Where do you shop in Detroit?

andrea · #1 October 21st, 2009, 10:44 AM

Hello, I have created a website where people can upload pictures of things they've bought in Detroit and share where they got them at. The idea behind the site is to raise awareness for local businesses and all that is available IN the city. I'm hoping that this can be something fun and positive for the community. If you shop in Detroit please check it out and upload a picture: http://boughtindetroit.com.
Thanks,
Andrea

313WX · #2 October 21st, 2009, 01:51 PM

For Clothes, I shop at the Forman Mills in Bel-Air Centre. For some of my food items, I shop at the Aldi on 8 Mile and Gratiot.

Otherwise, I usually just go to the suburbs or CVS for everything else (I live right off 8 Mile).

ziggyselbin · #3 October 21st, 2009, 02:23 PM

Otherwise, I usually just go to the suburbs or CVS for everything else (I live right off 8 Mile).

313wx kinda answers it right there

terryh · #4 October 21st, 2009, 06:17 PM

Ive shopped at Black Whole collective (Highland Park) Value World (for clothes) on Woodward. Some other collective place on Cass; record shops downtown and a spot on 6 mile near Dequindre......

softailrider · #5 October 21st, 2009, 07:34 PM

I generally frequent many of the open air drug markets around town. Whoever has the biggest cleanest crack- rocks get the majority of my business.

Norwalk · #6 October 21st, 2009, 09:33 PM

Hugh http://angelaseye.com/article/2009/o...leman-leisure/

buildingsofdetroit · #7 October 21st, 2009, 10:11 PM

That's a great idea! Thanks, Andrea!

detroitsgwenivere · #8 October 21st, 2009, 11:09 PM

If you enjoy T-shirts from local designers, DSE between Broadway and Centre in Harmonie Park is a cool little spot. I like to buy groceries from the HoneyBee market on Bagley across from the train station, one of the best markets in town. John K. King at Lafayette and the Lodge is great for used and antique books. There's lots of good deals in the eastern market for meat, produce, and imported goods, R Hirt Jr. is my favorite, especially for cheese, wholesale and one-of-a-kind utensils. Radio Shack on Woodward and Canfield has great staff and will send you awesome coupons once you make a purchase there. Shantinique's Music on Harper near Gratiot has a great selection of mainstream, local music, and hiphop style clothes and shoes. Value World on Woodward by Chandler has good prices on resale clothing and household items. Just to name a few........

sumas · #9 October 22nd, 2009, 07:17 AM

Most of my shopping is done in Detroit. The little I spend outside of the city is in GPP. My list of favorite places is too long to list. My only advice to people is support your local independent stores. Where ever you live shop local!

ggores · #10 October 22nd, 2009, 09:47 AM

Victory Liquor, located on West Warren Avenue, somewhere's around Piedmont area, has just about everything to satisfy your one-stop shopping needs. You can buy incense, a ball cap, a cool hoody, dice, playing cards, fantastic DVDs, forty's, panty hose, ummmmm, lottery tickets, Cheetos, Now and Later's, Strawberry Shortcakes ice-creamsickles, Hennesey, sun glasses, cereal, tomatos soup..... I mean the list just goes on and on. The stimulai injected into the local economy as result of these mechandise sales goes a long way in preserving the fine City of Detroit and also, to some extent, the city of Saigon. Truly a global impact.

terryh · #11 October 22nd, 2009, 10:20 PM

Does Shantaniques sell records?

Ravine · #12 October 22nd, 2009, 10:28 PM

This thread seems to be turning into a "one-stop" for the recording of thinly-veiled racial stereotyping.

Very tacky.

terryh · #13 October 22nd, 2009, 10:46 PM

where do you shop and hangout at in the D Ravine?

I like discovering out of the way-off the beaten path little unique spots deep in the soul of Detroit..want to check out some of the many little flea markets....

terryh · #14 October 22nd, 2009, 10:49 PM

Detroit blogger John has a knack for discovering unique shops in Detroit...the puppet place on a westside service drive I think off Schaefer near the Lodge....

Ravine · #15 October 22nd, 2009, 10:50 PM

Terryh:

I don't shop.
I don't hang out.

Not kidding.
Not being a smart-ass.

Ravine · #16 October 22nd, 2009, 10:52 PM

Oh, and Terryh? I think you probably already deduced this, but my initial comment was not meant for you, not at all.

terryh · #17 October 22nd, 2009, 10:54 PM

ok Ravine...just chill at home eh?

Ravine · #18 October 22nd, 2009, 11:06 PM

Damn right. I still work for a living, and I do venture out to buy pipe tobacco, but other than that? Home, home, home.

erikd · #19 October 25th, 2009, 02:10 AM

I will second John King Books... Four floors of used books at a fraction of the cost, and you can bring in your old books for sale or trade. If you like to read, you should go.

Eastern Market is another gem. Buy your food direct from the farmers and wholesalers at a fraction of the cost. The shopping experience is awesome. When was the last time you talked to the farmer who grew your produce?

