Available October 1st, 2023 Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC) is in search of an experienced and visionary bar and/or business owner to establish a vibrant and successful business within our move-in ready commercial building located at 19566 Grand River Ave. With that, GRDC will be showing the space as well as accepting business proposals for…
According to the Detroit Free Press, Grandmont Rosedale resident Marcus Elliot is a “saxophonist, composer, improviser, and educator based in Detroit, Michigan. Marcus is a 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow.” The New York Times: Marcus’ “compositions and improvisations are convincing and confident, evolved in touch and tone…Marcus Elliot represents next generation of jazz”. According to Detroit Metro…
Edward Long needed a new roof for quite some time. Edward remembers that he and his wife had talked about getting a new roof “after having some trouble with old the roof.” Edward has lived in Grandmont for 27 years, and he had been married for 28 years until his wife passed in 2021. Getting…
Eileen Frey is an outstanding citizen in the Grandmont Rosedale community. Anyone who has lived in the neighborhood for any significant amount of time has most certainly met Eileen. She recently received an award from Hannan Center called “The 70 Over Seventy Next Chapter Awards.” This award is given out to older citizens in the…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Eastern Market – Produce What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? IG: https://www.instagram.com/emfarmstand/ 2934 Russell St. Detroit Website: https://easternmarket.org/ How long have you been at it? The pop-up Markets started in 2009. What do you…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? TaNdT Bang Bang Hot Dogs – hot dogs What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tntbangbanghotdogs/ https://www.instagram.com/tandtglobalcuisine/ How long have you been at it? 2 years What are your plans for the future? We…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Sweet Potato Delights – vegan-based sweet potato products What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? Website: sweetpotatodelights.org https://www.instagram.com/sweetpotatodelights/ https://www.facebook.com/sweetpotatodelights How long have you been at it? 5 years What are your plans for the…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Detroit Kids Matter LLC – philanthropic apparel What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? Instagram: @detroitkidsmatter Website: detroitkidsmatter.org How long have you been at it? 2 years What are your plans for the future? We…
Ethan Kent’s mom Renee Kent thought it might be fun to check out the Community Rowing Day at the Detroit Boat Club on Belle Isle about a year and a half ago. People of color are underrepresented in rowing, so it seemed a great idea to find out more about the sport. “What Renee and…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Rock City Heat + Eat: Handmade granolas, artisan crackers, banana bread, and oven ready pizza crusts. What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? Instagram: @rockcityheat rockcityheat@yahoo.com How long have you been at it? 2 months…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Simply Irresistible Popcorn! What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? Not yet, but a website is coming soon and a Facebook page! How long have you been at it? Five years strong! What are your…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Mo’s Baked Goods and Preserves LLC What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? Facebook: Mo’s Baked Goods and Preserves How long have you been at it? Five years, pop-ups, farmers’ markets. I’ve been baking for…
What is the name of your business, and what are you selling? Detroit Cocoa Bar – granola, cocoa bites, cocoa bars, cookies – cocoa-centric treats What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? IG: @detroitcocoabar website: detroitcocoabar.com How long have you been at it? Four plus years What…
Erma was the kind of kid who spent most of her time outside. Growing up on the northeast side of Detroit, Erma climbed trees, foraged in any green space she could find, found and brought home treasures like bugs and worms, played in the alleys, and came inside only when the streetlights came on. Erma…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Samme’s Special Doggie Treats – homemade dog treats What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? IG: @sammesspecialdiggietreats How long have you been at it? Five years. What do you think are the three most important…
When GRDC’s Executive Director Mike Randall first moved into Grandmont Rosedale, he saw the similarities with Ypsilanti, his home town, and Detroit right away. According to Mike, both Ypsilanti and Detroit are filled with people who are “hard-working, friendly, and have a lot of pride for their city. People go hard for Ypsi, just like…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Faust Haus Roasting Company – fresh roasted coffee! What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? @fausthausroastingco https://www.fausthausroasting.com/ How long have you been at it? We are in our second year! What are your future plans…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? 313 Teas. All natural herbal and fruit teas. What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? IG: @313teas How long have you been at it? Since the start of 2020. What are your future plans for…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Side Chips – Collard green chips What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? https://www.instagram.com/side_chips_llc/ How long have you been at it? 1 year What are your future plans for your business? I’d like to transfer…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Good Medicine Farm – plants and produce What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? Nstephens859@icloud.com How long have you been at it? 30 years What are your future plans for your business? I’d like to…
What is the names of your business, and what are you selling? Bernie and Jo’s – Women’s accessories What are your social media handles, and if you have a website, what’s the address? IG: @bernie.and.jo; FB: Bernie and Jo’s; website: www.berniejos.com How long have you been at it? Roughly one year What are your future…
Moy Hair Essentials is a line of hair care products made with all natural ingredients, founded by Miranda Moy. Over the years, Miranda has developed an admiration for beautiful, healthy, natural hair. She is infatuated with studying the key ingredients to stimulate hair growth. The Essentials are composed of high quality, parabon free hair products…
Grandmont Rosedale SOUP is an in-person crowdfunding dinner meant to promote a great idea that benefits the Grandmont Rosedale community. It’s a fairly simply idea, but it can have wonderfully widespread impact. At the welcome table, attendees drop $10 (a suggested donation) into a soup pot and in exchange they get soup, salad, bread, dessert,…
Whether he’s referring to his more recent woodworking projects or his early years as a building engineer in Detroit Public Schools, Phil’s aim has been the “practical use” of things – a custom made table, advocating to make healthcare affordable, or lending a hand at a neighborhood cleanup. The focus of Phil’s years on the…
Grand River WorkPlace Member Spotlight: Aaron Hall Aaron Hall, Motor City GSD. Motor City GSD is Michigan’s one stop shop for all things canine! Whether you’re in the market for a new pet companion or need help with grooming or training your dog, let our team of experts help make the job easy. What inspires…
It’s almost Juneteenth! Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation is back again with the annual Spring Block Party. This will be the 2nd annual Spring Block Party and it will happen on June 18th from 11am to 3pm at Grandmont Rosedale’s newest park, the Grand Parklet located on the corner of Evergreen and Grand River. In addition…
Stephen A. Thomas is an attorney specializing in Family Law. What inspires you? Independence from corporate America. Who is your ideal client? My ideal client is a paying client who takes his lawyer’s advice. Why did you choose Grand River WorkPlace? Convenience. The Grand River WorkPlace is near my home. What’s next? I’d like to…
Even before he started looking for homes, Phillip Simpson knew Grandmont Rosedale was “pretty cool. Tons of gorgeous houses.” Syretta, Phil’s wife, is, as Phil says, “a Zillow girl,” and she agreed that the houses were beautiful, but what they really wanted was a community. So they did some research. Phil looked specifically for neighborhood…
Grand River WorkPlace Member Spotlight: Tamesha Rouse At Simply Elegant Events, our goal is to make our client’s event a perfect reflection of the client’s unique themes and ideas while executing every detail to perfection. At Simply Elegant Events, we believe that each event is unique! We provide personalized planning, creative design, and endless possibilities…
LaToyia Shannon is the owner of JNS Health Solutions LLC. JNS Health Solutions provides health education and training services. These services include CPR, Basic Life Support, First Aid, and Quality and Workplace Safety training. What inspires you? My desire to empower people with the tools to improve their health and reduce health disparities within the…
JaTara Wright, owner of Innovative Marketing Artistry & Innovative Work Alternatives boasts nearly 15 years of helping small and medium-sized businesses achieve marketing success across different industries. Our expertise spans diverse areas that include brand strategy, web design, SEO, etc. We guarantee that we’ll help you get measurable results that will significantly boost your business’…
Danielle North, Founding Executive Director of Degree Forward, is passionately pursuing college completion rates for working adults and professionals. What inspires you? My commitment to supporting my community and making an impact in the lives of disenfranchised members of our society. Who is your ideal client? Working professionals and adults. Why did you choose Grand…
Chantele Jones, owner of Estella’s Vegan Dessert Boutique is proud that her shop is the first and only black women all vegan bakery in Detroit. Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation is proud that she chose to open her business in a brick and mortar space for the first time in our Grand River WorkPlace pop-up retail…
Cheryl Davis, Robinson Realty & Management Group, a woman, minority-owned business that assists municipalities and consumers with their real estate needs. What inspires you? I come from a family of entrepreneurs and owners and have diverse experience in other disciplines. Who is your ideal client? Our Agents can assist clients with various needs. Why did…
Camille Corr Chism, CPPL Fellow, Indigo Packaging & Consulting, LLC, packaging engineering, design management and automotive packaging technology tools What inspires you? I started Indigo Packaging because I wanted to help companies improve their processes and products through packaging and lean manufacturing. Who is your ideal client? Automotive Tiers and start ups Why did you…
At a meeting in March, the nine young men of Boy Scout Troop 123 sat around two tables. The younger group was putting together personal first aid kits, and the older group was working out the details of their upcoming trip to Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio. This Trip Committee figures out how much…
Alicia Skillman, PLLC assists small business, families, and individuals on their journey to freedom: probate and estate planning, trademark and copyright, contracts, small business general counsel, real estate closing, DEI, ethics, and life. What inspires you? There are many routes to financial freedom and this is one for me. I assist my clients with their…
GRDC to Build the Largest Roundabout in Metro Detroit Anyone who lives, works, or visits Grandmont Rosedale is familiar with the troublesome intersection of Grand River, Fenkell, and the Southfield Freeway. This busy intersection makes for a treacherous crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as a dicey thoroughfare for drivers. As the intersection is…
Every other month, members of GRDC’s Crime Prevention Task Force organize a Neighborhood Safety Meeting, which welcomes residents to express their concerns about crime and safety. A guest speaker and topic is chosen for the Neighborhood Safety Meeting, and relevant Detroit Police Department officials (and others) are asked to attend and participate. On Thursday, February…
Aaron Hall started his business, Motor City G.S.D (German Shepard Dogs), at Grand River WorkPlace, 19120 Grand River, about four years ago, and business has been good. So good in fact, that Aaron is looking for his own storefront, preferably somewhere close by so that he can continue “living and working in Grandmont Rosedale.” Motor…
Over 50 Grandmont Rosedale residents attended the Wednesday, Feb. 23 virtual meeting about the demolition and redevelopment of the old IHOP at 19505 Grand River. This new development will feature 42 apartments. There will also be three spaces set aside for communal activities. These apartments are in response to residents’ desire to age in place…
Grandmont Rosedale resident Mike Payne has been a jazz fan since he was a kid. Listening to his mother’s jazz albums inspired him to spend his savings on his first guitar at 15. Long before learning on YouTube was possible, Mike listened to those albums over and over, and got himself a couple of books.…
You may have heard about Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation’s plans to demolish the long vacant and blighted old IHOP at 19505 Grand River. In its place, GRDC will build a new, mixed-use building that will include 42 one and two bedroom senior apartments. There will also be three community spaces set aside for communal activities.…
Chelsea Salame first came to GRDC at a University of Michigan intern in 2020. For a year, Chelsea scheduled all the programming for the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market, worked on a beautification grant on behalf of the Vacant Property Task Force, and helped homeowners in danger of losing their home to foreclosure complete the Property…
