Independent businesses are still compelling

from Grosse Ile Grand, February 9 — March 9, 2023

Providing hope to carry on Scholarship honors legacy of Maureen Fielder

One of the topics I zero in on in these writings is the experiences I’ve had in towns that have either somehow never lost it, or have recaptured the cachet that was lost during the 1970s, 80s, 90s and on into the 2000s.

I don’t like to tell you about towns that are either ﬁrmly dead or not yet recovered and vibrant. I like to relate things that energize me because these places are already energized, and exuding the stuff. Not so much from these columns, but other writings of mine have elicited challenges such as “How can you be so anti-business when you yourself are a businessman?”

These challenges are rarely, if ever, intellectual in nature, but aggressive, and pushing back hard against what I refer to. I’m never against business; I’m against business that is designed to take all the independent business, and all the money that was generated locally.

I happen to have a compelling argument in plain view now that was less compelling 10 years ago: Downtown Wyandotte.

Less developed but magnetic as well is Trenton, though many are slow to see what is happening and draw a favorable conclusion (slow down and focus on all the newness along Jefferson!)

These two towns were built in the 1800s, and as such, both were anchored by downtowns that were built to provide a concentration of commercial goods and services for sale.

In our Downriver area, I am hard pressed to include any other cities but Ecorse and River Rouge that were established on the same model.

Such concentrations exist all over the place, with names like Milford, Plymouth, Brighton and Chelsea. Every single one of these places are excellent illustrators of the power of capitalism, providing entrepreneurs an opportunity to invest in the towns in which they live.

Every single bit of newness in those towns

(including Trenton and Wyandotte) has been funded by local, independent entrepreneurs that see opportunity in their neck of the woods.

Once a single operator hangs up a shingle, the groundwork is laid for additional businesses to follow suit, and in successful examples, what follows is a bustling energetic concentration of businesses in those towns, largely in the very locations that the original businesses occupied.

A perfect example of that “lone ranger” phenomenon is Corktown on Michigan Avenue in Detroit.

It didn’t happen overnight, but what happened with geometric increases in growth rate began with Slows Barbecue. Now, if Slow’s had offered up mediocre or worse food, the story would most likely have ended with that one investment risk.

But Slows was anything but mediocre.

They quickly built a cult-like following that served as a beacon to be noticed. Together with stalwart Detroit anchors like Nemo’s, a pulse was built. If you haven’t been, drive down there. It’s amazing, and begs for exploration. All because a local and independent restaurateur made an emphatic statement of belief in their own ability and the area in which they chose to establish themselves.

To be sure, Ford’s investment in the Detroit train terminal building has had a massive impact on the viability of the area, but the odds of Ford making that investment shrink to nothing if not for that one initial investment.

I don’t know who the investors are in all the condominium and apartment buildings that are everywhere down there. I like to hope that they too are local, but I am jaded. So far, all the retail and food is local, though.

Here in Wyandotte, I see no indication that big capitalism has us on their radar screen. That means that all the growth and improvement that is obvious has come from local people with a vision and

Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus

“Home passion that are willing to risk it all.

The growth is still in full swing, but the investment already is astounding. A lot of local money has been parked in Wyandotte, which is generating more business being done in Wyandotte.

New restaurants, apartments, bars, retail (and now, a new, serious venue for live music and entertainment), all being created in a city that has hung in there over the decades, but that was largely up and down until this explosion of growth.

Again, watch Trenton; opportunity is there as well.

I love regarding these investments as retributive justice for all the damage done to the likes of Wyandotte over the decades.

There is a case to be made for that point.

Corporations created a staggering amount of retail and restaurant square footage in and around cities across the country, and the impact was game changing. As you’ve read, the list of lost local apparel and other retailers in our region is amazing.

When coupled with the truth that about three times more money stays local with purchases made at locally owned and independent businesses…

Do the math and consider what that assault meant. It means that big capitalism has siphoned off billions of dollars from owners that were once much more the beneﬁciaries. That money has left Michigan and has enriched the few nearer the top of the food chain.

So every glimmer and very bright spotlight of localism ﬁghting back to a position of being able to provide something that can’t be provided by big is a huge win for all of us, folks. If you’re a localist, chances are I know you! For those of you that don’t think of such things. Try on these words for the ﬁt of truth, see if you agree.

As I wrote this column, next month’s column nearly wrote itself. See you in March!

Fridays during Lent: Feb 24, 2023 - Apr 7, 2023, 4:00 - 7:30 PM

DINNERS $12.95 - 17.95

Cod, Lake Perch, Shrimp & Walleye Dinners include Baked Potato or French Fries, Cole Slaw, Dinner Roll

Extra Sides Sold Separately:

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Many people - most, perhaps - go to an optometrist, get an eye exam and then follow the lady in the white coat over to the wall of frames and pick out a new set of glasses.

The story ends with the customer paying way more than he or she ever expected.

If that pretty much describes you, Bob Schmittou says there is something you should know: He can save you money, maybe lots of money.

Schmittou, a proud military veteran, owns New Eyes Optical, located on 1616 Ford Avenue, right at 16th Street in Wyandotte.

There are no doctors at New Eyes, just lots of frames and Schmittou, who can get you into fashionable new glasses for a lot less than all of the other chains and franchises out there.

Just bring your eyeglass prescription to him and see what kind of magic he can work for you.

“I am kind of like what the pharmacy is to your doctor,” Schmittou said. “Your doctor writes you a prescription. He doesn’t try to sell you the drugs. You go to the pharmacy. The same is true with us. You bring us a prescription and we will ﬁll it.”

New Eyes Optical does not accept insurance, but their low prices mean that is often not an issue.

Schmittou has been in the eyeglass game for a long time. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from Lincoln Park High School and Uncle Sam sent him to school to learn how to make eyeglasses.

He did that in the Army for nearly four years and then worked for Lenscrafters and for private doctors after that.

In 2012 he opened New Eyes Optical and has been there ever since.

Schmittou said he has over 1,300 frames in his building and can make arrangements to get others if customers come in with a speciﬁc brand or style in mind.

For sunglass lovers, Schmittou said he has the largest selection of Ray Ban and Oakley sunglasses in the area.

If you come in, you will deal with Schmittou himself. He and his wife Pam are the only employees. Schmittou does the ﬁtting of the eyewear, and Pam orders frames and keeps the shop looking fresh by arranging the frame displays and decorating.

So, if you are in the market for new glasses, would like a little personal attention and a really low price, give Schmittou a call at 313-587-4204, drop an email at neweyesoptical2012@gmail. com or contact them through their Facebook page, Facebook.com/neweyesoptical.