MDen opening in Downtown Detroit in District Detroit this Fall
Finally something close for those of us in Metropolitan Detroit.
4,000 square feet. The owner Scott mentioned last year that there's gonna be Michigan Detroit exclusive gear at the store and "professional athlete autograph signings". Aka Michigan alumni in town with their pro team most likely.
How about having Tom Brady open MDen Detroit up with a singing on the Patriots bye week on November 9?
August 12th, 2019 at 6:09 PM ^
How did I know this was a WD thread....
August 12th, 2019 at 6:17 PM ^
Yep, but it’s good to keep up on the brand.
Anyway, in case you missed my follow up in the tread down below:
Some things are getting out there that line up with the information shared this morning. Just remember that certain players will get rested at certain times throughout camp. Taking care of previous injuries etc. In addition, there are always a few experiments. Oh, and don't forget about player "X" is looking like superman. It varies from practice to practice.
JKP and Gray both ran with the ones yesterday. Remember, he was running with the ones during 7-on-7's this summer. DPJ sat out. Gil is dinged up, so Glasgow stepped in. McKeon, Uche, Bell, Jeter, Hawkins, Sainristil, Collins, Black, Ross, Bredeson, Ruiz, Onwenu, and Shea get mentioned repeatedly. That is when you can really start to trust the reports. Danna has been mentioned more and more. RB still reminds of CB. Up to 4 guys getting serious looks even though I think it is truly 3 from I get. RB won't be settled for some time yet. Thomas (TBD). No real change from what we knew before camp started.
August 12th, 2019 at 6:41 PM ^
August 12th, 2019 at 8:19 PM ^
But umbig14 is an ass and can go pay for overpriced food at the concession stand. Screw that guy.
August 12th, 2019 at 7:02 PM ^
Senior Glasgow on the field all the time is not negative news to me. He is an f-ing good football player. Go Blue !!!
August 12th, 2019 at 7:21 PM ^
Always root for seniors, and Glas should be a Captain this year.
August 12th, 2019 at 7:27 PM ^
Wonder if the fourth RB still getting looks is Haskins or VanSumeren.....
August 12th, 2019 at 6:24 PM ^
Not a slam on WD at all. His posts are extremely informative and widely appreciated. I especially like all the updates on the non-revenue sports.
August 12th, 2019 at 9:25 PM ^
What category do we put threads about threads in?
Maybe asked another way, are MDen threads about revenue or non-revenue sports topics?
August 12th, 2019 at 8:58 PM ^
That phone is dangerously low on power. Get that thing charged in case there's a random drop of some sweat activated clothes.
August 12th, 2019 at 6:15 PM ^
I don't know about that "vibrant, new" part, but it will be a welcome addition.
August 12th, 2019 at 6:24 PM ^
Alas, the Laurel Park location closed in January after 25 years in Livonia. I loved that store. We had our son's baby registry there.
August 12th, 2019 at 6:28 PM ^
That's weird since they list it on the back of the catalog.
August 12th, 2019 at 6:51 PM ^
Definitely closed. They could use better proofing.
August 12th, 2019 at 9:37 PM ^
Dammit. That was the closest one for me. I will not be going downtown anytime soon.
August 12th, 2019 at 9:45 PM ^
That Laurel Park mall is a fucking dump though. I'm not surprised they didn't want to be associated with it.
August 13th, 2019 at 2:15 AM ^
It's taken a huge nosedive in the past 10 years. When it went in, there was nothing around it. Since the mid-90s, every major development in the area has been a strip mall with major retail. Now Laurel Park is a ghost town.
August 13th, 2019 at 1:23 PM ^
When it opened, it was the magnet that drew people away from Livonia Mall (roughly four miles away). Livonia Mall shambled on like a zombie for a long time before it was razed, sort of. The Sears refused to close and was the major property holder so it stayed, but they tore tons of things down and built a Walmart and a lot of outlot properties (including a Sonic!)
But Laurel Park has lost a lot of its shine, not helped by losing major retailers like Carson's. It still has Von Maur, but the overall quality of options at LPP has fallen off. Plus, the Mrs. Fields is gone now. But it does have the clearance clearinghouse for Eddie Bauer in Metro Detroit, which is handy.
August 13th, 2019 at 2:42 AM ^
Wow, though I guess that’s the direction malls are headed. Thought Laurel Park Place used to be pretty nice, but that was probably 20 years ago...
August 12th, 2019 at 6:25 PM ^
I'm pretty butthurt that the Livonia one closed.
August 12th, 2019 at 7:02 PM ^
Cool, but when will Sparty Shak open? Anywhere? Even one?
NM, TJ Max Lansing already exists.
August 12th, 2019 at 7:54 PM ^
The store that probably has the largest msu selection is their local Walmart. Imagine that.
August 12th, 2019 at 7:28 PM ^
Tom Brady sings? He should cover Boobs a Lot by Holy Modal Rounders.
August 12th, 2019 at 7:53 PM ^
I'm hoping for some of the Brady classics, such as this one:
I wonder if he will also bring back this ultra-cool outfit from the past:
Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on, winning those Super Bowls, keep on, keep on, keep on...
August 12th, 2019 at 9:39 PM ^
You haven't lived until you've heard Tom Brady's cover of "All the Young Dudes"
August 12th, 2019 at 8:01 PM ^
What's not Metropolitan Detroit about the Twelve Oaks store?
August 13th, 2019 at 7:20 AM ^
It’s the closest one near me but if you stay East the downtown store would be closer.