Many Grandmont Rosedale residents were thrilled to learn that Becki Kenderes as chosen as the Program Director at Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation this past August. Becki first came to GRDC in 2011 as a University of Michigan School of Social Work intern. After her intern year, Becki managed the Sustainable Communities program for four years…
Lemonade and Beyond and the Detroit Original Seafood Truck are much more widely known than Cathy, Rashad, Christie, Rashad, Jr., Nasir, Cadar, Jewel, Laikyn, Laziyah, Martez, Lavoier, or Armoni. Shoppers come to the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market just to get a lemonade, or maybe a lemonade with mango, green apple, or the newest option: dragon…
When friends and family urged Patrice Davis, “You should sell these, they are delicious!” Patrice did not have being a farmers’ market vendor in mind. Patrice knew her baked goods were delicious. After all, her goal was to bake butter pound cakes like her Aunt Amy. Patrice experimented a while, tweaked the recipe, and although…
Jazz guitarist Ron English, composer and pianist Michael Malis, bassist Jaribu Shahid, and Tariq Gardner, drummer will be performing two long sets on Thursday, August 5, at the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market, 18445 Scarsdale. The first set will start about 4:30 pm, and the other at 6 or 6:30 pm. Ron and Michael live in…
Icyphine, or Icy, was a farmer’s wife from Indiana who moved to Michigan’s thumb in the 1920s, and who loved to cook three times a day for everyone who worked on the farm. When Ashley Hughes was about nine, her family noticed her resemblance to her great grandmother Icy, and so “Little Icy” stuck. Ashley…
John’s introduction to outdoor Detroit produce markets started not as a shopper or a vendor. John’s dad was in charge of security at Eastern Market, and about seven years ago, the security department was looking for some more workers. John figured, “Why not? It’s a job, right?” Over time, John came to love Eastern Market.…
Music has been an important, even sustaining part of Patricia Pilafian’s life for nearly as long as she can remember. Patricia moved to Detroit with her first husband who worked for a company that sold garbage disposals. Business was tough. Early on, while Patricia was pregnant with her third child, they all lived in an…
Co-owners Sidney Farrington and Jessica Tidwell opened DTown Vinyl, Detroit’s only black and woman-owned craft vinyl supply store in Detroit about 10 months ago, right in the middle of the pandemic, and business is good. The store offers heat transfer vinyl, printable vinyl sheets, glitter, rhinestones, and more. This willingness to take a risk, and…
Like perhaps most people, when Mike and Emily started looking for a home, they had a list of things they were looking for. After living in “tiny apartment in Hamtramck,” they wanted space “inside and out” for themselves and their dogs Clark and Lola. They wanted a house that didn’t need much repair, and that…
JeNiece Freeman-Holt comes to GRDC as a Program Specialist with some valuable hands-on experience. A Challenge Detroit Fellow, JeNiece worked with the marketing team for The Platform, the developer of the Obama building at Grand River and Lahser in Old Redford. In this position, JeNiece was able to use both the creative training she received…
Ed Smith moved to his home in Grandmont in 1983, right across the street from Ramsay Park, a large park that has a large picnic area, mature trees, permanent picnic tables and benches, a playground, and a baseball diamond. It didn’t have all these amenities when Ed moved in though, and it didn’t look as…
The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for most small business owners and non-profit organizations. While looking after their own and their employees’ health, small business owners also have to consider the health of their customers, and of the businesses themselves. The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) wanted to help our small business community weather these…
Back in August I got a chance to speak with Jennifer Russell and Glenn Woodard just by pure chance. I was walking with my mother and Aunt Martha on Warwick in North Rosedale Park. We stopped to admire this frenzy of activity in front of what looked like a model home for the environmental movement.…
With the help of Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC), Digimax Business Center at 18461 West McNichols, is one of the ten Grandmont Rosedale businesses that received the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Match on Main grant. This grant will enable Digimax to continue as a community hub for printing, copying, emailing, design, technology help, and the…
If you’re ever walking around Rosedale Park your eye is inevitably drawn to colorful flora and fauna, juxtaposed against the rows of turf grass that dominate urban landscapes. On Rosemont, between Chalfonte and Eaton there is something that will likely make you pause and admire what’s possible on 1/10th of an acre. Framing the background…
Just about every Thursday, right when the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market opens, you’ll see Anneliese Sinnott make her way from her home just across the street from the North Rosedale Park Community House grounds. She’s often the first one there. When the 2020 Market season began, it was curbside pick-up only, and there Anneliese was…
Lauren Patterson comes to our Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market with a great deal of market experience as well as a love of cooking – especially using in-season produce. Before becoming our Market Manager, Lauren was a fellow at Eastern Market, building relationships between local restaurants and farms in Southeast Michigan, helping to create a reciprocally…
Beginning with a feasibility study in 2017, followed by further community engagement opportunities that asked Grandmont Rosedale residents and business owners what they would like to see in their community, a theme emerged. Residents and small business owners love their community and they don’t want to leave. Once residents no longer wish to live in…
“Backdraft” is a “rapid or explosive burning of superheated gasses in a fire” – dangerous to firefighters and also a great name for a barbeque business that offers delicious, on the spot barbequed ribs, tips, chicken, lamb chops, and sauerbraten sausages. It’s also fitting that Backdraft BBQ is owned by Curtis Eason, a Highland Park…
LaTonya Baldwin is the kind of person who takes the time to learn the name of the barista at her local coffee shop. She’ll also notice the regulars and learn their names too. Before long, she knows the name of the bus driver who drives the bus she takes to work, as well as how…
The last several months have not turned out the way most people expected. GRDC’s summer intern William Patterson had to catch an unplanned flight from Nairobi, Kenya just a month into what he hoped would be a several month study of how environmental issues affect human health. William had finished an urban planning class, taken…
As Stay Home, Stay Safe orders relax, many small businesses in the Grandmont Rosedale community have begun to reopen to the public in different capacities. These business owners recognize that there is still a need for physical distancing measures. They are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and observing key guidelines, such as the use of…
Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC) grieves with our community and nation over the senseless loss of life and repetitive occurrence of brutality against Black Americans. Grandmont Rosedale is a community of opportunity comprised of a diverse array of people. GRDC’s work is guided by the core values of community, collaboration, inclusion, integrity, innovation…
Upon receiving his medical degree in Jordan, Dr. Joud Jarrah had to choose where he wanted to do his medical school residency. After Joud listed his choices, he was matched with Flint, Michigan. He arrived in Flint in 2014, just about the time the water crisis hit Flint’s most vulnerable citizens. “It was a real…
The Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market is a Grandmont Rosedale tradition. Since 2005, the Market has been a place for neighbors to convene, socialize, and support small businesses. It is a space that provides fresh produce and fun activities for families. Importantly, the Market has always been a space where residents can feel safe. We’re taking…
Nearly everyone knows the comfort, joy, and inspiration that music offers. We use music to mark important occasions, to tell someone how we feel about them, and even to rev up or unwind. Music therapy recognizes the profound effect music has, and uses it to bring comfort, calm, and motivation to a variety of people…
Ghassan Azar, known by his regular customers as Gus, is the owner of Save On Tire and Beverage One on the corner of Grand River and Outer Drive. At Beverage One, everybody knows Gus—he’s their guy for lottery tickets, drinks, grocery items, and more. At Save On Tire (which is directly across the street from…
There’s a very long history of grandmothers loving their grandchildren. This affection is often expressed in baked goods, thick photo albums, and a firm belief that her grandchild is the cutest, sweetest, smartest, dearest little one ever. If there were a Most Devoted Grandmother Competition, Edda Nell Whitfield Dickerson would be a tough one to…
Susan Baker-Dixon, a nurse at Sinai-Grace and Grandmont Rosedale resident, was scheduled to work the afternoon shift on Friday, March 20, but she wasn’t feeling quite right. She took her temperature. It read 101.3. She took it again with the same result. She felt otherwise okay, but she also thought “I can’t go in to…
Small businesses are particularly at risk during the COVID-19 crisis. Let’s show our Grandmont Rosedale small business community that we value their presence in our neighborhoods! If your favorite neighborhood spot has a social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), try sharing their info, sending a message of support and encouraging others to follow suit!…
Inspired by growing public advocacy and the historic sewer system of Detroit, GRDC will soon launch a pilot program for mass transit within Grandmont Rosedale. Known as the Optimal Grandmont Rosedale Express Alternative Travel, (OGREAT), this program could lead the way for future mass transit systems. The system will utilize the existing infrastructure of sewers…
As we reorganize our lives to protect ourselves and our families during the COVID-19 pandemic, we should also note the importance of community in these uncertain times. The Center for Disease Control notes that this is a good time to “get to know your neighbors”: to use any organizational and communicative resources on hand to…
Hot Sam’s, the legendary Detroit outfitter and tailoring shop founded in 1921, is co-owned by Tony Stovall and longtime Grandmont Rosedale resident, Cliff G. Green. Cliff has worked in tailoring and retail since 1967, back when he apprenticed in the trade while attending Northeastern High School in Detroit. Since 1994, he’s been the Chief Financial…
When Grandmont Rosedale resident Que Roland started at Wayne State University, she thought she’d study mechanical engineering. She enjoyed projects, everything from landscaping to design work, and had an eye – family and friends frequently relied on her design skills. Then she thought she might be better suited to become an art curator and so…
Deborah Butler remembers driving through Grandmont Rosedale as a kid and being amazed at the beautiful homes. “I had never seen a neighborhood like it,” Deborah remembers, “I thought, one day I’m going to have a house like this.” After earning a certificate at Control Data Institute, Deborah landed a job at General Motors as…
Michael Stypa grew up in Onekama, Michigan—a small town near Lake Michigan that is roughly 250 miles from Detroit. Before coming to GRDC as an intern in September 2019, Michael had only known Detroit through the (admittedly biased) stories he’d heard back home and a few visits to the city with friends from University of…
Meg Reutter Bowker, the 10th of Joan and Clifford Reutter’s 13 children, remembers growing up in Grandmont Rosedale as a time of “climbing trees, exploring the neighborhood, going to activities at the Community House, and neighbors who looked out for all of us. I couldn’t have had a better growing up,” says Meg. Clifford and…
Jai and Robert Griggs’ Pressed Juice Bar is coming soon to 19550 Grand River. Pressed Juice Bar is the brick & mortar imprint of Jai and Robert’s juicing enterprise, Juicing with Jai. You may have seen Jai and Robert showcasing fresh blends on a September 2019 Fox 2 News Detroit segment with Deena Centofanti. Or…
For 16 hours each week, Tre Jordan assists Kitty Yarbrough, GRDC’s Community Engagement Manager, with the Community Safety Program initiatives, the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market, and often helps out wherever needed. Tre reaches out to Grandmont Rosedale residents and business owners to collect their input on community events, and asks for their help with events.…
Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation’s new Economic Development Manager is Kiki Louya—a chef and restauranteur who grew up in our very own Rosedale Park. From her beginnings in Rosedale Park (which she aptly describes as a “village”), Kiki’s ambition, skills, and knowledge have propelled her to non-profit organizations in New York, world-class kitchens in Chicago and,…
Their names are Sharon, Ruth, Sue, Colleen, Carol, Nancy, and Patti. They are sisters who love to craft, sew, and quilt – hence the name “The Seven Sisters of the Cloth.” For the third year, they will participate in Shop small in GRANDmont Rosedale, the Shop Small Saturday event that will take place on Saturday,…
Robert Hurse’s clothing store, The Standard Detroit, had its grand opening soirée at the Grand River WorkPlace on November 9th. Robert’s curated vision of Detroit style is now available on Grand River through WorkPlace’s pop-up retail space. In his store, you will find clothing that projects a hard-working, hard-playing, and outgoing image for “women who…
If you live, work, or drive through Grandmont Rosedale, you know that there’s a lot of construction happening on Grand River. Just what those changes are can get a bit confusing though, and even cause some concern. The Grand River Streetscape Project is quite an undertaking with many different changes coming to the commercial corridor,…
