Hey friends,
It's been a minute since I've written, as there's been a lot going on. I've been moving house to the east side of the city, kinda back to my roots — while helping plan, produce, and moderate a Detroit mayoral debate.
I learned a lot in the process, but I was never in doubt of the interest Detroiters have in conversations with substance about the city they love.
The event was on Saturday was a full house at the Eastside Community Network, and along with Orlando Bailey from Outlier Media and Donna Givens Davidson of ECN and Authentically Detroit we got into questions of everything from housing, to flooding, to transit, and more.
The whole debate including Fred Durhal, Saunteel Jenkins, Todd Perkins and Mary Sheffield is in the video below.
Sam Robinson, now also over at the Michigan Chronicle, wrote it up...
Sam Robinson
And so did Briana Rice over at Outlier Media.
Briana Rice
If you want to hear our post-game debrief between the moderators (and our own spicy back-and-forth).
Norris Howard
I would love to know what your questions are — and if you're a city resident, who are you voting for (and why) - or if you're sitting this out, why? Hit up our contact form and let me know.
A few months ago we gave an in-depth tour and update of what Marrow is up to in Eastern Market.
The other day, I had a chance to get a progress check. It interests me as this is the flagship building of a growing company that's bringing locally-focused, sustainable meat to more plates.
There's still a lot of work to do, but they seem on track for a September opening. When they open, you'll find a butcher shop, a couple of bar areas, a restaurant dining space, and space for a USDA-certified meat processing facility.
The upstairs dining area is going to be stunning. A lot of stuff was in pieces (it's an active construction site, after all) but it's clearly coming together in a big way.
It's located at 2442 Riopelle in Detroit.
As we discussed on the Friday edition of Daily Detroit [Apple Podcasts], one of the challenges will be if they can pull together a dining crowd off of market days in the market.
There are a number of businesses on Riopelle — such as Eastern Market Brewing Co., the tasting room for Detroit City Distillery — where you could get enough energy going. Not to mention Tocororo and Thomas Magee's right across the freeway bridge. I know I'm forgetting even more stuff.
So there's the parts, I think, to make this work with the right promotion.
Beyond their Eastern Market location, Marrow opened a Birmingham spot last week.
Bonus tip: Brand:Detroit, a venture investment group focused on consumer packaged goods, is turning the building behind Marrow into their workplace studio.
🗓️ Mark your calendar! Our popular Saturday Studio open house is back. We love connecting with our neighbors in real life. Coffee, donuts, and Detroit conversation on July 19 from 10a-1p at our studio in TechTown.
Meet fellow Daily Detroit listeners and readers, as well as myself and other co-hosts of the show.
It's free, but please RSVP as space is limited and so we know how much food and coffee to get.
🛒 Detroit's east side is getting a new grocery store. Under construction at Holcomb and Kercheval — a couple of blocks from Indian Village and West Village — a 7,000 square foot Riverwards neighborhood market is on track to be open in the fall of this year.
The first two locations are in the Fishtown and Old City neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
They say their Little Village location will sell "fresh produce, grocery staples, and specialty items — all with a focus on quality, sustainability, and supporting regional farms and producers."
According to an Instagram post, the founder of Riverwards, Vincent Finazzo, recently moved back to the city.
You'll be able to find it at 8933 Kercheval in Detroit.
🛼 History on skates: If you've been around Detroit for awhile, you know how important the roller rink has been to culture around here. But this story from Dan Austin at Historic Detroit about the Arena Gardens on Woodward is a must-read. What a beautiful building it was. [Historic Detroit]
I hope you're getting some rest and relaxation in on this steamy Sunday evening.
Of course, I can't leave you without a track. I'm settling into the new place, and knew I was home when I heard Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes with Teddy Pendergrass through the screen door.
Not really from Detroit, but whether it's on Grand River, Gratiot, or Grand Boulevard — I've heard the track plenty of times.
Living in the city isn't perfect. We deal with a lot as residents. But it's the soul of the place that I love.
Thanks for reading,
-Jer
