When Maria-Elena Rodriguez, the president of the Mexicantown Community Development Corp., returned from Los Angeles — her latest scouting trip to research and explore emergent Mexican-focused neighborhoods across the country — she was enthusiastic about Detroit’s progress. “I went out there expecting to be impressed, but we are way ahead of them already.”
Mexicantown is part of Southwest Detroit, one of the only neighborhoods in the city to see population growing, in a large part because of an influx of immigrants to the area. It’s also seeing a boom in businesses — from established businesses expanding, to new rehabbed housing and a huge Mercado project. It’s a cultural and tourist destination, as well as an emerging neighborhood and close-knit community.
It may seem like the growth of Mexicantown is organic — and much of it is — but the Mexicantown CDC has strategically been planning, organizing and cheerleading the business decisions that make the most sense for the community for more than a decade and a half.
The first thing that the MCDC did was start marketing the district, and tourism increased by 65 percent immediately.
The people who live in the neighborhood have everything at stake, points out Margaret Garry, the MCDC’s vice president and development and real estate manager. That’s been the motivation historically, too, from Father Gabriel Richard to Father Robert Dugan of Ste. Anne’s Church, who realized their church didn’t have a future if the neighborhood didn’t. Both have been major impetuses to rebuilding the community, because they understood the direct correlation. People who live in Mexicantown know that their businesses will do better if the neighborhood is successful. Residents are active and involved.
Restaurants and the big cultural events, like el Dia de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo, attract growing legions of visitors — people who are interested in experiencing the food and rich culture of the neighborhood. “Then, the local entrepreneurs say, ‘Look at all these potential customers, we can open a business here.’ It’s a highly interrelated process.
“We’re a destination spot, and it’s a marketing opportunity that smart business owners will figure out how to provide for all those people who want to come here anyway.”
“We know our residents are underserved — on the low end and the high end. They’re spending money on quality stuff,” Garry says. That’s just one reason why people are so eagerly looking forward to the opening of Mexicantown’s International Welcome Center and Mercado.
Here comes the Mercado
The Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado is going up in the heart of Mexicantown, at the base of the Ambassador Bridge. Scheduled to open this summer, the $14 million Welcome Center and Mercado, which Garry calls a micro-business incubator, will add more than 80 new businesses and about 195 jobs in Mexicantown.
There are still openings for the retail spaces—which range in size from 355 square feet to 711 square feet. There are even a handful of kiosks available for smaller enterprises. The MCDC has generated a strategic list of good business concepts — ideas they think would be successful, based on their research (like Rodriguez’s scouting trips) and analysis of demographics.
So if you’re of the entrepreneurial ilk, you might want to consider shops specializing in textiles and home accessories, high-end tequila, silver jewelry, artisan chocolates, Mexican herbs, imported cosmetics, flower and garden supplies, soccer goods, apparel, shoes and western wear — just for starters. Their food service suggestions range from tortas to tamales — and everything in between.
All the businesses will be subsidized, making ownership a reality for people who might not otherwise be able to afford to start a new business.
Other investment opps
The Mercado isn’t the only place to invest in Mexicantown. The Bagley and Vernor corridors especially are prime spots for retail. The Mercado project includes the Bagley Pedestrian Bridge, which will connect the two sections of Bagley sliced by I-75. It is slated to be finished by 2009. Located adjacent to the Mercado, there’s no doubt it will help bring even more visitors into Mexicantown — an additional 1.2 million, estimated by the MCDC.
Existing businesses are booming even without the pedestrian bridge and the fancy new welcome center. El Comal recently expanded, adding a performance area, Honeybee La Colmena grocer, a favorite among locals for its meat counter and fresh veggies, is expanding by four times the square footage — an impressive 15,000 square feet. Owner Ken Koehler, whose wife’s family has owned the business for 50 years, has been around the see the neighborhood change. “This area was at a standstill for a long time, so we’re [business owners in the area] all excited, because we’re finally starting to see movement in the area. There are people moving into this area, and it’s a great thing. I see it continuing to grow.”
Lauren Bruyninga, a young real estate agent at O’Connor Real Estate and Development in Corktown (a stone’s throw from the border of Mexicantown) and six-year resident of Southwest Detroit, is staunch believer in investing in Mexicantown real estate. “I’m more interested and excited about Hubbard Farms than my own neighborhood,” she says. “I’m going to live on Vinewood if it kills me. It’s my absolute favorite street in Detroit.”
Last year, she bought a two-story, six-unit 1920s brick building on West Grand Boulevard — at what she calls a steal. Four units were rent-ready and two needed to be gutted. In the last four years of selling real estate, Bruyninga has sold more homes in Mexicantown than any other neighborhood. “The homes there have maintained their architectural integrity … and haven’t been ‘ruined’ by cheesy Home Depot-y updates,” she says. Because of the price points and quality of existing homes, she calls the area a wise buy for single women who want to invest in property.
“The neighborhood,” she says, “is a hidden gem.” But, with all the investment and population growth, it may not be hidden for long.
For more information about Mexicantown visit the Model D
- Visiting Guide
- Moving Guide
Directions to Mexicantown
From the East:
Take I-94 West and merge onto I-96 East/Jefferies Fwy via exit 213B toward Canada. Then take the I-75 South/I-96 South exit toward Toledo and continue to exit 47B toward Bridge to Canada/Porter St. Stay straight to go onto West Fisher Fwy, then turn right onto 23rd St and continue to either Bagely St or W Vernor Hwy.
From the North:
Take I-75 South and merge onto I-94 West via exit 53B toward Chicago, then merge onto I-96 East/Jefferies Fwy via exit 213B toward Canada. Then take the I-75 South/I-96 South exit toward Toledo and continue to exit 47B toward Bridge to Canada/Porter St. Stay straight to go onto West Fisher Fwy, then turn right onto 23rd St and continue to either Bagely St or W Vernor Hwy.
From the West:
Take I-96 East to the I-75 South/I-96 South exit toward Toledo. Take exit 47B toward Bridge to Canada/Porter St. Stay straight to go onto West Fisher Fwy, then turn right onto 23rd St and continue to either Bagely St or W Vernor Hwy.
From the South:
Take I-94 East toward Detroit and merge onto exit 213B for I-96 East/ Jefferies Fwy toward Canada. Take exit 47B toward Bridge to Canada/Porter St. Stay straight to go onto West Fisher Fwy, then turn right onto 23rd St and continue to either Bagely St or W Vernor Hwy.
Take I-75 North toward Detroit and continue to exit 47A toward M-3/Clark Ave. Stay straight to go onto West Fisher Fwy, then turn left onto Clark St and turn right to W Vernor Hwy. Either stay straight on W Vernor or turn right onto Hubbard then left onto Bagely.
Photos:
Ste. Anne's Townhouses
Ste. Anne's Catholic Church
El Dia de los Muertos sugar Skulls
Bagley, Mexicantown's Main Street
Homes on Vinewood
All Photographs Copyright Dave Krieger