New retail for Detroit?

[stasu1213]

Perhaps an Ikea Planning Studio, but I just don't see a full Ikea store being built in Detroit proper. Not just Detroit but Ikea are mainly found in suburbs like Ikea in Schaumburg [[Chicago) or Bloomington [[Minneapolis). Although maybe some good news is that at least in Europe, Ikea is shift toward a more "car free" development which means that they would have to develop in urban centers.

On the topic of Ikea wasn't Ikea looking for a second location in Oakland County? Heard this from WXYZ Detroit about 4 years ago.

The midtown downtown area would support an Ikea store even Lafayette Park would support Ikea. The mentioned areas may not be totally foot traffic areas but the Qline and the filling in of I375 would bring more foot traffic into the downtown midtown areas to support Ikea. Target, once open, will draw out all of the middle income people who live in the areas mentioned above to support it. Those same people would support Ikea and other furniture store like it. Face it. H&M, Nike, Birdbee, Carhartt and a few more are drawing in customers who exits these stores with shopping bags. The support is there. Just put an affordable national chain store in the area and you will see

[dtowncitylover]

What's the point of this inane rambling. Downtown retail is clearly sustained, and there's thousands of new units of housing being built every year. What is supposedly "patchwork" about it? Not worried long term at all.

It is? Stores that opened during this "comeback" have already closed. Madewell, GStar Raw, Under Armour. We all know District Detroit pales in comparison to what was promised. How about all the parking lots that are still existing. The residential units being built, which is good, are still not enough. We need both condos and apartments towers and the dense single family terraced row housing, that cities the world over have. Heck, the development happening seems to be like Detroit's neighborhood problem, that its condition is block by block. Sure one block looks refurbished, but you move one or two streets over and its either ruin porn that hasn't been torn down yet or an urban prairie.

So the point of my "inane rambling" is to say that retail, in the past 100 years in downtown Detroit only existed and was supported by a city that came downtown to shop. That is not happening on the scale in which retail can fully thrive and if we want it to stay, we are going to need a population jump that I don't see happening. I'm not saying there aren't people moving in, but we need many more residents, and we need for them to stay.

[Gistok]

I would love to see Bright Idea, Restoration Hardware, or even Ikea open a store along Woodward. Used furniture stores are ok but let's have something new such as a national chain

Nothing says "crappy furniture" quite like IKEA...

[stasu1213]

It is? Stores that opened during this "comeback" have already closed. Madewell, GStar Raw, Under Armour. We all know District Detroit pales in comparison to what was promised. How about all the parking lots that are still existing. The residential units being built, which is good, are still not enough. We need both condos and apartments towers and the dense single family terraced row housing, that cities the world over have. Heck, the development happening seems to be like Detroit's neighborhood problem, that its condition is block by block. Sure one block looks refurbished, but you move one or two streets over and its either ruin porn that hasn't been torn down yet or an urban prairie.

So the point of my "inane rambling" is to say that retail, in the past 100 years in downtown Detroit only existed and was supported by a city that came downtown to shop. That is not happening on the scale in which retail can fully thrive and if we want it to stay, we are going to need a population jump that I don't see happening. I'm not saying there aren't people moving in, but we need many more residents, and we need for them to stay.

Also stores that catered to multicultural clientele such as Birdbee and Ferne had been strangly
broken into and items stolen whole others stores weren't touched. Is this some type of play by someone to get these stores yo close?

[stasu1213]

It is? Stores that opened during this "comeback" have already closed. Madewell, GStar Raw, Under Armour. We all know District Detroit pales in comparison to what was promised. How about all the parking lots that are still existing. The residential units being built, which is good, are still not enough. We need both condos and apartments towers and the dense single family terraced row housing, that cities the world over have. Heck, the development happening seems to be like Detroit's neighborhood problem, that its condition is block by block. Sure one block looks refurbished, but you move one or two streets over and its either ruin porn that hasn't been torn down yet or an urban prairie.

So the point of my "inane rambling" is to say that retail, in the past 100 years in downtown Detroit only existed and was supported by a city that came downtown to shop. That is not happening on the scale in which retail can fully thrive and if we want it to stay, we are going to need a population jump that I don't see happening. I'm not saying there aren't people moving in, but we need many more residents, and we need for them to stay.

