The Detroit Shoppe Celebrates 15 Years Showcasing the Soul of the City
The Detroit Shoppe Celebrates 15 Years Showcasing the Soul of the City
Somerset Collection Presents Detroit History Exhibition and Entertainment this October to Honor Detroit’s Icons, Artifacts and Community Impact
Troy, Mich – The Detroit Shoppe, Somerset Collection’s nonprofit retail and cultural destination, is marking its 15th anniversary of showcasing and supporting the iconic people, places and products that shape the great city of Detroit. With the mission of being part museum, part retail and 100% community focused, The Detroit Shoppe has partnered with the Detroit Historical Society for an exhibition in Somerset Collection’s North Grand Court this October. The exhibition will present more than 100 pieces of Detroit artifacts and memorabilia along with a month-long calendar of events and live demonstrations.
While The Detroit Shoppe puts these iconic brands on center stage, community giving is at the center of every purchase. In the last 15 years, The Detroit Shoppe has donated nearly $5 million to more than 200 local charities through purchases and donations.
“The Detroit Shoppe was conceived as an innovative retail concept for us to support Detroit – reserving space at Somerset Collection to serve as a 3D billboard for the city, with all proceeds from the store benefiting local charities,” said Nate Forbes, managing partner of The Forbes Company. “Now, 15 years later, we are proud to celebrate this commitment to Detroit with our community, who share in our great love for our city.”
The Detroit Shoppe Story of Philanthropic Retail Innovation
On October 26, 2010, The Detroit Shoppe at Somerset Collection opened its doors the night before a ribbon tying ceremony bringing together Michigan’s most prominent shopping destination with a city in great need of a cheerleader. The first guest was a well-known businessman who purchased $400 in books. Books that spoke of the icons that define this great city of Detroit. The next morning, more than 500 guests including representatives for all four Detroit sports teams and the entire cast of Detroit 187 joined then Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Nate Forbes for a ribbon tying, and The Detroit Shoppe was born. It was planned to be a 12-week holiday pop up, but in those 12 weeks more than $1 million dollars was raised for charity, and what started as a concept became an unwavering commitment.
The Detroit Shoppe was designed to bring the city’s vibrant past and present to life by showcasing and promoting historic artifacts and collectable products from Detroit’s most beloved brands and renowned destinations.
Linda McIntosh of The Forbes Company, who worked alongside Nate Forbes to develop The Detroit Shoppe, said, “we visited every iconic business in the city, immersing ourselves in the history and future of brands from Faygo to Better Made, Motown to Cranbrook, and Pewabic Pottery to Eastern Market. During our discover process, we were sometimes asked what strings were attached, and our only answer was ‘heart strings,’ and a desire to give back to Detroit.”
This novel philanthropic retail concept quickly expanded from Somerset Collection to Downtown Detroit with the opening of its first pop-up location at Huntington Place in 2011. For nine years, The Detroit Shoppe activated several vacant spaces Downtown, until it became a permanent fixture at The Metropolitan Building in 2022 as part of Somerset Collection Studio.
The 15th Anniversary Celebration | Historical Exhibition and Entertainment
The Detroit Shoppe historical exhibition opens Friday, October 3, followed by a month of memorable events and experiences.
As the centerpiece of the exhibition, Somerset Collection has refurbished the original 1961 Tiger Stadium sign, which will be displayed on stage in North Grand Court. Guests visiting The Detroit Shoppe historical exhibition will receive a special roadmap to guiding them through memorabilia highlights, which feature a concept Mustang and a Model T; a dazzling Marc Bauer-designed dress worn by Aretha Franklin; uniforms worn by Lion’s players Eddie Murray and Bobby Lane, and Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman; seats from famed venues including the Fisher Theatre (1929 seat), Fox Theatre (1955 seat) and Joe Louis Arena; a 1911 Eastern Market produce cart; a Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper car; and, a 1968 World Series banner.
Guests can also join a fun city-themed scavenger hunt throughout the exhibition, with prizes for completion including a coupon for The Detroit Shoppe and entry to win tickets to the Detroit Historical Museum.
Tricy Irwin, DHS chief exhibitions and enrichment officer, said, “Fifteen years ago, Somerset Collection reached out to us about a great project they were developing for the holidays called The Detroit Shoppe. Of course, we loved this idea and pulled together a selection of artifacts as well as graphic panels from exhibits about sports, snack foods, cultural locations and more to help create the immersive experience they were developing. Today, we are so proud to be partnering with The Forbes Company to celebrate 15 years of not only a beloved store, but a gift to the cultural institutions it helps promote and support.”
On weekends throughout the duration of the exhibition, guests will have an opportunity to experience the sounds, tastes and spirit of Detroit through a variety of concessions, performances and demonstrations.
For a full schedule with details and times of events, visit www.somersetcollection.com.
Apprenticeship Program Constructs the Heart of the Exhibition
Somerset Collection has teamed up with the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (MRCC) Pre-Apprenticeship program to bring a unique historical exhibition to life. Students in the program began their journey with a five-week class at Focus: HOPE, followed by four weeks of intensive, hands-on carpentry training at the Detroit Carpenters Skilled Training Center. As part of their practical experience, the students constructed key elements of the exhibition space, including a striking center stage designed in the shape of a vinyl record and the gallery walls that will showcase the exhibition itself.
“This collaboration with Somerset Collection has been an incredible opportunity for our Pre-Apprenticeship students to apply their skills in a meaningful, real-world setting. From classroom instruction to hands-on construction, they’ve built not just an exhibition space—but confidence, craftsmanship, and pride in their work. We’re proud to help shape the next generation of Michigan’s union carpenters and millwrights through projects that celebrate both history and innovation,” said Steve McCool.
The MRCC represents more than 14,000 union carpenters, millwrights, floor-layers, piledrivers, and solar installers throughout the state. With five training centers, the MRCC is dedicated to answering Michigan’s need for a safe, well-trained, productive construction workforce,” said Steve McCool, MRCC president Local 1045 representative.
To learn more at www.hammer9.com or to apply to become an apprentice, visit www.buildmifuture.com.