Dexter Spice

Just off main street on Central facing Veteran’s Park, the Dexter Spice House is an amazing little shop located in a restored, understated building that’s definitely worth a visit.
I had seen the large banner out front facing Veteran’s Park, but only this week had the good opportunity to stop in with my son to take a look (and a whiff).
The shop is impressive. I have only seen spice shops to this excellence in Europe.
Upon entering, you walk into a wonderfully restored interior and greeted by a warm showroom of spices (the usual and not so usual), special teas, infused oils and soaps all arranged very attractively though out the store. You could spend an hour in the main spice room just enjoying reading (learning, really) all the descriptions of the occasionally exotic spices as well as info on the ‘typical’ organic spices that are specially presented.
Spices are available in small jars or to sample even more, convenient sample packs are available too.
Denise, the owner, was very helpful in suggesting different spices to try in lieu of typical ones that might go into dishes. Of course, the ‘usual’ varieties of spices you’d find at the grocery are here, but at least by the samples I tried (and that I brought home) were noticeably better scented. I’m not sure if they are just more fresh (who knows how old the stuff is at the grocery anyway?), but everything here was noticeably more fragrantly alive. Even better was my wallet wasn’t punished for buying the higher quality: the prices are about what you’d pay at the grocery for the old stuff.
Another room is set aside for a bevy of special pedigree teas and special blends with several freshly brewed samples to try. There are a few inviting tables to retire to for a bit and enjoy a tea as well.
Dexter just keeps getting better. The shop here is a great addition not just to Dexter, but to the ‘metro’ Ann Arbor area.