  Peterhuntprincess Member Username: Peterhuntprincess Post Number: 32 Registered: 03-2008 |
I was driving along I-75 when I noticed the signs, did a google search, and was amazed. Am I the only person who didn't know about this place? Could this really happen in many of Detroit's neglected spaces? [Last I checked this building was a paint ball arena. (I now recall that the paint ball place was on Mt. Elliot near Hamtramck.]) (Message edited by peterhuntprincess on November 02, 2008) | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 1069 Registered: 04-2006 |
The paintball arena that you are thinking of was in Packard, I believe. Was it called "Splat Ball City" or something like that? Russell has been Artists studios for a while now, though the Russell Bazaar is a new thing. Did you happen to check it out? I haven't been yet. | ||
Diehard Member Username: Diehard Post Number: 630 Registered: 03-2005 |
http://www.ricdetroit.org/blog /?p=102 Haven't been yet either, but I hear it's an interesting mix of Gilbraltar-ish wares and artist booths. | ||
Raptor56 Member Username: Raptor56 Post Number: 576 Registered: 05-2007 |
now that they've been open for around a month or two, does anyone know how business is doing at the Bazzar? | ||
Peterhuntprincess Member Username: Peterhuntprincess Post Number: 33 Registered: 03-2008 |
I didn't have a chance to check it out today. After noticing the advertisements downtown and checking out the website I definitely will be there next weekend! | ||
Savorynotsweet Member Username: Savorynotsweet Post Number: 15 Registered: 08-2008 |
I went with a friend on Saturday and was amazed by the Russell Bazaar. It's similar to Gibraltar in that you're dealing with a lot of smaller, independent, businesses, some of which might only exist on weekends at the Russell. Different than Gibraltar in that you don't have to pay for parking and the crowd/events/businesses have a much more diverse feel to them. There was a poetry slam going on the "main event" area -- even if you didn't pay for admission, everybody at the Bazaar could hear what was going on over the PA.....made for some great background listening, much better than Muzak. The part I enjoyed the most were the proprietors. Every booth "owner" went out of their way to enjoy some conversation and gave good customer service even if we weren't buying. Almost every vendor encouraged us to come back to the Bazaar. One vendor (I made a purchase at this booth) gave us coupons for free slices of Nikki's pizza in the Food Court even though we said we had dinner plans that day -- they told us the coupons don't expire for awhile and to please come back and enjoy. You could spend no money and have fun looking at stuff and just enjoying the people. Lots of clothing...everything from "designer" apparel to stunning handmade knits to Obama t-shirts. I got excellent detals on a shirt and earrings...separate vendors, but each unlike anything I could find at traditional stores. Maybe it just seemed like lots of clothes because that's where my attention usually wanders. Some home goods, candles/incense, electronics, a full-on barber shop and salon, legit massage parlor. The inside of the place looks great, unbelievably clean, bright, and easy to navigate. I didn't see a lot of artists -- it seemed mostly retail when I was there -- but maybe I missed something and you guys can set me straight. There were some empty retail spaces, so hopefully the merchants at the Bazaar will continue to grow. I had a great time and plan on going back this weekend. I highly encourage everyone to check it out -- you've literally got nothing to lose. (Message edited by savorynotsweet on November 03, 2008) | ||
Lugotown Member Username: Lugotown Post Number: 13 Registered: 02-2008 |
i agree with Savorynotsweet. it will hopefully continue to grow. there are many empty spaces ready. the owner also owns many of the loft projects that have gone up in the city and a gentleman's club downtown. they had a tour a couple of weeks before the grand opening. they have a lot of plans for the space. the bazaar has also been on the news a few times during the past 3 weeks. | ||
Townonenorth Member Username: Townonenorth Post Number: 324 Registered: 10-2007 |
I might make a trip down there this weekend. I've been hearing and reading good things about it. How many floors does it occupy? | ||
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame Post Number: 632 Registered: 12-2006 |
Sounds like that old place on the east side, The Trading Post. | ||
Lugotown Member Username: Lugotown Post Number: 14 Registered: 02-2008 |
right now there are vendors on one floor and not the entire floor. but, they have plans for the rest of the space. it would be great to see it now so that you have seen the beginnings of it and can see it growing and changing. i will go back but they don't have a lot of things that interest me yet. it was just exciting to see something like this happening in the city. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2104 Registered: 03-2008 |
Can I ask; do you guys plan on shopping there for yourselves in the future? Does anyone plan on doing any Christmas shopping/browsing at the Bazaar? When we were there, we were very surprised how many children were there. Was that the case when you went? | ||
Lugotown Member Username: Lugotown Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2008 |
i actually ended buying 2 things right before leaving that day. yes, i will support the businesses there. i truly believe that in order to give businesses a chance, i have to support them. especially when they're in detroit. i caught another news report last week and found another business there that i didn't check out that i plan to. i can really see this becoming a spot for holiday shopping. there were a lot of kids and families there when i went. | ||
Savorynotsweet Member Username: Savorynotsweet Post Number: 16 Registered: 08-2008 |
I love supporting small independent businesses and having a bunch of them under one roof appeals to me as a consumer. I could see shopping for others, depending on the taste of the other, at least for small gifts. I was thinking that the wholesaler booth would be a good place to visit if I ever needed to buy gifts or favors in bulk. There were kids there when we went, but it was late afternoon. I wasn't expecting to see kids, but their presence didn't seem inappropriate. My friend and I each commented that it would be a good idea for the Bazaar to have something (play area or dedicated vendors, events) directed at the kids at least for certain hours | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 1160 Registered: 10-2003 |
Any antiques or collectibles there? | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2401 Registered: 05-2005 |
just be sure to use the newly paved parking lot on the south side of the building, where the main entrance is otherwise you might get towed | ||
Detroitderek Member Username: Detroitderek Post Number: 91 Registered: 09-2007 |
