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Sports & Leisure
These are the results of the Kalamazoo Gazette’s third annual Readers’ Choice Awards where our readers select the best of the best of Southwest Michigan.
A record number of votes were submitted this year through print and online ballots. More than 2,400 people cast more than 7,000 votes in the five main categories — Arts & Entertainment, Dining, Shopping, Services and Sports & Leisure. More than 1,300 people participated in 2008 and more than 1,500 people in 2009.
Thank you for voting and be sure to fill out a ballot next year.
• See results from 2008 and 2009.
Here are this year's Shopping results:
View full sizeLinda and Bob Sawall are the 3rd generation owners for Sawall Health Food.Sawall Health Foods is tops once again according to our readers. Established in 1936, Sawall’s is southwestern Michigan’s largest and most complete health food market. Shoppers can find high-quality health foods, including organic and local items at a fair price. Visit the vast spice section. Spices are sold by weight, so shoppers can bag as little or as much as they want. For those whose taste buds fancy Ann Arbor’s famed Zingerman’s bread or fresh produce, you won’t have to travel far because you’ll find it in the Oakwood Plaza at Sawall Health Foods.
Hours
: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Contact
: 2965 Oakland Drive, 269-343-3619
FIRST RUNNER-UP
People's Food Co-Op
Open since 1973, People's has grown to 940 owners and counting. They offer natural, local and organic foods and have a great take away deli selection. The Co-Op has become a favorite of many Kalamazoo residents. Next spring they will be in a significantly larger building near MacKenzies' Bakery on Harrison Street.
Contact: 436 S. Burdick St., 269-342-5686. www.peoplesfoodco-op.org
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Natural Health Food Center
For a large selection of natural vitamins, herbs, skin care products, organic and vegetarian groceries, plus gluten-free products visit this family-owned and -operated business.
Contact: 4610 W. Main St., 269-342-9459. www.naturalhealthfoodcenter.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Meijer, five area locations, www.meijer.com
View full sizeLeft, Jackie Simonds, 29, of Three Rivers, finds the ideal wedding dress at Memories Bridal & Evening Wear, at 203 E. Michigan Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo. Memories is a one-stop shop for evening wear, pageant gowns, bridal attire, tuxedos, prom dresses and more. The store specializes in highly personalized and unique formal wear for shoppers with personal flair. Memories co-sponsors The Cinderella Project, which collects formal dresses and accessories from the community and then donates them to young women. It allows girls to attend prom without having to worry about the costs involved.
Hours:
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Contact:
203 E. Michigan Ave., 269-344-2404,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Kohl's
This department store chain offers brand names found at the mall but attracts buyers with lower prices and numerous sales.
Contact: 6100 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, 269-323-2392; 5159 W. Main St., 269-345-1344, www.kohls.com
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Cake's Boutique
Step inside this locally owned women's' clothing boutique that targets the young professional, and shoppers will find sizes 0-24 and that all merchandise is less than $100.
Contact: 245 S. South Kalamazoo Mall, 269-381-6850. www.cakeskzoo.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Earthly Delights, 157 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269-226-0110, www.earthlydelights.us
View full sizeA four-in-one crib can change as a baby grows older. This crib, from Tot To Teen Village, converts to a toddler bed, then to a day bed and to a full bed. Tot to Teen Village
Tot to Teen Village is the hot spot for children’s formal attirm including christening gowns and wedding apparel (for tiny guests as well as ring bearers and flower girls). Boys’ tuxedos come with costs that rival or beat most rentals and a variety of fancy frills to deck out little girls for father-daughter dances and more leave choosy children a delightful variety to select from. Year-round swimwear lines make winter vacations a breeze to shop for.
Shoppers find a full line of Columbia outerwear and sports clothing as well as other name brands they want. Carters, OshKosh, Levi, Hart Strings and baby clothes by Kissy Kissy with all girls clothing stocked from preemie sizes to size 14 and boys from preemie to size seven.
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays
Contact: 229 W. Kilgore Road, Portage, 269-381-7800
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Little Sprout Children's Boutique
Find organic, Earth-friendly clothing for babies and children, as well as cloth diapers, gifts and accessories.
