Whether you are looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind item for your household or wardrobe or want to give the perfect gift to someone special, turn to the shops in downtown Michigan City and LaPorte for your treasure hunt.
Michigan City and LaPorte are top destinations in Northern Indiana with everything visitors need for the perfect shopping excursion, according to Linda Simmons, director of marketing for Visit Michigan City LaPorte.
“We have something for everyone, including the most discerning shoppers,” said Simmons. “Whether you are looking for a one-of-a-kind or hard-to-find specialty item, our shops and shop owners are intent on providing clients with an exceptional experience.”
Shopping ranges from the quaint downtown areas in LaPorte and Michigan City featuring specialty shops, boutiques and antique stores to the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Mall. In between, there are plenty of art galleries for browsing and finding treasures.
Michigan City
In Michigan City, you will find an array of specialty shops featuring vintage and eclectic gifts with helpful, friendly owners and staff.
Always Boutique features all types of one-of-a-kind, fresh, upscale styles. In addition to women’s apparel, Always offers matching accessories, hats and gifts. Always Boutique is located at 406 Franklin Street, Michigan City, 46360. Visit loc8nearme.com/indiana/michigan-city/always-boutique/6500568/ or on Facebook for more information, www.facebook.com/alwaysmc.
Captain Ed's Furniture Showroom has something for everyone in the family and provides a total shopping experience. Where else can you find a pirate-themed candy store with a free pinball arcade, a classic 1970s record shop, an entertainment exchange with CDs, DVDs, video games, a chrome and automotive accessories shop and a furniture store – all under one roof? Captain Ed's is located at 400 U.S. 20 in Michigan City, 46360. Visit www.captainedsfurniture.com for more information.
Darling Boutique features women's clothing and accessories shopping in a fun, relaxed setting. Darling Boutique is located at 418 Franklin Street in Michigan City. Summer hours through Labor Day are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, click on www.darlingmc.com.
At Good News Vintage (inside the historic Staiger Hardware building in downtown Michigan City at 613 Franklin Street), you will find all things vintage from mid-century, retro and antiques to vinyl, vintage art and fashion. Find Good News Vintage on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodnewsvintagemc
Hoity Toity has everything from high-end and unique items to project furniture and home décor. Inside Hoity Toity at 731 Franklin Street, there is a collection of fine to funky sofas, lamps, vintage rugs, chairs, tables and artwork to recycle, reclaim, redo and consign. For more information, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HoityToityConsignments.
I Love Toy Trains Country Store features Lionel, Thomas, Melissa & Doug and other top train brands. See five trains in action on the store's large layout with vintage toys hanging from the ceiling and classic toy trains on display. You also will find dolls, tea sets, die-cast airplanes and cars all in a country setting. Located at 4212 W. 1000 N, just five minutes from I-94 Michigan Exit 1 and five miles west of the Hesston Steam Museum, visit www.ilttstore.com for more information.
Line Mullins Group INTERIOR is Michigan City’s newest lifestyle boutique. Located at 823 Franklin Street in the heart of the city’s uptown arts district, the store offers unique items from around the world presented in a cozy, fun environment. Whether you are looking to do some serious shopping or just browsing, stop in for a cappuccino and explore the ever changing selection of lifestyle treasures. Visit online at lmginterior.com.
Nanni's Over the Fence Antiques features an eclectic array of collections from eight amazing dealers specializing in primitive/farmhouse, Victorian, mid-century modern, art nouveau as well as records of all genres. Nanni's is located at 3747 Frontage Road, off Highway 94 eastbound at the Michigan City exit, behind the antique mall. Visit on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dlkleist for more information and store hours.
Static Age Record Shop in downtown Michigan City at 621 Franklin Street offers new release, remastered, reissued and gently used LPs plus fiber art and jewelry, concert prints, art toys, action figures and sculptural collectibles. Click on their Facebook page for more information, www.facebook.com/StaticAgeMC.
The Antique Market showcases 140 dealers with fine-quality antiques such as silver, china, furniture, jewelry, coins, art, quilts, linens, militaria, glassware, pottery and more. Find The Antique Market at 3707 Frontage Road in Michigan City. Visit www.theantiquemarketmc.com for more information.
The Closet by Franklin Vintage is a small space hidden gem that houses a large variety of items spanning the 1880s to 1980s for both ladies and gents. This eclectic mix of vintage apparel, jewelry, art and other obsessions has been hand-picked by the shop's proprietor. The Closet is located at 717 Franklin Street in Michigan City. Click on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/theclosetbyfranklinvintage for more information.
