Some stories start with spreadsheets. Others begin with birthday money and a toy cash register. For Amy Lalich and Tara de Boer, co-founders of Royal Oak’s beloved Modern Supply, the story started in both places—and somewhere in between.
“I think I’ve always wanted to be part of opening a small shop,” says Amy, who moved back to Michigan after years on the West Coast. “But I didn’t know what kind of shop, or where.” The idea floated around for a while—until a storefront next to their friends at The Detroit Record Club suddenly opened up. “It was kind of a lightning-bolt moment.”
For Tara, the spark had been glowing since childhood. “I ran a ‘hardware store’ out of my grandfather’s house when I was little,” she laughs. “I’d arrange his tools and price them and even use carbon-copy invoice slips.” (One of those old slips still lives under their counter—“for good luck.”)
Before Modern Supply, Amy was searching for her next chapter, while Tara worked in digital advertising. Both were longtime friends, and both had a deep love for the kind of tucked-away boutiques they’d seek out while traveling together. So when the right space opened, and their instincts aligned, they went for it.
“Quitting my day job and opening the store was the biggest risk,” Tara says. “But if we didn’t take the leap, we’d always wonder.”
So leap they did—straight into months of building inventory, assembling furniture, and figuring out retail one sticky note and spreadsheet at a time. “We had no formal background in this,” Amy says. “We just believed in our vision—and rolled up our sleeves.”
Their friendship turned out to be the business’s strongest asset. “We know each other so well,” Tara says. “We naturally lean into different roles, and we like hanging out together—which helps when you’re doing everything together.” In the early days, that included unpacking boxes in Tara’s backyard, tracking inventory with spreadsheets, and wondering whether their curated finds would actually resonate. “We bought a lot of what we personally loved,” Amy says. “And every time someone came in and chose something, we felt a little piece of us was going home with them.”
That personal touch is still at the heart of everything they do. The store’s aesthetic is minimalist but warm, with Scandinavian and Japanese design influences and a calming energy that’s rare on this bustling stretch of Woodward. “We hope people walk in and want to stay awhile,” Tara says. “We want it to feel like home—and a little bit like a treat.”
Amy adds, “One of our favorite things is when someone asks us to help them curate a gift. That’s when we really get to know them. Their families. Their stories.”
It’s that connection—one customer at a time—that’s kept Modern Supply growing through moments of both uncertainty and inspiration. “We opened during the tail end of COVID,” Amy says. “We weren’t sure if people would come, but they were hungry to touch, feel, and smell things again. That meant everything.”
Modern Supply rotates its offerings constantly, sourcing small quantities from makers who prioritize sustainability, design, and craft. “Every day in the shop is a snapshot in time,” says Amy. “You’ll find different things every time you walk in.”
Some of their favorite items are the quiet ones: Palo Santo essential oil from a local brand called Shaman’s Market, handmade ceramics that feel just right in your hand, and Huskee coffee cups made from reclaimed coffee husk. “There are little treasures everywhere,” says Tara.
One of Tara’s personal favorites? A community bulletin board in the back, layered with thank-you notes from the makers they’ve partnered with. “It’s completely covered now—some of them are stacked on top of each other,” she says. “But it’s the first thing I see when I walk in through the back. It reminds me why we do this.”
As for their favorite Royal Oak treasures? Tara counts on The Office Coffee Shop for a cozy corner and a solid sandwich. Amy likes wandering through Sidetrack Bookshop, where the staff always seems to know just what she needs to read next.
Speaking of what’s next, in the coming year, Amy and Tara hope to add a small, sustainable capsule clothing collection and more events—from workshops to evening hangs with their neighbors at The Detroit Record Club. “We love the idea of opening Modern Supply up more to the community,” Tara says. They’re also exploring partnerships with local interior designers and looking to expand their reach through a trade program that bridges retail and creative services.
As women business owners, Amy and Tara both shy away from labels—but not from collaboration. “We want everyone who’s involved—makers, employees, customers—to feel like part of a family,” Amy says.
And if their younger selves could see them now? Tara laughs. “Mine would be shocked I took the leap. I always played it safe—but I’m so glad I didn’t this time.”
Amy nods: “We’ve learned we can do anything we set our minds to—and still be kind to ourselves and others while doing it.”
Whether you come to find something meaningful, support small makers, or just soak in the calm, one thing’s for sure: you’ll leave Modern Supply feeling a little more grounded—and a lot more inspired.
Modern Supply is open seven days a week. For more info, visit modern-supply.co