Contact: 3009 Oakland Drive, 269-366-4325
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Kohl's
This chain store covers the gamut of ages from babies to teens with affordable clothes, accessories, furniture and more.
Contact: 6100 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, 269-323-2392; 5159 W. Main St., 269-345-1344, www.kohls.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Children's Place, 6650 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, 269-327-7317, www.childrensplace.com
View full sizeAn employee at Alfred. E. Bike, does a bicycle tune-up in this file photo.Alfred E. Bike is in its 38th year of business. The store staff services bikes as if the bikes belong to family members. The shop sells many brands of bikes, bike parts and accessories and has a service shop, where employees do everything from fixing flat tires to assembling custom bikes.
Hours:
(Winter hours) 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Contact:
320 W. Michigan Ave., 269-349-9423,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Breakaway Bicycle & Fitness
Breakaway is a knowledgeable, reliable source for bikes and accessories, exercise equipment and cross-country skis. Each bike sold is backed up with one year of free adjustments.
Contact: 185 Romence Road, Portage, 269-324-5555, www.breakawaybicycles.com
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Zoo City Cycle & Sport
Open in Kalamazoo since 2007, Zoo City offers a wide variety in bicycles, skateboards and related accessories.
Contact: 4328 S. Westnedge Ave., 269-552-3000, www.zoocitycycle.com
Honorable Mentions (tie)
Village Cyclery, 148 N. Grand St., Schoolcraft, 269-679-4242, www.villagecyclery.com
Billy's Bike Shop, 63 W. Battle Creek St., Galesburg, 269-665-5202, www.billysbikeshop.com
View full sizeChris Lampen-Crowell by a wall of running shoes at Gazelle Sports in Kalamazoo.Gazelle Sports has the equipment, apparel, footwear and sporting goods to match the needs of any active person, including runners, cyclists, swimmers and soccer players. The store also provides clinics, training programs and corporate fitness programs to help customers achieve their fitness goals.
Hours:
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; noon -5 p.m. Sunday
Contact:
214 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269-342-5996,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Lee's Adventure Sports
A family-owned operation since its inception in 1954, Lee's Adventure Sports specializes in serving athletes who enjoy outdoor adventures. Lee's offer equipment to get customers ready for kayaking, snowboarding, hiking and camping. Shoppers can sign up for lessons and demonstrations at the store, rent equipment or have ski and snowboarding gear checked.
Contact: 311 W. Kilgore Road, Portage, 269-381-7700, www.leesadventuresports.com
SECOND RUNNER-UP
MC Sports
MC Sports offers a variety of equipment to satisfy a wide range of sporting needs, including gear for action sports, fitness, outdoors, recreation and team sports.
Contact: 6272 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, 269-327-4826; 5157 W. Main St., 269-381-4679, www.mcsports.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Dunham's Sports, 6420 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, 269-323-1800, 5474 W. Main St., 269-381-4523, www.dunhamssports.com
When competing against big-box home-improvement stores, the key for smaller hardware stores is customer service. Gale’s excels at helping customers with personal knowledgeable assistance.
Along with all the one-on-one attention, Gale's offers many services, such as mower-blade sharpening, glass cutting and screen repairs. The 23-year-old store's employees strive to find exactly what its customers are looking for — and if it's not in the store the employees with order it.
Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Contact: 2825 Stadium Drive, 269-342-8111, www.truevalue.com/gales
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Hoekstra's True Value Hardware
The oldest retail establishment in the city of Kalamazoo — established in 1867 — Hoekstra's considers customer service its No. 1 priority.
Contact: 625 Portage St., 269-345-1135
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Ace Hardware
Ace, a dealer-owned cooperative business founded in Chicago in 1924, has five stores in southwestern Michigan.
Contact: Multiple locations, www.acehardware.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, 5125 W. Main St., 269-345-2110; 5108 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, 269-276-0215, www.lowes.com
Fred Libin has been selling high-quality menswear in Kalamazoo for more than five decades. Suits, designer-name casual clothing and tuxedo rentals are among the specially selected line of men’s items at Libins — along with accessories and women’s apparel. First-rate personal assistance typical of times gone by sets Libins apart from the rest.