Unsalted No Sharks is a line of customizable tees, tanks, sweatshirts and more designed to celebrate Lake Michigan and its shorelines. Shop owners are passionate about the sustainability of the nation's freshwater lakes and give 10% of all annual profits to clean water charities. Check out their complete line of products at 523 Franklin Street in Michigan City. For more information, visit www.nosharksgear.com.
Bargain hunters are known for scouting around for a good sale with deep discounts. They can find exceptional brands with extraordinary savings at the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Mall in Michigan City. Savings range up to 65% off at all designer and high-end brand name stores: American Eagle, Coach, Columbia Sportswear, Vera Bradley, Under Armour, Kate Spade New York, Tommy Hilfiger and H&M, to name a few. Lighthouse Place is located at 601 Wabash St, Michigan City, IN 46360. For a map of the stores, visit online at www.lighthouseplacepremiumoutlets.com.
LaPorte
Shopping for antiques and gift items could not be more convenient than a day trip to the heart of LaPorte, where those searching for long-lost treasures have a chance to rediscover history.
AJ Schmitt Jewelers is located at 721 Lincolnway in LaPorte. In business for more than 78 years, the store is dedicated to personalized service, providing the highest quality jewelry and repairs. For gift ideas, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/AJ-Schmitt-Jewelers.
A Whole World of Good showcases a variety of missionary merchandise from around the globe. Browse these items that support missionary organizations and provide training and employment in impoverished areas while sipping on a delicious coffee or tea. Located at 711 Lincolnway in LaPorte, visit the website for more information www.awholeworldofgood.com.
Barn Style Antiques features a great selection of antique furniture and primitive necessities. Located at 2194 W. State Rd 2 in LaPorte (Rolling Prairie), visit the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BarnStyleVintage, for more information.
Co-op Shoppes on State Street has two buildings filled with artisan booths, antiques and vintage collectibles at 512 State Street. Visit www.facebook.com/Co-op-Shoppes-on-State-Street on Facebook for more information.
Coachman Antique Mall has everything from furniture and housewares to holiday décor, fabrics, linens and more from the 1700s to the 1950s. Coachman's is located at 500 Lincolnway in LaPorte. Visit www.facebook.com/CoachmanAntiqueMall on Facebook for more information and mall hours.
Freckle Farm Primitives and Antiques is located at 522 Lincolnway in LaPorte. This new downtown store is full of wonderful unique one-of-a-kind items. Browse through a selection of antiques, primitives, farmhouse furniture, gift items, folk art, architectural, garden and more. New goods are added every week and gift certificates are available. Visit their Facebook page for more information: www.facebook.com/frecklefarmprimitives.
Hotspot Cafe is located at 602 Lincolnway in LaPorte. From custom created bubble teas, lattes and cappuccinos to amazing sweet treats and light menu options, this shop has something for everyone. Hotspot offers 'Coffee & Canvas' events, board games and puzzles or while enjoying a beverage and snack, borrow a book from the community library. Click on www.hotspotcafe.net for more information.
House of Stitches offers the latest in fabrics, fibers and charts, plus all the basic supplies for cross-stitch projects. Located at 1700 Lincolnway #4 in LaPorte, the store is open Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit their website for more information: www.houseofstitches.com.
Judee's Boutique is known across Northern Indiana, Southwest Michigan and Chicagoland as the place to shop for women’s clothing and accessories throughout Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan and Chicagoland. The LaPorte shop is located at 1104 Indiana Ave. Check out the new arrivals on their website, judees.com.
Little Chocolates is located at 916 1st Street in LaPorte. There you will find an array of fresh, hand-made candies from turtles, truffles and caramels to cake pops. Visit online at littlechocolates.net for more information.
Sweet P's Fashions features soft, comfortable, unique, boho, chic and feminine fashion for everyday wear and special occasions. Sweet P's is located at 800 Michigan Ave Ste. 10, LaPorte, in the Rumely Historic Apartments. Visit their website at www.sweetpsfashions.com for more information.
While this list includes a number of the specialty shops and boutiques in Michigan City and LaPorte, there are many more waiting to be discovered on your next shopping adventure. To find out more about the shopping scene in Michigan City and LaPorte, contact the team at Visit Michigan City LaPorte, Marquette Mall, 4073 S. Franklin Street, Michigan City, IN 46360-7328, 219-872-5055 or online, www.MichiganCityLaPorte.com.
