Small Business Spotlight

Story by Samantha Scott | Photos by Source Booksellers

The metro Detroit area has historically been a destination for anyone looking to make their mark on the world by starting a business.

A large population paired with space and opportunity to be creative, innovative and have a positive impact on the community, resulted in the metro area becoming a hub for entrepreneurs.

Home to long standing businesses passed down for generations, startups, co-ops, over 50,000 Black owned businesses and more, Detroit continues to make a name for itself as the perfect place to establish a thriving enterprise. Whether you’re a native to the area or looking for a fresh start in a new city, the tri-county area has more than enough room for any aspiring business owner.

We here at Visit Detroit, want to honor our small business culture with a monthly spotlight series dedicated to celebrating the businesses and people that make up the fabric of our city.

This month’s spotlight is on…

Source Booksellers

Found in the Cass Corridor of the Midtown district, the independently owned, Source Booksellers, has been a staple in the Detroit community since 1989. Proprietor, Janet Webster Jones, is the daughter of a librarian and a retired educator from Detroit Public Schools. She entered the book selling business in after teaching a class about Egyptian history and overwhelming encouragement by students and friends to begin selling books.

Source Booksellers originally opened inside the Spiral Collective, a shared space with three other women-owned businesses, then moved in 2013 across the street to its current home. The store is highly respected for its well-stocked shelves on a variety of topics including culture and history, health and well-being, as well as books by and about women.

Over the years, Janet added elements to the bookstore that serviced the community from not only a literary perspective, but from a more holistic approach. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, you could attend book/author talks, community book discussions, mind, body and spirit classes such as tai chi, yoga and belly dancing. Remaining flexible during these challenging times, Source Booksellers began offering curb-side pickups, online ordering, virtual events and book discussions.

Three unique facts about SourceBooksellers:

  • Themed book weeks such as ‘ banned book week’
  • Weekly book release announcements and hosted virtual book discussions
  • A partnership with the Detroit Renaissance Lions Club to offer a book club focused on blindness and deafness for all readers

To learn more about Source Booksellers, head to their website for the latest information on events, new books and more.

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