American Riad
Nestled along the iconic Oakland Avenue, the American Riad transformed a once abandoned lot into a public space for gatherings, workshops, gardening, performances, and the display of local and international art in order to promote Art, Housing, and Justice. Steel arabesques join formerly abandoned buildings to create a shared courtyard for the development of a land trust, creating 8 residences and 6 businesses while protecting them against gentrification through a model of long-term affordable housing and businesses.
Detroit Design District
Artistic innovation comes to life within this month's neighborhood spotlight: the Detroit Design District, a Method Development building that is the residence of visionary art and design centers including BULK SPACE, Midwest Common, I.M. Weiss Gallery, Boro Detroit, and Vault of Midnight Detroit. Together as an incubator for inspiration, Detroit Design District propels creatives and their unique ideas.
Milwaukee Caffè
Led by the friendliest man in the city, David Valdez, owners Ashley Davidson and Carlo Liburdi, and their incredible team, Milwaukee Caffè goes above and beyond. Grab a coffee at this Italian-inspired espresso bar or swing by 12-4 pm for Sunday Service, when Milwaukee Caffè partners with its sister-bar Kiesling for a boozy day service with food pop-ups.
K. Walker Collective
Birthed from black pride, spirit, culture, resilience, and joy, K. Walker Collective is the essence of clothing and apparel driven by servitude, solidarity, and unapologetic dedication to the classic man and woman innately rooted in infectious individualism and pristine appearance.
Standing for style and the audacious who champion change, not only in their everyday actions but their everyday wear, we're excited to have welcomed the K. Walker Collective into our neighborhood this past November!
I.M. Weiss Gallery
Focused on contemporary craft disciplines, artists, and the ideas that make compelling objects, the I.M. Weiss gallery was founded in 2014 by Isabelle Weiss, an accredited appraiser, and contemporary fine/decorative arts specialist, to nurture a new generation of Detroit's iconic craft and design legacy.
Located a few blocks down from Chroma, the gallery is turning heads throughout the country by showcasing functional art pieces and the creative experimentation that's happening throughout Michigan.
First Congregational Church of Detroit
Celebrating Detroit's roots in making progress towards honoring cultures of every color. Amongst an estimated 200 Underground Railroad stops, the First Congregational Church was the last stop to many as refugees were hidden in the church until being led to boats on the Detroit river. Today, the church features an Underground Railroad Living Museum, the Station House, along with a Flight to Freedom Tour, both of which capture and sustains the national legacy of the Underground Railroad.
Chroma celebrates Black Resistance alongside our community and continues to look for ways of advancing our society through art, culture, and business.
Shops at the Fisher Building
The Fashion Place, Mature, Peacock Room, Pure Detroit, Shy vs. Bold, Yama, and More
Looking for unique and stylish fashions to take you from the office to after-hours? Try Detroit's premier retail destination: the Shops at the Fisher Building! With stores including The Fashion Place, Mature, Peacock Room, Pure Detroit, Shy vs. Bold, and Yama, you can acquire the look and more from sought-after brands along with one-of-a-kind pieces all in one location.
If you have time, grab a cup of coffee from Stella Good Coffee, a bite to eat from Promenade Artisan Foods, and check out Blackbird Gallery for the ideal shopping day.
The TEN Nail Bar
Pamper yourself after a hard day's work and endless seasonal todo's at The TEN Nail Bar at their self care flagship location right in New Center! Promising to manicure every nail to perfection, their product line and performance are exceptional. From customer service to the atmosphere, the TEN Nail Bar is dedicated to delivering #nailfie worthy salon experiences to the Detroit community.
Vault of Midnight
Vault of Midnight is the perfect stop for your gift giving needs - Featuring a super selection of comic books, board games, manga and nerdy curios, Vault is the spot to check anyone young at heart off your list! Located a few buildings down from Chroma, you'll know you're at the right spot when you see the amazing comic mural adorning the east side of the building.
Acting as ambassadors for all things geeky, Vault of Midnight presents its wares as the awesome, fun, and universally accessible pieces of entertainment that they are. Providing a unique and remarkable shopping experience, Vault of Midnight offers services ranging from subscriptions, book of the month, special orders, appraisals + buying, events, and more.
Irwin House
We're constantly being inspired by our neighbors, one of which is the Irwin House, Inc. Global Art Center and Gallery. With a mission to serve, invigorate, and strengthen the West End Detroit neighborhoods through exposure, engagement, and education through the arts, Irwin House Gallery is the current outgrowth of Valerie Irwin and her late husband, Council B. Irwin, Jr. and their love and support for the Detroit community and the arts.
The Center’s programs include a robust schedule of themed solo and group exhibitions, an artist-in-residency development program, regular artist symposiums, and educational workshops, as well as hands-on opportunities for youth, community, veterans, and seniors groups.
Baobab Fare
Hungry? Baobab Fare is an East African restaurant, market, and juice bar, offering an array of prepared menu items, groceries, juices, and other retail products from East Africa. Owned by and operated by Nadia Nijimbere and Hamissi Mamba, a wife and husband team, that came to the United States from Burundi in 2014, yearning to start a new life by taking advantage of the business opportunities in Detroit.
More than just a restaurant and market, Baobab will serve as a safe space for other immigrants and Detroiters alike, knowing that it is a meeting place where all are welcomed and embraced. Baobab will help to fill a gap as it relates to African fare and culture in the city.
The Gathering Coffee Co.
As a philanthropic coffee company seeking to craft change and sustainability, The Gathering Coffee Co. and partner the Eightfold Collective seek to bring artists together for a cup of coffee. A studio at the back of their building provides a cost-effective resource for Detroit video artists. In addition, they also have a dark room that is open for others to develop their film.
It’s their vision for the building and coffee shop to progress over time into a staple creative community space.
Textures By Nefertiti
Chroma's neighbor Textures By Nefertiti is more than a shop, it's a community.
Owner Nefertiti seeks to coach African-American individuals who are ready for the process of embracing their kinky or curly hair. Combining her knowledge of natural hair care, fashion, and extensive training in the spiritual arts (reiki, yoga, energy balancing, and meditation), Nefertiti offers a holistic spa experience right down the street.
Kiesling
Kiesling is a local bar right next door to Chroma with a history in itself dating back to the 1890s. From cafe, saloon, and watering hole, Kiesling has grown with the community over the years and was recently restored after decades of neglect to the neighborhood bar it is today.
The crew at Kiesling loves good wine, a rare spirit, and a good story, so whether you're looking for a divey beer-and-shot combo or a craft cocktail made from scratch served without pretension, welcome home!
