DBusiness Daily Update: Somerset Collection Studio Brings CityLoft Back to Downtown Detroit, and More

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Somerset Collection Studio is bringing the CityLoft concept back to downtown Detroit starting today. // Courtesy of the Somerset Collection
Somerset Collection Studio is bringing the CityLoft concept back to downtown Detroit starting today. // Courtesy of the Somerset Collection

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.

Somerset Collection Studio brings Back CityLoft Concept

Troy-based Somerset Collection Studio is bringing its CityLoft concept back to downtown Detroit this holiday season, beginning today, with rotating retailers, local merchants, and entertainment.

Somerset Collection Studio, at 33 John R St. (located in Element Detroit at the Metropolitan).

is designed to be a one-stop shop to access merchandise from Somerset Collection’s 180-plus stores. In addition to the rotating selection of merchandise, with everything from cashmere to cocoa, downtown shoppers can take advantage of Somerset Collection Studio’s services with delivery to lockers inside the space as well as to your home or office in and around the city.

This year, Somerset Collection Studio has opened its doors to Hugh, the Midtown-based design store that will be featuring a selection of vintage coffee table books.

Every weekend, Somerset Collection Studio also will have visits from Santa and live music. On Fridays, starting Dec. 10, the Night Shade Trio carolers will perform and on Saturdays, Santa will visit with Stiltwater performing.  A performance is planned for Sunday, Dec. 19 with the Velvet Carolers Trio.

“This is our fourth activation at Somerset Collection Studio and we knew bringing the beloved CityLoft concept back to Detroit for the holidays would be a hit,” says Nathan Forbes, managing partner for The Forbes Co. in Southfield. “This would be our 11th season of bringing a variety of retailers to downtown Detroit, allowing us to extend our exclusive retailers brand presence to while creating an exceptional shopping experience in the city.”

Somerset Collection Studio is open Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. until Dec. 26, with the exception of being closed on Dec. 24 and 25.

For more information, visit here.

Monroe Street Drive-In Raising Funds for Community

The Monroe St. Drive-In Powered by Emagine is engaged in a community fundraiser called the Drive In & Help Out program, a partnership between Bedrock and four Detroit community-based organizations.

The goal is to raise funds and awareness for the partner organizations’ efforts. From December through March 2022, Monroe Street Drive-In moviegoers can make monetary donations onsite at the concession stand. One hundred percent of the donations go directly to the partner organization of the month:

  • December — Brilliant Detroit
  • January — NW Goldberg Cares
  • February — Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance
  • March — Money Matters for Youth

“Through this partnership, every dollar raised helps us provide access to the tools and programs children in Detroit need to achieve grade level reading skills, ensure families are healthy and supported, and our programming continues to grow during these incredibly challenging times,” says Cindy Eggleton, co-founder and CEO of Brilliant Detroit. “We are honored to have been chosen as a nonprofit partner with Bedrock’s Monroe Street Drive-In Powered by Emagine and we truly believe it is an amazing opportunity — one that further helps us elevate our commitment to creating kid success neighborhoods throughout our city.”

For more information, visit DeckedOutDetroit.com.

Red Wings Legends Planning Feb. 16 Charity Poker Tournament

Compete against Detroit Red Wings legends Darren McCarty, Chris Osgood, Larry Murphy, and others are expected to compete in MotorCity Casino Hotel’s Annual Red Wings Charity Poker Tournament Feb. 16, 2022.

A $450 Donation to the Detroit Red Wings Foundation includes:

  • Tournament entry with a chance to win the $5,000 cash grand prize.
  • Bounty opportunity to take out a Red Wings alumnus and receive their signed jersey.
  • Strolling dinner, complimentary beverages, and alumni meet and greet opportunities.
  • One-night stay at MotorCity Casino Hotel.
  • Tournament quarter zip gift.

Those interested in participating can visit here.

Detroit Urban League Hosting 56th Annual Guild Gala Dec. 11

The Urban League of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan is hosting its 56th Annual Guild Gala at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 11 at the Westin Hotel in Southfield.

The gala is an event that aims to provide visibility for youth in our southeast Michigan who set positive examples for their peers. The Detroit Urban League will honor individuals with “Do the Right Thing” awards to recognize the young people in the region who endeavor to “do the right thing” daily, yet whose actions and activities are seldom recognized or celebrated in the media or in other venues.

State Sen. Adam Hollier, a Detroit native, will be the guest speaker at the event.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.

Marathon Refinery Expands Involvement with Wayne State Healthy Homes

Marathon Petroleum Corp.’s Detroit refinery is expanding its involvement in Wayne State University’s Healthy Homes Initiative by providing an additional $50,000 to the program, ensuring that an additional 111 households receive healthy home kits.

Last year, the company granted $150,000 to the program that covered startup costs, hiring support, and healthy home kits for 90 households. This time around, all funding will go toward kits.

“Making a difference in the lives of our neighbors is very important to everyone here at the refinery,” says Dave Leaver, general manager of the Detroit refinery. “We are committed to environmentally responsible operations and to supporting our community in establishing and maintaining healthy practices. This program brings that commitment directly inside 201 homes in our neighborhood.”

