avolio is primarily a teaching facility. They do have a small shop with completed artworks for…read moresale, which was very nice. But I was very impressed with the teaching program they offer. I'm hoping I get back to Kalamazoo sometime in the next year so to take advantage of some refresher instruction and studio time.

These guys are the best! If you've joined a local mug club in which hand blown glasses are the…read moredrinking vessels, chances are its an Avolio masterpiece. They make the loveliest small, swirled glass cups for the art hops that they sell for only $10 including a wine or beer fill. We are building up a lovely collection. They also carry Christmas ornaments, vases, fishes, and more. Masters of their craft!

A fun store to wander through. Tons of original art at very reasonable prices. I found a couple…read moregifts... if I decide to part with them.

Holy bejeezus, I can't believe I'm the first to review The Zane's... This shop is a MUST if you're…read moredowntown! This is a fun stop during Kalamazoo Art Hops, too. This is a cozy consignment shop featuring works from Michigan artists. Prices rang from extremely affordable to higher ticker pieces. The variety of stuff is endless and all of the artists are incredibly talented. Amy Zane also sells her own jewelry that showcases the natural beauty that Earth's precious stones and minerals posses. Amy's staff is incredibly friendly and ready to help! I was very appreciative of the patience one employee had with me as I decided which jewelry I was going to purchase. The prints attached to this review were (and still may be) for sale there and I love them both! "Turtle in a Lighting Storm" is pure genius.

I love this place. It feels like I am walking into a community of friends when I visit the store…read more Ann is full of wisdom and talks to me like I am as an advanced of a knitter as she is even though I am still very much a novice which makes me feel very good about my knitting. The store has a very good selection and they will order if they don't have what you need in stock.

New owners, new location on Portage Road, and a lot nicer staff…read more They offer lots of classes and even have a night when you can pay a little to have someone help you with whatever project you're currently working on. I'm taking a sock class right now, and the instructor, Ann, is great! My only gripe is they don't carry a couple of my favorite fibers, but overall, they have a good selection of fiber. Plus, I understand that you can't please everyone all of the time! Overall, my favorite knitting shop.

All signs made to order usually same day local Kalamazoo made 269 501-2465 ask for Dave he's a…read moreretired veteran 37 year truck driver recently had 2 heart attacks trying to stay busy.

I love local, so this place is going to be a must-visit when I'm in the Vine neighborhood. There's…read moresuch a big makers movement in the area, it'll be nice to see the shelves fill up with even more local crafters, artisans and artists. I liked the layout of the store and the fact that it shares space with a quirky vintage shop. Products range from goodies for kids (my friend's Sunshine Chewelry is there, and there's bibs and onesies, too) to the beautiful ceramic growlers and beer steins of Grayling Ceramics, soaps and lotions, clothes and more. The mural along the wall next to the building is also a lovely local beaut. La!!

Amazing staff and environment! My friends and I always love to go here, every time we do the staff…read moreis always kind and offering help as needed. They do a lot more than just the glaze painting but I haven't tried them yet! They also have many pieces to choose from like little sculptures for kiddos and holiday themed items as well as the practical use ones like egg carton holders and mugs.

Came here as a family for my wife's birthday. She and the kids had a blast picking and painting…read moretheir pieces. Make sure if you come you listen to the instructions and understand them before getting started so you don't have any issues with your art pieces. The only thing I will caution is expect to pay a decent amount per piece. I don't believe I saw a piece less than $20, but those were small and if your younger kids are anything like mine, they will want to paint tons of them, or a really big (read expensive) one.

A real bummer. Long story short, initial experience was great. Great looking product, impressive…read morepresentation, my wife and I left looking forward to a quote (via phone) for a couple stone options. After a month and no follow up, we stopped back in. We were not in a rush but excited to get a ring ordered. The sales lady that we had previously worked with seemed happy to see us but had obviously lost our quote, name number and all, and was flustered and soon mad about the situation. In trying to remember - without letting on that she had forgotten about us- she came up with something very different than what we had talked about. Neither my wife nor I took her irritated manner personally but were a bit flabbergasted when she rolled her eyes at us and disappeared into the back room to complain about us to her manager. And she was loud. And offensive. My wife walked out by this point but I stayed to try to resolve the situation. After a few minutes, Doug (who I believe is the owner and seemed like a nice enough guy) came out and gave me an overpriced quote to apparently run me out of his store. Now I realize that customer service isn't what it used to be but this was a failure on so many levels - and such a different experience than we had been hoping for. I now hear their ads on the radio and can only say this: an ad may bring in a customer but bad service and the word of mouth that results from it can be devastating to a business. Might I be so bold as to suggest a drastic change in attitude - and employees for that matter.

Pretty much my favorite thing is cool local businesses that support other cool local businesses and…read moreartists, and that's UniQ all day. They have some beautiful glass art from locals Avolio Glassworks, as well as a really cool cross-section of items that would interest those who love jewelry and gemstones. They've got lots of very affordable gift items under $200, but also masterworks by their own and other jewelers. They have a solid collection of antique jewelry, plus lots of really modern looks. And there's something different every time I pop in (which is pretty much every time I dine at neighboring Fieldstone Grill, which is one of my favorite spots in Portage). Superior customer service as well. La!

Nice location for my photography show 3 weeks ago. Nice and bright to display my large sized…read moreacrylic photographs and meet people. Had a good help from the manager to organize my show.

I love the Epic Center - it's truly a great resource for the arts. And while there is much to say…read moreabout each business that is here, I'd like to just give a nod to the Crescendo Academy of Music. Our daughter takes voice lessons here (she loves Shannon!), and this is an extremely high quality program for music education for people of all ages. I love seeing people walk in with huge instruments and tiny ones, all with big smiles on their faces. I also love sitting and waiting for her while members of the KSO practice. It's a lovely concert while I'm waiting. Take a look around - there is art on the walls, holiday events, art hop events throughout the building each month, and plenty of arts businesses that we support and enjoy.

Absolutely gorgeous flowers. The owners are very welcoming and are happy to show you around. All of…read morethe flowers are well maintained and it shows. Can't wait to bring my mom here, unfortunately I didn't inherit her green thumb but I love flowers!!!!

I've been getting my flower pots re-potted at Donna's Greenery for the past 5 years. Angel always…read moredoes beautiful work. The flowers are gorgeous and they last the entire season.