50 Actually Great Free Things To Do In Detroit

They say the best things in life are free, and coneys (which are almost free) aside, they’re pretty much right. In fact, here are 50 sweet things to do in The D that’ll cost you the grand total of zero dollars...

1. Go to the MBAD Museum
Visit the home, shop, and outdoor exhibit of visual artist Olayami Dabls, who created the space to honor the cultures and art of Mother Africa within the city.

2. Go to the DIA
Admission to this incredible museum is miraculously free of charge for Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb county residents. Make sure you check out the free entertainment and films on Friday nights.

3. Go to the Detroit Historical Museum
Learn about this city’s never-boring past -- be it French fur trappers, Civil War forts, rum running, or sports heroes.

4. Wave “hi” to Canada
No really, they love it!

5. Walk or bike the Dequindre Cut
Or skate, or jog, or line dance. Just get out and enjoy this beautiful 1.35-mile path of green space in the city!

6. Browse volumes at John K. King Used & Rare Books
Stories upon stories within stories upon stories.

7. Do a group bike ride
Join dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of other city boosters on bike rides through the city’s wide and open streets. Check out Slow Roll, Critical Mass, and Fender Bender collective -- just to name a few -- for upcoming rides.

8. Sit on the beach in Campus Martius
Someone had the brilliant idea of creating a giant adult sandbox in the middle of Downtown, complete with adult beverages and smooth jazz.

9. Watch a movie at New Center Park
This green oasis in New Center is a great place to catch a film and admire the lights of the towering Fisher Building.

Click HERE For The Full List!

Who Fixes Detroit? Young Black Detroiters Want To Resurrect A Lost Neighborhood

Paige Watkins (from left), Sarah Johnson, Camille Johnson, Chris Turner and Devon Porter stand in front of Detroit's Eastern Market. They are all contributors to Black Bottom LLC, a project committed to recapturing the vibrancy of the Black Bottom community.

Courtesy of Justin Milhouse

Unless you grew up in a black family with deep Detroit roots, I'm betting you've never heard of Black Bottom. It was a self-sustaining, all-black neighborhood that flourished on Detroit's eastern edge at the turn of the last century. It's largely forgotten today, replaced by a four-lane highway, but back then its mile-and-a-half main drag bustled with black-owned grocery stores selling produce from local black farmers. The soda fountain at black-owned Barthwell Drugs was always hopping with customers sipping on orange pineapple floats while their orders got filled. Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, Sammy Davis Jr. and Jackie Robinson were guests at the Gotham Hotel, a hot spot for black film stars, blues artists and athletes who were often barred from the city's white hotels.

Fed by the Great Migration of Southern black folks moving north and west in search of a better life, the neighborhood was a vibrant black oasis despite cramped conditions, the poverty of its residents, and predatory landlords. In fact, over time, Black Bottom — originally named for its dark soil, back when the area was farmland — became an epicenter for black wealth in the region. According to one timeline of Black Bottom's history, in 1920 it contained most of Detroit's then 350 black-owned businesses, including "17 physicians, 22 lawyers, 22 barbershops, 13 dentists, 12 cartage agencies, 11 tailors, 10 restaurants, 10 real estate dealers, 8 grocers, 6 drugstores, 5 undertakers, 4 employment agencies, and 1 candy maker."

Black Bottom has been compared to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and a resident from the glory days who still lives nearby swears it was "better than Harlem." But in 1954, the neighborhood was torn down in the name of urban renewal and beautification, replaced by I-375, the freeway I take to get to my parents' house on the east side of Detroit. Thousands of black residents were displaced into public housing projects, and soon, much of the accumulated black wealth from the Black Bottom neighborhood was lost. A generation of black youth began looking outside the city for opportunities.

Click HERE For The Full Article! 

Ooh La La: Detroit Makes The #7 Spot On This Forbes List

Photo: http://www.jlbwedding.com/

The Best Cities For Singles

Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places?

A new survey put together by San Francisco-based financial literacy site NerdWallet lists the top 20 cities for singles. NerdWallet has been offering easy-to-use personal finance information for the last six years, on everything from credit card rates to airport parking costs. (It makes money by collecting referral fees from some of the credit cards it recommends, like Bank of America and Capital One). We’ve used its data to report on the best -paying cities for women, the top cities for job seekers, and the most educated places in America.

