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Business & Tech

A Last-Minute Shoppers' Oasis

For those who sill have gifts to pick up, a stroll down Michigan Avenue offers many opportunities to fill everyone's stockings this year.

So, it's almost the big holiday and you still don't have your shopping done.

There's no need to scramble to Fairlane Mall or and wait in long lines; no reason to pay for one-day priority shipping from Amazon.com. In downtown Dearborn, there are plenty of opportunities to buy unique gifts from local retailers that will charm the socks off of you loved ones, while supporting businesses that keep Dearborn's downtown atmosphere alive and kicking.

So get ready for a stroll down Michigan Avenue—the trip will prove that Dearborn is home to some of the best independent retailers in Michigan.

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1. , 22000 Michigan Ave., 313-561-1000

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Dearborn Music is one-stop shop for music of all genres, and there's not much you wont find at this store, said manager Kevin LeAnais. "A CD is really the best stocking stuffer, and we have more than 40,000 CDs here," he said. "We have anything that's new, including the new Taylor Swift or the new Kid Rock."

But the store also has many CDs for the, um, older set. "We have 7,000 titles that are mostly classic rock," LeAnais said.

Other great stocking stuffers that LaAnais said have proven to be very popular include playing cards that have music or sports themes, such as KISS, the heroes of Red Wings hockey, or great University of Michigan sports figures, to name but a few.

Dearborn Music will be open on Dec. 22 and 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Christmas Eve from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

2. , 22266 Michigan Ave., 313-562-8484

Jewelry is always a timeless and classic gift that brings enjoyment for decades, said Steven Adelson, the owner of Steven Bernard Jewelers. "We have quite a few things that would be great gifts, particularly for women," he said.

One of the best gift alternatives are stainless steel, stackable bracelets with diamonds that retail for $100. For those who want to spring for matching earrings, they are an additional $65. The bracelets and earrings come in several tones, including black, white, rose and yellow, Adelson said.

"These are the kinds of bracelets women can wear every day, and they're really very casual," he said. "Women will often wear more than one."

Steven Bernard Jewelers is open on Dec. 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

3. , 13210 Michigan Ave., 313-582-9444

With the number of comic books that have been converted into movies and Saturday morning cartoons, its clear that comic books and graphic novels occupy a large part of popular culture. So feeding that interest in young and old is easy at Green Brain Comics, which sells comics and graphic novels to please everyone from preschool-aged children to adults.

"Right now graphic novels are really popular, and they're a great gift for Christmas," said Katie Merritt, co-owner of Green Brain. "The graphic novels are really interesting because they are longer—usually about 80 to 100 pages long—but they have comic book content inside."

Merritt said that not only are comic books affordable, they are also a great way to foster a new interest in young people.

Comic books for young people that are really popular today include the "Super Friends" series by DC Comics, and the "Star Wars: Clone Wars," both of which are plentiful at Green Brain.

Green Brain will be open on Dec. 22 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

4. , 21755 Michigan Ave., 313-274-6100

A produce market may not be the first place a shopper would think of for a holiday gift, but Westborn market has offering that would suit almost anyone, from a family member to a friend, or even a boss or co-worker.

On the large side, marketing director Brian Bandyk recommends a gift basket. "The baskets are filled with fresh fruit and specialty food items, and they're a wonderful gift," he said.

On the smaller—or more intimate side—flowers may be the best answer to the gift giver's quandary, Bandyk said. "Obviously we have a large flower section, with gift ware that is unique," he said. "Anything from that department would be a great gift.

Other gifts—perhaps for the hostess of a Christmas party—could be found in the wine department, where there's a large number of boutique wines, or the bakery, which offers custom cakes and treats, said Bandyk.

Westborn Market will be open on Dec. 22 and 23 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Christmas Eve from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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