Hey all… Jer here.
Hope you had a good Labor Day weekend. There’s a lot to cover, so I’m going to skip the pleasantries and get into it. If this is your first time here and you haven’t already, you can get newsletters free by putting your email address in below.
» The iconic Lafayette Coney Island was closed by the Detroit Health Department today, who issued a cease and desist order so the place would shut down. An inspection found rodent droppings. They looked into it after seeing a video with rodents scurrying around. A re-inspection will happen in a few days. The timing is crucial for Lafayette as the Detroit auto show is about to start. [WXYZ] [Freep]
There’s more context you need to know: This closure happens against the background of Detroit City Council considering an ordinance to mandate the placement of health inspection cards in windows, either with a letter or color grade. This is common in other cities. The measure will be discussed again next week.
Business groups and some restaurant owners are strongly against it, but anecdotally it seems much of the public in my inbox is behind the idea it after we talked about the issue on the podcast Tuesday. [Bridge Detroit] [Axios - I know, and older article, but provides good background] [Daily Detroit podcast]
Where do you stand?
» The Motown Museum is expanding by nearly 40,000 feet, and there are new renderings. The design has a big midcentury modern-ish vibe to it. Inside will be interactive exhibits, the Ford Motor Company Theater, and expanded retail. Below are a couple more views.
My two cents: I always thought the Motown Museum was underdeveloped. It’s one of America’s most important genres. Not only is it a great tourist draw, but it honors something our city created and should be proud of.
» The Downtown Detroit Partnership is getting more than $13m in grants for major projects, including renovating the Harvard Square and United Savings Bank buildings and parks. Some additional dollars are going to the suburbs, too. [Crain’s]
» Detroit-born and locally raised Tim Robinson took home an Emmy for Best Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series thanks to his work in “I Think You Should Leave.” [Pitchfork]
📻 On the podcast
» Detroit’s Unity Bell is back in view of the public in Eastern Market’s Shed 2. It was recently restored. It once sat atop the old city hall and rang in the New Year.
» Part of Michigan’s 2019 auto insurance reform was ruled unconstitutional. It opens the door for thousands of people who were catastrophically injured before the reform to get care again. Michigan Auto Law’s Todd Berg joined me on the show to unpack what it really means.
» Fletcher Sharpe is back! We talked Detroit City FC’s recent signings, where they stand in the playoff hunt and more. Congrats to him for his Hamtramck Yacht Race win.
🍽 More restaurant + bar news
» After 20 years, Augie’s Bar in Madison Heights is done. I have a few memories there (you haven’t lived until you’ve done a bus bar crawl in MH to support a high school band), and met people who would end up being friends for years. I’ll never forget its extremely short sit-down bar and high mullet content. [Facebook]
» Ford’s Garage is getting four more locations around Metro Detroit. The restaurant is currently successfully operating in Dearborn. The first new location will be in Novi. [Detroit News]
» Taystee’s Burgers is expanding. I think they’re the only burger in a gas station suitable for a date. The Dearborn spot got national attention a few years ago, and now are offering franchises. Above I dropped a video that has 2.4 million views and took them into the stratosphere. So if you’re new here and didn’t know, now you know. [Crain’s]
» A drive-through for Donut Villa. Since 1975, they’ve been serving up donuts on West Vernor Highway. I’m working on a broadcast TV piece for the best donut in Metro Detroit, so I’m going to have to stop by and check it out. Research, after all. [El Central]
» Duly’s Facebook page is getting some well-deserved love. Honestly, when people argue Lafayette or American, my favorite memories are at Duly’s in Southwest Detroit. Nothing like closing out the night with some Albanian tunes. [Eater Detroit]
🏛 Politics
» The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled the 1931 Michigan law banning abortion unconstitutional. Although a key step — I’m not writing much about it here because it’s clear there will be an appeal and Republican prosecutors are already saying they’ll ignore it, so watch this space. [NPR]
» Tudor Dixon’s polling putters, getting only 10% of female independent voters. The defining issue of the election as gas prices are easing is abortion. [Detroit News]
What to watch: We’re still two months out, but if Gov. Gretchen Whitmer can break the 50% mark in polling I think Republicans need to be worried about being crushed all the way down the ticket except in the reddest of areas. She’s at 48% overall now. The backlash to the reversal of Roe vs. Wade, as I predicted, is intense - and Dixon simply doesn’t have the money to run enough ads to try to change the perception of her, with under $600k in the bank for her campaign and some big rookie missteps. Practically, Dixon has barely enough to keep the lights on in a statewide race. Whitmer has 28 times more money on hand, and raised 16x more during the race. [Data via Bridge Michigan; Analysis, mine]
» The Mayor of Eastpointe had what was described by journalist Steve Neavling as a “meltdown” at a recent city council meeting. [Metro Times]
And we’re done! Thanks for reading. Since we don’t have an advertiser for this edition, if you want to support what we’re doing, buy us a coffee. It really does help.
We’ve got some big project updates coming, but that’s for later.
For now, thanks so much for reading. Until next time, remember you are somebody and I’ll see you around Detroit.
-Jer
