Hey friends, Jer here.
Before we get started, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of Cass Corridor legend Danny Overstreet.
A Vietnam veteran and owner of the Old Miami, he was beloved by many. His bar is a uniquely Detroit place because of the community of unforgettable people connected to it. You can read his obituary, written by those who knew him best, here. [Daily Detroit]
💰 A second historic Detroit skyscraper will hit the auction block this year. [Crain's Detroit Business]
The Ford Building — unrelated to the automaker and originally tied to the glass business — is going up for auction after the current owner had explored turning the long-struggling office tower into housing.
It opened in 1908 and was designed by famed architect Daniel Burnham — who did the Flatiron Building in New York City (among many other projects). You can find more history on it at Historic Detroit.
🏙️ Bedrock’s latest rehab adds more residential space in downtown Detroit with The Belle, a 42‑unit apartment and retail project.
In a restored 1926 Beaux-Arts building on Broadway, the development aims to blend historic character with contemporary design finishes.
Units will range from studios to two‑bedrooms, with dark quartz counters, emerald cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances.
Bedrock says residents will have perks like a lounge with workspaces, bike storage, and secure entry. The location is a short walk from spots like The Vinyl Society, Fixins Soul Kitchen, Parker’s Alley, and the Detroit Opera House.
A listener tells me resident tours are beginning this month, and pre‑leasing is already open for those interested. [TheBelleDetroit.com]
🏚️ Detroit's crypto landlord just lost control of its properties. [Outlier Media]
RealT, the blockchain-based company that tokenized hundreds of Detroit rental homes so investors could buy fractional ownership via crypto, has been forced to hand its 700-property portfolio to a court-appointed fiduciary.
The move comes after the city sued the company last year over rampant code violations and habitability issues.
🏒 Could Detroit be getting a PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League) squad on Wednesday? Speculation is running high after a social media post by former CBS Detroit sports reporter Rachel Hopmeyer. [Threads]
With the PWHL draft next month in Detroit (confirmed to me by multiple sources), Wednesday could be the day that PWHL Detroit is officially unveiled. The city + Ilitch Sports + Ent are having an outdoor event at the arena and have invited LC AAA teams to attend in uniform. It follows a similar pattern to previous expansion rollouts.
Little Caesars Arena has hosted PWHL Takeover Tour games for three consecutive seasons, and the most recent game on March 28 drew 15,938 fans. That kind of turnout is exactly the kind of signal leagues look for when choosing expansion cities.
🎼 A new hi-fi listening bar is headed to Southwest Detroit.
Tigris plans to open "soon" at 2545 Bagley, with a custom sound system from Detroit’s Bing Audio, an eclectic vinyl library, and guest DJ sets several nights a week. [Tigris Detroit]
I’m told to expect Middle Eastern‑inspired cocktails, light bites, and plenty of non‑alcoholic options, plus a daytime café vibe that shifts into an intimate cocktail bar at night.
The project is a collaboration between music supervisor Fabian Halabou, Inlaws Hospitality, and Chances With Wolves’ Kenan Juska, with In Sheep’s Clothing alum Dane Majors set to run the place.
Recently a podcast listener told me about a listening bar in their part of Chicago called "Charis," apparently run by a former Ferndalian — and I was a bit jealous. Later this year, it looks like I won’t have to be. But next time I’m in the Windy City, I’m definitely checking that one out, too.
🗣️ I'm moderating a panel on the future of Michigan as a dining destination. It's part of the Business of Food Summit on May 18, 2026. [Food Summit]
The free Business of Food Summit at Marrow in the Market will bring together chefs, suppliers, investors, small business owners, urban farmers, grocers, policymakers, and community stakeholders. You’ll need to register ahead of time.
My panel plans to touch on what it takes to build a five‑star kitchen — and whether that’s even the right goal. We’ll also get into the recent Michelin star news, what it signals for restaurants in our state, and how Michigan’s key cities can become culinary destinations.
I'll be joined on the panel by:
- Jared Gadbaw, Chef & Owner, Oak & Reel
- Joseph VanWagner, Chef, Echelon Kitchen & Bar
- Gerti Begaj, Managing Partner, BESA
- Mary-Catherine Moore, Executive Director of Food & Beverage / Managing Partner, Shinola Hospitality
🎥 We did a livestream of the show just a couple hours ago that you might want to check out. [YouTube]
🏀 It’s halftime of the Pistons game while I'm writing this, and I feel like it’s my duty as a Detroiter to stay plugged into these playoffs. I want this town to have an NBA Finals so bad. So I gotta run.
Thanks for reading — and if you’re not one already, think about becoming a supporter on Patreon. Local media can only survive and thrive with local support from folks like you.
Remember that you are somebody, and I'll see you around Detroit.
-Jer
