DSE @ Grand opened a year ago as a teeny-tiny tee-shirt shop in Harmonie Park. A year later, its size is still small, but its look and product mix have grown by leaps and bounds.
Owner James Morris gutted most of the space, installed new shelves, repaired the ceiling and replaced mirrors, molding and drywall. "This puts my stamp on it, that this is my spot," he says.
The store's new shelves are filled with new merchandise. Without abandoning DSE's clever, Detroit-centric tees, Morris has added hats, watches, sunglasses, purses, messenger bags, music, and even skateboards to the mix. "I always wanted to go ahead and add a few more things to the shop...I didn't want to settle with just tee-shirts," he says. "I want this to eventually become a complete boutique [where someone can do their] one-stop shopping."
Morris has a particular connection to his location, as his grandmother's gallery, Dell Pryor, was located just around the corner for about a decade. "I semi-grew up in Harmonie Park," he says. "It really was a blessing to go back and open up a business in Harmonie Park."
DSE @ Grand is located at 202 E. Grand River. Call 313-963-0533. Be sure to check out Morris' blog, dseatgrand.blogspot.com, for the latest info on new products.
Source: James Morris, DSE @ Grand
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.