I also have to put in a plug for the Food Pride grocery store on E. Warren and St Antoine. This indie Spartan store doesn't look like much from the outside, but the produce and meat sections are quite good, the aisles are well-stocked and kept in immaculate condition, and the prices rival the big suburban grocery chains.

Motor City Sam · #20 October 25th, 2009, 05:49 AM

I actually get a lot of my shopping done at the Super KMart at Telegraph and Eight Mile. Groceries, casual clothes, household items, toys for the young nieces and nephews. It's nice to be able to get alot of what I need in one place. I'm also partial to KMart, because they have always kept at least one store in the City.

I'll also hit the Home Depot on Seven and Meyers for home related items. Purchased some new landscape lights there a couple of weeks ago.

DetroitPlanner · #21 October 25th, 2009, 10:12 AM

Most of the stuff you have on your page is not essential stuff (with the exception of the food from Eastern Market). Is this the goal of your site? If not no wonder this City is in terrible shape and you can't find many places to buy simple stuff like underwear within its limits.

Me? I shop at the various Fairlane malls. Why? Its close to my house and has what I need.

andrea · #22 October 25th, 2009, 03:51 PM

[quote=DetroitPlanner;82942]Most of the stuff you have on your page is not essential stuff (with the exception of the food from Eastern Market). Is this the goal of your site? If not no wonder this City is in terrible shape and you can't find many places to buy simple stuff like underwear within its limits.

No that is not the goal of the site. The site is entirely created by people participating, that is what people have uploaded so far. That's part of the reason why I am reaching out to different forums. In my research I found that Detroiters spend 1.7 billion on retail outside of the city, part of the goal of creating the site was to see if some of that money could be redirected to being spent in the city if people were more aware of the places to shop here. It would be great if people would upload some of the essentials they have found for the reason you state above, where do i go to buy underwear in Detroit?

DetroitPlanner · #23 October 25th, 2009, 05:30 PM

andrea, in many places within the City limits there are Family Dollar stores. Not exactly the fanciest of underwears, but they do have Fruit of the Loom or Hanes.

Its sad how few people have places to shop downtown.

RickBeall · #24 October 25th, 2009, 08:59 PM

There is a small hardware store in Hamtramck on Conant (N side of Hamtramck.)

For Beads, visit the African Bead Museum on 6559 Grand River (near West Grand Boulevard). In the summer, every saturday, he has a reggae band on an outside stage at night. He has a lot of sculpture and the building is covered with broken mirrors, so it is a very unique experience visiting him.

There is the Hub, a bikeshop on Cass. You can buy a used bike or get one fixed. It is near Mack (martin Luther King Drive).

313WX · #25 October 25th, 2009, 09:51 PM

It's not impossible to find everything one needs within city limits. The problem is the retail avaliablity is so sparse and disproportionate that sometimes it's less stressful if one just crossed suburban borders and visit a more familiar (usually chain) establishment than drive on the other side of town searching for some strange mom & pop business.

Look at it this way. Let's say the folks that live in Palmer Park want some FRESH baked goods from Dunkin Donuts. The pre-packaged stuff at the gas station around the corner just isn't getting it. It would be much easier for them to travel a mile or so up Woodward into Ferndale instead of going all the way on the far eastside (8 Mile & Gratiot) for a dozen glazed donuts just to keep money circulating within city limits. Then let's say a family in East English Village wanted to go to Super Kmart to shop for groceries. Why would they travel all the way over to 8 Mile & Telegraph (a 30 minute or longer drive) well out of their way when they can take a 5-10 minute drive (5 miles or less) to the Super Kmart on 10 & Gratiot?

I'm sure Detroiters would be more than willing to shop within city limits if these stores were actually in their neighborhood. However, I'm sure someone located near Moross & Mack isn't going to travel all the way on Jefferson for a Staples (just because it's in the city) when they can go right down the street to the Staples in Grosse Pointe.

HazenPingree · #26 October 25th, 2009, 10:10 PM

Andrea, your site is great! I posted a picture there, and will post more in the future. My only suggestion would be to have new posts post to the top, not the bottom, so that the top of the page would always have the most current, most recent stuff (like on a blog.)

But, anyway, keep up the good work. I think your site is cool.

eastland · #27 October 25th, 2009, 10:28 PM

Allemon's Garden Center on Mack for propane, firewood and perennials. But don't tell anyone. Most of their clientele aren't aware they are actually in Detroit.

stinkbug · #28 October 25th, 2009, 10:38 PM

This is a great thread, because our purchasing power and voting with our dollars has the potential to bring the city back.
I second many of the aforementioned. Props to the big box stores brought up (The K-Mart and very successful Home Depot) , since many claim they don't exist or can't survive in the City. Home Depot just had an article in the freep this past summer, worth reading.
So without being redundant, National Dry Goods on Trumbull is great for many types of clothing.
To reiterate, groceries its HoneyBee, University, and Eastern Market. I love also stopping at Goodwells and Avalon on the way home. Goodwells has what I like to call fast food that doesn't kill you - a vegan pocket sandwich for $4 something. Good for you and the local economy.
If you want to challenge your comfort zone, check out the furniture store run out of the storefront church at Mt. Elliot and Forest. We got some beautful pieces from there. It's run by the pastor and staffed by street people. You can get some great deals and get people to work who need it and ain't gonna get it elsewhere. Unfortunately the name escapes me.