Town Hall Caffé owner Lindsey Marr did not get into the coffee shop business because she thought it would be easy. She didn’t open her doors because she thought it would be simple. She became owner of the Town Hall Caffé, 19180 Grand River, on January 1, 2019 because she wanted to be a part…
The ethos of Ariya’s Apparel and Accessories can be summed up as stylish, modern, and modest. Owner Akeya Muhammad infused these qualities into her pop-up store in the Grand River WorkPlace, which she ran from April-September 2019. Music flowed from a portable speaker, clothes and handbags were carefully arranged on racks and shelves, and a…
Over its 30 year history, GRDC has had some amazing AmeriCorps VISTAs (sort of like domestic Peace Corps workers), who have pitched in, worked hard, learned a lot, taught a lot, and then took their experience at GRDC with them to their next adventures. Some have even become staff members at GRDC. Our AmeriCorps VISTAs…
One of the best known features of Grandmont Rosedale is our beautiful, historic homes. Brick and stone, leaded glasses windows and stained glass windows are common features, and the architecture is as varied as it is beautiful. It’s hard to find two homes that are alike. It’s guaranteed that you won’t find another home that’s…
Karate has been a part of Eugene Plowden’s life for just about as long as he can remember. Although karate has become a family business, it didn’t start out that way. It was Eugene’s grandfather’s idea that his boys take karate. Eugene’s father (also named Eugene) was the first to sign up. Then his father…
Years ago, Deborah LaViolette’s family was grateful for the Property Tax Exemption Program as it enabled her mother to remain in her home. This past summer, Deborah (on the far right in the photo), was a member of a Neighbor to Neighbor team that went door to door in several communities in and near Grandmont…
For eight years Nakita Thurmond-Simpson has delivered mail in Minock Park. Before coming to Minock Park, Nakita carried mail for nine years, most weeks adding some subbing time to her regular route. Nakita subbed in Minock Park for six months and got to know the community. She knew that if the area ever came up…
Ever since she was a little girl, Karynthia Story has loved cooking. Wanting to use her talent in the kitchen, she decided to venture into the world of food professionally. Karynthia said she was blessed to grow up in a home where her mother cooked fresh food from scratch. In fact, she had never even…
Returning visitors and vendors at the Northwest Detroit Famers’ Market have seen a new face helping run the show this year, Market Manager Elyse Wolf. From small details like choosing the music playlist to helping customers and vendors with any issues, Elyse has been an important part of this season’s Market. Elyse, a West Bloomfield…
As many people in Grandmont Rosedale know, Amanda Brewington first came to our community not as a resident, but as the owner of a coffee shop. From its first days as a pop-up, Always Brewing Detroit was much more than a coffee shop, and Amanda was much more than a shop owner. Her ability to…
After living in New York City for several years, Peter Fletcher finds that Detroit, specifically his home in Grandmont Rosedale, is “calmer, quiet, more conducive for learning and practicing.” In fact, Peter says “I’m a better artist here than I was in New York.” As Peter makes his living performing classical guitar, giving about 100…
In 1989 John O’Brien was the first and only employee of Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation. John’s basement office at Mercy College was just big enough to hold a desk with a telephone, and a chair. As John remembers, “it did have a window well, and it was free.” From that basement office, GRDC began its…
With access to produce in every grocery store, it is important not to overlook the many benefits of shopping at a farmers’ market. Fresh Produce The produce at a farmers’ market is not quite the same as what is found at the grocery store. Longtime Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market vendor Norris Stephens from Good Medicine…
103 years is a long time. It’s a long time to collect loved ones, experiences, and stories. Grandmont Rosedale resident Luneata Grace (or “Gracie”) Hite is 103 and she has no shortage of all three. If a sign of a life well-lived is how well you are loved, then Gracie has indeed lived well. Gracie…
It is Evan Neubacher’s first year at the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market. Although it’s still the beginning of the market season, Evan already has loyal customers. At just the third market of the season, Evan chatted with a returning customer and even remembered that his customer’s wife was out of town visiting their grandchildren. Of…
We all have a stake in the safety of our community. So, on Thursday, June 27 community members from Grandmont Rosedale and beyond gathered for a Neighborhood Safety Meeting at the North Rosedale Park Community House to discuss just that – neighborhood safety. The meeting was hosted by GRDC’s Crime Prevention Task Force, a group…
Some years it begins before the trees begin to leaf. On that wonderful, rare March day that’s warm enough to play basketball at Stoepel Park you will hear the unmistakable sound of a basketball on pavement and a shout or two from players who may be a little rusty since the last time they played…
Paulette Washburn was chatting with others members of the babysitting co-op at the Rosedale Park June Day in 1984 when she heard that the Music School was up for sale. The Music School was a house a couple of blocks from where Paulette and her husband Ben lived. Like many people in the neighborhood, they…
Sometimes, despite a lot of preparation, education and practice, one still needs a little encouragement to do something daring. Making the step from a mobile business to a brick and mortar location, even if it’s only for a few months, was a step Akeya Muhammad was reluctant to make. Luckily for her, GRDC’s Economic Development…
On Thursday, May 16 there will be a presentation by the Detroit Institute of Art entitled Behind the Seen: In Our Own Voice African American Art. The talk will provide an opportunity to examine the issues of race, gender, politics, and culture from the DIA collection. The talk is sponsored by GRDC, Pages Bookshop, and…
For close to four years, GRDC board of director Charlotte Wright has brought expertise, dedication, and perhaps most of all, her impressive work ethic to help make Grandmont Rosedale the wonderful neighborhood it is, and GRDC one of Detroit’s oldest and most effective Community Developments Corporations. Charlotte was asked to serve on the GRDC board…
Rob Henderson has been a sculptor all his adult life. Trees were his medium for 30 years before he began working with metal. Rob still works as a professional arborist while also pursuing his passion for portraying how “richness and depth of the many connections and junctions in our lives that create community.” Inspired by…
In celebration of its 30th year building community, GRDC announces its plans to build an airport in Grandmont Rosedale. The first of its kind, Grandmont Rosedale Organizing Airport Needs, (GROAN) will offer flights to Chicago, New York, and Bohemia, Florida. “We are very excited about this new venture,” says Executive Director Sherita Smith. “We’re all…
TechTown’s SWOT City is a “customized support program for brick and mortar small businesses in Detroit neighborhoods…[SWOT City] provides one-on-one assistance to help launch, stabilize and grow local businesses and strengthen neighborhood commercial district.” This support is one of the many services the Grand River WorkPlace offers, and Micah Loucks is a SWOT City representative…
Position Announcement: Deputy Director, March 2019. Position Announcement GRDC Deputy Director 2019
John Bry asked GRDC Executive Director Sherita Smith how he could get involved in the Grandmont Rosedale community before he moved into his home in Grandmont #1 last year. John also reached out the Grandmont #1 Improvement Association to introduce himself and to ask them how he might pitch in. Clearly John was familiar with…
The guest speaker at the well-attended Thursday, February 28 Neighborhood Safety Meeting was Antoinette James, a Crime Victim Advocate from Ascension Health Care Systems. Antoinette spoke about the many services Ascension provides for victims of crime from ages 5 – adult. She also distributed information regarding the physical, mental, and behavioral reactions victims commonly experience.…
Carla White-Smith visited other expos, taking notes on what worked and what didn’t, where visitors gathered, and which vendors were popular with whom. Then she decided to chair a committee to host Grandmont Community Association’s Youth Expo on Saturday, March 16 from 11 am – 3 pm at Christ the King Church, 20800 Grand River.…
When Dave Siefker attended last year’s 45th Alumni Gathering of Detroit Urban Lutheran School/Detroit Christian Schools of Excellence, (DULS/DCSE), he thought “45 years – same old principal.” Through years of uncertainty, both financial and geographic, Dave has been a stable force leading high school and grade school students through the often tough years of childhood…
The crowd at the December Senior Holiday Luncheon couldn’t have been happier. The food at the Senior Holiday Luncheon was excellent, there was a raffle, several attendees got on the stage to hustle along Hustle Class instructor Lady P, many joined Grandmont Rosedale resident Cora Duncan-Foster in some yoga, and all left with a goodie…
Since 2007, Marsha Bruhn has gathered monthly with GRDC board members to strategize ways to make Grandmont Rosedale stable, safe, and sustainable. Marsha served on the board because she “considered GRDC such an asset to the neighborhoods and to the neighbors.” Marsha has been one of those neighbors since 1975 when she and her then…
Along with manners and self-sufficiency, one of the most important things a parent can teach their child is a love of music. Once a child reaches a certain age though, just which musicians to love is out of a parent’s hands. Grandmont Rosedale resident Andrew Martin has developed his own taste in music that differs…
The Grandmont Community Association (GCA), handed out its 42nd college scholarship in December 2018 to Rebekah Long and Ria Reno. According to Cora Duncan-Foster, the GCA Scholarship Committee Chair, GCA is the only civic association in Detroit to award college scholarships. To Cora and all the members of the committee, these scholarships simply make good…
It seems as if Desirae Tolbert has spent her life accumulating reasons why she would be perfect in her new position on GRDC’s Board of Directors. First off, she grew up two houses from GRDC’s current main office at 19800 Grand River. In high school, her first paid job was as the editor for North…
Tenecia Johnson was just 18, fresh out of high school, when she was hired by a commercial bank in Detroit to work with small businesses. Although Tenecia admits that the job was “challenging for an 18 year old,” she did so well in that position she was transferred to a branch downtown where her responsibilities…
Just about every other month, on a Thursday evening, GRDC sponsors a Neighborhood Safety Meeting at the North Rosedale Park Community House, 18445 Scarsdale. These meetings are free and open to anyone with an interest in increasing safety in the community. The content of these meetings changes month by month, and all first time attendees…
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Thanks to your support, 2018 has been another productive year at Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC)! Our Community Connections Breakfast in October provided an opportunity for GRDC supporters, business owners, community development advocates, and Grandmont Rosedale residents to come together to share a delicious breakfast, and to hear an insightful panel…
Rhonda Miller has been a licensed Clinical Therapist for over 20 years. She has worked with a range of clients, from children to seniors. She has worked in a variety of locations, from hospitals to private homes. She has addressed a wide range of mental health issues, such as Psychotic Disorders and Grief and Loss.…
This 1938 Rosedale Park gem is located at 14583 Penrod and is a move-in ready, 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom home that has been completely refurbished. It features a new roof, a high efficiency furnace with central air, a new water heater, all new plumbing, an updated kitchen with appliances, and a modernized electrical system. It…
When given the opportunity to work at any number of non-profits in the Detroit area, Brittany Mitchell chose GRDC because she “wanted to work in a true community.” Brittany knew a little about Grandmont Rosedale before she started as a graduate student in the Master’s Social Work with a concentration in Innovations in Community, Policy,…
Tameka Jones, owner of Si’Gees Clothing at 19184 Grand River, grew up on the east side of Detroit where “we were raised to shop at neighborhood places. We could walk to the stores we shopped at,” Tameka remembers, “we could even run a tab. We knew everyone on the block and everyone knew us.” Shopping…
It would be hard to find someone more familiar with Grandmont Rosedale than BrieAnn Bell is. BrieAnn Bell grew up in Minock Park and currently lives in North Rosedale Park. From playing softball in the Rosedale Grandmont Little League, to carpooling to Detroit Open School with Grandmont Rosedale neighbors, you could say understanding the value…
Victor Arbulu couldn’t have guessed where he’d put down his roots years after earning his MBA in finance and management. After working in small business consulting and in non-profit finance for several years, about 13 years ago, Victor was hired to be the finance manager at the now 55 year old Greater Detroit Agency for…
While Cathy and Rashad Torrence are the owners of the Detroit Fish and Shrimp food truck, they are certainly not the only members of the team who show up with fresh, delicious food at art fairs, parks, college campuses, outdoor concerts, and our Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market. Cathy’s mother, sister, sons, and aunt all help.…
Candice Fortman is one of the busiest people in Detroit, but just about everything that she is involved in involves community. Candice regards her role as the emcee for GRDC’s Community Connections Breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 am as another way that she can strengthen not just the Grandmont Rosedale community, but the…
