Hey there, it's Jer.
I love to hear about new places opening up, and I think so-called "third places" are important.
On our Daily Detroit podcast, Norris Howard told me about his trip to Vesper.
It's a combo wine bar / cook book shop / snacks spot in Detroit's Core City, at West Warren and Grand River.
Located inside a restored former bank, Norris said that the vibe was pretty chill with a mixed crowd, and the wine was top-notch. They have vegetarian-friendly snacks.
And yes, I confirmed on their Instagram - it's cook books.
They're open Wednesdays through Sundays and parking is nearby on 17th Street. It's kitty-corner to Periodicals magazine shop and the restaurant Barda.
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The US Department of Transportation awarded a $2 million grant to advance plans to cap part of I-75 with new public space. The project aims to reconnect downtown Detroit with neighborhoods that were split apart when the highway was built in the 1950s.
The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) is working with the city and state to make this happen, following community input sessions last year that helped shape the design.
This federal money will help get the project "shovel-ready" — meaning fully designed and ready for construction.
It's part of a broader federal push to address historical infrastructure decisions that split urban communities. [Downtown Detroit Partnership]
Crain’s Detroit Business notes that this is less than half the money asked for, and that the players will be seeking additional funds or focusing on one cap at a time.
If you want more insight into this, the I-375 project and more happening downtown, you should check out my recent conversation with Downtown Detroit Partnership CEO Eric Larson. [Apple Podcasts]
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🛏️ Detroit-based furniture maker Floyd Home was bought earlier this week by Ohio-based Rize Home. You might remember the "Floyd leg," this setup with metal legs with clamps where you could turn soemthing like a door into a table real easy. [Furniture Today]
They started with a Kickstarter campaign in 2013, and eventually took on millions in investment while building a wider brand focused on sustainability and "furniture for keeping."
The CEO of Rize Home is David Jaffe, one of the founders of Moosejaw, the Michigan-created brand with a quirky culture that was eventually sold to Walmart.
Sadly, that brand ended up as part of Dick's Sporting Goods, who shuttered all the stores.
Reportedly, Floyd will keep a Detroit presence and move from Eastern Market to Corktown. [Detroit Free Press]
🚲 Detroit's Joe Louis Greenway just got a major boost with $12.5 million in new federal funding. The largest chunk - $10.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation - will pay for a 1-mile connection between Woodward Avenue and Dequindre Street, including a new bridge over railroad tracks.
This segment will provide a safe path between Detroit and Highland Park, helping overcome barriers created by industrial corridors and freeways.
An additional $2 million grant will support planning and design work along Lonyo Street between two parks.
The grants continue building momentum for the 30-mile regional greenway network. It will connect 23 Detroit neighborhoods to Dearborn, Hamtramck, and Highland Park.
Construction on the Woodward-to-Dequindre segment is slated to begin in late 2026, with completion expected in early 2028.
If you want to learn more about the vision behind the Joe Louis Greenway, I had an in-depth conversation with Leona Medley, their Executive Director, on our Daily Detroit podcast. [Apple Podcasts]
🦁 The vibes of Detroiters are excellent when it comes to the Detroit Lions. Fletcher Sharpe joined me to not only preview the playoff game against the Washington Commanders, but reflect on what a huge deal this is for our city.
💭 Looking to learn something on MLK Day? The Motown Museum is hosting a special MLK Day experience this Monday, January 20 with tours that highlight Dr. King's connection to Motown and the Civil Rights Movement.
Visitors will learn about Motown’s role in the movement, learn about the Black Forum Label that gave distribution to African-American spoken word, and experience a powerful finale in the legendary Studio A where they'll listen to one of King's historic speeches that was released on Motown's Gordy Label.
Tours run every 30 minutes from 10am to 5pm.
The museum is at 2648 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit. Tickets are available at the museum box office or through motownmuseum.org.
Thanks for reading! If you have ideas, story tips, or want to sponsor a future edition of the newsletter, get in touch.
Until next time, remember that you are somebody — and I'll see you around Detroit.
-Jer
p.s. - This newsletter was written to "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder. Some people's mamas sang them lullabies, mine was all about Stevie. A poet and a florist, she loved the city with all her heart. She's been gone 34 years this week... but the beat lives on.