This new list has a touch of levity. It looks at something called “dating affordability,” calculated as the price of a three-course meal for two, relying on data from a user-generated cost-of-living information site called Numbeo, plus two movie tickets at a midrange restaurant, taken from the Council for Community and Economic Research. It also calculates the median earnings for workers, taken from the Census, “to gauge the relative affordability of dating.” In addition it evaluates “date-friendliness” by calculating the number of arts and entertainment businesses and restaurants per 1,000 residents, plus “walk scores. . . to evaluate how easy it is to get around and meet people,” derived from a site called walkstore.com. Finally the most objective criterion: the percentage of the population 15 and over that’s unmarried, also calculated from Census Bureau data.

NerdWallet analyzed data for the 50 largest US cities. One major caveat: because the Census Bureau doesn’t count the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered singles, the numbers could be skewed, especially when calculating the best cities for single women, say, in a city like San Francisco with a large gay male community.

7. Detroit

Unmarried population 15 and over: 73.5%

Cost of a date (mid-priced dinner and a movie): $60.00

Median income: $20,550

Number of arts, entertainment businesses, restaurants per 1,000 people: 2.17

Walk score: 52.2


Click HERE For The Full List!

Michigan's Economy Is The Fastest Growing In The Midwest!

According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Michigan economy grew by 1.9% in 2014 when compared with 2013 to an inflation-adjusted level of $417.3 billion. The sectors that realized the biggest gains on a percentage basis were private-service-related industries, including professional and business services, which saw the biggest real dollar increase of $2.3 billion, or 4.3%. However, manufacturing saw the second largest gain in real dollar value, increasing by $2.0 billion in 2014 from 2013. Other industry sectors that realized significant gains were information (3.6%), trade, transportation, and utilities (2.4%), and education and health services (2.0%).

It also looks as if Michigan’s economic expansion is poised to continue through 2015. Based on the most recent release of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Midwest Economy Index (MEI), Michigan’s contribution to the economic growth of the Seventh Federal Reserve District decreased only slightly in June to 0.19; moreover, the June 2015 annual year-to-date average of 0.18 exceeds every annual average dating back to 1994. The MEI is a weighted average of 129 state and regional indicators for the five states of the Seventh District (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin). The index is designed to measure nonfarm business activity by tracking four broad sectors of economic activity: manufacturing, construction and mining, services, and consumer spending. A value of zero for the MEI indicates the Midwest economy is growing at its long-term trend rate of growth, while a positive number indicates above-average expansion and a negative number suggests below-average growth. Michigan’s contribution to the MEI of 0.19 for June would suggest that Michigan’s economy is performing better than its long-run average.

Click HERE To Read The Full Report! 

A Millennial Paradise: How Once-Bankrupt Detroit Is Making A Comeback

Photo: Shutterstock

Excerpt:

In 2016, the expected number of people working downtown will be over 100,000, which is up from 78,000 people in 2010. And many of these new workers are going to be Millennials.

As Millennials, we love a challenge. We thrive on adventure, going against the grain, working hard and having fun while doing so.

While many people in our generation love the idea of moving to NYC, Chicago or Los Angeles, the fact remains that those cities’ cost of living is way too high. So, in comes Detroit.

Detroit represents everything Millennials stand for. Our generation is so often looked down upon, so often dismissed. Well, so is Detroit.

The majority of people do not believe in or take the city seriously. To people who don’t know any better, it is simply a cringe-worthy sight. But this is somewhere new, something exciting and something rawly authentic.

It’s on the right side of living history, a history we can play a huge role in.

This city has everything Millennials could ever want. It’s a growing city, just as we are. As we are out trying to find our path in life, so is Detroit.

By moving into Detroit, or working for a company that is based downtown, we are becoming a part of history.

No American city has fallen so far as Detroit, but that also means America has never seen a comeback quite like this. If you are someone who loves a good success story, this is the place for you.

The change in the city is visible, beyond just numbers. Take a stroll through downtown or on Woodward Ave.

Brand new storefronts line the streets with their alluring designs. Breweries, in typical Michigan fashion, have begun popping up all over the place.

Clothing companies, such as Stheart, have put their headquarters in the heart of the city. It has become a haven for start-up businesses run mostly by, you guessed it, Millennials.