Among their objectives for the 6 week summer Grow Detroit’s Young Talent training and employment program is to “ensure that young adults have meaningful summer work experiences that create pathways to future opportunities” and to “connect young adults to professional networks and employers that can support their career goals.” Dehvin, Ebony, KeAndra, Rashid, and Micah,…
Duane Perry, longtime resident of Grandmont #1, has stepped down after nearly 10 years serving on the GRDC board of directors. Duane’s contributions to the board were especially valuable as he has had years of experience as a draftsman and designer at several steel design firms in and around Detroit. In fact, Duane has been…
Grandmont Rosedale resident and Grand River WorkPlace member Ian Watts’ new position as GRDC’s Economic Development Manager is a great fit. Ian knows first-hand the benefits of running a small business out of a neighborhood co-working space as well as the importance of having a variety of tools, resources readily accessible that allow small businesses…
“I love pulling weeds!” is not something you hear too often, but Lisa Rivera swears it’s true, and one look at Lisa’s booth at the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market and you know that Lisa has mastered growing flowers. You’ll also notice that she has a gift for arranging them. Much of Lisa’s skill was self-taught,…
Janice, or Jan, Smith isn’t a beauty guru, and her plans for life never included entering the natural beauty products game. Jan began as a loyal customer of natural West African beauty products. Her enthusiasm for shea butter and black soap lead her to sell the products at our Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market. Jan imports…
Like a lot of young people, Debbie Gore starting taking classical piano lessons because her mother thought it was a good idea. Debbie’s mother played piano – mostly church hymns. She could play by ear, but could not read music. When Debbie was able to read music, her mother would ask Debbie to play a…
Gabrielle Taylor’s Roll Up Truck has been a staple of the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market since she first started operations three years ago. The bright red, white, and yellow truck with its signature egg-with-wheels logo stands out at the end of the Market’s row of tents, and for all the right reasons. The food is…
Entropy Coffee Bar is the newest coffee shop in Northwest Detroit– in fact so new that their storefront is still under construction. But renovations at their future location haven’t stopped them from sharing their coffee with the community at the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market this summer. If you’ve already tried their unique flavors of cold…
Running a farmers’ market takes many hands, many areas of expertise, and a dedication to support independent, local vendors. Cassandra Van Dam is helping out this season at the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market thanks to Eastern Market and the Detroit Community Markets. As a Shared Site Manager, Cassandra splits her time between our Market and…
Frank Raben is one of the longest serving members of GRDC’s board of directors, which is kind of surprising considering that his early plans included working on his uncle’s ranch in Nebraska. Frank worked at the ranch for just one month putting in the spring crops before his future began to take its unexpected turn.…
Connie Obelinicki never knew her mother who died of a brain hemorrhage just before delivering a four pound Connie, but Connie’s inheritance of a spinet, the sheet music of an accomplished pianist, and a love of music, has directed Connie throughout her life. Connie started taking lessons on that spinet in about the second grade,…
Derrick A. Collins, Justin Riopelle, and Josh Guitar, owners of the coming Rosedale Beer and Bistro, 18910 Grand River, are old friends. They worked together at a Detroit brew pub and hit it off pretty quickly. They share a playful, wry sense of humor, often riffing off each other’s jokes and finishing each other’s sentences,…
When Barbara Jo Parker-Hawkins was a little more than six years old she knew what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. She never changed her mind, and she has no regrets. Growing up near Grand River and Livernois, Barbara Jo remembers walking with her three older sisters to the now closed…
It all started out as a bunch of friends getting together to make music. It was pretty relaxed, always fun, and a great way to try out lyrics, new sounds, new arrangements. In 2005, the band La Dispute played for audiences all over West Michigan where the 5 members were from, and began to develop…
Tess Tchou moved to Grandmont Rosedale in 1978 “without a clue about what kind of neighborhood we were moving into.” Tess and her husband Ray had been living in an apartment in Royal Oak, but the apartment didn’t allow babies, and Tess was pregnant with the first of two sons. Several years and two sons…
Longtime Grandmont Rosedale resident Linda Thomas had earned her retirement after working for many years in the automotive industry. That rest turned into something a little more sustained though, a maybe a little less healthy. Linda’s granddaughter noticed this, and, according to Linda, said “’You really ought to get out.’” Linda’s granddaughter told her about…
Years ago, when Asia Hamilton was in high school, she wanted to take a cosmetology class, but the class was full. She was disappointed and so, with little enthusiasm and the thought that the class would be easy, Asia reluctantly signed up for commercial photography. Once the class was over Asia knew what she wanted…
Chinyere Olumba remembers spending many childhood summer days hanging out at the Gray Branch of the Detroit Public Library which was in the Butzel Family Recreation Center on the east side. Chinyere could walk there with her four siblings and the five of them would play in the gym, take craft classes, and visit the…
Sean VandenBrink and Dexter the cat, a Glastonbury Collective resident. In 2011, Sean VandenBrink was looking for a place to create a community of artists – a place where artists would have the space and equipment to pursue their artistic goals without the anxiety of meeting a high rent. GRDC had recently acquired a…
Joél Reyes-Klann, GRDC’s intern from the University of Michigan, is no stranger to community engagement. Since last June, Joél has spent much of his time assisting GRDC’s Community Engagement Manager Kitty Yarbrough with Vacant Property Task Force meetings, and soon he will also help out with this year’s Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market season. Joél, a…
Yoga didn’t do much for Kerrie Trahan back in 2005 when she tried her first yoga class. She sort of stumbled upon the class as she was checking out what was offered at the Boll Family YMCA downtown. Her dad had signed the whole family up at the Y because, as Kerrie remembers, “he thought…
Since 1971 the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency has operated the Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) which helps low and moderate-income Wayne County residents with water bills and assists them to access other essential services such as home repairs, furniture, food, and shelter. Looking to be convenient to the communities it serves, WRAP opened an…
Grandmont Rosedale resident Robert Jones’ business card reads “Musician and Storyteller,” but, as he attests, it’s pretty hard to separate the two. Robert believes that storytelling is as important to music as music is to storytelling. His performances include large amounts of both, simultaneously. Robert seeks to teach and show people that knowing the stories…
As many people know, a well-organized, knowledgeable Administrative Assistant is vital to a well-run organization. Lucky for GRDC, we have Jocelyn Moss. A Detroiter for the last 20 years, Jocelyn comes to GRDC with experience as the Administrative Assistant for a day care and several churches. As Jocelyn says, she “helps organizations stay organized, so…
Danielle North is Vice-president of Relations and Strategy for American Promise Schools, a Grandmont Rosedale resident, and a mom. Like all moms Danielle is busy and committed to providing her children opportunities for learning, socializing, and just plain old fun. Danielle had been to indoor playgrounds in the suburbs and found them to be fun,…
Richard Berlin, a founding member of GRDC, is stepping down after decades of service to the Grandmont Rosedale communities. Richard began his community activism in Grandmont Rosedale when he moved in to Grandmont in 1975. Richard’s first involvement in the neighborhood was as a block captain. Over the years Richard served on the Grandmont Community…
One Saturday morning last September a group of about a dozen musicians on horns and drums rehearsed in a Grandmont Rosedale backyard for a couple of upcoming performances at two nursing homes. The musicians arrived impressively promptly at 10, wearing their own versions of the band “uniform” – anything they could find that was black…
Wanda Bynum, Grandmont Rosedale resident and owner of Spa A Peel at 19025 Grand River, offers a wide variety of services that encourage self-care. If you just need to stop in for a manicure, or if you plan to spend the day getting a mani-pedi, massage, facial, and several other services, Spa A Peel offers…
For those who know Chelsea Neblett, GRDC’s Community Engagement Manager for the past four years, it will come as no surprise that when she ran for class president in the 5th grade, complete with a campaign manager and a catchy slogan (“Be a Smartie! Vote for Chelsea!”), she won. Even as an 11 year old,…
LaToyia Shannon is a CPR instructor and Infant and Child Safety class instructor, a clinical health researcher, high school science and math tutor, test prep tutor, and owner of both JNS Health Solutions and JNS Support Services. Basically, if your need is science or health related, LaToyia’s got you covered. She used to run her…
In May of 2014, the GRDC Community Blog featured a Grandmont Rosedale resident, Josh McClendon, a 14 year old up and coming cellist. Three and a half years ago is a long time when you’re a kid, and especially when you’ve got your eyes on a career in classical music. While you could say Josh…
Grandmont Rosedale resident Lori Conerly is the lead stylist and owner of LeeAnne’s Luxury Bridal Boutique at 18724 Grand River. Lori didn’t set out to be the lead stylist and owner of a bridal shop. In fact, she majored in Communications Studies and Advertising with a concentration in Public Relations from Grand Valley State University.…
Having a baby can be overwhelming. There’s the physical recovery for the mother, the inevitable loss of sleep, concern for the baby’s health, the seemingly endless list of new equipment babies need, and then there’s the realization that this baby, this beautiful bundle of joy is yours to look after for many years to come.…
Erin Marquis spent her earliest years in Brightmoor, just a stone’s throw from where she lives now. While she’s currently not far from her original home, life has taken her to some really interesting places. It’s not all in the getting there, however. Life is also about how you get there, and Erin knows quite…
If your business is in need of a marketing boost, you might want to talk with April Smiley. Whether your intention is to promote, educate, or entertain, April can create an effective visual representation of what your business has to offer. April has a versatile skill set: she is an experienced film maker, editor, writer,…
The halls of Cooke S.T.E.M. Academy Elementary School on 18800 Puritan are filled with things you’d find at any elementary school: colorful artwork, lockers with kids’ names on them, lines of kids headed toward the bathrooms or the library or the gym, the kid who’s a bit late, hustling just this side of a run,…
Soon after Chelsea Neblett, GRDC’s Program Manager and John DeRuiter, an Associate Landscape Architect from Detroit’s General Services Department stepped on to the tennis courts at Stoepel Park this past September, former Grandmont Rosedale resident Dennis Parker joined them asking if they were planning on renovating the courts. When he was told yes, Dennis didn’t…
There’s a lot of buzz lately about small business. Start-ups, entrepreneurs, artisans – how many of them really know how demanding starting one’s own business is, or that they have to stay flexible, that they may have to adjust their original plans? Staying flexible and responsive to customer feedback demands staying alert to how customers…
GRDC welcomes Kenyetta “Kitty” Yarbrough as our Community Security Coordinator Intern. For her year here as an intern, Kitty is focused on coordinating our Community Security initiatives, the Crime Prevention Task Force and the Neighborhood Safety Meetings. While earning her Master’s degree in Social Work from Wayne State University, Kitty also works as a Customer…
Ashley Baker started her University of Michigan undergraduate studies in neuroscience, biology, and chemistry. She was doing well in her classes, but once she took an introduction to urban planning class, she left the hard sciences to focus exclusively on her new field of interest. “It just clicked,” Ashley says of her first experience studying…
Nana Dansoa’s passion for empowering others is contagious. The mission of her business, Dansoa Marketing and Design, is to make all types of business owners, from social workers to chefs, feel that they have the tools and ability to make their business a success. Nana either works directly with business owners to create an effective…
According to its website, Oakland Avenue Urban Farm is “The nation’s first ‘Agri-Cultural’ urban landscape in Detroit’s North End.” This combination of urban agriculture and culture is truly unique. This nearly five acre farm, which is a program of the North End Christian Community Development Corporation, was started in 2008 and is a non-profit, community-based…
About ten years ago Katrina Brown came up with the idea for her store, Everything Detroit. Katrina knew that Detroit had no lack of talented designers, artists, and entrepreneurs, but she also noticed that these small businesspeople “shied away from marketing their businesses because of the expense.” Everything Detroit offers Detroit based entrepreneurs, artists, and…
