Black entrepreneurs are an integral part of the retail scene in the city of Detroit. The Avenue of Fashion, stretching from 7 Mile to 8 Mile on Livernois, is said to be home to one of the largest shopping districts of Black-owned businesses in the country. From fashion boutiques to art studios to serious tummy-love, this historic strip has no shortage of businesses to explore.
Here are just a few of our favorite Black-owned businesses (and TechTown alumni) on The Avenue of Fashion that make it such a unique and popular shopping destination in Detroit. If you are looking for ways to celebrate Black History Month and want to promote economic equity while supporting local communities, we encourage you to check them out:
Teaser’s Boutique , owned by Paulette Williams, offers quality, affordable and inspiring designs dedicated to the edgy, fashion forward, independent woman who likes to dress well, have fun and break the rules.
Art In Motion, owned by Kay Willingham, is a ceramic studio and gallery furthering arts enrichment in the growing Livernois neighborhood with opportunity for ceramic artists and local residents to work and inspire others through a community studio.
Bronzed N Glow, owned by Jamesha Lucas, is a beauty supply boutique with an educational twist.
Shears & Shaves, owned by Dawn Sanford, is a neighborhood salon and spa that offers a full spectrum of professional services for men and women, from barbering and nail care to massages and aromatherapy.
Love Travels Imports, owned by Yvette Jenkins, offers fair-trade artisan goods that journey from across the world, from South Africa, Guatemala, Peru and Haiti, to a curation destination of Detroit, Michigan.
AKOMA (formerly Detroit Fiber Works), owned by Mandisa Smith, is a cooperative for Detroit’s women artists and makers, especially women artists and makers of color, committed to creativity, community and sustainability.
Krispy Addicts, owned by Dhafir Hasan, is a street-stylish clothing brand and store created for those who love being “krispy” (fashionable) so much that it’s an addiction.
Fahrenheit 313, owned by Frederick Paul II, is Detroit’s hottest sneaker exchange aiming to completely revolutionize the retail customer experience for buying, selling and trading sneakers.
Good Cakes & Bakes, owned by April Anderson and Michelle Anderson, sells quality baked goods that are wholesome and organic in nature in an environment that is positive, creative, educational and friendly to their employees and community.
Honorable mention: Motor City Popcorn, owned by Ronier Golightly, is located one block off the Avenue on 7 Mile and provides gourmet popcorn in a wide variety of flavors and signature flavor mixes as well as a variety of snacks and gift options.
Want to learn more about the history of the Avenue of Fashion and some of the Black-owned businesses there? Join us on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. for a special edition of The SHOP, TechTown’s monthly live-stream shopping event, as we feature five of these amazing business owners at techtowndetroit.org/live or on our Facebook page.
