Over 150 local businesses and things to do in Dowagiac and the Sister Lakes, sorted by category. Use the table of contents to jump straight to restaurants, home services, real estate and more. Business owners can recommend their business on our Get Featured page or tag it in our Facebook group. Know a great business? Submit their name on the Get Featured page to support them! Last updated October 2026.
Most downtown spots are on Front Street, and the lake places line County Road 690. These are our picks, so call ahead before you drive out.
Restaurants
Sit-down spots downtown on Front Street, fast food along Spruce Street, and lake-area pubs like Indian Lake Pub and Propaganda Pizza.
Lakeside Dining
Three spots: Strand Brewery & Kitchen and Dockside on County Road 690, and Lakeview Inn on Timmons Road.
Wineries & Vineyards
Both are a drive: Moonrise in Watervliet and Cogdal Vineyards in South Haven.
Craft Breweries & Taprooms
Sister Lakes Brewing Company on County Road 690. Strand Brewery & Kitchen, under Lakeside Dining, is a brewery too.
Artisan Bakeries
The Baker's Rhapsody, downtown on Front Street. They also cater.
Coffee Shops
BeesWax Coffee Roasters downtown, Biggby on Prairie Ronde, and Starbucks out on M-51.
Ice Cream & Sweet Treats
Driftwood Summer Shop by the lakes, and Caruso's downtown, open since 1922.
Grocery Stores & Food Markets
Family Fare, Harding's, Save A Lot and Wright Farms Market are in town. For Meijer, Walmart or Kroger, plan on a trip to Benton Harbor, Niles or Mishawaka. Jake's Country Meats in Cassopolis is worth the drive for meat.
Liquor Stores
Two in Dowagiac, plus Jimmy's out toward Benton Harbor on M-152.
Pet & Farm Supplies
Tractor Supply on Pokagon Street for feed, and Bow Wow Bakery & Bath downtown for the dog.
💡 Featured Blog: My Favorite Restaurants in Sister Lakes, MI.
More food posts: Favorite pizza spots · Favorite tacos · Date-night restaurants
We're not agents, so think of this as a starting list. Talk to a few, and ask which lakes they know best.
Real Estate Agencies
Three in Dowagiac, including Cressy & Everett out by the lakes on County Road 690, plus Berkshire Hathaway in Edwardsburg. Listed in no particular order.
Related posts: Favorite real estate companies · Key players when buying or selling · Mistakes to avoid with lakefront homes
The people you call once you own the place. Lake homes add seawalls, piers, wells and septic to the usual list.
Home Inspectors
Three inspectors, two in Niles and one in Edwardsburg. If the home is on the water, ask whether they check the well, septic and seawall.
Pest Control
Two with Dowagiac addresses, plus Bugsy's out of Elkhart.
Deck Builders
Mitchell Outdoor & Design is local on M-152. The others are in Niles and Kalamazoo.
Fence Installation
We don't have an address for Arrow Fence & Gate, so ask about their service area when you call.
Plumbing
Both are in Dowagiac. S.C. Drain Cleaning is the one to call when something backs up.
HVAC Repair and Maintenance
Four companies, all with Dowagiac addresses. Book fall maintenance before the first cold snap.
Electricians
Seven listed. AA-1 Electric is in Dowagiac, Niles has three, and the rest are in Benton Harbor, Cassopolis and Battle Creek.
Painting
Two Dowagiac painters, on West Lakeshore Drive and South Front Street, plus Stahl Painting Company, which we've written about.
Handyman Services
No address listed for Boss Services, so ask about their service area.
Landscaping & Snow Removal
Four, all in Dowagiac. Matt's plows snow too.
Architects & Builders
Cmi Architectural Products in Dowagiac and Allegretti Architects in St. Joseph.
Interior Designers
Hannapel and Smith & Co. are both in Dowagiac.
Lakefront, Exterior & Finish Work
Seawalls, power washing, outdoor lighting, driveways and countertops. We've written about each of these businesses.
Related posts: Septic system care · 5 tips to protect your home · Fire safety essentials · Home cleaning services
Boats, bait, parks, paintball, festivals and apple picking, on the water and off it.
Boat Dealers, Rentals & Marinas
Six options, from The Boarderline on County Road 690 to JD's Marina on M-152.
Bait & Tackle
None of the bait shops on our list are in Dowagiac. The closest are in Niles, Edwardsburg and Benton Harbor.
