Three businesses opened Wednesday on the Livernois Avenue of Fashion in northwest Detroit: Skin Bar VII, Good Times on the Ave., and Krispy Addicts. Each of the businesses are minority owned.
Skin Bar VII is a spa that offers facials, chemical peels, body waxing, and acupuncture. Sevyn Jones, owner, worked in the cosmetic industry as an esthetician for 10 years, and has 3,000 clients. The business will employ 10 people. It is located at 18951 Livernois and will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
Good Times on the Ave. is a causal fine dining experience featuring a dining room, bar, and rooftop patio and hopes to offer a meeting place for university students, residents, and businesses. Derrick and LaDonna Reynolds opened the location, which employs 25 and seats 98 people on its two indoor floors and 53 on the patio. It is located at 19416 Livernois and will be open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Krispy Addicts is a men’s streetwear boutique offering T-shirts, jeans, jackets, hoodies, sweatshirts, accessories, and more. It also features artwork from young local artists. Dhafir Hasan launched the business after years of traveling to New York’s fashion district to bring clothes to Detroit residents. The business will employ up to 10 people. It is located at 19434 Livernois and will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Each of the new businesses are Motor City Match awardees. The Livernois Avenue of Fashion is known for offering diverse and unique products and services.
“Thanks to Motor City Match, these minority entrepreneurs are now business owners in the city of Detroit,” says Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “They are creating jobs, giving back to the community, and leading the revitalization of Detroit’s beloved Avenue of Fashion.”
Skin Bar VII received a round 7 $45,000 cash grant, an MCM Design Award in 2016, and support from Hatch Detroit and Livernois Soup. Good Times on the Ave. received a round 12 $40,000 MCM cash grant, which was used for renovations. Krispy Addicts received a round 14 $25,000 MCM cash grant, which was used to secure the location and complete minor renovations. The business also received an MCM Space Award in 2018.
“Livernois is again becoming a retail hub,” says Roy McCalister, city councilmember for District 2. “These new businesses are providing Detroiters with the products, services, and experiences they deserve in their own neighborhoods. I look forward to watching the corridor continue to grow and evolve in the years to come.”
More than 1,300 businesses have received assistance from Motor City Match, including business planning, educational programs, technical assistance, and cash grants.
“Occupancy will continue to grow as new businesses continue to open in once vacant storefronts,” says Drew Lucco, program manager of Motor City Match. “Livernois shows the depth and breadth of Detroit commerce at its finest – from restaurants and coffee shops to clothiers and spas. These new business openings are the perfect start to the holiday shopping season and Small Business Saturday.”
Each business owner received the Spirit of Detroit award from the city during separate ribbon cutting ceremonies.
Motor City Match is a partnership among the city of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., the Economic Development Corp. of the city of Detroit, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Competitive financial assistance is supported by a partnership of southeast Michigan community development financial institutions and corporations.