Earlier this year, the Detroit Planning and Development Department (PDD) hired a consultant to develop “framework plan” for a large area of Northwest Detroit including Grandmont Rosedale, Old Redford and other nearby neighborhoods. The consultants examined a variety of issues such as streetscape design, green storm water infrastructure and mobility. The draft plan envisions a…
Most days you can find Cody Williams hard at work at Always Brewing Detroit, the coffee shop familiar to many people in Grandmont Rosedale at 19180 Grand River. On the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 4 – 8pm though, you’ll see Cody at the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market instead, offering up organic,…
GRDC is teaming up with Develop Detroit to implement an innovative new approach to renovating homes in Grandmont Rosedale. The program will utilize New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to help finance the cost of renovations. The NMTC program has been used to finance commercial and mixed-use projects in Detroit, but its use for home renovations…
Dr. Velonda Anderson’s life-long passion for fitness, healthy food, disease prevention, and children’s health has led her down some unexpected paths. Velonda is a professor of nutrition, an author of a nutritional foods cookbook, a nutrition speaker, a program manager for the Detroit Health Department, and a Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market vendor. She’s also known…
Nicole Bien-Aime and Chanel Coleman met while they were taking ProsperUs training at the Grand River WorkPlace. Nicole had been selling women’s clothing out of an office building ill-suited to her needs. Chanel’s custom shoes and accessories business had been an online only endeavor and she was looking to expand. During their training the women…
Among the hustle and bustle of the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market, you may have heard a young man ask, “Do you have a dog?” He’s pretty persistent with his question because he’s pretty serious about successfully selling his home made dog treats. This earnest vendor is Samme Hejka, and his business is Samme’s Special Dog…
At age 50, Jane Bate found herself in the position of having to reinvent her professional life. Jane was a very successful manicurist at a neighborhood salon in Allen Park. She had a large and loyal clientele, and she lived about a block and a half from the salon. It couldn’t get much better. Then,…
Several years ago, Detroit Public Schools started growing vegetables in raised beds in many of their schools. They also started a large, 2 ½ acre garden called “Drew Farm” at the Charles R. Drew Transition Center, a vocational center for cognitively and physically challenged students. To date, there are 92 garden beds, 6 to a…
North Rosedale Park Civic Association (NRPCA) “went live” on August 7, to raise the remaining match for a $76,000 Knight Arts Challenge Grant to fund a 25-foot metal sculpture by celebrated artist Charles McGee on the grounds of the Community House, and a large tile mosaic by master muralist Hubert Massey on the façade of…
Not too long ago, there weren’t many people who had heard of a vegan diet, let alone limited themselves to vegan foods. Lately, though, more and more people know what it is and are willing to give it a try. For some, it’s simply curiosity, for others, more is at stake, like their health, and…
The GRANDcorridor Beautification Project fuses art and the natural environment to create a more walkable, beautiful corridor along Grand River. Sponsored by GRDC, in collaboration with the student-run Project 561, artist collective The Forge, and numerous community and business volunteers, the project includes three new murals at local businesses and twenty five newly planted street…
One of the ongoing services Grand River WorkPlace offers is free, one-on-one meetings with TechTown consultants for small business owners. Heather Levine is the TechTown consultant, or portfolio manager at Grand River WorkPlace, and she comes with a great deal of experience in small business. A business owner herself, Heather knows well the challenges and…
When George Perdue, owner of Bakefiniti and Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market vendor was a boy growing up in Detroit, he often tried to hang around in the kitchen to watch his mom, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother bake. “They all baked,” he remembers, “and I’d wait for that spatula, that bowl, that bit of batter…
It was during his junior year in high school that Maxcel Hardy got his first taste of what would become his passion and livelihood. Max was a gifted basketball player at his school, but hurt his knee that year. That same year his school switched their home ec classes to culinary arts classes and there…
No matter where you are in your plans to start a small business, whether you’ve got a good business idea that you feel the Grandmont Rosedale community needs, or you’re ready to move into a building in the Grandmont Rosedale business community, your next great idea might be to seek out Larissa Carr’s input. As…
Was there a house on the block where you grew up where the kids hung out, played basketball, jumped rope, and maybe even had a popsicle provided by the mom who lived in that house? Were there rules to hanging out at that house, like “There’s no cussing in my yard,” or “You call me…
The current Hilberry Theatre season includes the Michigan premiere of Detroit, an eccentric new comedy by award-winning playwright Lisa D’Amour. On Saturday, March 23rd, the 8:00 PM performance will be followed by a discussion about Detroit neighborhoods featuring Tom Goddeeris, Executive Director of the Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC). Special Offer The Maggie Allesee Department…
In community meetings all throughout Detroit, we are told that the crime rate in our city is dropping. Carjackings were down 28.2% in 2016 from the year prior; burglaries down almost 10%. Crime is discussed in terms of past numbers and future prevention strategies. We rarely discuss the impact of what’s already occurred. Robberies may…
Spring is the season of renewal. In the spring, many animals are born, birds return to their northern homes and begin building nests, plants poke their leaves out from the ground, and humans bring out their bicycles and pedal to the park. But in our urban environment, humans must play another special role in the…
Grand River is seeing a lot more activity these days and it’s not because of the moving cars, it’s because businesses are growing here. Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation has served as a key partner in cultivating and incubating new businesses here in Grandmont Rosedale. Grand River WorkPlace, Grandmont Rosedale’s coworking incubator and pop-up retail space,…
A ticket to Park Players’ Sister Act performance on Sunday, April 9th will not only guarantee you a good time and lots of laughs, but it will also help stabilize your neighborhood! Proceeds from the April 9 performance support the Vacant Property Task Force, a group of dedicated volunteers who have been working on addressing…
New Montessori Program a huge draw for families to Edison Elementary Edison Elementary was one of just three Detroit Public Schools this fall to launch a tuition-free public Montessori program, and the program has been a draw to families. Edison has attracted 69 students to the program, which was part of an Innovation Proposal in Detroit Public Schools…
by Maria Penrod, GRDC Community Security Intern The Crime Prevention Task Force is made up of dedicated residents who strive to make neighborhoods in Grandmont Rosedale safe for all. Task Force members meet once a month to discuss current topics and events going on in the community. They also plan the Neighborhood Safety Meetings, which…
Did you come out and Shop Small in Grandmont Rosedale on November 26th? If not, you missed out on a lot of fun! This year, businesses in Grandmont Rosedale hosted over 55 vendors, who popped up inside of seven existing business locations: GRDC’s Main Office, Cutz Lounge, Brand Camp University, The Natural Market, Rosedale Community…
“She came ready to get to work, with her cordless drill in one hand and a box of screws in the other.” Vacant and blighted property in Detroit threatens neighborhood health and stability, but also offers the prospect of civic engagement. The Grandmont Rosedale Vacant Property Task Force is a notable example of residents who…
New Location for Neighborhood Dance School Roslyn “Coach” English, grew up attending the O’Day School of Dance on Grand River Avenue in Grandmont Rosedale. A little later in life, as a sophomore at Michigan State University, English wondered how she could use dance to improve the lives of others. This led her to form D.A.N.C.E.,…
It’s officially fall! The days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning, and here comes the cold. At the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market there is one sure sign that fall has arrived –the Annual Chili Cook-Off. If you’ve ever been to the cook-off, you know how exciting it is — bails of straw, pumpkin bowling,…
Grandmont Rosedale SOUP is coming to the Grand River WorkPlace on Thursday, October 20th, at 7:00pm. But your role in the community fun begins now. GR SOUP is a democratic crowdfunding event aimed to support projects beneficial to our community. Four creative thinkers pitch their project proposals to the audience, hoping to receive the majority…
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) has again supported renovation efforts for the North Rosedale Park Community House and park grounds with a $33,991 award towards replacement of the parking lot. As anyone knows who has visited the Community House recently, the parking lot is badly deteriorated from age and the recently…
DIA Masterpieces Come to Grandmont Rosedale The Detroit Institute of Art’s (DIA) Inside Out program has already brought art to more than 100 Metro Detroit communities over the past six years… and now it’s here in Grandmont Rosedale! In an effort to make the museum more accessible to the public, the Inside Out program brings…
Well it is officially fall! There are a few things that signify the exit of summer and the entrance of fall — the days get shorter, leaves begin to drop, birds began to migrate, and soon it will be winter. For the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market the start of fall means the Market season is…
Two Grandmont Rosedale Businesses have been chosen as the top 10 semifinalists for Comerica’s Hatch Detroit Contest. The Natural Market (Grand River WorkPlace’s current pop-up shop) and Brut Detroit ( Grandmont Rosedale’s pop-up wine bar) have both been selected as semifinalists for the 2016 Hatch Detroit Contest, which was announced Thursday, August 11th. The Hatch…
Saturday, August 6, 2016 marks the Grand Opening celebration for the Grandmont Rosedale NeighborWay, a five mile walking/biking route throughout the community. Residents are encouraged to join us from 11 am to 12:30 pm at 16859 Stahelin (near McNichols) to partake in a series of free festivities described below. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Catered Lunch…
For the past few weeks, local youth ages 5 to 12 have been gathering in Minock Park to participate in a ten week summer camp, hosted by Summer in the City. During weekly sessions, the students receive tutoring help, read stories aloud, make arts and crafts and learn about urban gardening. Healthy breakfast and lunch…
The landscape of Stahelin Avenue between Puritan and McNichols has changed dramatically since North Rosedale Park resident Beverly Frederick first began volunteering to clean-up the area in 2004. Since that time, abandoned homes have been demolished, thousands of pounds of dumped trash has been removed and drug houses have been eliminated with the help of…
“Eyes on the street” is an old concept. Urbanist Jane Jacobs wrote about it 50 years ago in The Life and Death of Great American Cities. The value is that we can all be the natural proprietors of the street and take responsibility for what types of activities happen and which do not. A campaign…
On Saturday, June 25th, Rosedale Park Improvement Association hosted its annual neighborhood-wide garage sale. The event covers 60 city blocks between Grand River and Lyndon, Evergreen and Ashton, with many residents from the nearby Grandmont #1 neighborhood also participating. Dozens of neighbors join in each year, offering up their household wares and gently used items…
It was just a few years ago when the community came together to celebrate the completion of many improvements to the baseball diamonds at Stoepel Park No. 1 in Grandmont Rosedale. A coalition effort spearheaded by the Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation, the Rosedale Grandmont Little League, the City of Detroit, and Wayne County resulted in…
On June 6th and 7th, Bloomberg Associates and Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation held two public meetings, piggybacking on the Grand River Avenue Design Workshop facilitated by Dover, Kohl & Partners in April. Whereas April’s workshop used a charrette format to capture a larger vision from attendees, the recent meetings helped gather feedback on two specific…
When GRDC was invited to apply for a Congress Legacy Project (CLP) through the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), we were confident that it would be an incredible opportunity for our community. Not only would we have consultants who plan walkable, bikable, people-centered places come and work pro bono, but we would also have…
Dante moves around his barbershop opening the beige curtains to welcome the morning light, he is dressed sharply in a white button up and vest, with slacks and loafers to match. He walks through his barbershop filled with black leather cutting chairs and glides into the adjacent lounge. It is this lounge that makes William’s…
I watched as Shimar Mitchell stood behind the counter taking orders with a big smile on an extremely busy Friday afternoon. He was attentive to his customers’ needs and even had his chef restart an order to increase his customer’s satisfaction. He was so hands on I almost forgot that he was actually the co-owner…
Linda Shaw has been a proud employee of Knudsen’s Danish Bakery, a family owned business, in North Rosedale Park for 8 years, greeting each and every customer she waits on with a big hello and smile. 1.) Favorite sweet to eat? Shaw’s favorite treat is the Pineapple Nut Slice Coffee Cake, which she recommends to…
