Where in the world can you find cuckoo clocks, delftware, wooden shoes, home decor, roasted nuts and children’s toys in the same place?
The correct answer is Holland, Michigan — and as visitors begin to descend upon the area for Tulip Time, specialty stores are preparing their most impressive (and unique) wares.
For shoppers coming into town May 1-10, we have seven recommendations (and a few honorary mentions) for shopping on and near Eighth Street. Without further ado, they include:
Culture Cheese Shop
211 S. River Ave.
Liz Sluiter launched Culture Cheese Shop in 2022 at Grand Rapids Downtown Market. She began with cultural cheese boards, including the Netherlands and Spain.
After finding success, Sluiter opened a brick-and-mortar location at 211 River Ave. in Holland. Just months later, an opportunity arose to expand into the street-facing portion of the building. The expanded shop launched in August 2024 and includes a wealth of cheeses (all available to sample) alongside breads, crackers, oils and cheese-themed goods.
The business also has a delicious grilled cheese bistro with hot sandwiches and soups.
Heinen Delfts Blauw
18 E. Eighth St.
Heinen Delfts Blauw (or Heinen Delft Blue in English) opened in the former Sea Bags just before Tulip Time 2025. The authentic shop came all the way to Holland, Michigan, from the Netherlands.
Hollanders are already intimately familiar with delftware, which is available at Nelis’ Dutch Village and Veldheer Gardens. Heinen Delfts Blauw has spent the past decade focused on home decor items, including tableware, wall decorations and plates, all products they showcase on Eighth Street.
Dutch Village Downtown
20 E. Eighth St.
Dutch Village Downtown, an extension of Nelis’ Dutch Village on James Street in Holland Township, opened in November 2021. The six-decade-old business offers delftware, wooden shoes, slippers, apparel, toys, chocolate letters, wooden bowls and food — including Dutch cheeses and ready-to-go sandwiches, salads and wraps.
Holland Clock Co.
39 E. Eighth St.
There are few shops in downtown Holland as chock-full of European handiwork as Holland Clock Co.
The business, launched by Dan Winebrenner in 2005 as Winebrenner Clock Service, LLC, carries authentic German imports and Dutch souvenirs, including a wide array of cuckoo clocks, beer steins and nutcrackers.
Holland Peanut Store
46 E. Eighth St.
Holland Peanut Store celebrated 115 years in business in 2017. The shop is organized like the beloved candy stores of old, and visitors can purchase gourmet chocolates, dozens of candies and fresh-roasted nuts inside.
The Seasoned Home
43 E. Eighth St.
The Seasoned Home is an established gourmet food shop filled with spices, teas and kitchen gadgets. Not brave enough to mix spices on your own? The business carries a variety of dip, sauce and soup mixes with ready-to-go instructions.
Out of the Box
48 E. Eighth St.
Out of the Box, a jam-packed toy and game shop, opened in July 2021 on Eighth Street. The business has a flagship location in Zeeland.
Other popular specialty shops
— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: We recommend visiting these specialty shops during Tulip Time 2026
Reporting by Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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