Click HERE For The Full Article!

Virgin: Inside Detroit, The Russell Industrial Center

Photo: TakeDetroit.com

The Russell Industrial Center is a genuinely fascinating place to spend an afternoon. Fifteen minutes from Downtown Detroit, the hulking seven building complex looks to the uneducated eye to be another abandoned building waiting its turn to be put out of its misery. But once inside, you soon understand it’s magic and why the centre sums up all the positives – as well as challenges – that are present in the Motor City.

In true Detroit style the center opened in 1925 to immediate problems, with motor industry entrepreneur John William Murray commissioning the construction of the premises to house his growing manufacturing business, Murray Body Company. However the company hit financial problems before the centre was fully completed, resulting in ownership changing hands a number of times before it was eventually forced to close. 1998 saw a tornado hit the center, causing damage to the windows and transformer, which would see it remain shut until 2003 when Dennis Kefallinos stepped in.

Kefallinos, a Michigan-based entrepreneur, quickly opened the doors of the newly purchased Russell Industrial Center to creatives, start-ups, non-profits and fellow entrepreneurs – with over two million square-foot of studio space available to rent.

The center now houses a diverse crowd of musicians, performance artists, furniture designers, printers, photography studios, candlestick makers and pretty much every other creative pursuit you could imagine.

A reoccurring theme of many of the conversations that we’ve had with Detroit natives throughout this series has been the idea of available space in the city, is there actually as much as you’d think? And what options are there for the new generation of businesses making their mark in the city? To find out more we made our way into the depths of the center to speak to some of its residents.

Click HERE For The Full Article!

Today! Mitch Albom Opens The Detroit Water Ice Factory To Give Back To Detroiters In Need

Photo: Bedrock 

The Detroit Water Ice Factory opens its flagship location at 1014 Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit on Tuesday, August 4th.

The brainchild of writer/philanthropist Mitch Albom, follows the “Newman’s Own” model, offering a premium product while helping others - every dime raised benefits needy Detroiters.

The venture is a partnership between Albom's S.A.Y. Detroit family of charities - a 100% dollar-in-dollar-out philanthropic entity - the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, Bedrock Real Estate Services and Meridian Health.

The store features 17 D-ICE flavors, all with a distinctly Detroit tone (Vanilla Temptations, Woodward Watermelon). “The Motown Twist,” is layered with vanilla, chocolate (or both) soft serve ice cream.

“I grew up loving water ice,” said Albom, who hails from the East Coast. “But I’d never seen it here. It’s fat, preservative, cholesterol and dairy-free. In looking for a way to do good, have fun indulging in the best dessert ever, it all came together. We’re here to create jobs, raise funds, do good – with the coolest dessert ever.”

The Factory will make fresh water ice daily using closely guarded recipes donated by Jon and Adriana Adams, owners of Primo Water Ice in NJ, considered the birthplace of American water ice.

Bedrock Real Estate Services/Meridian Health is providing the location rent-free, in the highly trafficked section of the Central Business District.

“Mitch Albom and S.A.Y. Detroit are doing wonderful work in our community. We are proud to be part of this effort,” said Dan Mullen, executive vice president, Bedrock Real Estate Services. “The Detroit Water Ice Factory will benefit countless Detroiters while providing another cool, unique destination people will only find downtown.”

The “D-Icers” (servers) will be members of Goodwill Industries’ youth training programs or graduates of S.A.Y. Detroit partner programs, providing jobs for Detroit’s challenged young people.

Red Bull Reign 3X3 Basketball Tournie Comes To Detroit This Weekend!

The Detroit qualifier for Red Bull Reign, a 3x3 basketball tournament where the finals are held in Chicago – with the winner’s grabbing a slot at the FIBA North American Finals.  In 2014, Red Bull Reign started in the Windy City with host Anthony Davis inviting 32 teams from around the city to see which team would reign on the court. On August 22, 16 teams will head to Chicago’s Seward Park for the Red Bull Reign finals to face off against each other in hopes of going to the FIBA North America Finals.