A ticket to Park Players’ Ain’t Misbehavin’ performance on March 13 will not only guarantee you a good time, but it will also help stabilize your neighborhood. Proceeds from the March 13 performance support the Vacant Property Task Force, a group of dedicated volunteers who have been working on addressing vacant property problems in the…
At the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, several Vietnamese families came to the United States as refugees to start anew. One of those families came to Christ the King parish on Grand River. The parishioners welcomed the Tran family and helped them become established in their new home in Detroit. The Trans were…
Roomy Grandmont Rosedale Renovation, Just Listed! Just Listed! GRDC renovated 4 bedroom, 2 ½ bath bungalow in the Grandmont 1 neighborhood. Hardwood floors and natural woodwork. Large master bedroom with sun room addition. Basement rec room with bar and fireplace. Updated plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Two car garage. Rear deck. Newer roof and take a look…
Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation’s latest home renovation project is a little piece of Grandmont Rosedale history. The 100 year old home at 15708 Minock is one of the area’s oldest houses, and dates back before the Grandmont Rosedale neighborhoods were even a part of the city of Detroit. The home was donated to GRDC at…
Eddie Hejka sits in his car to warm up after playing a laid back game of hockey on a large ice skating rink. His relatives just walked back home, to the house he has resided in for 25 years, located within blocks of the skating rink. He watches from his car as his granddaughter, dressed…
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016 at 10:00am, the City of Detroit Law Dept. will brief City Council concerning the March 1st, 2016 closure of all illegal operating “Marijuana Provision Centers.” There will be a comment session for those present. The meeting will be held in the Erma Henderson’s Auditorium, 2 Woodward Ave 13 floor Detroit, MI…
A good way to learn about someone is to check out the titles on their bookshelves. Charles McGee’s crowded bookshelves have titles like Chinese Cooking. Metal Working, Picasso, Ancient Egyptian History, and Gardening. In short, Charles’ interests vary widely and he has been curious his entire life. A life-long study has been how nature, the…
Before coming to Detroit, Robert Onnes, or Rob, was an established sculptor of steel and copper in Whangaparaoa, outside of Aukland, New Zealand. He had group and solo shows that featured his graceful, solid, and organic sculptures of skua birds, kiwi, large aboriginal profiles, and other sculptures that echoed the features and treasures of New…
An informed, involved community is a safe, strong community, and it is GRDC’s Community Security Program’s goal to inform and involve as many residents of Grandmont Rosedale as possible in keeping Grandmont Rosedale a great place to live. One of the main concerns for any community is safety. The most effective strategy for addressing any…
$15 on the 15th is a new donation campaign designed to make giving easier than ever. Sign up for $15 on the 15th and a $15.00 donation will be charged to your credit card on the 15th of the month. By joining $15 on the 15th you will join a special dedicated group who know…
73 years ago, when John Hanson moved to North Rosedale Park, things looked a little different in the neighborhood. Mr. Hanson remembers Contra Dancing at the Clubhouse – also known as the Community House – and walking just a few short blocks to local Cooke Elementary. He was six years old when he moved into…
Home values are rising in the Grandmont Rosedale area, boosted by GRDC’s home renovation program. Interest from home buyers is higher than it has been in years, pushing values up more than 25% in the last year alone. “Our renovation projects have played a significant role in the market turn-around,” said GRDC Executive Director Tom…
The most recent Grandmont Rosedale SOUP event was another resounding success! Were you there or were you square? A great evening was had by all! To recap, one of the entire world’s greatest Master of Ceremonies hosted the event. Kevin Johnson kept the crowd entertained with his adolescent humor. And some other stuff happened too.…
When she was four years old, Trudie Strale contracted polio and spent the next several summers on Harsens Island in a cast. Her grandfather and father were Tiger fans and often listened to the games on the radio. “I learned to love baseball too,” Trudie says. Her lifelong devotion to the Tigers proves this. It…
Just over four years ago, Marilyn Walker’s husband of 42 years took her out to dinner and, at the end, gave her an envelope with keys in it. “It’s yours to do what you want,” he said. “The deed was paid in full. You know you love to cook…” he hinted. Marilyn had retired from…
Grand River WorkPlace, located at 19120 Grand River, hosts numerous workshops and seminars throughout the year geared toward supporting small business growth. Here are a few upcoming events: Grand Circus and Grand River WorkPlace are hosting a free Introduction to Coding Workshop. On Thursday, December 10 from 6 – 9pm at WorkPlace, attendees will learn…
After many community meetings, and with the support of all five area neighborhood associations, a petition drive to establish a Special Assessment District in the Grandmont Rosedale community is underway. If established, the Special Assessment District would provide 24/7 security patrol services and comprehensive street and sidewalk snow removal throughout the residential areas of Grandmont…
The Vacant Property Task Force or VPTF, is a group of GRDC staff and community volunteers who have been meeting monthly since 2008 to devise effective strategies for vacant properties. These volunteers, co-chaired by volunteer residents Clarenda Webb and Diane Patterson, spend some days getting their hands dirty. There are two mower crews who go…
GRDC and its Grand River WorkPlace project were honored with the “Extraordinary Economic Development Award” at the 2015 Detroit Community Development Awards Banquet presented by MASCO Corporation Foundation and hosted by the Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation, (LISC), Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD), and Michigan Community Resources (MCR). Just over a year ago, GRDC…
Looking for unique gift ideas this holiday season? Looking for ways to support local Detroit businesses, artisans, and entrepreneurs? Look no further! On Saturday, November 28, from 11am – 5pm, Grand River will be bustling with holiday fun with over 25 vendors offering shoppers a wonderful selection of unique, locally-made or locally-sourced items. The festivities…
Police Commissioners Ricardo R. Moore and Richard Shelby spoke about the duties of police commissioners at the Thursday, October 22 Neighborhood Safety Meeting. The commissioners explained that the Board of Police Commissioners was adopted in 1973 to bridge the gap between citizens and law enforcement officials. The aim of the Board remains the same. As…
Joseph D. Farley’s top three reasons for becoming a member at the Grand River WorkPlace are “location, location, location.” Joseph is the founder and president of Friends of Fathers, a life coach company that provides a variety of services for fathers who want to be more involved in their children’s lives. Whether these fathers seek…
Consul General of Japan Dr. Kazuyuki Katayama and his wife Mrs. Yukari Katayama presented long-time Grandmont Rosedale resident Rose Love with the Consul General Commendation at the 55th anniversary of Detroit-Toyota Sister-City Relations Reception last August. As the Executive Director since 1989, Rose coordinates the Detroit-Toyota exchange program for high school students. Based on a…
Victoria Roby once thought she’d be a doctor so she began as a pre-med chemistry major at Wayne State University. Then she thought marketing might be a better fit and got a degree in that. Turns out, Victoria’s business, The Natural Market, is a clever combination of both of these interests. Through experimentation, patience and…
Fourteen years ago, when Bonnie Halloran’s two girls were about 5 or 6 years old, Bonnie was teaching anthropology, trying to piece together a living as a member of the adjunct faculty at four different schools. As if the travel to the different schools, working with the different school systems, keeping on top of class…
Investigator Brain Fountain, a 31-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department, was the guest speaker at the September Neighborhood Safety Meeting, addressing the topic of “Understanding Criminal Behavior.” Investigator Fountain explained patterns of behavior that the police find to be common among people committing crimes. Investigator Fountain also suggested ways to curb criminal behavior, or…
Alexander Jones’ business, United Horizons, was outgrowing his home office and he needed a larger space to meet clients and to have meetings with his employees. He also needed wifi, a copier, and having a kitchenette would be nice too. Alexander chose the Grand River WorkPlace, 19120 Grand River, as his new place to do…
Joseph Braxton, or “JB” as most people call him, bought the building at 18230 Grand River in 2008. The economy that closed the Ford dealership where JB was an electrical technician had more trouble in store for JB: JB paid the bills on his new building without being able to open it because it took…
Kassey Makki has been in business in Grandmont Rosedale for close to 20 years and at his current location, 19200 Schoolcraft, for the last 10 years. Kassey (pronounced “Casey”), has many repeat customers whom he greets always with “How are you, Honey?” Knowing that his customers trust him, Kassey asks even the long-time customers “Are…
This fall, homeowners in the Grandmont Rosedale neighborhoods will have a chance to be part of an historic campaign to establish a Special Assessment District in our community. All five area neighborhood associations have voted to join the campaign and urge their members to support it too. If enacted, the Special Assessment District would…
Jennifer Russell offers marketing communication support for small businesses and non-profits. Her writing skills, savvy marketing sense, and experience as a strategist for getting the word out about her clients’ events, products, and services make Jennifer a valuable asset for any small business or non-profit. Jennifer has had a great deal of success working with…
Karl Baer of Baer Poultry Farms in Adrian, Michigan is one of our returning vendors at the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market. Both Karl and his wife Carolyn were raised on farms in Michigan and in fact Karl and Carolyn currently live on Carolyn’s five-generation family farm. They raise free-range, USDA inspected, chemical-free chickens and turkeys.…
For Starlett, baking began as a way to relieve stress at the end of a long day as an accountant. At first, Starlett’s baking was a lot of experimentation. She did not grow up learning how to bake; she learned much of what she knows about pastries in culinary art school, and she quickly discovered…
“Harold is the essence of a community representative. He calls to let residents know about anything that is happening in the Grandmont #1 neighborhood.” “Harold is truly concerned about our neighborhood as evidenced by the work that the does for all of us.” “He works tirelessly to keep our neighborhood safe and informed. He is…
Anyone who steps foot into the home of Danni Wyche and her four children will notice right away what an athletic family they are. The house is humming with activity; all of the kids love to run and enjoy being active-especially 2-year-old Prince. Then there is 6-year-old Rashad who also plays baseball and runs track.…
Tony Farris is the Business Growth Manager for the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, formerly known as the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED). The nonprofit organization has been around for 31 years. CEED started in Detroit in 1996 as a micro lending firm and alternative financer for small businesses. Today the organization provides…
Seven mosaic art works, inspired by the Grandmont Rosedale community and designed by artist Hubert Massey, were installed this summer at Stoepel Park. It was a great effort by a great group of volunteers. To give you a feel for the scope of this project, here are some numbers: The mosaics cover 1,400 square feet.…
Cassie Richard’s term as GRDC’s Community Security Coordinator and Americorps VISTA ended in August. Her time at GRDC was filled with getting to know the Grandmont Rosedale community, and helping to create a safer Grandmont Rosedale through organizing Neighborhood Safety Meetings, special community safety workshops, and meeting regularly with the Crime Prevention Task Force. Upon…
In keeping with GRDC’s mission to “preserve and improve the Grandmont Rosedale Neighborhoods,” we welcome Martha Potere, GRDC’s Economic Development Program Manager. Martha’s task will be to revitalize the commercial corridors in Grandmont Rosedale. Having a stable and healthy business community is essential to stabilizing the residential community. Martha is a participating fellow in the…
The talk at the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market one Thursday was garlic scapes, the edible and delicious flower bud of the garlic plant. “They’re in? How wonderful!” one customer said when she saw the basket of green curls on the Greening of Detroit table. “Can you eat the whole thing?” another customer asked. Aaliyah Muhammad,…
William and Michelle Evans have lived in their beautiful brick home in Grandmont Rosedale since 1988. Like any home, though, time and weather had taken its toll. William learned about GRDC’s Home Repair Program at the annual Grandmont Rosedale Neighborhood Open House. Designed for qualified homeowners in certain targeted areas of Grandmont Rosedale, GRDC’s Home…
Ibrahim Chami, the owner of Rosedale Community Pharmacy at 19220 Grand River, is sincere about the “Community” in his business name. Before opening his own pharmacy 17 years ago, Ibrahim worked for a chain drug store and felt that the personal service that the chain store offered was lacking. As the owner of his own…
“It was a real shocker!” Clarenda Webb says when she describes her reaction to finding out she had won the 2015 Governor’s Service Award. Clarenda attended the Governor’s Service Award banquet in June at Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids where it was announced that she had won the award for the Senior Volunteer of the…
