'Showcase Collectibles' on Cass Being Displaced

[Zacha341]

From article: Friday afternoon, the founders of Showcase Collectibles in the Cass Corridor received an official 30-day notice to vacate their charming retail space, ending a decades-long run for the business. It’s also the latest chapter in the rapid gentrification of the gritty neighborhood. . . .

The building that housed Showcase Collectible, a vintage and curio shop, was bought by someone who vows to return the 8,000-plus-square-foot building to its glory.

At the 15-year-old Midtown shop crammed with curios, antiques and vintage fashion accessories, co-owner Gary Frundel tells Aguilar:

“We don’t want to stop progress. Everyone wants to see the neighborhood get more development. But we didn’t want to be kicked out on the street, either, in the dead of winter.”

http://deadlinedetroit.com/articles/...s#.UwEjO0JdXTJ

[Hermod]

Like Detroit doesn't have many, many empty store fronts for them to move to?

[Honky Tonk]

Well that's just nice. They've literally have been there for decades, stuck it out through the worst times. Now when there's finally a chance to make a few bucks and a light @ the end of the tunnel, it turns out to be a train. Welcome to Yuppieville.

[bailey]

Well that's just nice. They've literally have been there for decades, stuck it out through the worst times. Now when there's finally a chance to make a few bucks and a light @ the end of the tunnel, it turns out to be a train. Welcome to Yuppieville.

...and their rent hasn't changed in 15 years. Neighborhoods change. There is no shortage of empty retail space in Detroit.

That said...what exactly was the "former glory" this building is going to be returned to?

[Honky Tonk]

...and their rent hasn't changed in 15 years. Neighborhoods change. There is no shortage of empty retail space in Detroit.

That said...what exactly was the "former glory" this building is going to be returned to?

I understand their rent changing, and that it's @ a low rate. Basically it hasn't changed because NO ONE wanted to have their business there, and the owner was lucky they did. Now that things are coming around a bit, it's "screw you Bird Town". I hope Rusty bites the new owner right on his jewels, hard.

[bailey]

I understand their rent changing, and that it's @ a low rate. Basically it hasn't changed because NO ONE wanted to have their business there, and the owner was lucky they did. Now that things are coming around a bit, it's "screw you Bird Town". I hope Rusty bites the new owner right on his jewels, hard.

was the issue handled poorly? sure sounds like it, especially for a tenant that was loyal through the lean times... because really..what is the hurry? It's not like the Little Caesars Playland is going in tomorrow.


If it sits empty for 5 years after booting these guys out purely on the speculation that they can get somthing better in [[ala places like allegedly Agave and others) well, fuck him....but if the owner of the building has someone chomping at the bit to get in there and pay 3 times the rent and finance a build out... or just buy the building outright, what exactly is he supposed to do? It's not a charity.

On the long list of problems facing Detroit "gentrification" is not one of them. Real Estate speculation on the other hand....

[Honky Tonk]

was the issue handled poorly? sure sounds like it, especially for a tenant that was loyal through the lean times... because really..what is the hurry? It's not like the Little Caesars Playland is going in tomorrow.


If it sits empty for 5 years after booting these guys out purely on the speculation that they can get somthing better in [[ala places like allegedly Agave and others) well, fuck him....but if the owner of the building has someone chomping at the bit to get in there and pay 3 times the rent and finance a build out... or just buy the building outright, what exactly is he supposed to do? It's not a charity.

On the long list of problems facing Detroit "gentrification" is not one of them. Real Estate speculation on the other hand....

"Hi, I'm so-and-so, As you've noticed, the neighborhood is rapidly being redeveloped. I have someone who wants to lease/buy this building @ XXXX amount of $s. Since you've been making my car notes for XXXX amount of years, I thought I'd make the offer to you first". Fuck Ilitch, fuck his taxpayer paid for stadium. Charity begins @ home.

[Detroitnerd]

Well that's just nice. They've literally have been there for decades, stuck it out through the worst times. Now when there's finally a chance to make a few bucks and a light @ the end of the tunnel, it turns out to be a train. Welcome to Yuppieville.

Yup. You're right, Honky. Reminds me of several years ago on this forum, I was discussing how, when I lived in New York, I had to keep moving because of gentrification, and the consensus on this board was, "Tough shit. Cities change. You wanted to stay? You should have bought something."

I wonder if the shoe will be on the other foot for some people now that it's their cool neighborhood getting the business.

[Detroitnerd]

I think Sue Mosey helped make this deal possible. Not that I think she's a hypocrite. I don't think she's ever pledged any allegiance to the small-business owners. Her goal is pumping money into the neighborhood through investment. But this episode may help clarify the tradeoffs involved in gentrification for those who weren't clued in yet.

