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home | life in ann arbor | shopping in ann arbor

Shopping in Ann Arbor

• General Information
• Mall and Store Locations
• General Merchandise
• Groceries and International Food Markets
• Resale Shops
• Online Shopping

General Information

Explanations and Tips

Prices

There are different stores in the Ann Arbor area that carry the same items. Since prices are not fixed in the United States, they may differ from one store to another. You may want to check prices in different stores before you make a purchase.

Sales Taxes

Michigan's sales tax is 6% (in 2006) for all products except food, medicine and periodical publications (newspapers and magazines but NOT books). Note: The marked prices at stores do not include sales tax.

Personal Checks

To make purchases with a personal check, you are required to provide an identification card with your photo. The best identification is a Michigan Driver’s License or a State of Michigan identification (ID) card. Major credit cards or student ID cards can also sometimes be used as pieces of identification, although student ID cards may not be accepted at stores away from campus. It is not necessary to carry or show your passport.

Credit Cards

When buying expensive items, consider using a credit card rather than carrying large amounts of money, because it is much safer. Using a credit card defers payment until you receive a bill once a month. Read the information that comes with your credit card carefully. Pay close attention to the interest that will be charged if you do not pay the total amount due and the fees charged for late payments. Major credit cards in the U.S. include VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Cash

It is always convenient to carry money in small bills (e.g. $5, $10, $20) because large bills, such as $50 and $100, may not be accepted in some small stores. Remember, it is not safe to carry large amounts of money with you.

ATM and Check Cards

At most stores, you can make purchases with your check card or debit card. Remember that the money for the purchase will be automatically deducted from your bank account at the time of purchase.

Coupons

Using coupons can save you money on food and daily necessities. You can get coupons from newspapers (Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Ann Arbor News), and you may also receive coupons in the mail. At the beginning of each term, coupons for downtown restaurants and stores are distributed around campus. Check the expiration date on coupons and make sure that you are buying the same items shown on the coupons; some require you to buy two or more items in order to receive a discount.

Store Savings Card

Farmer Jack, Kroger, and CVS offer a free coupon card (called a "Bonus Savings Club Card" at Farmer Jack, a "Kroger Plus Card" at Kroger, and a "CVS Card" at CVS) that allows discounts on certain products. The card acts just like a coupon but can be kept in your wallet or on a key chain. Ask the store’s customer service for details.

Return Policy

If you are not satisfied with what you bought or the service you received, you should return the item as soon as possible. All stores require a sales receipt to make a cash refund or credit your credit card account. Large stores will sometimes exchange the item or give you store credit even if the item has been used or the receipt is lost, but this is usually when a product or item is defective. Underwear, bathing suits, and sale items are almost always not returnable (ask for details before you make a purchase.)

Alcoholic Beverages

State law requires that the buyer of alcoholic beverages be 21 years or older. You will may asked for an identification card when purchasing alcohol even though you may appear to be over 21.

Mall and Store Locations

Below you will find several categories of items that you will most likely need during your stay in Ann Arbor. Of course, there are many stores in Ann Arbor; these are just some examples. Consult the Yellow Pages, call around and compare prices. The U-M International Center encourages you to explore area stores yourself.

Locations listed as Close to Campus can be reached by walking from Central Campus. Please note that UM buses can be used to travel between North Campus and Central Campus. From North Campus, you can walk to the Traver Village Mall, which has a Kroger grocery store.

For locations listed as Off Campus, you can use The Ride, the Ann Arbor bus system. Please refer to the bus map and schedule included in the Ride Guide for more details (in your orientation folder). A list of bus routes, maps, and time schedules are also available at the AATA Bus Terminal. Please note that in the front of each AATA schedule/ride guide, you will find a list of common destinations, which includes many of the locations in the preceding list of stores, and the buses that go to those destinations.

Please note that stores close to campus may be more expensive and may have less variety than stores farther away from campus.