Also stores that catered to multicultural clientele such as Birdbee and Ferne had been strangly
broken into and items stolen whole others stores weren't touched. Is this some type of play by someone to get these stores to close?

[ShadowSoarer]

Whatever happened to the store the artist Rhianna was supposed to open on Woodward? What happened to the big news that Apple may possibly open a store downtown

In regards to Rihanna's store this is what it currently looks like:
Attachment 42330
Attachment 42331

In regards to the Apple store it has been quiet. No recent articles about it that I'm aware of only rumors.

Don't want to create more rumors, but take this with a grain of salt since there is no confirmation. Le Labo [[that closed on Woodward) might be moving somewhere on Library Street. There was a Le Labo trailer in Capitol Park last month.

[stasu1213]

Downtown could get more foot traffic if shoppers could get free parking in some of the structures and lots along Woodward and in the downtown area for 2 hours if shopping receipts are presented upon leaving the lots and structures

[Zacha341]

^ That would motivate me to go and shop downtown more. As it stands now lack of parking remains a problem for some.

[Zacha341]

Hah! I've never cared for IKEA's foam-core like break-away cheap 'wood' offerings or the pain in the butt of putting it the junk together. I prefer my older wood shelving, etc. What's up with the Wolf Chili photo? I used to eat that [too hard on stomach now].

Nothing says "crappy furniture" quite like IKEA...

[Zacha341]

IKEA's tend to be huge footprint stores, don't they? With big adjacent parking lots for customers who choose take the heavy, large purchases to their car they don't have delivered. IKEA even has it's own food court within the store [think the Canton Location]. Not small, store-front set up we see in downtown Detroit.

I would love to see Bright Idea, Restoration Hardware, or even Ikea open a store along Woodward. Used furniture stores are ok but let's have something new such as a national chain

[Zacha341]

Hah! Well there's Whole Paycheck [smile] up the road on Woodward and that expensive GNC store is still in New Center One I think!

All jokes aside there are several health and vegan stores, restaurants in Detroit, some located in areas within the city visitors may not be aware of. And there are more fresh, healthy grocery options coming and many already existing especially in Hamtramck. Detroit Peoples Food Coop has broken ground with the construction well underway on Woodward, near Euclid.

https://detroitpeoplesfoodcoop.com/

It's amazing that there are 3 sweet food restaurants in the downtown area but only one vitamin store. No health food stores. No wonder Detroit is one of the fattest city in the country

[Zacha341]

Call me a cynic about this but I find these one-product specialty shops often disappointing over the long-haul. I'll just stick the peach cobbler at the grocery store deli! Sometimes that's far better.

But I will give GetPeachy a try! ----

Peach Cobbler Factory looks like it's about to open at 1300 Broadway. I didn't know there was such a demand for peach cobbler but more power to them.

https://www.facebook.com/GetPeachy313/

[Zacha341]

Smart businesses/ store don't withstanding public sidewalks. People have been robbed, cursed - spat at and not everyone's reaching into their pocket/ purse for money rendering themselves vulnerable. I'm not.

I've experienced verbal assaults [including persons grab my car door to gain entry at gas stations] and avoid places allowing loitering on their property.

We know that the policing of vagrants is nil in parts of a Cali and New York.

The result is not surprising: forceful, angry demands for money, stepping over needles, human feces, urine; encounters of violent, erratic behaviors, robberies, nudity, etc to get to your car or public transportation [where even more joy awaits]. We see how that's worked out and most don't want it.

Businesses are suffering...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvmpXURWlJg

Because sidewalks are public property and they’re not doing anything illegal. The police can’t trespass them like they would if they were in the store.

I’ve never heard of them harassing anyone either. All they do is ask for money. Just say no and keep walking.

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

Call me a cynic about this but I find these one-product specialty shops often disappointing over the long-haul. I'll just stick the peach cobbler at the grocery store deli! Sometimes that's far better.

But I will give GetPeachy a try! ----

A quick look at their menu shows twelve cobblers, twelve versions of banana pudding and a half dozen different cinnamon roles. It’s not quite a one-product shop.

