Holiday shopping in Downtown Wayne

Look for The Wayne Main Street Downtown, Wayne Shopping Guide inside this month’s Wayne Dispatch.

By Carolyn Marnon – One way you can help the economy in Wayne is to do as much of your holiday shopping in Wayne as you can.  Wayne may not have the big box stores and the large retail chains, but it still has plenty of options to offer.
Leo’s Jewelry and Gifts, 34900 W Michigan Ave, has an assortment of fine jewelry.  They have recently remodeled and have a nice area where you can sit and ponder your choices, if you need to.  They are the local outlet for selling Vera Bradley luggage, handbags and accessories.  One Wayne resident gets Pandora items for his wife here.
Puffer Reds, 35002 Michigan Ave, is Michigan’s #1 exclusive sneaker boutique.  You can find mostly men’s clothing and accessories, with a little bit for the ladies thrown in.  If you know someone who collects sneakers, this is the place to check out.
GI Surplus, 34932 Michigan Ave, is an Army-Navy surplus store. They carry a large selection of outdoor apparel, military artifacts and camping equipment.  In case you thought you could only find items for men here, they also carry pink camouflage items for women.
Baker’s Acre, 34914 W Michigan Ave, is family-owned and operated.  Many people think this business is closed, but it is not.  Many local groups get cookies for their functions from Baker’s Acre.  If you need cookies for the holidays, you can call and place an order at 722-4110.  They specialize in seasonal and custom edible trims.  They also offer cakes and other edible gifts.  If you want to bake something yourself, they do have a very large assortment of cake pans available for rent and items you can place on your cakes/cupcakes.
Tried and True Thrift Store, 35004 W. Michigan Ave, has helped train and employ individuals with developmental and mental disabilities at this Wayne location since 2007. This is a great place to pick up holiday décor as well as an assortment of gifts, especially if you love hunting for items for a special collector in your life.  By shopping here, you not only can pick up a bargain, but you are helping the employees refine their skills.
Kicks Tae Kwon Do, 35004 W. Michigan Ave, Suite A,  is Wayne’s martial arts studio.  It is family-owned and operated and offers a variety of programs for all ages.  This might be a great “experience” gift to give someone who has everything.
AKA Sports, 34904 Michigan Ave, specializes in custom designed trophies, jackets, t-shirts, hats, pro sports apparel and more. Maybe you know someone who could use a customized shirt. This could be the place to pick up that special something for the sports fanatic in your life. Majestic Detroit Tiger Jackets (regularly $150) are just $75. Detroit black and white hoodies are just $65.
Mr. Keith’s Designer Fragrances, 35006 W. Michigan Ave, sells body oils, lotions and more for men and women at affordable prices.  Check out the variety of fragrances they have available. They have recently been featuring some stylish hats.
Designer Wearhouse, 35028 W. Michigan Ave, showcases the latest styles in their window displays that change every week.  There is clothing for men and for women in this store. There are also plenty of accessories to choose from. Jewelry, shoes, purses, belts, hats and caps, you will probably find something for the fashionista in your life here.
Icon Computer Solutions, 35858 W. Michigan Ave, is a full-service computer repair store. For the tech-savvy person, you might find something here. They also sell refurbished computers and tablets along with items you can use to build your own computer.
Kurt’s Caps, 35760 W. Michigan Ave, is the ideal place to visit if you are shopping for a truck enthusiast.  Some of the great things you can find at Kurt’s include window visors, floor mats and liners, mud flaps, running boards, bed liners, econo covers and of course, bed caps.
Northside True Value Hardware, 2912 S. Wayne Rd, has everything you can think of for the handyman on your gift list.  However, it is not just a handyman store: you can find scarves, candles and other household items as well as tools for the ladies, holiday décor items, and other fun items.  You can find a little bit of everything if you browse here long enough.
Henry’s Service Center, 3041 S. Wayne Rd,  offers gift certificates for the holidays. If you know someone with a car, they are going to need to get their car fixed at some point.  Give them a gift certificate!
Helium Studio, 3127 S Wayne Rd, is a new business in Wayne.  They offer items from over 50 different artists and makers, mostly from Michigan.  If you know someone who loves handmade and/or unusual gifts, this is the place to shop.  Items are available at different price points, so you could find something within your budget.
AKA Treasures Resale Shop, 3030 S. Wayne Rd, has an ever-changing array of items for those on your holiday list. You can find items with their original price tags still on.  They recently received a lot of costume jewelry with boxes. There are some wonderful treasures to be found at this store.