Getting ready to open for a new season is so exciting, but so overwhelming, too! 

I shared a few weeks ago in my Instagram stories about something that’s been weighing on my heart. It’s small, but it factors into the whole supply chain and so many small stores across the country.

When the horrible snow storm hit Texas a few months ago, the factory that produces the glue for all of our cute bags that you leave the shop with had to shut down.

We can get our bag order, but none of the bags will have handles - which would be a sight if you had to walk up and down Main Street holding your bag with no handles. Can you imagine?! 

Because I love to support companies in the United States, I was able to find another option for the bags that also have handles, while still being made in the US. 

While they won’t be as cute, they will be purposeful and they will still carry the same beautiful goodies that you have been getting at the shop for years.

When you shop small, you are not only supporting my shop, but you are also supporting a bag company in Texas that has had a hard year and been affected by a crazy snow storm.

When you shop small, you are helping to benefit the supply chain in ways that you probably don’t think about often, but make a huge difference in countless lives. 

So while we don’t have the prettiest bags this season, I know that we are still doing our part to support the US Supply Chain and help support business’ that need us in our country.

In a way to also help support our environment, if you purchase a Little Luxuries Burlap Tote Bag and bring the bag in when you shop this summer, you will save 10% OFF on your entire purchase! (Bag must be purchased ahead of time.)

As always, thank you for shopping small and supporting Little Luxuries. 

June & December Notepad: The perfect notepad for the paper lover on your list! Made in Michigan, this notepad will inspire you with its pretty florals all year long. 

Lollia Hand Creme: Delightfully paired, these signature Lollia favorites will be your skin saving go-to when you're on-the-go. Formulated with rich Shea Butter, Aloe & Macadamia Nut Oils to leave skin supremely soft.

Weekend Money: Once a memento of old-school amusement parks and Summer camps, these vintage-inspired rubber coin pouches adorned with the latest Three Potato Four designs are our new favorite accessory! 

Lavender Sachet: Lavender sachets are great to give or tuck anywhere for a fresh scent for years!

Swig: Triple insulation technology allows our top-selling stemless wine cups to keep drinks cold up to 9 hours and hot up to 3 hours. Their unbreakable construction makes them perfect for enjoying chilled wine or cocktails by the pool, hot tea in the morning or even ice cream sundaes before bed (Swig calories don't count! 😉)

Quotable Mug: Give the gift of this Quotable mug to the person in your life who loves al the cute sayings. 

Handsanitizer Wipes: Disinfect anytime, anywhere. Made with alcohol-free Benzalkonium Chloride, which means gentle on your skin. Safe and effective alternative to alcohol-based products for skin and surfaces.

Nablus Soap: Rich and herbal, Nablus sage olive oil soap is a sage experience that will delight your dermis. Made with 100% certified organic virgin olive oil

Hi! I'm Nicole. I am the curator behind Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island, our sister store, The Artists Market of Mackinac Island and Canvas & Paddle. I grew up in a small town north of Lansing called St. Johns in mid-Michigan. My family and I would spend as much time as we could at our family cabin just an hour and a half south of the Mackinac Bridge. Just like my older brothers, I have always had a love for Northern Michigan. 

I graduated from Albion College with a bachelor of Arts in Communications and English in 2008.  The summer of 2006, I decided to do something different. I got a job waitressing (for my first time) at the Gatehouse Restaurant on Mackinac Island.  After an amazing summer experience on Mackinac and earning as much money as I could to be able to spend the winter semester in Australia, I decided to spend my last 'college' summer on the island again before entering the 'real' world. 

That summer goal of just wanting to have a good time ended up being a little bit more than I had imagined. Andrew, my husband and I, met. After a very memorable summer, I graduated in May 2008, and got a job at Grand Hotel. Working for Grand Hotel was such an amazing experience. But I did know it wasn't what I imagined doing for a long time. My first winter on the island, a retail space came up on Main Street. It was a very good deal and just a 600 squre foot space.  Andrew asked me if I wanted to create a gift shop. With no experience in retail and during a time the economy was not the best, we still took the risk. {We had both never really worked in retail before besides Andrew's grocery experience.} In 2009, Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island was born. I was most nervous about working the cash register my first day open! After learning SO much and working my butt off, three years later I expanded into the space that was next door to me, previously Michigan Peddler. It was a big risk for me to take and I am SO glad I did it. I now have a beer and wine license and was able to take over the prominent Michigan-made store. 

In 2015, The Artists Market of Mackinac Island was created. This was unplanned as well. The space was available and I was asked to do something with it, but what? After much thought, I decided a community home to several independent artists and makers from across the country would be a unique fit to downtown. 

You probably think I am either crazy, like to be busy, or enjoy the challenge... well, I would say all of those observations are correct. In 2017, I opened a small gift shop next to Little Luxuries called Canvas & Paddle. It is a rustic, up north-themed gift shop. 

In between, my business adventures, Andrew and I married in December 2010 on Mackinac Island. Our first son, Louis or Louie, he likes to be called, came into our world in December 2013 and Thomas {Tommy} was born in May 2015. 

I now enter my 10th year of business with Little Luxuries. At age 23, opening a business on Mackinac Island, I have learned SO much as a young entrepreneur. I have been through many ups and downs through the retail world and I am so very thankful for my awesome support system which is my family, friends, customers and most of all, my husband, Andrew. I would not be where I am today without his passion in small business, his loyalty, and his strength. 

I should probably mention that Andrew and I lived on Mackinac Island year-round for 11 years and now we live in Petoskey, MI from November-April and we commute to the island often during those months. 

Looking back over the years since 2006 when I decided to work on Mackinac Island, I still can't fully comprehend our lives. We have lived a very unique lifestyle, yet I wouldn't change it. 

Thank you for taking the time to learn about my story. If you are not a customer in one of my shops or lover of Mackinac Island, I really hope you can visit this beautiful island one day and make my shops one of your must-do's.

 

Love,

Nicole

xo.