Story and Photos By Hilary Nichols and Omar Davidson

As spring wakes us to the fresh colors and new life of this potent season, I feel pulled. The warming weather is a catalyst for change and I for one hear the call. To shop. For its miles of style, substance and swagger, the temptation takes me to Detroit. At over 139 square miles, our big city neighbor can seem overwhelming, so I decide to take a friendly local guide. Omar Davidson, born and raised in Detroit, partnered with me on this exploration and this piece.

THE WORD FROM OMAR:

I was born and raised in Detroit all the way through high school, but I cannot say I grew up or came of age there. When I left for college and moved out of town, I became more aware. Now, in some ways, I find myself in an interesting position of feeling like the city I once called home is a new and strange place. Perhaps I feel a touch of imposter syndrome, as if I don’t deserve the distinction. Yet, I am aware of other feelings. Having visited the city recently, I’ve noticed, with some sadness, that there are a number of shops, boutiques, eateries, and restaurants I treasured in my youth that are gone. In their place others have arisen. However, to my surprise and pleasure, these newer additions to the cityscape are vibrant and cool. I want to become reacquainted with the city.

EASTERN MARKET

Most of us are aware of the extensive area known as Eastern Market. Today we sought to explore more of the smaller gems in this area. The bright window art at People’s Records compelled us to enter. According to vinylfactory.com’s list of world’s best record shops, this unassuming shop has made the list as one of the best record stores in the world for good reason. Bins and bins of albums in every genre crowd this old school haunt that shares a door with the minimalist Trinosophes Café and venue. I feel like a time traveler as I uncover the 45s and LPs that informed my childhood soundtrack. The guys here are super helpful and excited to guide our exploration, like librarians for your eardrums. We decide to do a random DJ dive and each pick our top three albums. Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Miles Davis for me, along with Stéphan Grappelli, John Coltrain, and Etta James for Omar. One of the vintage compact turntables from the 70s completes the purchase to take back to our ideal little jewel box of an Airbnb in the Kean building on East Jefferson.

Along this strip a few other storefronts entice. Boro is a beautiful boutique showcasing handpicked consignment pieces. From 50s and 60s kitsch, to 70s and 80s funk, and even more modern, their small collection of shoes, boots, jewelry, and classic fashion is perfectly curated for today’s looks. Although their full collection is available online, it feels so good to be invited inside to savor the touch and textures in this airy showroom. You can bring items to consign for a deeper participation in the retro fashion scene. I just might try my hand with my old Pendelton collection next visit. Today, I leave with a perfect pair of Blundstone boots and a cashmere sweater ideal for the slight spring chill.

A few doors down we ring the bell to be invited into the very swanky menswear atelier, Tailored Detroit. As owner and in-house tailor, Warick made us feel very welcome here among the custom components on his work surface. Dinner jackets, suits, and ready to wear items line the wall. They hand craft unique designs for every day to the most special of occasions, serving full wedding parties and custom requests—like one groom who had a vintage pirate map printed into his lining. A single button jacket fits Omar beautifully and could be custom made in any of these elegant fabrics to pair with matching flat-front trousers. The length and cut can be fine-tuned by appointment. There is something very transformational about standing at the mirror in a perfectly fitted suit. Without an occasion we might not justify the purchase this time, though maybe being dressed to impress would instigate the opportunity! With a single pair of flowered socks in the bag, we will have to find out next time, the power of owning such a bespoke piece.

THE WORD FROM OMAR:

As I’ve aged, so too have my tastes and interests. Since I enjoy a dapper, custom-made suit, I would recommend Tailored, located in the Eastern Market district. Tailored is a Detroit-based men’s wear boutique. I felt immediately immersed into the story and elegance of space. All of the tools a master tailor would need were neatly in their place and handsome suit jackets with matching slacks of various colors hung on industrial style racks and mannequins. I was graced by the store’s owner, Warick, who promptly fitted me expertly for a jacket even as he explained the details of his intricate profession.

A walk through more of Eastern Market shops is mesmerizing—so many temptations. Detroit Hustles Harder seems like a necessary stop. Loyalty runs deep in the D and their hoodies, sweats, and tees say it all, with an ever-expanding selection of clever Detroit-centric designs. Detroit Vs. Everybody presents a similar line of tees and sweatshirts to announce local pride, and Bert’s Market Place and Entertainment Complex couldn’t be missed even if you tried. The vibrant sight spills out onto the sidewalk with music blasting and the BBQ smoke wafting past announced their deeply Detroit vibe to anyone within earshot. Check their calendar to make it for comedy or live music on stage or right there on the sidewalk. This place is a party every time and you are invited. As long as you’re cool.

