Every dollar you spend in Canton stays in Canton. That’s the beauty of shopping small, and there’s no better time to embrace it than Small Business Monday. While the big box stores flash their sales, Canton’s local shops are serving up something much better: personality, community connection, and products you won’t find anywhere else.
Your Guide to Canton’s Best Local Shops
Canton’s Ford Road District isn’t just a shopping destination—it’s a three-mile stretch packed with over 300 businesses that give this community its character. Whether you’re hunting for vintage books, fresh flowers, or unique collectibles, you’ll find it right here in your backyard.
Start your shopping adventure at The Books Connection (technically in nearby Livonia but beloved by Canton readers), where you can trade in your old books for store credit and walk out with new reads at a fraction of the price. The staff actually remembers what you like and will set aside books they think you’ll love.
Comic fans shouldn’t miss State of Comics in neighboring Plymouth. This isn’t your dusty basement comic shop—it’s a bright, welcoming space where families browse superhero adventures alongside serious collectors hunting first editions. Plus, they offer a 25% discount when you pre-order your favorite titles.
For five generations (yes, you read that right), Keller & Stein Florist has been creating arrangements that make Canton residents smile. Located on Canton Center Road near the post office, this family-run shop knows flowers and shows it in every bouquet. Whether you need same-day delivery or custom designs in your kid’s school colors, they’ve got you covered.
Canton’s Community Events Worth Your Time
Canton knows how to throw a party. The Village Arts Factory in Cherry Hill Village hosts regular community gatherings throughout the year, including their popular “Fall Into Art” series and the annual Holiday Pottery Sale from the Cherry Hill Potters Guild. More than 10,000 residents attend these programs annually, proving that Canton takes its arts scene seriously.
During the holiday season, Canton transforms. The Canton Holiday Artisan Market brings familiar faces from the Canton Farmers Market together with new vendors offering handcrafted goods, baked treats, and home decor that actually looks good in your house (not like that mass-produced mall stuff).
Throughout the year, keep an eye on the Canton Township calendar for events like Home for the Holidays, Swim with Santa, and the Canton Turkey Trot. These aren’t just activities—they’re traditions that build the fabric of this community.
Why Your Money Matters More When You Shop Small
Here’s a fact that should change where you shop: When you spend $100 at a local Canton business, about $68 stays in your local economy. Spend that same amount at a big chain? Only $48 sticks around.
Small businesses contribute 44% of the U.S. gross domestic product, and they’ve created two-thirds of net new jobs in recent decades. In Canton specifically, shopping local means your money goes toward better schools (through property taxes), safer streets (through local tax revenue), and actual jobs for your neighbors.
Local businesses also give back more than just economic benefits. Research shows that 66% of small business owners donate to charity, and they’re often the first to sponsor your kid’s soccer team or donate gift baskets to school fundraisers.
Gift Ideas You Won’t Find on Amazon
Shopping small doesn’t mean settling for second-best. Canton’s independent shops stock items with actual personality:
For the Book Lover: Trade-in credit at The Books Connection means you can give a huge stack of books without breaking the bank. Their staff will help you find titles based on the recipient’s taste, not some algorithm.
For the Comic Enthusiast: State of Comics carries everything from mainstream superhero stories to indie graphic novels. Pick up a subscription box and they’ll curate monthly surprises.
For Anyone Who Deserves Flowers: Keller & Stein has been perfecting their craft since 1898. Their custom arrangements beat grocery store bouquets every single time.
For the Art Lover: The Village Arts Factory studio artists offer pottery, paintings, and handmade goods. You’re not just buying art—you’re buying a piece of Canton’s creative soul.
For the Home: Canton’s local shops along Ford Road stock furniture, gifts, and home furnishings that reflect actual style, not whatever trend some corporation decided to push this season.
Make Small Business Monday Your New Tradition
The beauty of Small Business Monday isn’t just the deals or the products. It’s the conversation with the shop owner who remembers your name. It’s the packaging that doesn’t involve twelve layers of plastic. It’s knowing that your purchase helps pay for your neighbor’s mortgage, not some CEO’s third vacation home.
Canton’s small businesses need your support, but honestly? You need them just as much. They’re what make this community worth living in. So this Small Business Monday, skip the online cart and take a walk down Ford Road. Chat with the florist. Browse the bookshop. Discover something new at a shop you’ve driven past a hundred times. Your community (and your conscience) will thank you.
Sources: shopcanton.org, yelp.com, cantonmi.gov, stateofcomics.com, kellerstein.com, villageartsfactory.com, elavon.com, advocacy.sba.gov, cantonchamber.com
Header Image Source: Amina Filkins