Addresses of Local Mall/Shopping Areas

• Arborland Mall 3645 Washtenaw (at US 23)
• Briarwood Mall 100 Briarwood Circle
• Cranbrook Village 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway
• Kerrytown Shops Fourth Ave, between Fifth Ave and Kingsley Street (walking distance from Central Campus)
• Maple Village corner of W. Stadium & N. Maple
• Oak Valley Mall 2000 Waters
• Plymouth Mall 2781 Plymouth (corner of Plymouth & Nixon)
• Roundtree Plaza 2515 Ellsworth Rd.
• Traver Village Mall 2641 Plymouth Rd. (walking distance from N. Campus)
• Westgate Shopping Center 2467 West Stadium Boulevard
• Meijer 3145 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd; 3825 Carpenter Rd; 5645 Jackson Rd.
• Wal-Mart 2535 Ellsworth Rd, Ypsilanti
• Kmart 215 N Maple Rd, Ann Arbor

You can reach all of the above locations by the AATA buses (The Ride).

General Merchandise

Clothing

Close to Campus

For winter jackets and other clothes for outdoors:

Bivouac on S. State
Sam's Clothing on E. Liberty

For snow boots and shoes:

Footprints on S. University or Main St.
Bivouac on S. State St.

For fashionable, but more expensive, clothing for women:

Voila on Main St.
Vintage to Vogue in Kerrytown Shops

For more expensive clothing for men, including suits and formal wear:

Van Boven on S. State St.

Off Campus

For inexpensive clothing and shoes (including snow boots, scarves, earmuffs):

Marshalls at Arborland
Mervyns at Cranbrook Village
Target at the Oak Valley Mall
Wal-Mart at Roundtree Plaza
TJ Maxx at the Westgate Shopping Center

For moderate to expensive clothing and shoes (Including snow boots, scarves, earmuffs):

Briarwood Mall Department Stores such as:
Sears, Marshall Fields, JC Penny, Von Maur

Other Briarwood Mall stores for men's and women's apparel include:

Express, Eddie Bauer, J. Crew, Aldo, Nine West, Abercrombie & Fitch

For moderate to expensive formal wear for men (suits, ties, shoes):

After Hours by Tuxedo World (Briarwood Mall)
Bachrach (Briarwood Mall)

Note on winter jackets: Since Ann Arbor has cold and snowy winters, you will definitely need a warm, water-proof and wind-proof coat or jacket. You should buy a coat that is made out of wool, a quilted fabric, or filled with down or synthetic fiber. The jacket should also be big enough to layer clothing under and long enough to cover your hips. The most effective styles cover the neck, have close-fitting cuffs, and are snug at the waist.

Computers

Close to Campus

• U-M Computer Showcase in the Michigan Union offers computers and accessories at special prices.

Off Campus

• CompUSA on Lohr Rd.
• Best Buy on Lohr Rd.

Electronics

Close to Campus

• Ulrich's on S. University

Off Campus

• Best Buy on Lohr Rd.
• Sears at the Briarwood Mall
• Wal-Mart at the Roundtree Plaza
• Big George's on W. Stadium
• Kmart on N. Maple
• Meijer at various locations listed above

Furniture

Close to Campus

Off Campus

Household Items and Appliances

Near Campus

For small items, such as linens, dishes, and towels:

Ace Hardware, 2015 W Stadium Blvd, 734.665.7555

Downtown Home & Garden, 210 S Ashley St, 734.662.8122

Off Campus

For small items, such as linens, dishes, and towels:

Bed, Bath and Beyond at Arborland Mall
Target at the Oak Valley Mall
Mervyn's at Cranbrook Village
Wal-Mart at Roundtree Plaza
Meijer at various locations listed above
Kmart on N. Maple

For larger items (toasters, washing machines, irons):

Sears at the Briarwood Mall
ABC Warehouse at 890 Eisenhower
Best Buy on Ann Arbor-Saline Road (next to Meijer)

For fabric stores:

Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts at the Oak Valley Mall
Wal-Mart at the Roundtree Plaza
Hancock Fabrics at Maple Village and at 3170 Carpenter

Medicine, Contraceptives, Cosmetics, and Personal Care

On Campus

• Michigan Book and Supply on State St.
• The Village Apothecary on S. University

Close to Campus

For medicine (prescription drugs and contraceptives):

University Health Service Pharmacy on Fletcher sells most prescription and non-prescription drugs and offers prescription contraceptives (birth control pills and diaphragms) and non-prescription contraceptives (condoms, contraceptive foams, jellies, sponges) at prices that are usually lower than at regular pharmacies.

