Cali’s

Cali’s saved my Christmas.
As ever, I left my list to the very last moment — I think I was darkening the doors of Cali’s the afternoon of the 23^rd or something absurd. It was the very last shop on our loop around Front Street before hitting the car at the parking deck, so I was getting a bit anxious.
Never should I have feared — within 30 minutes I had beautiful gifts for my mother-​in-​law (scarf), step-​mother (sweater) and mother (earrings/​necklace). All the moms, done and dusted!
It’s a 2-​part store: downstairs women’s fashion and accessories and upstairs homewares and other fun oddities. They host a gorgeous selection on each. It’s a true joy to shop here, a real boutique that has been on Front Street before it was cool to be there!
I used to think it was very expensive (when I was 18) but now I realize that it’s really great quality and thus commands a higher price. Even having said that there is a range where you can find very reasonable items all the way to pretty pricey. Depends what you are after.
Though I didn’t scope anything for myself on this trip (I was very focused) I’ll definitely return for a bit of indulgence. This place (like Boutique a la Vie) is all muted, understated elegance and style and I am surely picking up what they are putting down.
Well done, Cali’s! And thank you from all of my mothers :)

Lovely clothes and jewelry at super reasonable prices. I’ve found some really unique interesting pieces that would go for twice the price at a shop like Anthropologie (it’s that style of clothes). Great news for my closet and my wallet! The jewelry is unique and a lot are made by local artisans which is also very cool. I
The store is fairly small but the pieces are really nicely curated. There’s also a small sale section in the back where you can get an even better bargain. The focus is obviously cotton but overall you’ll find a variety of textiles and materials.
Upstairs there is a home store which is pricier but the goods are fantastic. Amazing décor pieces like beautiful glass orbs/​vases, metal straws, gorgeous edison bulb lighting fixtures, lots of chalkboard, tin and reclaimed wood. Minimalist and rustic. It’s hard to really buy a lot here if you’re on a budget but if you’re looking for a nice statement piece for your home this place can provide.
It’s a shame it’s a few hundred miles away from my house, otherwise I’d shop here all the time! But whenever I’m in TC I go out of my way to visit.

Loved this! We were on vacation and walking around downtown Traverse City and happened by Cali’s. I was drawn in by a gorgeous sweater and spent some time browsing the store — walking out with several items and a plan to go back when we visit the area again next fall. As other reviewers have mentioned, the prices aren’t low but the quality is very high and I think the merchandise is fairly priced. It is so nice to be in a small store with sweaters, jewelry, outerwear, etc., and have it all be so well-​made and just generally beautiful. Plus, I can pretty much guarantee no one else in my office will walk in with the same sweater. We didn’t go up into second floor where the home merchandise was sold as we were limited by time and trunk space. But the clothing section was well worth the visit.

Cali’s has to be one of the only places I’ll drop some big money for that coveted ticket item.
Cute shoes. Cute tops. Cute skirts. Cute jewelry. Cute everything.
They feature lots of local artistry in the shop, which is the ‘Cali’s difference.‘
Anthropologie-​esque but with a touch of Northern MI craft.
Last Christmas, I’d been eying a pair of handcrafted wooden earrings. So flat and beautiful, with a bit of wood burning technique. My mom must have been tired of me talking about them, because I found them in my stocking. SCORE!
Be sure to check out the register table when you’re at purchase point. It’s homemade wooden table with glass covering a beautiful array of loose leaf tea leaves.
Cali’s – you are so creative and whimsical.

Cali’s reminds me of Anthropologie. I love the second floor (home section). Beautiful items, though really pricey. I did walk away with a very cool antique-​looking salt cellar. Great store to take a tour of to see how the rich like to spend their money. :)

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Yes, this store does have some pricey items, but their sale rack is also a fave of mine’s. Clothes are elegant and understated, lots of unique textures (fragile tissue tees, lush knit sweaters, etc). Earthy/​organic yet also quite stylish. Many styles are also applicable also to a wide range of ages/​women. Be sure to check out the upstairs too, full of nice home goods (dishes, books, candles, soaps, trinkets, etc).

This store has a lot of really beautiful clothes. I always walk in and look around but never buy anything because it’s too expensive. But, if I had a mllion dollars… this is where I’d shop!