Endurance is the name of the game: it’s not just one round – teams must go multiple rounds if they want to rule the court of victory.  24 teams will be selected from the pool of registrants.  Round 1 and 2 games will be pool-play and each game will last eight minutes.  The final round will be a bracketed tournament and will run 10-minute games, with the winning team earning their spot in the Red Bull Reign Finals in Chicago. The winning team from the qualifier must have the same roster to participate in the Chicago finals. The qualifier is open to amateur and pros alike, however players must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Twenty-four of Detroit’s most talented 3x3 basketball squads fighting tooth and nail to earn a spot to compete in the Finals in Chicago.  Only the top team from Detroit will advance.  For info on competing, players should visit www.redbull.com/reign.

Joe Dumar’s Fieldhouse
1120 W. State Fair Street/8 Mile
Detroit, MI, 48203

Saturday, August 8th
9:30 AM - Registration Opens
10:30 AM - Competition Begins

Restoration Hardware Is Coming To (Detroit) Woodward!

Photo: Crain's Detroit Business 

Nearly a century ago, when downtown Woodward Avenue brimmed with shops, pedestrians, automobiles and streetcars, the corner of Woodward and State was the busiest in the nation.

Now, the corner is where two companies intent on making big, bold statements will intersect: the upscale Restoration Hardware and Bedrock Real Estate Services, part of downtown tycoon Dan Gilbert’s business portfolio.

Restoration Hardware, a luxury home furnishing retailer, will open an outlet store at the northwest corner of Woodward and State, according to sources familiar with the plan. The buildings on that corner are owned by Gilbert’s Bedrock, which is reshaping downtown by gobbling up buildings and often filling them with new life.

An outlet store may sound downscale, but Restoration Hardware sells $7,000 couches and $59 “faux fur pet vests” among other things.

The Corte Madera, California-based retailer is on a major push to build huge, elaborate stores. Chairman and CEO Gary Friedman has become famous and drawn parody for starring in YouTube videos describing the company’s “real estate transformation.” The transformation includes scrapping smaller stores in favor of spaces that range from 25,000 to 60,000 square feet.

Click HERE For The Full Article! 

Reserve Your Ticket Now For The 2015 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest!

Reserve your seat now! August 28th: we announce the winner of the 2015 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest presented by Opportunity Detroit

For the fifth year in a row, ten businesses are going head to head again to compete for a $50K grant to open up their brick & mortar retail shop in the city. This culminates in our annual Hatch Off, where our finalists face off Shark Tank-style and pitch their concepts to our panel of judges. The winner will be announced that night on the rooftop of the M@dison Building. We'll make a dream come true and you'll be a witness. This is a celebration of all things local & small business in Detroit. Enjoy homegrown musicians & a DJ alongside a strolling dinner served by 2012 winner La Feria and beer from 2013 winner Batch Brewing. You'll also have a chance to bid on one-of-a-kind Detroit centric prizes at our silent auction, featuring: A Brewing Immersion Experience with Batch Brewing An "Honorary Tiger" Baseball Experience for Kids Brunch at Gold Cash Gold Chef's table A Two James Private Tasting Tour Plus much more! Purchase your tickets HERE. This is one of the hottest tickets in town, so don't wait! All proceeds go to benefit Hatch Detroit, the only non-profit of its kind in the city, focused on supporting vibrant and diverse independent retail business. Hatch Detroit has assisted in the launch of 12 new storefront retail businesses in Detroit & Hamtramck, while supporting an additional 12 Hatch Alumni, currently operating as pop ups. Special thanks to our 2015 Event Sponsors:

What Detroit Eatery Just Made Bon Appetit's "America's Best New Restaurants" List

Credit: Jesse David Green

Rose's Fine Food
Detroit, MI



Coffee. Doughnuts. Toast. Rose’s is not the first diner to offer these basics. But the cousins who own this boxcar-size gem on Detroit’s East Side do it all with a thoughtfulness that other greasy spoons can’t muster. It all begins with the pillowy loaves of white bread, baked fresh each morning, sliced thickly, and toasted on the griddle to form the foundation for oversize sandwiches, layered with anything from fried eggs to herb-braised rabbit, and served on charmingly mismatched vintage china. Don’t torture yourself trying to save room for dessert: Just order a “crybaby”—a silly-big glazed potato doughnut—as soon as you sit down at the counter.

What to order: crybaby, egg sandwich, any of the “house bakes”

We love: the owners’ commitment to paying employees a living wage; tips are distributed evenly among the staff

Click HERE To See All 50 Nominees!