The third weekend of the month, June through September, celebrate all things Southwest Michigan (SWMI) during the Love Local weekends! This month attendees will enjoy the St. Joe Farmers Market, a Fall Fest and other area events in addition to extended shopping hours and special offers throughout SWMI. Read on for a complete weekend guide!
Love Local is sponsored by Corewell Health, Corewell Health Foundation Southwest Michigan and The Boulevard Inn & Bistro.
SWMI EVENTS
Discover fresh finds at the St. Joe Farmers Market held weekly on Saturdays (through October 14) in Lake Bluff Park from 9:00a-2:00p! Market-goers will find a variety of products including baked goods, locally grown produce, perennials and cut flowers, meats and cheeses, coffee and more. Sponsored by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro and BOSS Services.
Fall Fest returns to downtown St. Joseph on Saturday, September 16 from 9:00a-2:00p in Lake Bluff Park and the Pleasant Street Lot (across from Schu’s), sponsored by RE/MAX by the Lake and Holt Bosse! Fall Fest activities include the RE/MAX by the Lake Big Balloon Walk-Through (11:30a-1:30p), Interactive Booths from RE/MAX by the Lake, Balloon Twisters, BOSS Services, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Southwest Michigan, Carol Wight-Barrett @ EXP Realty, Citadel Dance & Music Center, Freedom Plasma, Fusion Center for Dance, Interact Club, Krasl Art Center, LECO/Fit 4 Fall 5K, Michigan DHHS, MOMS Club of St. Joseph, Paws of Hope, South Shore Health & Racquet Club, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Rotary, The Little Play Things Cafe and Trinity Lutheran (9:00a-2:00p); Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary Pumpkin Raffle (9:00a-2:00p); Critter Barn (10:00a-2:00p), Storytime on the Bluff at 11:30a (St. Joseph/Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library), 12:30p (Forever Books - Poppy & Diana) and 1:30p with Author Cherie Okonski.
The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra will participate at Fall Fest, visit their interactive booth from 9:00a-2:00p! Information on their 2023-2024 Mainstage Concert Series as well as tickets for these concerts will be available at their table at a 20% discount.
Forever Books hosts Storytime with Poppy in Lake Bluff Park during Fall Fest; Storytime with Grumper Rabbit on the Bluff at 1:30p immediately following a Storytime hour hosted at Forever Books; Open Friday, September 15 until 8:00p!
Check out the Box Factory for the Arts new exhibit from September 15 to October 29, featuring a variety of artistic styles. The community is invited to meet the artists at the Opening Reception on Friday, September 15, 5:30p-7:00p! Light snacks and beer and wine will be available. Free Admission.
Join Forever Clean Soap Works for some good clean fun! Stop in for Bath Bomb Painting, a great activity for all ages. How does it work? Pick a bath bomb and paint it with skin-safe colors and you’ll get to take it home the same day! Available Tuesday-Friday from 10:30a-5:00p and Saturday from 10:30a-3:00p.
Try some delicious treats from Butter, a Bespoke Bakeshop at their Pop-Up Shop hosted at Chartreuse from 12:00p-8:00p on Saturday, September 16 and at The Collective’s Rebel Cafe from 9:00a-2:00p on Friday, September 15.
Krasl Art Center hosts an Exhibition Preview on Friday, September 15 from 6:00p-8:00p that features a Q&A with Joe Baughman at 6:15p. Then head to The Livery on Saturday, September 16 as Krasl hosts The George Krasl Memorial Concert with Joe Baughman + The Righteous Few at 8:30p. Both events are free and open to the public!
Lazy Ballerina Winery hosts a Pop-Up feat. Lakuna Links Permanent Jewelry on Friday, September 15 from 4:00p-6:00p; Bloody Mary & Pickle Pop Up on Sunday, September 17 from 12:00p-4:30p!
Wanderlust Outfitters hosts their annual Kuhl PANT-cakes event on Saturday, September 16 from 10:00a-1:00p! Kuhl reps will be in town serving up pancakes and giving away free Kuhl mugs filled with coffee. In-store there will be 20% off ALL KUHL. Plus, if you try on two pairs of Kuhl pants, you will receive a free gift while supplies last. From 10:00a-5:00p will be our Fall Sidewalk Sale. Shoppers will enjoy clearance shoes, gear, and apparel, and you can score up to an additional 10% off clearance!
Catch CPR Dance: Inhale Movement’s latest performance, Exhale, at The GhostLight Theater on Saturday, September 16 at 2:00p and 7:00p!
SIDEWALK SALES
DK Boutique hosts 20% off storewide - excludes sale items. Plus shop the final days of their Sidewalk Sale!
Enjoy 50-75% off at the Perennial Accents Bazaar sidewalk sale; open until 8:00p on Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16.
Grins of St. Joseph hosts a Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, September 16 from 10:00a to 4:00p (weather permitting) with an additional 15 percent off discounted merchandise!
Shoppers can find great deals at the Glik’s Sidewalk Sale this weekend during Love Local and will extra 30% off clearance! Free gift wrapping.
Lee & Birch hosts Indoor Sidewalk Sales with up to 80% off their end-of-season sale!
Join The Lilac Loft for extended hours on Sunday, September 17 from 12:00p-6:00p! Shoppers will enjoy a Fall candle Sidewalk Sale from 12:00p-4:00p, plus 15% off all purchases in the shop. Additional Sunday fun, sign up for their Fall Candle Making Experience from 4:00p-6:00p!
Oh My Darlings hosts Sidewalk Sales during Love Local weekend! Shoppers will enjoy up to 90% of a variety of products and free gift wrap with purchase.
GREAT DEALS
St. Joe Community Taproom showcases their Fall Merch release during Love Local Weekend featuring locally-designed and printed crew neck sweaters and more!
Get yourself a sweet treat from Sweet Haven! Enjoy 10% off House-Made Fudge, Chocolate and select items during Love Local Weekend.
House of Colour Southwest Michigan will offer a free gift with new books, plus 10% off all makeup sales!
This weekend, in support of Love Local, Kingfisher Cocktails & Tacos will waive the Social District service charge! Stop in this weekend for some delicious food and enjoy $1 off draft beers and draft cocktails.
The Cheese Lady hosts a $5 cheese sale on select cheeses starting Thursday, September 14! Shop early for the best selection.
Schroeder Furniture wants to get your home ready for Fall! They have dozens of new Lazboy recliners in stock and ready for delivery. Get ready for football season and cheer on your favorite sports team from the comfort of a new recliner! Stop in and see their amazing selection of Lazyboy recliners!
But Three Get One Free, all fragrance products, mix and match at The Candlestick Maker during Love Local weekend! Candles, oils, potpourri, soap, incense, diffusers, smudges. (Free item equal or lesser value).
Additional shopping fun in and around St. Joe!; Enjoy new fall merchandise at G&M Variety - weekend hours include Friday-Saturday 9:00a-8:00p; Mention Love Local Weekend at White Pine Winery to receive 10% off four bottles of wine; Maxwell Boutique hosts extended hours and sales; Olive Cart hosts extended fall weekend hours plus a 10% discount if you mention Love Local weekend and tastings available for all items; Storage of America offers the lowest price in town guaranteed + check out their new kiosk with two-way video!
