The best book, hobby & craft shops in Kalamazoo County

Kazoo Books has 40,000 new and used titles, a deep bench of Michigan authors, and a team that will hunt down out-of-print favorites. Independently owned since 1988, it’s the cozy, no-pressure place to get lost in shelves or join a book or writer group this week.

From the Portage newsletter, September 22, 2026

Bookseller chain stocking housebrand eReader, plus a broad selection of titles for adults & kids.

Entertainment retail chain selling new & pre-owned music, movies & video games, plus T-shirts.

KVCC Bookstore is the Valley community’s one-stop for actual school stuff and the extras you didn’t know you needed. Textbooks, art and drafting supplies, nursing gear, cosmetology class kits, study aids, tech, Cougar gear, greeting cards and even snacks...

From the Kalamazoo newsletter, September 7, 2026

Whether you’re hunting fresh issues, digging into board game nights at home, or eyeing new RPG worlds and sports cards, Fanfare packs the shelves with the good stuff so you can escape Portage potholes for a bit and roll natural 20s instead.

From the Portage newsletter, September 17, 2026

Bookbug & This Is a Bookstore nails that cozy Kalamazoo vibe with shelves you can get lost in, fun events like regular story times, and even an in-house cafe for sandwiches and snacks. Expect smart staff picks, signed first editions, used finds, and gifts when you need a quick win.

From the Portage newsletter, September 29, 2026

Heritage Guitars keeps the city’s guitar legacy alive with four decades of craft behind its Custom Shop and Standard II lines, from the solid-mahogany H-137 to elegant H-575 archtops. If your riffs need more growl or shimmer, their Heritage pickups and effortless playability are worth a test drive this week.

From the Kalamazoo newsletter, September 30, 2026

Whether your sewing pile is judging you or you just want to add texture to a room, Kalamazoo Dry Goods curates textiles that hit the sweet spot of useful and beautiful. Pop in for fabrics that spark ideas, thoughtful supplies, and gift cards when your crafty friend needs encouragement.

From the Kalamazoo newsletter, October 13, 2026

Between vintage gems and modern workhorses, Tremolo Guitar Shop has a wall of inspiration, a drum shop, and the pros to keep it all singing with repairs and lessons. Think Gibson to Fender, Gretsch to Rickenbacker, amps from Marshall and Vox... a proper Kalamazoo tone playground.

From the Kalamazoo newsletter, October 19, 2026

Broughton Music Center is where Kalamazoo keeps its groove, with private lessons, rock band groups and open jams at BMC The Lab. Browse a wall of strings, drums and more, snag that hard-to-find sheet music from their 10,000-title stash, then get your gear tuned up by real-deal repair techs.

From the Kalamazoo newsletter, October 6, 2026

Chain carrying a variety of arts & crafts materials, plus party supplies, fabric & home-decor items.

Green Light Music and Video is the Kalamazoo go-to for new and used vinyl and CDs, plus tapes, DVDs and even turntables, with fresh arrivals, preorders, and indie exclusives that make crate-digging dangerously fun. They also buy records, so you can trade yesterday's soundtrack for today's spin.

From the Kalamazoo newsletter, September 16, 2026

Colors & Cocktails is the woman-owned Kalamazoo studio-boutique that turns girls’ nights, birthdays, and random Tuesdays into sip-and-paint fun, plus they stock DIY art kits and supplies from local vendors. They even bring the party to you for mobile paint nights, and they just nabbed the 2026 Chamber’s Choice award.

From the Kalamazoo newsletter, September 23, 2026

Retailer offering a range of musical instruments & gear for sale or rental, plus lessons & repairs.

Chain outlet providing guitars, amps, keyboards, and other musical instruments, plus lessons and repairs.