Called the Venice of Detroit or the city’s Deep East, Jefferson Chalmers is a historic neighborhood that is noted today for its canal-lined streets, mature trees, waterfront parks, and big old homes.
Since the 1700s, the area has seen a succession of inhabitants including Fox, Iroquois, Anishinaabe, French, English, and eventually American settlers. It was originally named “Grand Marais” (i.e. Great Marsh) due to the low-lying marshland. The land was eventually divided into long parcels – called “ribbon farms” – that reached inland from the Detroit River. This infrastructure is still present today in the grid that creates the neighborhood’s long vertical blocks.
During the 1920s, the district along Jefferson was the center of the east-side neighborhood’s commercial, social, and cultural life, and today it stands as one of a few early twentieth-century neighborhood commercial districts that is still surviving in Detroit.
In fact, the district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
It has also seen its share of problems. The area has endured redlining, flooding, and infrastructure issues, and is now among the city’s lowest-income neighborhoods.
RIVERBEND PLAZA – J. LINDSEY PHOTOGRAPHY
The city of Detroit, Jefferson East Inc. (JEI) along with passionate residents and business owners are working to turn that around, providing a plethora of services toward building up businesses and start-ups.
“From our Clean and Safe Program involving volunteer “Clean Ambassadors” who pick up trash two to three times a week, to a partnership with the DPD and the Wayne State Center for Urban Studies, to our Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Program, to the Community Tech Program that offers businesses technology support at no cost, we are working to support businesses that are a good fit in the neighborhood,” said Lutalo Sanifu, Director of Neighborhood Resilience, Safety & Business District Services.
To that end, the East Jefferson Development Corporation and JEI work with the residents – directly asking them what businesses and restaurants they want in the area, and then seeking them out, leasing spaces to them, and providing support.
Many of the business owners in the area are long-time residents who have chosen their neighborhood and community as the best place to run their establishments.
“I’ve lived in the area since 2011 and in 2016 opened Get Fresh Studios and feel blessed to be here,” said Michael Seger.
He says the location works great for him since his recording studio business is unique to the area.
“I’ve had artists come from around the world to visit my humble studio in the middle of Jefferson Chalmers, which was unheard of prior to my opening, but it works and it’s a great atmosphere.”
CEO and Founder of Alternative Management and Marketing Group, LaVell R. Nero says, “I was born in the North end of the city but my family moved to the East side and I’ve been in Jefferson Chalmers for years.”
Referred to by his clients as the “Barry Gordy of Gospel Music,” Nero runs his entertainment business from his home, and says, “The east side is the city’s secret best side, with the water, sense of community, and rich history.”
Nancy Wiedgandt also lives just steps from the work she does at Detroit Abloom, a nonprofit cut flower farm.
DETROIT ABLOOM
“We worked with the Detroit Land Bank to secure our lots and we could not be in a better place,” she says. “It’s quiet and the space butts up to the river so we have the water, trees, and birds … it’s really wonderful.”
Lee Padgett, owner of Busted Bra with six locations says of choosing Jefferson Chalmers for her flagship store, “It’s a high traffic area and there are other brands there I’m attracted to, like Canine to Five. It also has a strong business community – we all support one another.”
DDTL Shoe Store manager Brandy Arrington says business at the decade-old store is good and steady.
“We have great customers, and they are mostly long-time residents.” she said. “People in the community really support the store and I attribute our long-term success to them.”
Liz Blondy, owner of Canine to Five with one locagtion in Jefferson-Chalmers points to another benefit these businesses have – their proximity to both downtown Detroit and the Grosse Pointes.
LIZ BLONDY OF CANINE TO FIVE AND LEE PADGETT OF BUSTED BRA
“We serve two great communities that are both very different,” she says. There is also momentum to the east with Shepard, new restaurants and more.”
About this, Wiegandt says, “I think our proximity to Grosse Pointe helped to get us started in the beginning, and now we have many more Detroiters coming in and have built a community in that area.”
While these professionals have all found success, they agree that there are some challenges the commercial district faces.
“One big issue is density,” says Sanifu. “On the North side of Jefferson there’s a handful of homes and a lot of unused and vacant property. We need density there to create a walkable area and street traffic.”
He goes on to explain that the south side of Jefferson is a federal flood point, which creates a barrier to getting funding.
Blondy expands on this, saying, “It would be nice for us to be doing business in a bustling area where all the businesses and buildings are popping and full.”
Wiegarnt adds, “The business corridor is slow to take off but I think it will come. Mayor Duggan and the city of Detroit is invested.”
These professionals also agree that overall, the area is a treasure.
“There are multiple gems here, we just need more people to learn about them,” says Bondy.
“It’s peaceful and quiet with lots of trees and nature,” says Wiegandt.
Says Padgett, “The population around the store – the residents – are awesome and I’m happy to be in their neighborhood.”
“I think it’s an up-and-coming borough. The revitalization is visible in the area,” Seger says.
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