemian aesthetic. The store’s racks turn over frequently to reflect seasonal changes, but shoppers might find Wooden Ships knitted ruanas in bone white and emerald green, or breezy tie-dyed and print dresses from Gypsy 05. Designer denim by DL1961 flaunts daring prints that were featured in Vogue, and the store’s in-house cashmere line blends classic silhouettes with luxurious textures. The store’s selection of accessories sparkles and shines from inside vintage display cases or the nests of squatting magpies. Light-hearted accessories from Ornamental Things boast details such as gilded feathers and lightning bolts. Many of the accessories are culled from the staff’s international travels, such as fragrances from a small beachside perfumery in Mexico.

The Limelite Boutique cherry-tops customers' outfits with a lineup of designer accessories centered on its collection of colorful handbags. Alongside the more traditional purses, the online shop equips clients with wallets for easy organization or beach bags that celebrate carefree vacation days with summery prints depicting rows of flip-flops, lawn chairs lounging on the sand, and parents forcing their children to work summer jobs at the local corn dog hutch. Necklace sets and rings adorn décolletages and fingers with elegant twists of silver or colorful arrangements of stones, and a lineup of sandals from Sierra and Oka b. clothe footparts in open-toed ensembles of decorated straps and wedge soles.

Mountain Man Sports’ original mountain man Jim Wenberg started his business by selling skis, and later expanded his wares and services to include inline skates, snowboards, bikes, and sports accessories. Today, the walls of his shop are nearly unrecognizable behind rows of equipment, guarded by the shop’s faithful dog, Cooper. In addition to matching customers with any necessary equipment, Jim can rent out eager skiers a condo at Boyne Mountain’s Disciples Ridge, a scenic hideaway within walking distance of slopes, restaurants, shops, and a replica of the world’s first icicle.

In 1978, a modest 32’x144’ poly greenhouse began supplying a farm with tomatoes and pepper plants. More than 30 years later, the greenhouse has exploded into a 3-acre operation that supports a leafy abundance of 15,000 flowering hanging baskets, more than 100,000 potted annuals, and 25,000 potted perennials. Helmed by Don and Janice Bench and their son and daughter-in-law, the greenhouse and nursery pairs visitors with more than 200 varieties of hybrid roses, which only require 1 gallon of gas to bloom on the highway, as well as trees, shrubs, statues, and fountains.

In November and December, the garden center morphs into a winter wonderland that showcases more than 100 decorated trees and a seasonal trove of ornaments, fragrant wreaths, poinsettias, and crimson bows. During summer months, the Benches man a roadside produce stand, where they sell sweet corn, melons, beans, and squash from their 650-acre farm.

The staff at New Balance isn't concerned with simply selling shoes—their mission is to pair customers with the footwear that will carry them comfortably through life’s arduous steps. Understanding that an ill-fitting pair of athletic shoes can cause pain to joints and potentially damage knees, hips, and the back, associates measure the length and width of each client's foot and conduct a gait analysis to chart the trajectory of their stride when walking normally or running through ball pits. The data are collected to help the staff match clients with their ideal shoe, keeping them running longer and looking good while doing so.

Under the leadership of manager Michael Shinsky, New Balance's professional fit specialists employ their expertise and iStep machine to fit runners, walkers, and athletes with an appropriate pair of New Balance shoes. Properly fitted footwear prevents blisters, strains, and comparisons to clowns. A selection of athletic apparel garbs active people from head to toe, encouraging support and free movement. The shop gives back to the community by raising money for charity, hosting road races, and accepting used footwear donations for Kids Helping Kids and Soles for Souls.