Explore the winter season here in Michigan’s Great Southwest! Enjoy everything from outdoor adventures on local trails and igloo dining experiences to enchanting ice displays during the Magical Ice Fest (Feb. 5-7). Countdown to Summer with SWMI businesses and restaurants where shopping locally enters you for the chance to win weekly prizes. There’s a little something for everyone; #MeetMeLocally.

SHOP

• Looking for a unique gift? Check out Olive Cart’s wide selection of olive oils, balsamics, pastas, spices, stuffed olives, mustards, sauces and more. Exciting news for this year, Olive Cart will be expanding and remodeling their downtown St. Joseph location as well as remodeling their South Haven location!
• Find Michigan-focused products at Purely Michigan located in downtown St. Joseph! Offering new products with a vintage feel + Michigan beer and wine. Popular items include Kalamazoo Candles, Michigan themed apparel, Michigan made snacks, preserves, treats and so much more.
• Forever Books is SWMI’s community bookstore! Located in downtown St. Joseph, Forever Books offers free gift wrapping year-round, gift certificates, contact free shopping and online shopping at foreverbooks.net. Looking for your next read? Check out their weekly New Title Tuesday newsletter or browse their staff picks! 
• Additional shopping in Michigan’s Great Southwest!

EAT 

• Downtown St. Joseph’s newest addition, State Street Meats, is an upscale butcher shop and specialty market! Featuring gourmet cheeses, fresh produce, fresh quality meats and more. This is a one stop shop for all your meal preparation needs!
• Coach’s Bar & Grill in Stevensville delivers top notch food and delicious beverages! Currently offering sideline pick up or delivery, visit coachsbarngrill.com to place your order. 
• Caffe Tosi offers mouthwatering breakfasts, tasty lunches/dinners and an espresso bar! While you’re there, pick up a delicious hot chocolate bomb, fresh frozen soups to-go, sweet treats from Bit of Swiss, or check out their awesome apparel. 
• Additional eateries in Michigan’s Great Southwest! 

PLAY

• Brush up on your bowling skills at Striker’s Bowl! Check out their Cosmic Bowling on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00pm-9:00pm. 
• Surf the Great Lakes this winter with Third Coast Surf Shop! Featuring surfing lessons and rentals, they’ve got you covered for some serious outdoor winter fun. 
• Sarett Nature Center offers miles of hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails! Ski and snowshoe rentals available during their regular business hours. For more information visit sarett.org.
• Additional activities in Michigan’s Great Southwest!

EVENTS

• Countdown to Summer with SWMI businesses and restaurants for a chance to win weekly prizes! To enter, spend $25 (one time or cumulative purchases) at any SJT member business and turn in your receipts at the Welcome Center for one entry! Every $25 spent = one entry. Qualifying purchases between January 1 through May 26. Weekly prizes will be given away starting February 11 through May 27 (16 in total). Visit stjoetoday.com/countdown for more info!
• Join us for the annual Magical Ice Fest February 5-7 in downtown St. Joseph, sponsored by Silver Beach Pizza, to celebrate the winter season! It’s a weekend that brings frosty fun to downtown St. Joe. Enjoy professional Ice Carving Competitions, a SnowBiz Scavenger Hunt, ice sculpture displays and more! Visit magicalicefest.com for a complete schedule. 
• The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College hosts their annual Winter Delights event virtually this year - February 13 from 6:00pm-9:00pm! Online passes are available for purchase at themendelcenter.com and include five wine samples from Lake Michigan Vintners, a gourmet chocolate sampler, special Valentine’s weekend entrée and dessert recipes, a virtual tour of the LMC Welch Center for Wine & Viticulture and live music from Alex & Erin. 
• Enjoy a Virtual Trivia Night with Twin City Players on January 30 at 7:00pm! Tickets can be purchased for this annual fundraiser for $10 online at twincityplayers.org until January 28. Reserve your spot today, limited space available!
• Additional events in Michigan’s Great Southwest!