I didn't see any antique dealers when I went there. I may have gone too early ( a month or so back ) as the resaurants hadn't even opened yet. | ||
Cub Member Username: Cub Post Number: 1011 Registered: 02-2007 |
I didnt see any this past Saturday either. | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1632 Registered: 05-2005 |
don't miss the adult toy and beany baby vendor! (as in, both being sold in the same booth). buncha junk up in there, and most of the tenants who've been at the russell for years have not found it to be all that great a neighbor | ||
Ashdetroit Member Username: Ashdetroit Post Number: 57 Registered: 08-2008 |
Bring a sweater when you go, the Russell doesn't always pay their heating bill  | ||
Cub Member Username: Cub Post Number: 1013 Registered: 02-2007 |
I saw that Gravity. | ||
Bobl Member Username: Bobl Post Number: 274 Registered: 07-2008 |
Great shopping, even though I HATE shopping. A more diverse crowd than the malls, and some interesting vendors. I certainly hope that the Russell Bazaar is successful. Nice to see something positive arise in that area. | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 421 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: I guess all that has been happening for years and years at RIC is not positive??? Could have fooled me. | ||
Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 611 Registered: 02-2004 |
It wasn't really put together, but that's to be expected for a place that's just opening up in the middle of a warehouse district. As for the selection.... think Grand River/Greenfield. | ||
1happycamper Member Username: 1happycamper Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2008 |
WOW!!! I can't believe this place. I stopped in there this past weekend and was amazed by how big and exciting this place is. They had just opened a new section with a couple of hundred new vendors. I wasz especially impressed with the original artwork of all types that they have on display and for sale. In talking with the new Art Director, Laura, she said that there will be regular art exhibition events and that they are working on completing another section of the bazaar which will house a permanent art gallery and meeting hall. I guess it will be called Russell Gallery. It was fun, they had refreshments, live bands and many of the artists there to talk with. Then to top it all off, there are hundreds of mini-stores within the Russell Bazaar. I was in Hong Kong earlier this year and this place reminds me of some of the shopping bazaars that I went into there. There is a wide diversity of things to see and buy. Clothing of all types, jewelry, art, household goods, sit down food court, shoes, hair stylists, tatoo booths, woman's apparel, unique crafts and handmade products, music CD/DVD's, electronic toys and tools, ...you name it and it's probably in there, PLUS live entertainment onthe 2 stages that they have. This was as much fun as my trips to Eastern Market...and it's all INDOORS!!! Definitely worth checking out. This is a growing and fun place for retail shopping and art appreciation inside Detroit!!!! Here is a link to their website. http://russellbazaar.com/ JT | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1638 Registered: 05-2005 |
so, happycamper, what exactly do you do for mr. kellafinos? | ||
Chitaku Member Username: Chitaku Post Number: 2052 Registered: 03-2006 |
that post is funny, it's probably Dennis himself | ||
1happycamper Member Username: 1happycamper Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2008 |
Oh I'm sorry..I thought that this was the DetroitYES website...not some childish place to make fun of people who are posting positive things about what they have seen and heard. No, I do not work for a Mr Kellafinos... I assume that he is the owner of the Russell Bazaar? If so, then my congratulations and hats off to him for actually doing something positive and meaningful inside of Detroit. Detroit is really a beautiful sleeping giant and I admire people who have the vision to see good things. JT | ||
Chitaku Member Username: Chitaku Post Number: 2054 Registered: 03-2006 |
dude your first post is right out of a marketing pamphlet. If that is the way you normally talk, then you should look into a career in advertising | ||
1happycamper Member Username: 1happycamper Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2008 |
Well I have had about 30 plus years of marketing and sales...so yes I do tend to truly speak that way...is there any other way? JT | ||
1happycamper Member Username: 1happycamper Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2008 |
oh yes.... and yes. I did intend to pump up the Russell Bazaar. I think it's a fantastic concept and to see it is actually in place and being done...rather than just talked about makes it IMHO a rare gem that can become a nucleus for further growth and confidence in making good things happen in Detroit. I grew up in this city and would love to see to rise to new heights. Maybe I am a dreamer...but then isn't that what we need? People who dream, and try to make changes and improvements. People that are just maybe, a bit too focused, to hear the others that say "it can't be done" ...that is how new creative projects and developments actually happen. So there it is... I'm a cheerleader and when I see something positve...I will talk it up and maybe it will sound like a brochure..that's fine with me as long as it inspires others to support it or to try their own dream and see if it can fly. I know where I will be doing my shopping this year. It will be at the Russell Bazaar, supporting independently owned business's that are offering their retail products right in the heart of this fine city, Detroit! JT | ||
Bobl Member Username: Bobl Post Number: 293 Registered: 07-2008 |
We need more cheerleaders....and more to cheer about. | ||
1happycamper Member Username: 1happycamper Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2008 |
Bobl... I definitely agree about needing more to cheer about and to cheer what we do have. There is actually a lot of good in the city that goes unnoticed and there is also a lot of irrational and unsupported thoughts about Detroit. One major "irrational thought" that comes to mind is that Detroit is supposedly unsafe and that only the suburbs are safe. Well my answer to that is...If you are in Birmingham...do not walk alone inside the parking structures..there have been quite a few snatch and grab robberies going on for a while now. Southfield's crime rate has been rising and is out of control. Haven't read about too many office murders happening inside Detroit in a few years...can the suburbs make that statement? Crime is everywhere, some places just have a worse reputation than others..or more importantly their local media DOES NOT report or make banner headlines over it like they do if it happens within the city limits of Detroit. Oh well...sorry about talking on a negative subject, but I had to say what I said... Probably should have started a new thread with this but what the heck... JT |