Hours:
9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays; 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Contact:
1028 E. Cork St., 269-381-0746
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Sydney
Sydney is the place to find upscale fashions from the latest designers — and designers meet-and-greets are regular events in this boutique.
Contact: Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, 100 W. Michigan Ave., 269- 226-3174
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Kohl's
Kohl's department store offers complete looks from suits to shoes for the budget-conscious shopper.
Contact: 6100 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, 269- 323-2392; 5159 W. Main St., 269-345-1344. www.kohls.com
HONORABLE MENTION
JC Penney, 6580 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, 269-323-7711
Books, books and more books — hard covers, paperbacks and magazines galore. And that’s not all that makes Barnes & Noble the readers’ favorite places to buy books. The area’s largest bookstore also has a large selection of music, an impressive children’s section and a large inventory of gift items, such as calendars and games. If they don’t have it, they’ll order it. Shoppers can read, sip coffee and hunt for just the right reading material in dozens of sections.
Hours:
9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
Contact:
6134 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, 269-324-1433,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Bookbug
It's just for kids, and Bookbug is a fantastic place to feed children's educational, recreational or informational reading appetites.
Contact: 3019 Oakland Drive, 269-385-2847, www.bookbugkids.com
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Kazoo Books
Kazoo Books is an independent bookseller with a wide selection of new and used books.
Contact: 407 N. Clarendon St., 269-385-2665; 2413 Parkview Ave., 269- 553-6506, www.kazoobooks.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Michigan News Agency, 308 W. Michigan Ave., 269-343-5958, www.michigannews.biz
Superior service, first-class furniture and a large variety of styles of window treatments, accessories, floor coverings and other furnishings make Stewart Clarke stand out as a favorite home furnishings store. An experienced interior design staff helps customers create a custom space to call their own.
Hours:
9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday; 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Contact:
472 W. Michigan Ave., 269-343-4689,
www.stewartclarkefurniture.com
FIRST RUNNER UP
Sticks & Stones
Since opening in 2007, Sticks & Stones has earned a name for itself in Kalamazoo for distinctive items to spice up any home. Luminaries, wall-fashions, clay pots, one-of-a-kind dishes and other kitchenware outfit a home with flair. The store also offers soy candles, outdoor art and unique items such as sea grass baskets.
Contact: 124 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269-343-2520
SECOND RUNNER UP
Art Van Furniture
This Michigan staple offers affordable furnishings, and the Portage site includes a discount sales area.
Contact: 550 Ring Road, Portage, 269- 323-3222. www.artvan.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Retro of Kalamazoo, 204 S. Kalamazoo Mall. 269-276-0899
For a special dinner event or tonight’s meal, stop at Tiffany’s Wine & Spirits to choose the perfect fit from a huge selection of wines. A gourmet deli, a walk-in humidor and a knowledgeable staff make this store an experience that keeps customers coming back. Special orders are welcome.
Hours:
9 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday.
Contact:
1714 W. Main St., 269-381-1414.
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Bacchus
Over three decades of expertise makes Bacchus a favorite for Kalamazoo residents looking to buy a variety of wines from around the globe.
Contact: 3112 Oakland Drive, 269-344-0168, www.shopbacchus.com
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Tempo Vino Winery
Visitors can mix their own grape blends at this downtown Kalamazoo shop.
Contact: 260 E. Michigan Ave., 269- 342-9463, www.tempovinowinery.com
HONORABLE MENTION
D&W Fresh Market, 2103 Parkview Ave., 269-344-9338; 525 Romence Road, Portage, 269- 329-3202.
Personal service and expert advice from a knowledgeable staff — and a unique selection of gowns, dresses, accessories and more — make Memories a pleasurable shopping experience when shopping for the perfect formal wear for any special event.
Hours:
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Contact:
203 E. Michigan Ave., 269-344-2404,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Sticks & Stones
Sticks & Stones is a unique boutique where hand-crafted jewelry made with sapphires, Peruvian opals, quartz, garnets and other stones are favorite purchases among loyal customers and those who first walk in the door. Stop in to find high-end, one-of-a-kind gifts without the big-city price tag.
