The Station Introduce
For dancers across Michigan, especially those in the Southwest region, finding the right dance apparel and equipment can be crucial to their performance and comfort. Thankfully, Kalamazoo is home to a true gem that serves this very purpose: The Station. More than just a retail store, The Station is a dedicated resource for dancers of all ages and levels, offering a meticulously curated selection of dancewear, expert fitting services, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes every visit a positive experience.
Local dancers and their families consistently praise The Station for its commitment to quality, affordability during special events, and above all, its friendly and knowledgeable staff. It's a place where you can trust that you're getting the best fit and advice, ensuring that your dance journey is supported by the right gear. For anyone in Michigan with a passion for dance, or parents looking to equip their budding dancers, The Station in Kalamazoo is an invaluable local asset.
The Station is conveniently located at 169 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA. This central Kalamazoo address places it within easy reach for residents not only within the city but also from surrounding communities in Southwest Michigan, such as Portage, Battle Creek, and other parts of Kalamazoo County. Portage Street is a well-known thoroughfare, making the store easy to find and access.
As an independent business in downtown Kalamazoo, The Station benefits from the area's urban infrastructure, though specific parking details for the exact location are best confirmed by contacting them directly. However, downtown Kalamazoo generally offers various parking options. Its central position ensures that dancers from various studios and schools in the region can easily make the trip for their apparel needs. The welcoming nature of the store, combined with its accessible location, makes it a convenient and reliable destination for the Michigan dance community.
The Station is dedicated to providing comprehensive services to meet the diverse needs of dancers. They go beyond simply selling products, offering specialized assistance to ensure the perfect fit and experience.
- Extensive Dancewear Selection: The store boasts a "great selection" of dance apparel, including beautiful leotards for both children and adults, dance warm-ups (sweaters, tops, leggings, booties), skirts, tights, crop tops, shorts, and undergarments. They also cater to men and boys with specific dancewear.
- Specialized Dance Shoes: The Station offers a wide range of dance shoes, including ballet slippers, jazz shoes, tap shoes, and most notably, pointe shoes.
- Expert Pointe Shoe Fittings: This is a significant highlight, with customers consistently mentioning positive experiences. The staff takes "great care in the pointe shoe fitting process," ensuring dancers leave with a "great-fitting shoe" and essential knowledge about shoe care and foot care. Appointments are highly recommended for these specialized fittings.
- Carefully Curated Product Line: The Station prides itself on stocking brands with "highest quality standards" and considering "each dancer's unique needs," offering a "vast choice of widths" for optimal fit. They also make an effort to select companies that manufacture products in countries with fair labor practices (USA, Canada, UK, or other fair-trade environments).
- Accessories and Training Aids: Beyond apparel and shoes, they offer a selection of dance accessories, training aids, hair accessories, and bags.
- Studio Rental: The Station also offers two studios available for rental by the hour or more. These spaces are suitable for dance and fitness classes, private rehearsals, photography sessions, meetings, and small events, providing a valuable resource for instructors and groups in the Kalamazoo area.
- Personalized Shopping Experience: With a focus on "customized service," the staff is known for being "helpful and friendly," assisting customers in determining the "best fit" for their apparel, preventing guesswork for shoppers.
- Special Orders and Wish List Registry: They offer special ordering services for specific items and a dancewear wish list registry, making it easy for dancers to get exactly what they need.
- Monthly Tight Subscription: A unique service, providing convenience for regular tight users.
What makes The Station a standout local business and a favorite among Michigan's dance community are its defining features:
- Friendly and Knowledgeable Staff: Repeatedly praised in reviews, the "friendly staff" and "caring owner" create a welcoming and supportive environment. Their expertise in dancewear, especially pointe shoe fittings, is highly valued by customers.
- Exceptional Customer Service: The emphasis on helping customers "determine the best fit" and providing a "great experience" highlights their commitment to personalized service. They aim to be a "partner in every dancer's pointe success story."
- Quality and Selection: The store offers a "great selection" of "beautiful leotards" and high-quality products from reputable brands, ensuring dancers have access to durable and comfortable wear.
- Affordable Pricing, Especially During Sales: Customers note that The Station offers "great prices," particularly during "sale and special time," making quality dancewear more accessible.
- Community Asset: Being "lucky to have this store in Kalamazoo," as one customer stated, underscores its importance as a specialized local resource that truly understands and supports the dance community.
- Curated and Ethical Sourcing: Their commitment to stocking items made in countries with fair labor practices adds an ethical dimension to their business, appealing to socially conscious consumers.
- One-Stop Shopping: The comprehensive range of products, from leotards and shoes to accessories and warm-ups, makes it easy and enjoyable to find "everything you need for dance" in one location.
Ready to visit The Station for your dancewear needs or studio rental? Here's how you can get in touch:
Address: 169 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA
Phone: (269) 870-5226
Mobile Phone: +1 269-870-5226
For current walk-in shopping hours and to schedule a pointe shoe appointment, it's recommended to check their Google Business listing or website, or text them directly as hours can sometimes have minor adjustments.
For dancers and dance families across Michigan, particularly in the Kalamazoo area, The Station stands as an indispensable local business. Its specialization in dancewear, commitment to expert fittings—especially for crucial items like pointe shoes—and a wide selection of quality products make it a premier destination. The consistent positive feedback regarding the "friendly staff," "caring owner," and "great prices" reinforces its suitability as a trusted community partner.
The Station understands the unique needs of dancers, providing personalized service that eliminates guesswork and ensures comfort and proper fit. This level of dedicated support, combined with the convenience of a comprehensive inventory and the added benefit of studio rental options, makes it a true asset. For anyone in Michigan involved in the dance world, from the recreational enthusiast to the aspiring professional, The Station in Kalamazoo offers not just products, but a reliable, supportive, and knowledgeable experience that is hard to find elsewhere. Supporting The Station means supporting a local business that genuinely invests in the passion and success of Michigan's dance community.
The Station Photos










The Station Location
The Station
169 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA
The Station Reviews
The Station has a great selection, friendly staff, and caring owner. My daughter had a couple pointe shoe fittings there and we always had a great experience there. They also have great prices, especially during sale and special time. We're lucky to have this store in Kalamazoo!
Nov 30, 2024 · Felicia WinartaThe Station has a great selection of beautiful leotards for little girls. My daughter loves the experience of finding her new favorite leotard here thanks to the helpful and friendly staff! They help her determine the best fit so we don't have to guess. I highly recommend scheduling a visit if you need new dance apparel.
Feb 24, 2023 · Tara WebbI had a fantastic experience at The Station. I was passing through town and Jen set up a special appointment time for me to try some new pointe shoes. She was very responsive via email in advance, then generous with her time working with me in person. The shoes were not in stock in my size, so she mailed them to me and then was quick with a return when I needed to exchange for a different size (which was not her fault at all).I will definitely go back to The Station if I am in the area again, and also plan to go to her online store first when I need dancewear or accessories in the future!
Jun 23, 2021 · Bekka PotterAbsolutely amazing service! Our dog chewed my daughter's pointe shoes this morning (Thursday), literal days before her recital on Sunday. I called, they answered before store hours, and had new shoes waiting for me when they opened. I drove over three hours round trip and will gladly do it again!
Jun 02, 2023 · Pat BrownewellI have shopped several times online with The Station. They have the most unique leotards, better than anything I have seen locally in the Bay Area, CA. The customer service is excellent, above and beyond. I have recommended the shop to so many friends, and even hope to visit one day for a pointe shoe fitting for my daughter.
Jan 06, 2021 · christine levenson
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