7 Reasons You'll Strut in Style on Detroit's Avenue of Fashion
Story by Brittney Schering
Immerse yourself in the dynamic culture of Detroit's neighborhoods along the stretch between 7 and 8 Mile.
The super stylish stretch between 7 and 8 Mile is a dream awaiting all your senses. First stop is The Shoe Box to get fit for the strut. Livernois lives up to the Avenue of Fashion with footwear for superstars right here. From there, head over to Fork in Nigeria, the best African food truck, for a taste of the richest flavors of traditional Nigerian cuisine. Next visit Lily's & Elise, the luxury tea lounge, for premium service of European-style afternoon & high tea and mocktails. Feeling fashion forward yet? We're just getting started on Detroit's Avenue of Fashion.
Step into Spirit-Filled Fashion
Say hello to Elder Algernon Bartell, owner of the infamously fashionable Times Square, a staple destination for men's clothing, from crisp, custom-made shirts to suits and prom attire. Located at 19150 Livernois.
Elder Algernon Bartell, born on November 11, 1960, became the 12th of 14 children of the late Trustee David L. and Sister Hazel I. Bartell. He began his career in the clothing industry selling suits from the back of a van. Now Elder Bartell is the proprietor of six stores: Time Square, Suits for Less, The Mad Hatter, 42nd Street, The Red Door, and The Shoe Box at 19186 Livernois.
Elder Bartell, along with his siblings, established two organizations that provide training and assistance to Detroit’s fruitful youth, The David L. Bartell Mentoring Program for Young Men and Hazel’s Helping Hands, an initiative dedicated to guiding young women in the City of Detroit.
A Forkful of Nigerian Cuisine
Straight from 9JA! "Naija" is a colloquial term for Nigeria, a culture-rich country in West Africa. Enjoy the tastes of everything from puff puff to fufu, akara balls, and the ultimate West African comfort food, egusi soup. Don’t forget to stay hydrated with the delightful zobo drink!
Fork in Nigeria is led by Chef Prej Iroegbu. He grew up the youngest of seven on a farm in Nigeria before making his way to Wayne State. From the mountains of Isuikwuato, Fork in Nigeria offers the abundant flavors and traditions of authentic Nigerian cuisine. Choose from steak, goat, chicken, and vegetarian options located at 19228 Livernois.
Nothing Says High Fashion like High Tea
Indulge in the life of luxury at Lily’s and Elise Tea House. The weekly afternoon and high tea menu is made to melt you. Choose from delicious bites like the roasted apple & brie smashed croissant to the mortadella baguette. Browse the serious selection of sophisticated tea that will have you returning again and again. Pinkies up! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the luxury of high tea on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion at 19037 Livernois.
Timeless Art Transcends Here
Allow yourself to be awestruck by the world of art right here in Detroit. Support talented, emerging artists with work featured at Sherwood Forest Art Gallery. This family-owned establishment exhibits the exceptional creativity of local and international artists like Sabrina Nelson, David Turner, Annie Lee, Jael Caliman, Judy Bowman, and John Holyfied. Boundless creative expression awaits at 19500 Livernois in the heart of the Avenue of Fashion.
Harlem Nights in the D
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge will whisk you away to a time reminiscent of Harlem Nights. This magically historic and undeniably intimate, 99-seat room with art deco furnishings and soul food has been home to live jazz since 1934. In fact, they still display the original liquor price list, showing the price of beer at 26 cents. See for yourself at 20510 Livernois.
Before becoming an iconic venue for Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Fats Waller, Art Tatum, Pat Flowers, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and Miles Davis, Baker’s started as a sandwich shop. Chris and Fannie Baker first opened the doors as a lunchtime destination in 1933. It wasn’t long before their son Clarence Baker began booking jazz pianists in 1934 at what is now, still today, Detroit’s oldest continuously operating jazz club.
Visit Baker’s to see the signature, piano-shaped bar painted with a keyboard motif. Notice the tilted mirrors, made so to watch the pianist's hands at play. Tatum selected and purchased the club’s prized Steinway piano in New York for Clarence in the 1950s.
In 1986, Baker's became officially designated as an Historic Site by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office. The historic significance of the site is stated as follows:
Baker's Keyboard Lounge has significance as Michigan's jazz mecca and Detroit's oldest jazz club in continuous operation. Founded in May 1933 by Chris Baker as a restaurant and piano bar, the present jazz orientation of the club has been firmly in place since 1939. Baker's Keyboard Lounge has hosted the greatest names in blues and jazz since that date. Some of the musicians who have played the club include: Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, Sarah Vaughn, Joe Williams, Maynard Ferguson, Cab Calloway, Woody Herman, Modern Jazz Quartet, and Nat "King" Cole; to name but a few. In 1984, Baker's Keyboard Lounge celebrated fifty-years of the sound of jazz in Detroit and Michigan.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Good Cakes and Bakes brings divine sweetness for all to enjoy, serving scratch-made organic and vegan baked goods. From chocolate chip cookies to birthday cakes, brownies and banana pudding, satisfy your sweet tooth with delectable desserts from Detroit’s Best Pastry Chef, April Anderson. She has baked for Oprah Winfrey, as well as the James Beard Media Awards in New York City. Located at 19363 Livernois Ave, Good Cakes and Bakes offers shipping nationwide.
Good Times on The Ave
Sunday Brunch is spectacular at Good Times on The Ave. Choose from savory favorites such as Creole Shrimp & Grits, Good Times Chicken & Waffles, and Steak & Eggs.
This trendy restaurant and lounge has a rooftop patio and live music, along with a full-service bar and event space serving up traditional American comfort food with a modern twist. Twin lobster tails, lamb chops, and seafood mac await on the entree side of the menu.
Enjoy a fun, family-friendly meal at 19416 Livernois, where it’s always a good time to have a good time. Let the good times roll at Good Times on The Ave.
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