Healthy Homes is part of the AmeriCorps Urban Safety Program (AMUS). The Marathon Foundation is a part of the AmeriCorps joint endeavor, which also includes the Corporation for National Community Service, Detroit Public Schools, the Michigan Community Service Commission, the Skillman Foundation, and Wayne State University. AMUS engages 150 AmeriCorps members a year to support the reduction of crime and increased public health and safety for Detroit residents.

HNTB Partners to Create Civil Technician Bootcamp Program

HNTB Corp., an employee-owned infrastructure firm, has joined forces with Wayne County Community College District, the Michigan Department of Transportation, Wayne County Department of Public Services, and the American Council of Engineering Cos. to create a training program that targets people seeking careers in construction technology, inspection, and testing.

The new Horizontal Infrastructure Training Center Collaborative, a public-private partnership, will provide students with classroom instruction, insights, and skills that will enable them to pursue a broad range of careers in construction technology, inspection, and testing. These fields are among the skilled trades reporting shortages in the availability of qualified workers.

“Infrastructure is a vital industry where we face a labor shortage and look to hire skilled individuals to inspect and test our roads,” says Nate Ford, deputy program manager at HNTB. “A critical component is making sure that this work is done properly, safely, and to code. In partnering with Wayne County Community College District, this program allows us to attract and train students looking for meaningful employment and to build their careers in the infrastructure field.”

Ford described HNTB’s role as one of a facilitator, bringing the other principals — the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Wayne County Department of Public Services, and the American Council of Engineering Cos. — together on the venture, which began in October. “We just let everybody step up and do what they do best.”

“There is a huge need to fill that industry void, and what better way to address that need than to partner with Wayne County Community College,” says Mark J. Grazioli, engineer manager for the Michigan Department of Transportation. “The college has the bandwidth and platform to attract those students who are seeking opportunities for advancing their careers. We want to expose them to the available career opportunities that allow them to do critical and impactful infrastructure work.”

The collaborative’s first civil testing and inspection training takes place this week at the Northwest Campus of WCCCD in Detroit. The 40-hour instructional model, developed by the collaborative, will train students in a comprehensive set of foundational skills they will need before entering a specific infrastructure-related academic program.

In addition to capital investments from WCCCD, the collaborative is supported by partner contributions and foundation funding through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Predominantly Black Institutions grants from the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information, visit here.

Huntington Bank Presents Home(Base) for the Holidays — A Live6 Marketplace

Huntington Bank is presenting Home(Base) for the Holidays – A Live6 Marketplace on Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 18 at its Neighborhood HomeBase headquarters at 7426 W. McNichols in Detroit.

The pop-up holiday boutique offers residents and visitors an opportunity to support Detroit area small businesses that may not have traditional brick and mortar locations. Among the businesses participating:

  • Detroit Denim Co. for handmade custom jeans.
  • Marie’s Memories Bakery LLC with baked goods made from scratch.
  • Hair Heart Home for hair care products.
  • Nissy’s Fabulous Fashions for handcrafted jewelry .
  • Jungle Gem Enterprise for crystals, incense, and spiritual jewelry.
  • Accelerate4Kids for youth development and education.
  • Sankofa Passport with African exports, antiques, beads, and textiles.
  • Olivia Indigo with abstract art.
  • Paradise Natural Foods for plant-based food and desserts.
  • Konjo Me Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine for spices, coffee, and food.
  • African Herbswoman for natural herbs.
  • SanDees for women’s crochet fashion.
  • Detroit Book City with new book releases, journals, and Kwanzaa accessories on select dates.

Additional businesses will participate in the coming weeks.  (Note – not every business will participate in every marketplace.)

The marketplace will be open for shopping Fridays 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m.-8 p.m. There also will be fun activities for children from area partners and top area DJs will add music to the shopping experience.

“Our mantra: Together, We Thrive, has become Together We Thrive and Shop as we encourage people to support the growth of small businesses and enjoy a real hometown experience in Detroit’s historic shopping district,” says Geneva Williams, executive director of Live6 Alliance. “Let’s help neighbors become successful entrepreneurs as we find unique and meaningful gifts for friends and family.”

Red Cross: Donors Needed Now to Address Historically Low Blood Supply

American Red Cross, which provides 40 percent of the country’s blood, is facing historically low blood supply levels.

Busy holiday schedules, breaks from school, and winter weather all contribute to a drop in blood and platelets donations this time of year. Those factors, combined with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, make it vital for donors to make an appointment to give as soon as possible.

If more donors don’t come forward to give blood, some patients requiring a transfusion may potentially face delays in care, the Red Cross says.

There is no blood donation waiting period for those who have received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or booster, so long as they are symptom-free.

To encourage donors to help address the historically low blood supply this holiday season, all who come to give Dec. 17-Jan. 2 will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

Blood drives are happening all over metro Detroit. Visit here and type in your zip code to find the closest one to you.