Detroit’s entrepreneurial spirit is on the rise, and it seems new businesses are opening every day. Some have big names, or are part of national chains – but not many of them are truly local, making and selling goods right here in Detroit. Douglas & Co., a company we’ve profiled before, is making moves opening a new studio and store in the Milwaukee Junction neighborhood.
Shane and Melissa Douglas from Douglas & Co officially opened their new studio on Thursday, August 25. The married couple has been specializing in creating fine leather goods since November of 2014. The transition to leather came out of both of their love of American craftsmanship.
The Douglas’s consider Douglas & Co a lifestyle brand; so there is a mixture of bags, wallets, belts, office items, candles and more. Eventually they hope to add handcrafted shoes to the line of leather goods. (I for one cannot wait, because although I didn’t get a picture, the prototype is beautiful).
They take inspiration for their pieces from people or places they know. For instance the Gladstone collection is inspired by the street they live on.
The studio and store is located in the garage of the former Peerless Machine Weighing Co. on Milwaukee. Because the store is attached to the studio it gives customers the opportunity to watch the leather goods being made. It makes the investment in these fine leather goods even sweeter. Your money is going to help put food on a dinner table, right here in Detroit. It’s a true family craft shop.
The Douglas’s hope that the space will eventually become more of a community space, where they can host workshops to teach people about working with leather.
Douglas & Co is located at 609 E. Milwaukee Detroit, Michigan – a short distance from the Tangent Gallery.
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:00 PM- 5:00 PM and Saturday 11:00 AM-2:00 PM