August 13th, 2019 at 9:55 AM ^
That’s the West side
August 12th, 2019 at 8:24 PM ^
How about the downtown AnnArbor reopening on Main St? Have a JP Burger and a Jolly Pumpkin ale and then go next door and peruse the 1/4 zip pullovers. Question: how does the Bo Store stay in business? I know they are a sponsor but I rarely see anyone in there when I’m on Main St.
August 12th, 2019 at 9:40 PM ^
Because it's a front.
August 12th, 2019 at 8:28 PM ^
Random aside, but anyone else a touch bearish on the prospects of the city? Feel like you can’t say that in friendly business company around here though. People are a bit brainwashed into thinking Detroit has nowhere to go but up.
I might be alone here but I could easily see the city having significant issues again. The future of auto is pretty up in the air at this point. No guarantees that Detroit is anywhere near as influential long term.
August 12th, 2019 at 9:02 PM ^
Relative to the amount of positive news coverage, I see your point. It's definitely got momentum within the metro area, region, and even somewhat nationally. I'd say it's warranted based on where it came from. Barely 6 years removed from literally being bankrupt. Getting streetlights lit was a major accomplishment. Now, there's a fun, exciting downtown with a world class entertainment district.
That being said, the city is far from thriving. And you're right, it's still incredibly reliant on the auto industry. An auto downtown would cripple the progress being made. The city still needs to diversify its companies to ensure long term success.
August 12th, 2019 at 9:30 PM ^
I think I recall reading that Rock and associated companies are the largest employer in downtoen Detroit (+/- 20k employees) aside from COD and possibly GM. Thats a huge number.
August 13th, 2019 at 12:45 AM ^
Well, if this "District Detroit" mirage was anything more than the Pizzarena and a few isolated retail developments surrounded by acre after acre of parking lots, despite explicit promises it wouldn't be anything of the sort...
Ilitch Holdings is a fraud.
August 13th, 2019 at 3:35 AM ^
I think City living in general has come back into vogue and that has played a major role in Detroit's rebound. Young people thrive on the intrigue and edginess of major cities and generally don't want to live way out in the burbs. Or if they do live out in the burbs they are still drawn into cities for nightlife and the arts. Detroit just had to have more places to go that didn't feel so dangerous . Mid-town, Corktown etc. have been a catalyst for that.
So, while the rebound of all cities is susceptible to an economic downturn (maybe disproportionately for D because of autos) its got some wind in its sail and shouldn't fall back nearly as deep as it was not too long ago.
August 13th, 2019 at 9:32 AM ^
Great take! I agree 100%
August 12th, 2019 at 8:52 PM ^
I believe they announced this over a year ago as a part of the District Detroit. I haven't seen the renderings, though.
It's supposed to go in the alley next to the new Little Ceasars headquarters across from Comerica along with a Frita Batido (can't wait). That project has moved at a glacial pace. It's one of the few District Detroit projects that actually got off the ground and then for some reason all progress just stopped. Kind of a bummer considering people were/are super excited about it.
Between the lack of District Detroit progress and now brutal Wings/Tigers teams, it feels like people are starting to turn on the Illitches. I don't necessarily blame them for the Wings/Tigers but the lack of progress around the stadium is pretty glaring, compared to what was promised.
August 12th, 2019 at 9:03 PM ^
The problem with the Ilitch family is that Dan Gilbert not only bought property, but renovated the properties and put tenants in there. The Ilitch family has owned derelict property for years and did nothing.
On top of that, money was siphoned away from the public schools to fund what has turned into a bunch of District Detroit parking lots. The funny thing is that if the schools could improve, more families would be encouraged to move into the city and demand for B2C businesses would rise.
August 13th, 2019 at 8:43 AM ^
Easy Lil Penny you are making too much sense. People don’t want to hear how much their community aka property value increases with a better school system in place.
August 13th, 2019 at 10:30 AM ^
To be honest, pretty much every big city has public schools that are shunned by people with the means (outside of the odd magnet/talented program). Our country as a whole needs to figure out how to educate poor kids.
That said, to siphon money away from Detroit's schools, given the physical condition so many are in, is terrible.
August 13th, 2019 at 12:04 AM ^
This past week I was with family and overheard two family members sharing information that was nothing but negative in regards to Chris Illitch and his management (of all organziations) since the passing of Mike Illitch.
One family member shares the same lobbyist and the other's father is pretty high up in one of the subsidiary organizations.
Take that for what it's worth.
August 12th, 2019 at 11:16 PM ^
My MDen catalog arrived in the mail today. It featured 5 bobble heads on the cover. I’m in heaven.
August 13th, 2019 at 7:24 AM ^
I wish they would put one in Grand Rapids.
August 13th, 2019 at 10:02 AM ^
I live 150 feet from here. But to be honest, I'm more excited for the Frita Batido opening.
August 13th, 2019 at 10:14 AM ^
"District Detroit" needs a more original name. Surely a city over 300 years old can come up with something better.
August 13th, 2019 at 11:43 AM ^
Not when a city lays down before the whims of an insular pizza empire that couldn't give a crap about anything other than ferrying cars to and from their pizzarena. And they're still doing it. We're stuck with "District Detroit," the made-for-architects'-renderings "urban" development that never leaves the page. They've been pitching versions of this since the 90s, and none of what they promise to do ever materializes.
If you're on Facebook, follow the Terrible Ilitches account. Olympia just got the Historic District Commission to covertly green-light another parking lot development. It's astounding how much these people are able to get away with, all because the city can't help but believe "District Detroit" is, or will ever be a thing.
August 13th, 2019 at 2:29 PM ^
Nice, I can go there on my lunch.