stinkbug · #29 October 25th, 2009, 10:39 PM

Oh yeah, and Brooks Lumber on Trumbull and I-75. Your friendly, utilitarian one-stop shop for lumber and all your handyman needs.

detroitbob · #30 October 26th, 2009, 05:09 AM

Sonnenberg Hardware 2302 Junction St, Detroit, MI 48209 is a true neighborhood hardware store...been around for over 80 years and where else can you bet a key for a 80 year old lock cut for about $1.00 including tax. Friendly bilingiual staff and parking lot so you can avoid the dreaded meter maids who have invaded SW Detroit like a plague of beetles.
(313) 554-4367

GRALR · #31 October 26th, 2009, 05:36 AM

we wanted milk at 11pm on the way back to our rv spot, Stores HA HA HA ....... Every gas station looked rather scary. For days we were looking for a convenient spot to do some shopping, hard to find. You really have to plan a trip to the store here.

erikd · #32 October 28th, 2009, 12:34 AM

There are more retail options in the city than most people realize.

I have a printer, computer monitor, computer speakers, and an SD card purchased from Computing Express on Griswold. I have a closet full of clothes from Jos A Bank in the RenCen, I have socks and underwear from National Dry Goods on Trumbull, I have a number of ties from Sam's Tailor in the RenCen, where I have taken all my clothing alterations for years. I have bathroom accessories from the Bureau of Urban Living. I have purchased a number of hardware items from Busy Bee on Gratiot. I took my bike to Wheelhouse, on the Riverfront, for new tubes and installation this summer. I bought office supplies from Staples on Jefferson a few weeks ago.

Boo Stinking Boo · #33 October 28th, 2009, 10:16 AM

For clothes I shop at the Salvation Army on Fort St, great brands such as Banana Republic, ann taylor, the gap, etc. Can beat those bargains esp on the half off days. For food I shop at Trader Joes and Krogers in GP. For household items I usually go to Target in Southfield. Too bad Harbortown is on the fritz..

Patrick · #34 October 28th, 2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

instead of going all the way on the far eastside (8 Mile & Gratiot) for a dozen glazed donuts just to keep money circulating within city limits

But that is just the thing....are you really keeping money within the city limits when you buy some donuts or supplies or cereal? Once the money reaches the cash register, it doesn't stay there and some of it prbably goes to pay vendors of that specific market or donut shop. How many of the business owners choose to keep their $$ in the city when they need services to maintain their commercial establishment? They sure as hell ain't gooing to choose a vendor because of his or her location. They will choose the best price, even if that means the supplier/vendor is comming from SCS.

andrea · #35 November 5th, 2009, 11:28 AM

Thanks HazenPingree. There are a lot of great posts on this forum, I'm going to add a link to the facebook page so people can check some of these places out

EastsideAl · #36 November 5th, 2009, 02:00 PM

Donuts near Palmer Park? Easy... Dutch Girl Donuts, Woodward near 7 Mile. Best in town. Been going there for 40 years.

trotwood · #37 November 5th, 2009, 05:00 PM

Great thread!
Sometimes I shop at University Foods. They have a nice selection and they carry some organics. I do most of my grocery shopping at Glory Foods in Hamtramck. I won't buy meat there though,corned beef being the exception. I love deli meats&cheeses and usually go to either Eastern Market or Kowalski's on Jos.Campau. I just discovered The Gourmet Deli in New Center One. Service was fast&friendly. Aldis in Highland Park has good prices and nice (generic) selection. I know some look down on Aldis but I'd suggest you give them a try. The store is clean and in a safe location. I get good deals and save a few bucks. I buy my milk and medicine cabinet items at CVS on Woodward&Bethune. If I need milk after hours the CVS on Warren&Brush is open 24 hours. Detroit Hardware on Woodward& Milwaukee is open 6 days a week. They've been in Detroit for years. Good service and fair/competative prices.
The best donuts in the city,imo,can be found at Dutch Girl. I haven't been there in awhile(watching my weight) but they used to be open 24 hours at least 6 days out of the week. If I'm in the mood to treasure hunt I head down to Value World. For inexpensive houshold items(dish detergents,laundry detergent,cleaning supplies,etc) I go to Family Dollar on Woodward&Philadelphia.Not the friendliest service in town but good prices. Speaking of Family Dollar,the one in Highland Park near the library has the nicest staff of any of the FD stores I've ever been in! I was very impressed by the politeness of the employees.
Oh yeah for spices and such Rocky's in Eastern Market can't be beat! There's also a produce market in Eastern Market that I sometimes go to for fruits&veggies but I can't think of the name right now.