DETROIT – It’s often said small businesses are the backbone of the American economy.
As the holiday shopping season goes into overdrive, there are initiatives to remind people how shopping small is big for businesses.
The North End and Milwaukee Junction Business District hopes some of that holiday spending trickles into what’s been known as a creative hub in Detroit.
“To be able to have services and products and goods where you can walk and shop and buy within your own community and recycle so we don’t take our dollars outside of the community,” said Lisa Tucker, vice president of Vanguard Community Development Corporation.
The African American neighborhood is the first of its kind to receive a Main Street designation in Michigan.
The “Light Up Main Street” celebration is introducing a holiday stroll to show off nearby retail and restaurants.
Shoppers can find eco-friendly and all natural products at shops like We Love Green, or visit Café Noir, where one can get to know the faces behind the brand while chatting with others.
“They all are people in the community that I can at the very least say, ‘Hi,’ to,” said Boratha Tan, a customer.
There’s also an art gallery next door, featuring the talents of Detroit artists. For the music aficionado in your life, vinyl record shop Submerge Records is the spot.
As it turns out, Detroit is not only home to Motown Records but techno music.
“There’s always the normal and fantastic UR 003 – it’s The Final Frontier. It’s our most recent re-pressed,” said Jordan Weatherspoon. “It’s been out for what 22 years and it’s still rocking.”
To see a list of participating businesses and festivities, click here.