If you spend any time with Grandmont Rosedale resident and Hour Detroit editor Steve Wilke you’ll know soon enough that he’s into food. He doesn’t just know a lot about food, he’s also a really good cook. His repertoire includes such dishes as Swedish meatballs (his grandmother’s fairly labor intensive recipe), Vichyssoise, and those “I…
Nothin But Blessins’ is a non-profit organization that provides mentoring programs for children, men and women from disadvantaged circumstances to overcome challenges and develop positive life skills. Tangela Johnson founded the organization in 2010 in Alabama in hopes of bringing communities together and helping people in need. Through a collaboration with Christian Women of Unity…
State Senator David Knezek was the guest speaker at the June Neighborhood Safety Meeting. His topic was medical marijuana, and the growing concerns about the unregulated spread of marijuana dispensaries in Detroit. Sen. Knezek revealed that the number of dispensaries and their location was “the first issue brought to my attention when I became a…
Larissa Carr, GRDC’s Grand River WorkPlace Manager, was recently recognized by University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), as a W.K. Kellogg Master of Community Development Fellow and Spotlight feature. As the Spotlight indicates, Larissa is “leading the economic development initiatives and programs to help the Grand River corridor thrive.” Larissa is indeed busy scheduling programming helpful…
Beaverland Farms owners Brittney Rooney and Kieran Neal met at Loyola University in Chicago. They graduated with degrees in Political Science and English, and then headed out into the world to start their careers – in farming. One of the places where Brittney learned a great deal about organic farming was at a large farm…
After 35 years as a pharmacist, Yvette Ashford is making her dreams of starting up her own homeopathic medicine business a reality. Homeopathic Pharmacist opened up on May 2, 2015 in the Grand River Workplace where Yvette offers a range of services from pharmaceutical counseling to healthy food coaching, with help from a holistic dietary…
Alleah Webb, self-described “head honcho” of Drifter Coffee, parks her mobile coffee truck at the far south end of the parking lot at the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market, opens the side window, and puts on a pot of terrific coffee. Launched just over a month ago, Drifter Coffee often draws people who’d like a closer…
Jess Sanchez McClary doesn’t have a lot of spare time these days. Her business, McClary Drinking Vinegars, has taken off and she’s got five year old twin boys to take care of. Yes, drinking vinegars. Jess started off as a small business owner in 2012 baking scones, quick breads, and buckle. She sold her baked…
The guest speaker for the May Neighborhood Safety Meeting was Corporal Erin Diamond from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and chairman of the Michigan’s Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board. Attendees at the Neighborhood Safety Meeting learned several important facts about Human Trafficking and why it’s a public safety issue in Wayne County. As an investigator…
It’s the season of graduations, outdoor birthday parties, block parties and weddings, and Tanisha Jones, Grandmont Rosedale resident and owner of Come Bounce with Us Entertainment has just the thing to make your party a great one: bounce houses! Everyone knows bounce houses make any party something to jump up and down about. Tanisha has…
Vertical hydroponic farming uses 92% less water and eliminates agricultural run-off. Vertical hydroponic farming compresses the food supply chain which means more money for the farmer and fresher food. Having trouble visualizing a vertical hydroponic farm? Think long bunk beds, light, the sound of water gurgling, and hundreds of healthy green lettuce leaves growing in…
Trish’s Garage will be the latest ‘pop-up’ store to set up shop in Grandmont Rosedale when it opens its doors on June 20th at the Grand River WorkPlace. The new store is the creation of local entrepreneur Ebony Rutherford. Her business was selected through a competitive process sponsored by GRDC and REVOLVE Detroit. Ebony says…
Becki Kenderes, GRDC’s Sustainable Communities Program Manager has been elected to serve on the board of Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD). As part of the larger, city-wide organization, Becki will represent District #1 to champion causes for community development in northwest Detroit. CDAD serves as the “trade association” for Detroit’s community development industry. Its…
The back room of her home in Rosedale Park is a sort of laboratory for quilting ideas for Mary McLeod. There’s a design wall where she can temporarily hangs different fabrics of different sizes, colors and shapes to think about design. There are bookcases full of quilting books and stacks of fabric that Mary’s aunt…
Keith Williams, founder and president of Courageous Inc. believes that one of the most effective ways to build community is to strengthen families and children. Keith’s facility at 12925 Auburn does indeed strengthen families and children – literally. Inside this 6000 square foot former auto repair shop there is a fully equipped weight room, aerobic…
With help from volunteers from the Ford Accelerated Action Day and Grandmont Rosedale residents, GRDC will be installing a rain garden on the south end of the parking lot at the North Rosedale Park Community House on June 5. The Michigan native plants will help alleviate parking lot water run-off and add beauty to the…
The 10th season of the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market gets underway Thursday, June 4, and this season is sure to be its best yet. Several returning vendors will be at the market this year as well as a few new ones. Artesian Farms, a vertical farm from Brightmoor, will be a first time Farmers’ Market…
Our Spring 2015 Grandmont Rosedale Community Champion is Vicki Holmes. A resident of Minock Park since 1983, Vicki is a powerhouse volunteer and neighbor in every sense. Over the years she has given back to the community in many different ways including serving as President of the Minock Park Block Association, as a board member…
GRDC’s Trash Talkin’ has again begun its monthly meetings of conversation and light litter pick up, but this year it’s a little different. In order to spruce up as much of Grandmont Rosedale as possible, the Trash Talkin’ volunteers are meeting at a different location. The June 27 Trash Talkin’ meeting place is at our…
“First, I gotta rest,” says Karen Johnson Moore, soon to leave her position as the Community Security Program Manager at GRDC. Her rest is well earned. In 2011 Karen signed on with GRDC for one year to spearhead the Special Assessment District initiative for the Grandmont Rosedale communities. Karen soon realized that this project to…
If you’ve lived in Grandmont Rosedale a while, you might just know Tina Castleberry, owner of The Garden Bug, our newly opened gardening store at 18901 Grand River. Tina has lived in Grandmont Rosedale for more than 16 years and has landscaped many gardens and lawns throughout the neighborhood. It’s not a stretch then, for…
Grandmont Rosedale resident Razi Jafri realized at a young age that tennis is “an elegant sport, beautiful to watch and to play with a particular decorum and a culture of politeness.” It is also a fiercely competitive sport that demands focus and athleticism. Razi grew up playing tennis, has competed in tournaments and continues to…
The well-attended Neighborhood Safety Meeting of April 23 was focused on the initiative to designate the five Grandmont Rosedale neighborhoods as a Special Assessment District (SAD). Karen Johnson Moore, GRDC’s Community Security Program Manager, provided the history of the effort and what the next steps would be required. Special Assessment Districts are an innovative tool…
Artist Hubert Massey will be returning to Grandmont Rosedale this July to install seven more mosaics on the new dugouts at Stoepel Park. If you’ve driven by or visited Stoepel this past year, you have seen the beautiful public art work of Hubert Massey and the Grandmont Rosedale kids who helped him design and install…
On Sunday, May 3, prospective home buyers are invited to attend the 10th annual Grandmont Rosedale Neighborhood Open House. Visitors will gather at the North Rosedale Park Community House, 18445 Scarsdale, to register before setting out to tour the neighborhood. More than a dozen homes for sale will held open for potential homebuyers to examine.…
When Sarah Hulett wanted to learn about the school options available for her daughters, she began by asking other parents to help her find out what she needed to know. It is this same discovery-through-collaboration strategy that informs what Sarah does for a living, and why she chose Grandmont Rosedale as a place to live.…
Nicole Valentini will be leaving GRDC this Friday. She chose GRDC as her first field placement for her Masters of Social Work degree because, as she says, “I enjoy community building. A lot of work at GRDC is done outside, in the community, and I like to get my hands dirty.” What with all the…
Attendees at the March Neighborhood Safety Meeting learned how to file a complaint with the Detroit Police Department both about suspicious activity, and about objectionable behavior on the part of the police. 8th Precinct Detective Unit Sargent Marcellus Bell provided information on how to report a crime. For life threatening situations, health emergencies, and to…
First of all, Mr. Leddy is not his name, although most who came into his store throughout the 60s, 70s and clear through to today, know him as Mr. Leddy. His name is Art Nall and he bought Leo Leddy’s Wholesale from his father-in-law Leo Leddy in the mid-1960s. When he bought the store, Art…
Both Jordyn and Leeah Burr are a bit shy about their accomplishments in track and field, but once they bring out their medals, plaques, patches and trophies, it becomes pretty difficult to understate just how good – or fast – they are. Jordyn is 6 years old and has set national records in the 60…
According to hosts Lauren Hood and Ryan Barrett, the “I Was Here” speaker/dialogue series held at Always Brewing Detroit on March 24, is designed to “preserve the narratives of people who lived in Detroit before it was ‘easy’ to live in Detroit.” The three featured speakers were Cornetta Lane from Core City, Robbie Dwight from…
After graduating with a degree in journalism from Howard University, Danielle Jackson went to work at Cliff Bell’s, the jazz club downtown. Danielle worked in the marketing department, organizing community events and managing their social media. Danielle plans on using her marketing experience and skills this year as an AmeriCorps VISTA working with Chelsea Neblett…
Hubert Massey will return this summer to install seven more mosaics on the dugouts at Stoepel Park this summer. Before he begins a public art project, Hubert asks the surrounding community for their ideas about how they want their community represented. On Saturday, April 4, Grandmont Rosedale residents will get their chance to share their…
After experiencing the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, Jerome Vaughn realized something important about Detroit: “In the aftermath of the earthquake people were reacting by helping one another, doing everything from carrying firehoses to staying at each other’s houses. People do that in Detroit all the time.” Soon after the earthquake, Jerome headed back home to…
If you’ve ever helped out planting trees, or picking up litter, or volunteered on Detroit Partnership Day this past year, you’ve probably met Mary Lyons, the AmeriCorps VISTA member and GRDC Volunteer Outreach Coordinator. Come this spring, however, you will notice that there has been a change of guard. Mary has finished her term with…
The Grandmont Rosedale community will team up with University of Michigan students on Saturday, March 28th from 10 – 3 PM for the 16th Annual Detroit Partnership Day, (DP Day for short). DP Day is a student-run organization that pairs student volunteers from Ann Arbor with schools and non-profit organizations in Detroit. DP Day is their…
Robinson Realty and Management Group (RRMG) was the first business to sign up for office space at Grand River WorkPlace, when it opened earlier this year. WorkPlace was a natural fit for RRMG, which is led by long-time Grandmont Rosedale resident, Cheryl Davis and her two partners, Gaye Butler and LaToya Johnson-Fowlkes. Prior to leasing…
The Thursday, February 26 Neighborhood Safety Meeting featured a panel discussion on the topic “From Vacancy to Safety: Resources for You.” District #1 Manager Stephanie Young spoke with residents about vacancy issues that involve city of Detroit resources while GRDC’s Sustainable Communities Program Managers Chelsea Neblett and Becki Kenderes presented a perspective from GRDC’s Vacant…
Elias Donuts owner Hanna wants to be clear: “It’s not just about donuts. It’s about the people and treating them right.” He must be on to something, because he’s been in business at 19231 Grand River for more than 30 years. For many years Elias Donuts was a Dunkin’ Donuts, but it is now a…
Before he earned the title “Doctor,” Michael Hudgins was a kid growing up on Grandmont. He remembers growing up watching movies with his parents every Friday and Saturday night. His mother was a fan of Sir Graves Ghastly, so Dr. Hudgins’ knowledge of all types of movies, both new and old, is pretty vast. As…
Always Brewing Detroit was filled with girls and their parents last December for the Girl Scout Investiture, the end of the year ceremony recognizing the girls’ year of hard work and fun. Each group from the 7 year old Brownies up to the 16 year old Seniors assembled on the stage, recited the Girl Scout…
Rosedale Park resident Rashaunda Johnson has been giving manicures for more than 25 years. She has done nails in her basement and has rented space at others’ salons. Over the years, her skills as a manicurist have become widely known. She has had repeat customers for more than 20 years and they have followed her…
Elizabeth’s first production with Park Players was in 2005 in “The Wiz.” She made such an impression in her first play with the Park Players, several regular play goers have to think twice before they remember that her name is not Addaperle. Since her debut on the stage at the North Rosedale Park Community House,…