Guns & Ammo
Two shops, in Niles and St. Joseph.
Wakeboard & Wakesurf Gear
The Boarderline on County Road 690.
Amusement Center
Nitro Zone on Pokagon Street, good for rainy days. (our write-up)
Paintball & Airsoft
Two fields: Total Control in Niles and Action Park in Mishawaka.
Festivals & Events
Music in the Park, Ice Time, the Summer Festival, Under the Harvest Moon and the Cass County Fair.
Check each one for this year's dates. (our write-up)
Apple Picking
Two orchards, in Niles and Berrien Springs.
Parks & Nature
Five Dowagiac parks, from Beckwith Park downtown to the Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary, plus Arthur Dodd Memorial Park near Niles.
Flight Lessons & Guided Trips
Two we've written about: flight training in Dowagiac, and a fly fishing guide who has fished the Dowagiac River.
Related posts: Boating in Sister Lakes · Fishing spots · Snowmobile trails · Hunting guide · Parks and outdoor activities · Skateparks
Most of the small shops are downtown on Front Street.
Casino
Four Winds Dowagiac, on M-51 South.
Boutiques & Gifts
Four shops, all on South Front Street downtown, plus Deck the Halls for Christmas.
Furniture, Antiques & Home Goods
Mostly along M-51, plus Salted Words on East Division and HomeGoods over in Mishawaka.
Hardware Stores & Lumber
Big C Lumber on Edwards Street, plus Hale's Hardware, which we've written about.
Hale's Hardware: Dowagiac, partnered with Ace Hardware (our write-up)
💡 Featured Blog: My Favorite Grocery Stores & Farmers' Markets in Dowagiac, Michigan.
Care in and near Dowagiac. Check with your insurance before you book.
Hospitals & Clinics
Ascension Borgess-Lee is the hospital in town, on West High Street. In an emergency, call 911.
Veterinarians
Dowagiac Animal Hospital, on M-51 North.
Fitness Centers
Fit Stop downtown on South Front Street, plus Sister Lakes Gym.
Sister Lakes Gym (our write-up)
More gyms: our favorite gyms in Dowagiac and Sister Lakes
Chiropractors
Both are in town: Eckman on M-51 South and Dowsett on Commercial Street.
Dentists
Two in Dowagiac, on Riverside Drive and Hamilton Street.
Orthodontists
The closest one on our list is Harrington Orthodontics in St. Joseph.
Dermatology
Downtown on South Front Street.
💡 Featured Blog:
The people you end up needing when you buy, sell or set up a household here.
Financial & Tax
Schoff Solutions on Commercial Street and H&R Block on Spruce Street.
Attorneys
Duncan & Associates in Dowagiac and LaBre Law Office in Cassopolis.
Banks & Credit Unions
Four in town: 1st Source and Fifth Third on Front Street, Huntington on Commercial Street, and Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union on Division Street.
Insurance
Three in Dowagiac. Shop lake-home coverage before you close.
City & Community
Police, fire and the Chamber of Commerce, all in town.
Storage
Six options around Dowagiac, half of them along M-51. Handy for the boat or the overflow from a move.
Local help for weddings, parties and reunions around Dowagiac and the lakes.
Wedding Venues
Venue 132 downtown, Revival Wedding Barn on M-152, Marion Magnolia Farms near Cassopolis, and The Strand by the lakes for private events.
Caterers
All four are on South Front Street, and you'll recognize a few from the restaurant list.
Florists
Two shops in Dowagiac plus Sixty-Two Blooms, a roadside flower stand we've written about, and options in Cassopolis and Benton Harbor.
Suit & Tux Rentals
Nothing in Dowagiac. The closest options are in Mishawaka and Portage.
Photographers
Two Dowagiac photographers.
Video Production
On Base Productions, in Niles.
DJs & Entertainment
Kaleidoscope Events, and Events By ProShow in Elkhart.
Places to stay when you're visiting, house hunting or have family in town for the weekend.
Hotels & Inns
Baymont by Wyndham, the 1870 House on West Division, and Peck Motel on M-51 North.
Vacation Rentals
Ten rentals around Dowagiac and the lakes, including Bromley Farmhouse, which we've written about. Most links run a search, since rental listings change often.
