The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear today announced the 29 companies that will comprise the first-ever Small Business Straightaway, which will be featured in Cadillac Square in downtown Detroit during race weekend, June 3-4.
This initiative is designed to provide an even greater boost to the local economy by giving Detroit-based entrepreneurs, shop owners, and neighborhood businesses an opportunity to benefit from what projects to be a big weekend for commerce in the Motor City.
“With the Grand Prix returning to its original home on the streets of Detroit this summer, one of our biggest priorities was to create more opportunities for small, locally owned businesses across the city,” says Michael Montri, president of the Detroit Grand Prix.
“Thanks to the support of our community partners, the Small Business Straightaway will give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to benefit from a big event weekend in Detroit and make even more of an impact across our business community. We believe that promoting small businesses will help support working families while reinvesting in our communities and neighborhoods across the city of Detroit.”
Located immediately to the east of Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit, the Small Business Straightaway in Cadillac Square will provide local companies the opportunity to market their businesses and sell products and services from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on June 3-4.
The area is also expected be a popular location just a few blocks from the new racing circuit with the Downtown Street Eats food truck rally offering a diverse array of food options fans, adjacent to the Small Business Straightaway.
The full list of companies participating in the groundbreaking Small Business Straightaway at the Grand Prix includes: I-75 South, ArtLoft Midtown, Chellediorstyles, Corktown Business Association, Detroit Forever 313, Detroit Hives, E. Warren Development Corp., Folk, Konnected Fitness Strength and Conditioning Gym, Lorraine’s Premium BBQ Sauce, Love Travels Imports, Motor City Popcorn, Ocean Ridge Developments, Our Hour-Mobile Paint Party, Pawstries, Pink Poodle Dress Lounge, Ponyride, Sno Biz Detroit, SKIN BAR VII, Soapstone Soaps, Southwest Detroit Business Association, Support Impact Give Hope, Tacobachis, TbakesTreats, Threads and Legs, Unique Monique Scented Candles, VMX International, Voluptuous Bien’Aime Boutique, and ZAB Cultural Collective.
According to officials, the Small Business Straightaway is a key element of the Detroit Grand Prix’s previously announced Community Partnership program, focused on driving sustainability, arts, culture, entrepreneurship, small business empowerment, and youth enrichment across the seven districts in the city of Detroit.
The Grand Prix’s Small Business Straightaway will highlight the legacy of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) businesses in Detroit. It’s focused on increasing equity by supporting small businesses owned by women, people of color, veterans, and entrepreneurs located outside of the downtown corridor.
With thousands of race attendees visiting Detroit and the new downtown racing venue on the city streets, the Grand Prix hopes to turbocharge the local economy with increased foot traffic to the Small Business Straightaway, as well as the more than 260 businesses located within walking distance of the new circuit.
The Grand Prix fielded requests to participate in the Small Business Straightaway for the last few months. Interested Detroit-based organizations, representing four business corridors across the city, were selected using a points system.
Points were earned by minority-owned businesses, companies focused on sustainability initiatives and businesses that employ people from disadvantaged backgrounds with BIPOC ownership. The Small Business Straightaway will feature an eclectic collection of local merchants, from startups to well-established minority-owned enterprises.
Tickets for the Detroit Grand Prix are on sale now at DetroitGP.com.
