Batteries Plus-Battle Creek, Battle Creek

The first Batteries Plus shop opened in 1988 in response to the growing popularity of portable devices such as Walkmans and digital cameras. Today, 525 stores supply patrons with batteries to power gadgets ranging from digital cameras, cell phones, and laptops to motorcycles or robotic butlers. Light bulbs are another specialty: the stores stock everything from colorful incandescent bulbs to halogen lights that illuminate dark highways.