Contact: 157 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269- 343-2520
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Earthly Delights
Earthly Delights delights customers with unique gift items including locally made jewelry, clothing and home furnishings.
Contact: 157 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269-226-0110, www.earthlydelights.us
HONORABLE MENTION
Cakes Boutique, 245 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269-381-6850
Fun pieces with flair as well as time-honored traditional diamonds make Plato Y Oro a well-rounded jewelry shopping experience. There are items to suit nearly every taste and pocketbook. Sizing and repairs are offered on-site.
Hours:
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Contact:
125 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269-344-2288.,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
William D. Nord
Offering custom-made items and a large choice of wedding and engagement rings and much more, William D. Nord is a popular place to purchase the perfect piece of jewelry.
Contact: 220 W. Michigan Ave., 269-345-0206, www.nordjewelers.com
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Morrison Jewelers
A family-owned business, Morrison Jewelers offers quality pieces with timeless style.
Contact: 321 S. Kalamazoo Mall, No. 100, 269-343-1255,
www.morrisonjewelers.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Van Sweden Jewelers, 157 S. Kalamazoo Mall, No. 190, 269-342-9631, www.vanswedenjewelers.com
Whether a shopper needs a size 4 or a size 13 shoe, whether you wear an AAA or EEE width, the staff at V&A Bootery will size a shopper’s foot and assist in his or her shoe-shopping experience. Men’s shoes, women’s shoes, casual shoes and elegant shoes — can all be found at V&A.
Hours: (Kalamazoo) 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday; (Portage) 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday
Contact: 202 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269-345-0107; 6292 S. Westnedge, Portage, 269-323-9888. www.vabootery.com
FIRST RUNNER-UP
DSW
With a tremendous stock of shoes in styles (and prices) to suit the whole family, this huge shoe warehouse features top brands such as Puma, Nike, Nine West and Born at a fraction of the retail price.
Contact: 5110 W. Main St., 269-344-3747, www.dsw.com
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Gazelle Sports
Gazelle has a wide selection of shoes for running and other sports, in their stores and online.
Contact: 214 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269-342-5996, www.gazellesports.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Okun Bros, 179 Portage St., 269-342-1536.
Why are Goodwill thrift store parking lots jammed on the last Saturday of the month? It could be the monthly Super Saturday sales offering half-off clothing items already priced as low as $3.99 per item. Get there early for the best choices in clothing and other finds. There are three Kalamazoo and Portage locations and other stores in Allegan, Benton Harbor, Plainwell, Paw Paw, Sturgis and Three Rivers.
Hours:
Vary by location
Contact:
420 E. Alcott St., 269-382-0490; 411 W. Milham Ave., Portage, 269-552-5260; 4608 W. Main St., 269-372-6127,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Community Thrift Shop
Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, this thirft shop sells clothing, furniture, antiques, jewelry and more.
Contact: 37111 Red Arrow Highway, Paw Paw, 269-657-4186, www.hospiceswmi.org/communitythriftshop
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army carries a wide range of clothing and home furnishings at reasonable prices.
Contact: 5117 Portage Road, 269-217-5977, www.usc.salvationarmy.org/kalamazoo
HONORABLE MENTION
360 Degrees Consignment, 4426 W. Main St. 269- 276-0288, www.myspace.com/360degreesconsignment
A plethora of unique antiques makes this store a memorable shopping destination. The 20,000-square-foot downtown Kalamazoo location is fun to wander, and shoppers often receive a personalized thank-you note for their purchases.
Hours:
7-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 2-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Contact:
313 E. Kalamazoo Ave., 269-381-0998
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Heritage Architectural Salvage & Supply
Doors, windows, hardware and other items are on sale after being saved from homes built in the mid-1800s through the 1930s. Latches, doorknobs, drawer pulls and historic lighting items also are available.
Contact:
1050 N. Edwards St., 269- 385-1004
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Retro of Kalamazoo
Modern classics fill this downtown store, that specializes in mid-century furnishings.
Contact:
204 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269- 276-0899
HONORABLE MENTION
Norma’s Antiques & Collectibles, 231 N. Grand St., Schoolcraft, 269- 679-4030