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Wonder Woods on County Road 690 and Pitcher Lake Campground on Green Lake Road. (our write-up)
Senior Living
Four communities in Dowagiac, including Front Street Crossing, which we've written about.
Getting around, and keeping the car running.
Car Rentals
None in Dowagiac. Enterprise is in Niles and Avis is in St. Joseph.
Auto Repair
Five shops in Dowagiac, including a brake and alignment shop and a body shop.
Welding & Metal Fabrication
Two in Dowagiac.
Gas Stations
Four around town. Our gas station guide has more.
Car Wash & Detailing
Two washes, on Paul Street and North Front Street, and a detailer on M-62.
Visit in person before you decide. A list can't tell you how a place feels.
Schools
Three Dowagiac schools: elementary, middle and high school.
Childcare
DDS Daycare, on Hill Street.
Music Lessons
Warren Guitar Lessons, over in Mishawaka.
Wakeboard & Wakesurf Lessons
The Boarderline on County Road 690 teaches on the lakes.
💡 Featured Blog: My Favorite Schools and Education Options in Sister Lakes, MI
Theater, art and a night out around Dowagiac and the Sister Lakes.
Art
Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, plus FireKeeper Art, handcrafted work rooted in Potawatomi culture.
Theaters & Live Entertainment
Beckwith Theatre downtown, the Dale A. Lyons Theatre on Cherry Grove Road, Strand Brewery & Kitchen by the lakes, and The Undertakers Blues Band, a local Chicago blues act.
If you work from home, check internet coverage at the exact address before you buy.
IT Support
Both are outside Dowagiac, in Berrien Springs and Three Rivers.
Cybersecurity
GR Tech, in Comstock Park.
Internet Providers
Two local options we've written about. Check coverage at your exact address.
Related post: Choosing the best internet in Dowagiac
What restaurants are in downtown Dowagiac?
On Front Street you'll find Wood Fire Trattoria (134 S Front St), Wounded Minnow Saloon (234 S Front St), Oak and Ash BBQ & Catering (109 S Front St) and The Baker's Rhapsody (144 S Front St).
Where can you eat on the water in Sister Lakes?
Our lakeside picks are Strand Brewery & Kitchen and Dockside, both on County Road 690, and Lakeview Inn on Timmons Road.
Who does HVAC in Dowagiac?
This directory lists Lake Effect HVAC Company, All Brands Heating and Cooling, Dowagiac Heating & Air Conditioning and Rohdy's Heating & Cooling.
Where can I buy or rent a boat near Sister Lakes?
The Boarderline, Luna Marine & Storage, JD's Marina, Lakeview Marine Services and Clear Water Marina all have Dowagiac addresses.
Where do I get groceries in Dowagiac?
In town: Family Fare, Harding's Market, Save A Lot and Wright Farms Market. Bigger stores like Meijer and Walmart are in Benton Harbor and Niles.
How was this directory put together?
From Google Maps listings and our own research. We're not affiliated with any business listed, so call ahead to confirm hours and details.
Where can I get internet in Dowagiac or Sister Lakes?
We've written about Surf Internet and Sister Lakes Cable's fiber service. Check coverage at your exact address before you buy.
What festivals happen in Dowagiac?
Music in the Park, the Ice Time Festival, the Summer Festival & BBQ Competition, Under the Harvest Moon and the Cass County Fair. Check each for this year's dates.
We pulled these listings from Google Maps and our own research around Dowagiac and the Sister Lakes. We're not affiliated with any business listed.
Don't see a business, or spot something out of date? Send it through the Get Featured page or contact us and we'll do our best to update it.
Dowagiac, Michigan, United States
Mistakes happen. If you spot an error or have an update, let us know and we'll do our best to fix it.
It's a long scroll back up, so use the button below to jump to the table of contents.
Disclaimer: The information shared on this business directory and blog is intended for general informational purposes only. It is based on publicly available sources, personal research, and my own experiences related to Dowagiac and Sister Lakes. While I make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date content, I cannot guarantee the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the information presented. All opinions expressed are solely my own and do not constitute professional, legal, or financial advice. Any actions you take based on this content are at your own risk. I encourage you to verify details independently and consult with qualified professionals for advice specific to your circumstances. If you notice outdated information or have suggestions for improvement, please feel free to reach out. Your feedback is always appreciated and helps keep this resource as helpful and accurate as possible. For more detailed information, please visit the full disclaimer page.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.