Shop Small (but Big on Local) with Essence on Main!
Nestled in the heart of charming downtown Clarkston, MI, you’ll find a local shop packed with local brands. Essence on Main is a great place to find the perfect gift for anyone on your list this holiday season, all while supporting several Michigan small businesses!
As you walk into Essence on Main, you’ll notice several local brands lining the shelves - from Polk-A-Dot Mitten, Kalamazoo Candle Company, Everybody by Dutton Farm, Food For Thought, The Chocolate Moose, Milford Caramel Co, The Popped Kernel, and more. Owner Emma Davis-Donnay recommends scoping out spice blends from Milford Spice Co., or Hell Fire Detroit hot sauces, which range from warm to super hot.
This small shop has plenty of goods for the foodie in your life! For the great cook, they’ve got Earthy Delights balsamic glazes and local spice gifts, and for the aspiring young culinarian, even high-end Kuhn Rikon child-safe knives. Shopping for someone who already has everything? Emma suggests edible gifts - indulgent food and wines that they may not splurge on for themselves, but will make any day extra delicious. She creates custom gift baskets full of Michigan-made foods that satisfy any eater - call this shop with a budget and theme, and they create a perfect basket, ready to pick up in 48 hours!
“Shopping local directly impacts the lives of people in your local communities,” Emma says. “By choosing to spend your money locally, it helps our communities grow and become more self-reliant.”
Stopping into Essence on Main on Saturdays is extra special during the holiday season with free food samples and a festive air. Visit this destination shop anytime from 10-6pm Tuesday-Saturday at 4 S Main St in downtown Clarkston. Happy shopping!
Claire Butler is a Communications Coordinator with Taste the Local Difference. Contact her at claire@localdifference.org.