Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

Even though its exact borders may be a subject of debate, one thing is certain when it comes to Southwest Detroit: you need to visit.

The neighborhood, known for its rich culture and community, is ever changing while still preserving the diverse traditions and history of its people that have made Southwest Detroit legendary.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor and celebrate the brilliant cultures as well as the deeply historical, influential, and diverse Hispanic community in the U.S.

This year, Governor Whitmer, proclaimed the month of September to be Hispanic Heritage Month in Michigan. Though the recognition of the month goes through to October 15th, September is significant, specifically, because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th and September 18th.

Here in metro Detroit we’re excited to commemorate, learn, and experience the celebration of independence for the cultures that are monumental parts of our Southwest neighborhood.

People of Southwest Detroit

For many decades now, Southwest Detroit has been one of the main destinations for immigrants seeking jobs and lifestyles that would help them provide for their families. Not only does it still have a reputation for having a diverse community, but it is also known for being an inclusive and welcoming one, so long as current residents’ cultures are respected.

According to the governor’s proclamation, Michigan’s Hispanic and Latinx population has grown from 2010 to 2020, according to the Census Bureau; figures from the 2020 census show that the 564,422 Hispanic and Latinx residents in Michigan make up 5.6% of the state’s population, up from 4.4% in 2010

“The community is very collaborative,” former President of Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) Robert Dewaelsche said. “The residents and businesses come together to make it a great place to live, work and enjoy. It is no surprise that people are interested in finding more about the area.”

Dewaelsche described Southwest Detroit as a “dense” part of the city since, unlike other parts of Detroit, it has not lost its housing or commercial storefronts. He said a main goal of the community is to maintain this environment and keep products and services within walking or biking distance.

Staples in the Community: Southwest Detroit Businesses

Danto Furniture Detroit is a long-standing Southwest Detroit business, which opened its doors in 1940. It’s a family-owned business that is now on its fourth generation, beginning with Julius Danto, an immigrant from Lithuania, and still continuing now with his great granddaughter, Ashley Silverman.

“My dad remembers being nine-years-old and helping his father move into the new building,” Irwin Danto, grandson of Julius, said about his father, Charles. “At the time, Southwest Detroit was the hub of the automobile industry, and there was no open land in the area. Buildings and people were everywhere.”

Irwin said that there were then 11 other furniture stores in Southwest Detroit, but over time, that number greatly decreased.

“No one walked into the business for days, even weeks at times,” Irwin explained. “A lot of hard work was put in, as well as a lot of personal dedication from my father and grandfather, who were determined through good times and bad times.”

Danto Furniture, like many other “legacy” businesses (as SDBA labels them), has had to make a number of changes as the local population and clientele have shifted over time.

“Half our staff right now speaks Spanish, and we also have a couple people who speak fluent Arabic, too,” Irwin said. “Starting with the Polish, the store has always been supported by the local immigrant population.”

In fact, according to the store’s website, Danto Furniture has been “one of the first stops for new immigrants coming to America” as “newcomers want to make their new country and new house feel like home.”

Another established and popular Southwest business is Honey Bee Market, which has been family-owned and operated for over 60 years. Honey Bee sells fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, delicatessen goods and canned and frozen products in addition to a large selection of Central American ingredients to both their loyal Hispanic customer base, as well as, what they call (and we at Visit Detroit concur with), the “burgeoning” Southwest community.

“Wake up, and smell the chorizo.” is the store’s slogan, so it should not come as a surprise that it is also a go-to spot for its house-made chorizo, which happens to be a secret family recipe.

If you’re not in the mood to shop and cook, another neighborhood staple is Armando’s Mexican Restaurant, located in the heart of Mexicantown. Established in 1967 but taken over by the Hernandez family in 1986, it has gained an impressive amount of diners who return, again and again, craving the restaurant’s signature dishes and warm atmosphere.

Over the last decade, SDBA has expanded its scope of its community development efforts to encompass the flourishing arts and culture community in Southwest Detroit.

One step towards this is through The Center of Music & Performing Arts Southwest, which started in 2007 and provides year-round, youth-focused arts, recreation and educational opportunities, including lessons in various genres of dance, instrumental music and art with a focus on the rich Latino heritage of Southwest Detroit.

