Granddaughter of the late Detroit philanthropist, Gretchen Valade, is making a name for herself in Detroit in sustainability and design.
Director of Sustainability for Carhartt, Valade also owns – with her husband – eugenie Detroit and the newly launched ARCHIVE by eugenie.
Valade currently resides in Detroit and has experienced life in other cities as well.
eugenie DETROIT
After graduating from DePaul University, she moved to Hong Kong to work on the supply chain and global side of retail at Li & Fung. A year later she moved to New York to hone her visual merchandising and product presentation skills at the Carhartt sales showroom. Eventually, she moved back to work for Carhartt in Detroit, and in 2020 launched eugenie with her husband, Kevin Steen.
Detroitisit caught up with Valade to find out what restaurants, shops, and areas of Detroit she frequents, and what she thinks of the city itself.
Q: An acquaintance is coming into town for one night and asks where they should have dinner and a drink. What do you recommend?
A: I always recommend going to Kiesling Detroit for a pre-dinner cocktail and Selden Standard for dinner whenever anyone comes into town. They are my go-to staples that never disappoint! They aren’t within walking distance of each other, but it also gives an opportunity to see two different neighborhoods and communities within the city.
Q: You find yourself with a free Saturday afternoon and want to spend it roaming around the city – what places will you hit?
A: I would start my day at Hot Bones for a yoga or Pilates class and finish up with a bone broth there or head around the corner to Milwaukee Café for an iced cortado. Then I would probably make an effort to see some art at DIA, MOCAD, or a gallery – or if the weather is on my side – bring a good book or magazine to an outdoor space and enjoy the freedom of no obligations for an afternoon. I recently discovered Season’s Market in midtown, which has a focus on being healthy and sustainable which really resonates with me. There is also a great garden that makes me want to bring a blanket to be able to spend some time hanging out there, either alone or invite a few friends to join.
Q: What’s your favorite new discovery in the city over the past year?
A: It’s not necessarily a new discovery, but I have been spending more time in Core City after opening ARCHIVE there and have been really enjoying myself! Depending on your mood or time of day, you could get breakfast (Café Prince), lunch (Detroit Institute of Bagels) or dinner (Barda or Puma) there. There is also a nice park to hang out in and a few other shops to pop into as well, including Periodicals. I have always been a super fan of Simone DeSousa and her gallery in Midtown, and now we love that we can visit her new gallery, Matéria, in Core City.
Q: What’s the most underrated spot that deserves more visibility?
A: My husband, Kevin, and I love taking our dog Olive to the north eastern tip of Belle Isle to the Blue Herron Lagoon Trail – we call it the Lighthouse walk on Belle Isle because of the beautiful Lighthouse that serves as a landmark at the end of the trail.
eugenie DETROIT
Q: Where do you like shopping for clothes in Detroit?
A: You can always find me at eugenie in West Village and ARCHIVE by eugenie in Core City.
Q: It’s Thursday night and you don’t have plans, what’s that one go-to spot you love for a night out?
A: Two Birds in West Village, it’s such a great and comfortable neighborhood bar and gathering space. Within Two Birds is also Huddle Soft Serve and they typically have a food truck there as well for anyone who wants a drink, dinner, and dessert!
Q: What’s your favorite season in Detroit and why?
A: The beginning couple weeks of each season when it is fresh and exciting is my favorite – I love Michigan for the fact that we are able to experience each season.
Q: Best way to spend a lazy afternoon in the city?
A: I would pick up some carry-out food, from a favorite spot like Folk or Baobab Fare, and then go on a slow and casual bike ride with Kevin and Olive to the Detroit Riverfront. We would find one of the parks along the river that looked nice and stop for lunch. On the way home, we would bike to Brewery Faison for a beer and relax.
Q: Best place to get a cup of coffee
A: Red Hook in West Village!
Q; Best place to people-watch
A: The Dequinder Cut and/or Eastern Market on the weekends.
Q: What makes a Detroiter?
A: Detroiters are passionate, loyal, vibrant people who care for their communities, and who don’t give up when things get hard, but work harder and smarter and find solutions.
Q: What do you treasure most about the city?
A: I love the people, small businesses, and the history of design in Detroit. Detroit and the people who live here have so much style and so much confidence, while also being friendly and supportive. I always feel surrounded by creativity and innovation – I am constantly inspired.
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