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

I hope they can negotiate an extension of the 30 days, and would not be surprised if they did. That being said, I assume they knew the building was for sale. If I'd been paying the same rent for 15 years I think I'd have been anticipating a sizeable rent increase at best, and looking at other alternative locations.

[subsidized]

Cass and Peterboro has also been an easy place to score a rock for decades. Is somebody going to get on their soapbox and speak on the displacement of the area's dopemen? :-)

[Honky Tonk]

Cass and Peterboro has also been an easy place to score a rock for decades. Is somebody going to get on their soapbox and speak on the displacement of the area's dopemen? :-)

There are lots of other empty corners you can move the rock scoring business to.

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

Few businesses could ever count on the same rent for 15 years. Now why don't you all put your heads together and find a new place for them?

[Honky Tonk]

Few businesses could ever count on the same rent for 15 years. Now why don't you all put your heads together and find a new place for them?

The "renters" are clever people and will do just fine. They'll come up with something. They're very dedicated to the neighborhood, always have been. It's just a shame, that's all.

[ABetterDetroit]

This story is the ugly side to gentrification. Unfortunately some must occur in the D to build a tax base that can supply the financial resources that will give the residents of Detroit safer neighborhoods, better schools and more opportunities to build better lives for themselves and most importantly the children of Detroit. I hope they can find somewhere that their business will thrive.

[KJ5]

First they kicked out the weirdos at the Griswold lofts... and I did not speak out because I do not live downtown anymore.
Then they kicked out the weirdos at Showplace Collectibles... and I did not speak out because I only go in there once in awhile.
And pretty soon Detroit was a bland, boring overpriced yuppie hellhole... and there was nobody left to speak out for me.
Keep holding down the block at Temple Bar, George!
Fuck Illitch.

[Hermod]

First they kicked out the weirdos at the Griswold lofts... and I did not speak out because I do not live downtown anymore.
Then they kicked out the weirdos at Showplace Collectibles... and I did not speak out because I only go in there once in awhile.
And pretty soon Detroit was a bland, boring overpriced yuppie hellhole... and there was nobody left to speak out for me.
Keep holding down the block at Temple Bar, George!
Fuck Illitch.

Do you want the yuppies [[those wierdos who actually pay taxes) in Detroit or do you want them in Novi?

[Danny]

Since the new owner brought all of the buildings at the long dead Detroit Chinatown district. It wants to make sure that all the useless vintage shops and DEAD [[C)KRAK HEADS are out.

[Danny]

The owner of Showcase Collectibles can move to the corner storefront at Cass and W. Warren where Marwil's used to be. That will lure some yuppified customers.

[NickCharles]

The owner of Showcase Collectibles can move to the corner storefront at Cass and W. Warren where Marwil's used to be. That will lure some yuppified customers.

Well, the rent for that spot is likely to be far out of their reach, but if they could swing it, that's a helluva good idea, and I'll bet it would pay off, too.

[Danny]

That building at once Chinatown area. Oh Well. Those private greed spoiled private developers want to turn Crackhead Corridor to their personal gentrified Disneyland then go right ahead. Let's see what they get at the end.

Is gentrification of Detroit great or what!

Tell the owner of Showcase Collectibles they lease a corner store where Marwils used to be on Cass Ave. and W. Warren Ave. They more welcome to join progress in Wayne State University Campus.

[NickCharles]

You folks are just addicted to bitching, I can see that.

Please, on a regular basis, patronize the plethora of party stores, wig shops, nail salons, check-cashing establishments, fly-by-night mobile phone stores, and African Hair Braiding specialists as a way of expressing your vehement distaste for the soul-killing "gentrification" that threatens your beloved status quo.

[Gistok]

You folks are just addicted to bitching, I can see that.

Please, on a regular basis, patronize the plethora of party stores, wig shops, nail salons, check-cashing establishments, fly-by-night mobile phone stores, and African Hair Braiding specialists as a way of expressing your vehement distaste for the soul-killing "gentrification" that threatens your beloved status quo.

I understand you frustration... perhaps they are thankful that more of this "cancer" hasn't spread to the rest of the city.... Think of all the displaced storefront churches!!

But in all seriousness... there's something to be said in having a lease with few loopholes...

[NickCharles]

I understand you frustration... perhaps they are thankful that more of this "cancer" hasn't spread to the rest of the city.... Think of all the displaced storefront churches!!

But in all seriousness... there's something to be said in having a lease with few loopholes...

I have...absolutely no...clue as to what...thoughts you may...or may not...be expressing.

[Gistok]

I have...absolutely no...clue as to what...thoughts you may...or may not...be expressing.

Gentrification is not an ugly word...