[Zacha341]

^ Yes, I saw that - various cobblers indeed. I'm getting hungry ----

[ShadowSoarer]

Rustics Woodward Throwback Furniture to open downtown location. Good add to retail downtown

https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news...ntown-detroit/

So found a little bit of inconsistency between the DBusiness and the Crain's Detroit article. DBusiness lists the location at 35 W. Grand River next to Carnelle, but Crain's Detroit lists as the former Lovers Only location at 34 W. Grand River.

I'm willing to lean more toward Crain's Detroit. DBusiness at one point said that a restaurant called Bonchon was going to open Metro Detroit locations including Detroit, but that wasn't the case.

Also side note, why is it when articles list certain businesses opening in Metro Detroit they usually mean only Detroit suburbs and not Detroit itself?

Either way it doesn't matter much, but just wondering since it seems like 35 W. Grand River has been vacant for a while since 2018 after they remodeled it. Or does 35 W. Grand River even have ground level retail?

Below is from the the DBusiness article:

"Woodward Throwbacks announced today it will open its first showroom in downtown Detroit called Throwbacks Home. It will be located at the Bedrock-owned 35 W. Grand River Ave. building, set just west of Woodward Avenue."

Below is the article from Crain's Detroit:

"Shepherd and Dubay signed a five-year lease for the space that was previously occupied by restaurant Lover's Only, which closed its dining room during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lover's Only now operates out of breakfast and lunch spot Iggy's Eggies walk-up window, which is in an adjoining space with Throwbacks Home."

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/retail...space-downtown

[ShadowSoarer]

Looks like Rihanna's store is pushed back to open next year at 1442 Woodward.

https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news...oit-next-year/

[Former_Detroiter]

^ Yes, I saw that - various cobblers indeed. I'm getting hungry ----

I will be making my Thanksgiving Day sweet potato cobbler..

[stasu1213]

Looks like Rihanna's store is pushed back to open next year at 1442 Woodward.

https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news...oit-next-year/

Not surprising. Don't be surprised if she cancel opening a shop in that spot altogether.

[stasu1213]

Ok I stand corrected. Detroit Throwback is a creative furniture store where custom furniture can be made. However, downtown, midtown, Lafayette Park, Corktown, and Indian Village need good quality furniture stores in those areas. Furniture stores that specializes and sell furniture not rims and hubcaps

[K-slice]

Ok I stand corrected. Detroit Throwback is a creative furniture store where custom furniture can be made. However, downtown, midtown, Lafayette Park, Corktown, and Indian Village need good quality furniture stores in those areas. Furniture stores that specializes and sell furniture not rims and hubcaps

If you haven't been to their flagship in Hamtramck it's well worth the visit. Half housewares and furniture, half architectural salvage.

[ShadowSoarer]

Looks like Sahara Restaurant & Grill might finally be opening soon the in the District Detroit. This was announced back in 2018.

[ShadowSoarer]

Only took almost 4 years to open:

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/restaurants/sahara-bakehouse46-playa-bowls-among-new-metro-detroit-Sahara Restaurant & Grill opens Detroit location

After a long delay, a popular Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant opened its first Detroit location. Sahara Restaurant & Grill, originally slated to open in 2019, held a soft opening on April 6 in The District Detroit area of downtown.

[ShadowSoarer]

Looks like 511 Woodward just south of Capital One Cafe is finally being filled with Experience Zuzu and Upstairs Bar. "Prime real-estate" on Woodward that only took 3-4 years to fill.

https://detroit.eater.com/2023/4/17/23687053/new-asian-restaurant-anime-themed-bar-downtown-developments-ami

[DetroitSoldier]

Only took almost 4 years to open:

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/restaurants/sahara-bakehouse46-playa-bowls-among-new-metro-detroit-Sahara Restaurant & Grill opens Detroit location

After a long delay, a popular Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant opened its first Detroit location. Sahara Restaurant & Grill, originally slated to open in 2019, held a soft opening on April 6 in The District Detroit area of downtown.

I tried Sahara yesterday. The quail was outstanding. Petfectly cooked with a generous portion of 3 birds. The rice and veggies were great and the falafel blows ChickP, my other downtown favorite, out of the water.