The Village Apothecary on S. University.

Off Campus

For medicine (prescription drugs and contraceptives), personal care items and cosmetics:

CVS at 3535 Plymouth
Meijer on Carpenter, Jackson, and on Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.
Wal-Mart at the Roundtree Plaza
Kmart on N. Maple
Sears , Von Maur, Marshall Field's and JC Penny at Briarwood Mall (for cosmetics)

Textbooks and School Supplies

School supplies are available at all bookstores listed below except Shaman Drum (books and textbooks only). Supplies are also available at stores like Meijer.

Close to Campus

• North Campus Bookstore Pierpont Commons
• Michigan Book and Supply on S. State
• Michigan Union Bookstore the Michigan Union
• Shaman Drum Bookshop on S. State
• Ulrich’s on S. University

Groceries and International Food Markets

Groceries

Close to Campus

• White Market on E. William
• Village Corner on S. University
• People's Food Co-op at 216 N. Fourth

Off Campus

• Kroger (many locations)
• Whole Foods on Washtenaw
• Meijer at various locations
• Busch's Valu Land at 2020 Green; 240 S. Main St.
• Trader Joe's on E. Stadium Blvd
• Hiller's on Washtenaw

Ann Arbor Farmers Market
This is an outdoor market that is close to campus and has fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, and arts and crafts available at reasonable prices. The market is next to Kerrytown, between Fourth Ave., Kingsley, and Fifth Ave.

Hours: May - Dec: Wed & Sat 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Jan - Apr: Saturday only 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Near Eastern, Greek, Indian, and Pakistani

• Ahmos, 341 E. Huron, 734.662.4445 - Near Eastern and Greek
• Foods of India, 1168 Broadway, 734.332.0500 - Indian
• Bombay Grocery, 3022 Packard, 734.971.7707 - Indian

Far East Asian

European

Miscellaneous

Resale Shops for Used Clothing, Furniture or Household Items

To keep your costs down, you may want to consider resale shops, which usually offer used items at much lower costs than new merchandise.

Shopping Online

Online stores

The internet is a convenient alternative to actually going to the store. National clothing retailers, discount, electronic, and department stores offer most of their goods online. You can often find a better selection online than in the actual store, especially if you are searching for clothing. Most online retailers will ship to anywhere in the United States. Please note you will need a credit card to complete most purchases. Sales tax and delivery charges usually do apply.

Stores can easily be found by using an online search engine (www.google.com or www.yahoo.com). The web site shopping.yahoo.com brings together many online retailers and provides a comparative pricing feature. Briarwood Mall's web site www.shopbriarwood.com offers a list other reputable retailers.

Please be cautious when buying online. Make sure you are buying from a legitimate online retailer. You can trust the web sites of stores you see in the Ann Arbor area or websites you have heard good reviews of from friends. If you are shopping online and do not feel fully comfortable with the site, do not continue with your purchase. Online shopping guides, such as Yahoo! Shopping (address above,) offer reviews of online retailers and products.

Online marketplaces for new and used goods

The internet is also a good meeting place for buyers and sellers. Online auctions and marketplaces have made it much easier to find new and used goods at reasonable prices. Delivery and payment methods vary, depending on your specific arrangement with the seller. Credit cards are commonly used. Sometimes sellers choose to use a third party such as Paypal (www.paypal.com) to handle payments.

The U-M Marketplace is an online marketplace specifically for U-M students, faculty and staff (uniquename and password is required). This is a great place to find new and used goods for sale by members of the University, including automobiles, furniture, books, music, electronics and much more. A uniqname and password is required to access this site.

Craig's List is an online community for all sorts of services and goods. This is also a great place to find items such as furniture, cars, books, music, electronics and much more. Please note that people often post ads on this site anonymously so there is the possibility that some postings may be inaccurate or misleading.

eBay is an online auction site. Typically in an online auction, the bidding opens at a price the seller specifies and remains on eBay for a certain number of days. Buyers then place bids on the item. When the listing ends, the buyer with the highest bid wins.

Last reviewed: 10/07