Murals photo courtesy of Southwest Detroit Business Association & Visit Detroit

This vibrant community is as colorful as the buildings and murals that dot the main thoroughfares of Bagley and Vernor streets. Restaurants are plentiful, with the aromas of fresh tortillas and baked goods wafting in the air and a wide array of cuisines are represented from Mexican to Dominican to Venezuelan.
theneighborhoods.org

Changes and Growth in Southwest

Southwest Detroit is currently undergoing several intentional changes that should yield more growth for the neighborhood.

The Hubbard-Vernor Project is a $12 million mixed-use Detroit development that is expected to be completed and occupied by 2021. The plans are set to include 53 housing units on top of retail and community space between 4000 and 4060 West Vernor Highway. On-site parking will be available for tenants.

Another recent change to this neighborhood is the 17.2-mile Southwest Detroit Greenlink– the longest bike route in Detroit! It allows visitors access to the Latino and Middle Eastern communities in the area as well as important historical sites, such as Southwest Detroit’s auto and labor heritage landmarks.

According to SDBA, the Greenlink “starts on the north side of Patton Park as a 1-mile, off-road path, linking north into Dearborn’s Lapeer Park and its circular path. The bike lanes pick up on West Vernor at the Dearborn border and head east through the neighborhoods of Springwells Village, Vernor/Livernois, Vernor/Junction, Hubbard Farms and Mexicantown. Moving north, the bike lanes take bikers to the Corktown and Core City neighborhoods, linking to the Woodbridge neighborhood and Midtown’s cultural attractions and restaurants.”

Food still remains a staple of Southwest Detroit. Favorites in Mexicantown include Mexican Village and Xochimilco Restaurant, while El Asado and Taqueria El Rey will satisfy your cravings further into Southwest.

Every year, Southwest Detroit hosts many events, particularly the week of Cinco de Mayo; in fact, this year there were five days dedicated to the holiday. There was a celebration of “Dulce,” an effort to shine a spotlight on businesses that sell sweets in Southwest Detroit; a Taco Tour & Tequila Crawl, which consisted of 15 authentic Mexican restaurants and taquerias; a day dedicated to shopping in Southwest Detroit; a fiesta; and even a parade.

Another annual event in the neighborhood is the Run of the Dead, a 5K and 10K run that, connects the observation of those who have passed away with an interactive and health-conscious event.

For more information about upcoming events in Southwest Detroit, visit Southwest Detroit Business Association’s website or Visit Detroit’s event page.

Story by Danielle Alexander

Favorite Southwest Detroit Restaurants

Southwest Detroit is loaded with any kind of restaurant you can imagine. But here are a few local favorites.

El Asador: Not your traditional Tex-Mex–instead, you should come here for a quality steak, seafood, or elevated twists on traditional Mexican favorites. We recommend the ribeye con rajas, which is topped with a poblano cream sauce. And you must order the table-side guacamole. El Asador doesn’t serve alcohol, but you can bring your own.

Taqueria El Rey: A favorite among locals and suburbanites alike, Taqueria El Rey has the best grilled chicken in Detroit – you can even watch them grilling it outside as you walk into the tiny eatery. Aside from chicken, order the California-style Big Burrito and stuff it with steak.

El Barzon/La Noria: Fine dining restaurant El Barzon, and it’s more affordable sister restaurant La Noria, combine both Mexican and Italian cuisine to make for a one of a kind menu.

Taqueria Lupita: Located in the Mexicantown section of Southwest Detroit, this establishment offers Mexican favorites like authentic tacos and caldo de res.

Pupuseria Y Restaurante Salvadoreño: The best stop in the area for Salvadorian cuisine. Oorder pupusas, which are thick tortillas filled with beans, meat and cheese.

La Jalisciense Detroit: A three-stop shop, this family owned establishment has a taqueria, bar and small grocery store with all the essentials one could need.

@GrowingUpSarita: Want to try to make an authentic dish yourself? Follow native Detroiter, @growingupsarita for step-by-step videos and recipes to recreate some of your favorite Mexican dishes.

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