Blumz by JR Designs, as they say in showbiz, is moving off-Broadway.
The downtown florist, owned by Robbin Yelverton and Jerome Raska, has relocated to a newly-renovated space at 1260 Library north of Vincente's Cuban Cuisine. Raska says the move offers more convenient parking (street and a nearby pay lot) for their customers. Additional parking has also translated into longer daytime hours -- Blumz is now open six days per week (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.).
The new digs offer a revamped look and feel for the Blumz storefront; underscored by the loft-like interior's hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and original beamed ceilings. The 1260 Library building will also be home to a contemporary art gallery and offices, says Raska.
Yelverton and Raska first opened their Detroit storefront 14 years ago. "We were here before it was cool," Raska says. He says they've noticed an uptick in traffic from downtown residents in the past 18 months.
"We're
real excited about the changes downtown -- I wouldn't say changes as much
as the continued growth," Raska says. "A lot of that has to do with Dan Gilbert and
his incentives to bring people downtown. More and more people are moving
downtown and living here."
"It's changing the landscape of the city," Raska adds. "We
need people who live here, not people from the suburbs who come and
punch in and then go home."
Click
here to visit Blumz by JR Designs.
Source; Jerome Raska, co-owner, Blumz by Jr Designs
Writer: Ashley C. Woods
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