Aziza and Modreci (or Moe, for short) Draper are the owners of Detroit Shoe Repair, the recently opened business at 18716 Grand River. Moe and Aziza are excited to open shop in Grandmont Rosedale, especially since this is a kind of homecoming for Moe. Moe grew up on Artesian and looks forward to repairing not…
January has been an exciting month for GRDC’s Community Security Program! The Neighborhood Safety Meeting, hosted by the Crime Prevention Task Force with support from GRDC, took place January 22nd. Residents gathered at the North Rosedale Park Community House to hear presentations about accurately reporting suspicious activity to the police and to hear news about…
Susan Murphy had searched for over a year for a commercial property in Northwest Detroit. She had had a successful pop-up month on Livernois and was ready to find a permanent home for her Pages Bookshop. After a year of looking and finding nothing workable, Susan finally talked to Tom Goddeeris, GRDC’s Executive Director. Tom…
It’s a little over a mile from Evergreen and Grand River to where you get on the Southfield freeway, and Allen Williams walks that stretch about three times a week, all year round. Allen makes a lot of stops along the way. Often his first stop is the GRDC offices where he checks to see…
Over 100 people attended the GRDC’s Tax Foreclosure Prevention Workshop on Thursday, January 15. Over 20 volunteers from GRDC, the United Community Housing Coalition and the communities of Grandmont Rosedale were on hand to direct attendees, answer questions, help fill out forms and organize the intake of attendees. Over 60 forms for tax relief and…
On December 5, the Grandmont Rosedale Vacant Property Task Force held a successful Holiday Movie Night at the historic Redford Theater to raise funds to fight blight in our community. In addition to seeing the film Christmas Vacation, those who attended enjoyed photos with Santa, greetings from the Christ the King Church carolers, discounted concessions,…
Sometimes deciding which idea to vote for at a Detroit SOUP is really hard. The people who pitched their ideas at the Grandmont Rosedale SOUP in December made the decision particularly difficult. From a soccer workshop for kids to supporting above minimum wage employment at a local business, choosing where to put one’s donated $5…
On Thursday, 6th and 8th Precinct Radio Patrol volunteers gathered at the North Rosedale Park Community House to be saluted for their contributions to safe communities. This event, coordinated by the 6th and 8th Precinct Radio Patrol coordinators with assistance from GRDC community security program staff and volunteers, proved to be a success! Chief Craig,…
It’s a bright, sunny day when Ms. Neal takes a seat in the store room of her establishment to talk about her soul food restaurant Auntie Betty’s, 19601 Grand River in Minock Park. All around people can be heard coming in to pick up their orders and the small staff can be seen bustling about. …
You know the expression “You can never have too many friends”? Well, My Grandmont Rosedale is going to test that phrase. Last week we officially hit 500 friends, and we want to keep the momentum going. Our Facebook page is not just about getting people to “like” us or “friend” us, however. The My Grandmont…
In 1958, three young Detroit men established the first African-American ski club in the United States. These men had skied before, but wanted to include after-ski activities where African-Americans would feel welcome. The wrote up a constitution, and named their ski club the “Jim Dandy Ski Club of Detroit” after rhythm and blues singer Lavern…
Ever hear of a towel cake? How about a diaper cake or a diaper wreath? Give up? They are clever, unique gift ideas for engaged couples, kids going off to college and new babies, and they just are some of the creations of April Cobb, owner of one of Grandmont Rosedale’s newest pop-up businesses, Tender…
Our city sidewalks will be busy sidewalks (at least the one along Grand River) this Thursday, Dec. 11 for the Grand River Winter Walk. Come shop, stroll and snack along Grand River from 5-9pm. Several vendors will be at Always Brewing Detroit, 19180 Grand River, offering a wonderful variety of locally made gifts. Lilacpop Art…
Thanks to the UrbanLIFT Community Grant Program of Wells Fargo Bank, GRDC was recently able to complete the renovation of three homes in Grandmont Rosedale. These three homes had all been vacant for at least 6 months prior to being acquired by GRDC and required extensive renovations. Without help from such funders as Wells Fargo,…
The lively drumming of Nanou Dijapo matched the buzz of Detroit pride as hundreds working to maintain and improve Detroit neighborhoods poured into the Grand Riverview Ballroom at Cobo Center. Over a dozen Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation board members and staff attended the Annual Detroit Community Development Awards banquet to accept the honor of Community…
It is common for a city to name its streets after historic military officers or men significant in a city’s early history. Chalfonte, for instance, was named after a French Lieutenant posted at Fort Ponchartrain during the 1750s. Henry R. Schoolcraft is remembered as an early 1800s explorer, geographer, geologist and ethnologist whose contributions would…
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Bernard J. Youngblood, the Wayne County Registrar of Deeds and several representatives from city and county government arrived at the GRDC offices a few minutes before 10. Channel 4 was there too, ready to document the honoring of GRDC’s Vacant Property Task Force volunteers for their persistence in bringing a fraudulent…
North Rosedale Park resident Mary Ratkowski was first inspired to get involved in social justice issues when she taught in Ghana in the early 1970s: “I became much more aware of the inequalities in the world. When I returned and moved to Detroit, I became connected to the social justice community through other overseas volunteers.” …
As a tribute to his schoolteacher mother who loved reading, Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin built a model one room schoolhouse, filled it with books, put it on a post in his front yard, and put a sign on it that read “Free books.” Friends and neighbors loved the Little Free Library and asked Bol…
On Sunday, November 9, Always Brewing Detroit, 19180 Grand River, will be transformed into a pop up restaurant that will serve a four course gourmet meal. Because a great meal needs more than just great food, original artwork, handcrafted jewelry, and carefully selected music will be on the menu as well. GRDC is thrilled to…
On Thursday, October 23, the North Rosedale Community House was filled with engaged citizens and government officials! Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as the Detroit Police Department Animal Control Manager, Harry Ward, presented and remained after the meeting ended to answer questions. FEMA representatives presented at the meeting to answer…
You know those people who always look well put-together? You know, their clothes are fashionable, well-matched and seem perfect for that particular person and occasion? They might have a really sharp jacket or a dress that you’ve never seen before but that looks just about perfect on them? North Rosedale Park resident and pop-up business…
Cora Duncan-Foster of Grandmont was stumped. How was she going to get kids to sign up for the SkillsUSA program – a program that Cora knew was a terrific opportunity for high school students to acquire skills necessary to move into the working world? The students didn’t know Cora well because she recruited kids from…
Although Charlene has been to Europe and Africa several times, her trips to Cuba bring her perhaps the greatest pleasure. Much of Charlene’s family still lives there. When she goes to Cuba, Charlene stays with family. Charlene believes that it is her Cuban heritage that draws her to the geometric patterns of Africa. While geographically…
Ken Wolfe is a great story teller. He comes by this honestly. His mom came from Southern Illinois, from “poor folks, where storytelling was the backwoods entertainment.” In order to be a great storyteller, however, one also has to have good material, and Ken has a lot of good material. Sitting on his porch watching…
Investigator Brian Fountain presented at the Neighborhood Safety Meeting at the North Rosedale Park Community House Thursday, September 25th. Investigator Fountain has worked for the Detroit Police Department for 30 years and is known for his informative, lively workshops. His presentation covered new squatter laws, as well as an overview of crime prevention through environmental…
Are you a gambling person? Kathy Roland’s story might make you think about odds. What are the odds that three sisters, a brother and their parents would all live in Grandmont Rosedale for more than 20 years? What are the odds that among the three sisters there would be 11 kids, all boys? What are…
When Mara LePere-Schloop was in elementary school, she was asked to draw a picture of her house in Rosedale Park. It was in math class, and it was an exercise in spatial thinking. Mara liked drawing her house. She got into it. When she was finished, a visiting teacher took a look at the collection…
Regina Ward and Nicole Martin are old friends. Years ago they were roommates and worked together at a music store. Different life decisions led them for a while on different paths. They lost touch for 10 years. Yoga (and Facebook) brought them back together. When they found each other again, they also learned about REVOLVE…
There will be a Grandmont Rosedale Community Bus Tour on Thursday, Sept. 18 leaving from the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market, 18445 Scarsdale, at 5, 6, and 7pm. On the trip you will be able to check out the many improvements GRDC has made in your community in the past year. Several renovated houses will be…
Yvette Jenkins will open her shop, Love Travels Imports in the Grand River WorkPlace, 19120 Grand River, on Saturday, Sept. 20, and she is very excited. Her pop-up store combines her loves of travel, hand-made art, and her desire to know about the artists whose work she buys. Yvette’s store will sell fair trade goods…
The first steak roast in North Rosedale Park was not called a “Steak Roast” and women were not invited. In 1967 the Rosedale Tattler announced a “barbecue” this way: “Attention Men! There is just time for you association members to make reservations for the big stag event!” (women could not be members of the NRPCA…
It’s an interesting story, that of Rich Castillo. The path from ballroom dancing lessons at the North Rosedale Park Community House to an underwater stand-off with a male sea lion weighing in at 1000 lb.s is unusual and unusually interesting. While his footwork was no help in that situation, he did manage to escape unharmed,…
Jomo King knew he was on to something when he was just a kid. As a freshman at Cody High School, Jomo had the ability to relate to all the groups of kids coming from several different middle schools. While other students stuck to the groups formed in their former schools, Jomo reached out and…
Want to know what Peck Park on Brush Street, the pedestrian bridge over 75 in Southwest Detroit, the Atheneum Hotel, Children’s Hospital, the Federal Reserve Bank, Campus Martius, the Detroit Athletic Club, and the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church have in common? They all contain works by world renowned Detroit artist Hubert Massey. As of this…
Looking for a new way for your friends and family to have fun? Sherrie Savage of Car-Go Paint has got an idea for you! For a fee of $25 or $30 a person, Sherrie will direct a group of people to paint a picture based either on a theme of the group’s choosing, or a…
Maybe you’ve tried the Faygo Red Pop Float, or the Kiwi Pineapple, or the Strawberry Lemonade, or the Cantaloupe Mint, or may be even the Grapefruit Habanero. If you’ve been to the Northwest Detroit Farmers’ Market this season, chances are you recognize these as popsicle flavors created by The Detroit Pop Shop owners Hildie and…
Co-Commissioner of the Rosedale Soccer League Deborah Lowery sat at a table full of cleats for sale at $5.00 a pair and answered parents’ questions about uniforms, game times, and registration. Deborah has been co-commissioning the league with Rosedale Park resident Stacie Harris since 2008, and before that was the sole commissioner for eight years. …
Grandmont #1 resident De’Janay Jones, age 16, is not too proud to do the hard and sometimes dirty work necessary to make Detroit a bit cleaner each day. She also designs and makes clothes that have turned some heads. This summer, Monday through Wednesday from early in the morning to late afternoon, De’Janay is either…
The system works: Volunteers weed, rake, mow, help build a fence, pick, and then they “shop” for produce such as cucumbers, basil, squash, garlic, and strawberries before they head home. Usually there are 6-12 people who help out Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm at GRDC’s Community Garden, and usually there isn’t much produce left over. Some…
On July 16, more than 60 residents from all over Detroit gathered at the GRDC offices for the Citizens Radio Patrol Recruitment Workshop. Hosted by GRDC’s Karen Johnson Moore and Kiana Miller, the workshop encouraged new and veteran citizens radio patrol groups throughout the city. Community Security Coordinator with the 6th and 8th Precincts Myra…
You know someone’s life has made an impact when the people who attend the final service can hardly fit in the building. Morris Goodman packed the Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church on Monday, August 4, the day when his many friends and family from many various places gathered to bid their friend, confidante, inspiration and even…
With all of the vital and various programming that GRDC has developed over its 25 years, it’s important to remember that an important piece of GRDC’s mission is the renovation of vacant homes. This year, GRDC’s 25th, will be the year that GRDC has successfully renovated its 100th home in Grandmont Rosedale. One program that…
“I couldn’t believe it!” That was Sweet Potato Sensations owner and North Rosedale Park resident Cassandra Thomas’ reaction when she found out that she was on the cover of Hour Detroit magazine. Cassandra recalled the inte