Supporting Detroit’s Black-owned businesses while breaking out of the quarantine blues? Sounds like a win-win. Plan your day in the D from start to finish with this handy guide.
Michigan is entering its next phase of reopening this month, and ‘Ganders are looking forward to safely enjoying activities like eating out, shopping and getting their hair and nails done again.
Here at the ‘Gander, we’re excited too, and we put together a guide to give readers some inspiration for what may be their first post-quarantine excursion.
As the ‘Gander reported this week, only 7% of small businesses in Michigan received support from President Trump’s Paycheck Protection Program through the COVID-19 pandemic, and Black business owners in the state got even less.
Let’s give Detroit’s Black-owned businesses some love as we re-emerge from quarantine. Remember to wear a face mask and respect the safety guidelines of each business when you do venture out. We know ‘Ganders will do Big Gretch proud!
🥞 Morning Eats 🥞
Day trippers know brunch can make or break the whole experience. Fill up that tummy with good stuff so you have lots of energy to pound the pavement later — so you can stay shopping instead of dropping.
The Commons’ coffee menu features standard cafe options like lattes, chai and cold brew, but there’s little else that’s standard about the space itself: it doubles as a laundromat!
Reopens Tuesday, June 16
Mon – Fri: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sat: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sun: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
French-inspired breakfast plates fill the menu at this brunch restaurant, which is known for its delicate, dessert-like crepes and strawberry creme waffles.
Thur – Fri: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sat – Sun: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Closed Mon – Wed
Aside from their famous chicken and waffle combos, other highlights from Kuzzo’s breakfast menu include biscuits and gravy, salmon croquettes with grits, and Bruh’s Big Breakfast Sandwich 🤤
Tue – Sat: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sun: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed Mon
⛲ Stop and Sit Awhile ⛲
Not every location in Michigan is open for dine-in service yet, so if you’ve got breakfast in a doggy bag and nowhere to eat it, here are some of the D’s primo options for al fresco by necessity:
William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor
Just east of downtown, this riverfront park’s got plenty of grass and dock to spread out while you fuel up on some good food and take in the view.
6 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
In downtown Detroit, this historic park is a splendid vista in summertime, complete with a grand, bubbling central fountain.
6 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
🛍️ Midday Shopping 🛍️
This is the fun part. These are only a few highlights of the many Black-owned retail shops in Detroit — for a more exhaustive list, head over to BLAC Detroit.
This apparel brand does so much more than retail in their brick-and-mortar space. Under non-COVID circumstances, they host art exhibits and classes, poetry slams, fundraisers and more.
Mon – Sat: Noon – 7 p.m.
Sun: Noon – 6 p.m.
In this special worldly boutique, you can find fair-trade artisan wares like shawls, jewelry, body products, home decor and accessories (including face masks).
Wed – Sat: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed Sun – Tue
A brand that calls itself “makeup for people with shit to do,” swing by The Lip Bar to grab a few fresh shades before heading back out and seizing the rest of your day in the D.
Mon – Sat: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sun: Noon – 5 p.m.
It’s called Source for a reason — it’s the niche source for nonfiction on everything from history and culture to women’s studies to metaphysics to shea butter products.
Mon – Sat: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sun: Noon – 5 p.m.
🍲 Lunch Break 🍲
Lunchtime already? We’ve got you covered with options representing cultures from around the globe.
With three locations in Corktown, Madison Heights and Midtown/Wayne State, you’re sure to be nearby Ima if you’re in a slurping mood after shopping.
Corktown hours:
Thur – Mon: 4-10 p.m.
Closed Fri – Sun
Madison Heights hours:
Wed – Sun: Noon – 10 p.m.
Closed Mon – Tue
Midtown/Wayne State hours:
Wed – Sun: Noon – 10 p.m.
Closed Mon – Tue
Reviewers say if you’re looking for “straight-up, no-nonsense, awesome soul food,” you have to check out this local institution. Ribs, fish, greens, yams — just the kind of fuel any day tripper could use.
Tue – Fri: Noon – 8 p.m.
Sat: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sun: 2-6 p.m.
Closed Mon
Locally sourced ingredients and custom blends of Asian and Caribbean flavors bring the zing at COOP. Their signature marinade features garlic, ginger, allspice, cilantro, sour oranges and scotch bonnet pepper.
Mon – Thur: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 11 a.m. – midnight
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
🎨 Art Walk 🎨
Oof. Sometimes after a big lunch, you just gotta walk it off. Why not take in some of Detroit’s most stunning artistic outdoor tributes to Black culture at the same time?
You can’t miss this art environment in Detroit’s McDougall-Hunt neighborhood, which was created out of dilapidated houses and artifacts by artist Tyree Guyton in the 1980s.
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily
Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum
This colorful celebration of Black history stretches over an entire city block, filled with sculptures, jars, mosaics, murals and more.
Noon – 7 p.m. daily
🍿 Snack Run 🍿
What would a day trip be without a few souvenirs to take home? Depending on how far away you live from the D, we can’t promise these snacks will make it all the way back, but the sweet memories are sure to last. (At least ’til you can make it back for some more.)
A local favorite, Motor City Popcorn has been featured on Detroit news stations multiple times over recent years. Detroiters and ‘Ganders from far and wide can’t get enough of flavors like the 8 Mile Mix and Belle Isle Blend.
Reopens Monday, June 15
Tues – Sat: Noon – 9 p.m.
Closed Sun – Mon
The history behind Sweet Potato Sensations is as sweet as their treats themselves — husband-and-wife team Jeffery and Cassandra Thomas argued over whether yams would be served at their first Thanksgiving in 1976, and Cassandra’s compromise was sweet potato cookies. They were so good, they launched a business. You gotta pick some up on your way out of town.
Fri – Sun: Noon – 6 p.m.
Closed Mon – Thurs
Martha Spall is a writer from Southeast Michigan inspiring and moving readers with humanistic stories all Michiganders have an investment in.
