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In a changing Detroit, GM moves headquarters out of the iconic Renaissance Center

Jun 4, 2024
GM will relocate to a modern office building about a mile north of the Renaissance Center along a stretch of road that now houses high-end shops and restaurants.
Above, the Renaissance Center, which bears the GM logo, as seen in 2008. General Motors announced it would be moving its headquarters from the Renaissance Center in April.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Ford renews a Detroit train depot in hopes of anchoring a new tech hub

Jun 3, 2024
Ford reportedly invested nearly $1 billion into the once derelict Michigan Central Station, which officially reopens this week.
A view of the newly renovated Michigan Central Station, following nearly $1 billion in investment.
Stephen McGee/Michigan Central

Communities were sometimes winners in the Numbers gambling game

May 13, 2024
The illegal game has similarities with a state lottery. For many Black residents of Detroit, it represented an opportunity.
In Detroit, Numbers men — who ran an underground gambling game — were known for funding legal Black-owned businesses and social services.
Illustration: Dylan Miettinen/Marketplace | Vintage Postcard: Yesterdays-Papers/DeviantArt

A window into the world of deconstruction

Apr 17, 2024
Chris Rutherford, executive director of Salvage Warehouse of Detroit, shares how the deconstruction business is a huge benefit for communities economically, environmentally and socially.
Deconstruction workers from the Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit sort housing material from a run-down building.
Courtesy Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit

Home prices in Detroit are on the upswing

Nov 29, 2023
They were up 6.7% in September from a year ago, according to an index out this week from S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller — the highest of the 20 metro areas.
Above, a view of Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Home prices in the city climbed 6.7% in September from a year ago, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller index.
pawel.gaul/Getty Images

At this Detroit frame shop, it might be time to bring another employee into the picture

Jun 30, 2023
Eric Vaughn, owner of a custom frame shop in Detroit, has been working with a two-person crew but might need a new hire for the fall.
"Usually, in the summertime, things kind of taper off because people are on vacation," said Eric Vaughn. "And right now, we're still busy. We haven't slowed up one bit."
Courtesy of Eric Vaughn.

For this Detroit restauranteur, business is still "day to day"

May 18, 2022
For Lester Gouvia, chef-owner of Norma G's Detroit, business in the pandemic economy has been a "rollercoaster."
"We do have some good days, we do still have some bad days," says Lester Gouvia, chef-owner of Norma G's Detroit, a Caribbean restaurant.
Courtesy Lester Gouvia

For public good, not for profit.

At this Detroit framing shop, demand is outstripping supply

Mar 25, 2021
For Eric Vaughn, picture frame demand is up as customers spend more time at home. But can supply keep pace?
"Since we've been back open, it's been pretty busy," said Eric Vaughn. "We've had to kind of change the way we do business, simply because we have people on top of each other."
Courtesy Eric Vaughn

Black women are thriving in Detroit's business ecosystem

Sep 14, 2020
Black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the country, says Courtney McCluney of Cornell, despite having fewer resources.
People from Detroit "really have all the gusto to be great entrepreneurs," says Courtney McCluney of Cornell.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The "Detroitist" on her dad's record shop and what it really meant

Aug 21, 2020
Marsha Music talks about her hometown and how urban renewal efforts uprooted the family business.
Joe Von Battle inside his record shop on Hastings Street in Detroit.
Photo from the Collection of Marsha Music