MIDTOWN

Next our exploration takes us to the Cass Corridor for the whole Shinola deep dive. The massive flagship showroom is crisp and glistening with style, from the coffee bar’s leather couches to the chrome shine of bicycles hanging from the ceiling, to the richly colored leather watch straps and leather journals laid just so in their saturated palette. The experience has a spa effect that makes me stand a little taller. Next door, Shinola Home, is a bold expression of their aesthetic made large.

Across the road we find the wonderfully warm and quirky City Bird and Nest House Wares. The two affiliated shops, owned by a brother and sister team, are filled with everything you’d ever want for your brass bar cart, your subway tiled kitchen counter, and your pretty bathroom curio. The fanciful and vibrant aesthetic at City Bird will charm you, while next door at Nest I was just as taken with the muted mood of vanilla tobacco scented soaps, cedar and suede candles, comic book-colored cards, half-moon bronze earrings, and every other item so cutting edge you can’t keep up.

The anchor of this strip, the White Stripes’ Third Man Records was opened in 2015. This museum of music has a pressing plant in the back, a performance venue, recording studio, and record store, of course, but the display of block lettered long sleeve t-shirts and vintage style sweatshirts is really enough. The very air is rich with rock and roll in this primary-colored location. A full transformation was tempting, but I settled on a pair of red tube socks, with white stripes.

Across Cass Avenue, the Auburn Building was established in 2012, and has been a great host to draw some crucial shops to the scene. We found ourselves following a gaggle of pink haired teens in for boba tea at Tou & Mai where the carnival colors of Japanese treats define this trendy little space.

But Omar brought us here for the more important exploration of Source Books.

THE WORD FROM OMAR:

If you’re looking for a good book to dive into, I highly recommend making a stop at Source Booksellers. Located in the Cass Corridor, Source Books is a charming African-American owned bookstore that offers a unique niche of non-fiction authors, a large Afrocentric selection, and a recently added children’s section. I was warmly greeted by a woman who turned out to be the proprietor of the establishment, Janet Webster Jones. Nearly every wall is adorned with colorful, beautiful books filled with story and insight.

Next door, the large and beautifully appointed showroom Nora 4240 will impress your sensibilities. Their tag line, “purveyor of beautiful things and ideas,” speaks to every item throughout. Their range is wide, spanning housewares, apothecary, jewelry, and accessories, but their vision is singular. Everything in here will soothe your soul with a refined elegance and taste.

CORKTOWN

Corktown is the area perhaps most known for the resurgence of a new Detroit. With Slow’s BBQ and Gold Cash Gold bringing up the area, the retail viability soon followed. You can window shop for most of a mile along Michigan Avenue.

Off the beaten path in an old sports memorabilia shop, Michigan & Trumbull is a pizza place that will appeal to every picky eater in your party. Gluten free and vegan cheese is popular here, but don’t let that fool you. Their four-corner deep dish pizza is traditionally Detroit style through and through, with enough innovation to make it amazing. They are keeping busy with a bustling take out business these days, but we will return for a cocktail at their full bar soon.

Down the block, a cute collection of shops crowd the corner with Mama Coo’s Boutique as the central storefront. Falling for their impressive collection of curios could occupy half a day. Vintage spans from the 20s to the 70s here, with an eccentric style that blends into one charming aesthetic. From rhinestones to the more rugged Navajo throws, the appeal of this crowded place is rooted in nostalgia but is very relevant for today’s trends. Who doesn’t need another brooch for their jean jacket?

Union 3 Tattoos is open Wednesdays for walk-ins, so we walked in and were wowed by the bright and artful studio. Specializing in traditional old-school artistry, the shop has a surprisingly modern and open feeling.

THE WORD FROM OMAR:

I’m not a tattoo guy myself, still, I can appreciate a well-inked body when I see one. Union 3 Tattoo, located in Detroit’s historic Corktown, is the place to go for professional, stunning work. I stepped into the shop and met the owner, Mike Emmet. A fan of Crazy Wisdom, Emmet took the time out of his busy schedule to make me feel welcome. Ornate tattoo templates hang from the walls even as the artists are hard at work inking in their creations on their respective clients.

Above the tattoo shop, the building owner, Anthony O’Donnell, is crafting a beautifully vintage venue. Yet unnamed, he is open to suggestions. With utmost respect for the building’s original features, the update highlights the old polish and frames it with a modern shine. Soon the six-foot-high windows that surround the 4000 square foot great room will let the light shine on a refurbished dance floor. An industrial chic statement staircase will take you to the bright bird’s nest level, where a bride can get ready or the VIP party can continue. Glass doors open to an additional 3000 sq foot rooftop garden with a brick oven. And one more staircase takes you to the tip-top roof level for a high city photo shoot. There is no better place to toast to this amazing town during this impressive time of transition.