Spotlight on the D
Latest News
|Spotlight on the D
Latest News

Subscribe

Detroit's Controversial Makeover: Local Art, Fading Foliage, and Mall Memories Collide!

|
Spotlight on the D

Spotlight on the D

Archives

Detroit's Controversial Makeover: Local Art, Fading Foliage, and Mall Memories Collide!

Detroit's Controversial Makeover: Local Art, Fading Foliage, and Mall Memories Collide!
Discover the art, history, and local pride of Detroit in our latest newsletter! 🎨🛍️🚋🌿 #Detroit #localart #transitimprovements #familylegacy #fallfoliage

Steve Korbal

Oct 15, 2025

Sponsored By:

Big Lake Candy

Trivia Question❓

The Detroit River is a natural boundary between the United States and which country?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Salonnière, a driven group of arts leaders, has launched the ambitious Detroit Salon initiative to propel Detroit’s art scene onto a global stage.

 

Led by Danielle Waddell, Erica Jackson, Julie Egan, Juana Williams, and Andi Harris, the team is partnering with world-renowned organizations such as Art Basel and 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair.

 

Over the next three years, Detroit Salon will curate a series of exhibitions—including the inaugural shows at Art Basel Paris, Palais de Tokyo, and Hôtel de Talleyrand this October—spotlighting Detroit-based artists chosen through a rigorous community nomination and jury process.

 

The initiative aims to spark international attention, paving the way for a major Detroit art fair in 2028 and drawing global audiences to experience the city’s vibrant creativity.

 

By supporting a diverse roster of local talent, Detroit is affirming its place as a rising force on the world art map.


Read More...

Detroit-area malls, once vibrant centers of shopping and community life, are undergoing dramatic changes in response to shifting retail and urban development trends.

 

Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights ended its nearly 50-year run on July 1, 2024, to make room for a $1 billion mixed-use project combining homes, shops, and parks.

 

Northland Center in Southfield, after closing in 2015, is set for a major redevelopment as Northland City Center, blending residences with retail, dining, and entertainment options.

 

In Dearborn, Fairlane Town Center is under new ownership aiming for a major revitalization following years of financial trouble.

 

Oakland Mall in Troy is reinventing itself with new Asian-inspired shops and restaurants to serve a wider, more diverse customer base.

 

Southfield’s Tel-Twelve Mall shifted from an enclosed mall to a power center, reflecting new shopping preferences.

 

Meanwhile, Taylor’s Southland Center recently changed hands, promising fresh updates and new retailers.

 

The Mall at Partridge Creek faces challenges as major tenants depart, underlining Detroit’s evolving retail scene.


Read More...

Handcrafted right here in Michigan, Big Lake Candy Company turns classic sweets into something unforgettable — from freeze-dried favorites like Arctic Crunch Skittles and Candy Coated Caramel Bites to seasonal treats that melt hearts (not in your hand).

Big Lake Candy is proud to sweeten the local scene as a Spotlight on the D sponsor, bringing a little nostalgia, creativity, and Michigan pride to every bag.

🍭 Find them at local events or online — and taste why everyone’s talking about Big Lake Candy!

The Detroit Transportation Corporation is conducting a comprehensive study to rethink the Detroit People Mover, targeting improvements that reflect the dynamic growth of downtown Detroit.

 

Plans under consideration include potential expansions to West Riverfront Park, Belle Isle, and Eastern Market to better connect emerging hot spots.

 

Residents and visitors are invited to participate in an online survey, ensuring community voices shape the future of the People Mover.

 

Recent maintenance work, including a September 2025 shutdown for essential track upgrades, highlights the ongoing commitment to safety and reliability.

 

The Zero Fare Pilot Program has also been extended through 2025, letting riders enjoy free access as the city works to encourage public transit use.

 

These initiatives reinforce the DTC’s goal of supporting a more connected and accessible downtown Detroit for everyone.


Read More...

Simmons & Clark Jewelry celebrates 100 years as a downtown Detroit staple, marking a century of family legacy and resilience.

 

Founded in 1925, this iconic store has witnessed Detroit’s shifting tides, offering cherished pieces that honor life’s milestones.

 

Third-generation owner Michael Simmons credits the enduring success to strong family values and the loyalty of Detroit’s community.

 

Having grown up in the shop, Michael reflects fondly on his family’s work ethic and the store’s catchy 1950s slogan, recalling how his father viewed the business as a “great rollercoaster ride.”

 

The neon sign, a familiar sight for 70 years, stands as a symbol of tradition and perseverance.

 

Simmons takes pride in helping locals celebrate engagements and weddings, believing his forebears would be proud.

 

With his daughter poised to take the reins, Simmons & Clark Jewelry remains deeply woven into Detroit’s downtown revival and community spirit.


Read More...

Autumn in Metro Detroit usually transforms local parks and neighborhoods with a vibrant display of red, orange, and yellow leaves, attracting nature lovers from near and far.

 

This year, though, the fall color show has been underwhelming.

 

Experts attribute the dull foliage to unusually warm and dry weather, which disrupted the usual leaf changes.

 

Instead of shifting to bright hues, leaves have lingered green or turned brown and dropped off early.

 

Despite the subdued scenery, Metro Detroiters haven’t let it dampen their autumn spirit.

 

Community members remain enthusiastic, flocking to cider mills, pumpkin festivals, and seasonal events.

 

Locals have noticed the lack of color but continue to cherish longstanding fall traditions.

 

Even with fewer brilliant leaves, the warmth and energy of autumn celebrations endure across the region.


Read More...
Joke Of The Day

Why did the Detroit Lions hire a magician as their coach?

Because they heard he was great at making their playoff hopes disappear!

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:
Canada
Spotlight on the D

© 2026 Spotlight on the D.

Spotlight on the D shines a light on Metro Detroit’s heartbeat — the stories, events, and people that make the Motor City thrive. With a mix of neighborhood news, cultural highlights, and local gems, this newsletter keeps you connected to what’s happening in and around Detroit.

© 2026 Spotlight on the D.

THIS PUBLICATION SPONSORED BY