I got a call a couple of weeks ago, the entry we put in while cruising the A2 art fairs at the Doug FM booth yielded a one-year family membership to the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, but we had to go downtown to the Fisher Bldg to pick up our prize.
What with weekend getaways and Varsity Day Camp and general summer runaround, it took me a while to get down there (I had to do it within 30 days...I think we just made it!). I brought a party pack of Zingerman's magic brownies to say thanks, the promotions gal who came out to give us our prize was thrilled. I believe she actually hugged the brownies.
It has been a while since I've been to Detroit, and it doesn't get any better the longer I go without a visit. Buildings, houses, factories disappear, and construction alters my memories of the Motor City (best billboard: "Recession: this is a test, not a final" -made me smile)!
First of all, I promised Ben a Giant Tire, and I-94 delivered:
I took a detour (some would say This Way Be Dragons), knowing the Fisher Bldg is on West Grand Blvd, but not taking the right exit for it. Grand Blvd (hasn't been grand in about 40 years) runs in a half-square through the New Center, and I took the wrong half. Oh how I wish I could have seen it Back When. There were some grand old houses and apartment buildings, but as Ben aptly put it, there were many "sad" houses, and a few "bad" houses. I wasn't too confident about stopping & whipping out my camera, too bad as there was one old house with a flower garden out front worthy of Ann Arbor (and that, my friends, is pretty dang grand).
Almosted ended up on the bridge to Canada...
Yeah, THAT'S a detour, people! And saw another great billboard:
Now THAT'S ghetto...LOL...finally got to mecca, the gorgeous Fisher Bldg, after a detour up Cass Corridor (REALLY didn't want to slow down and whip out my camera there)...past my alma mater, Wayne State (go Warriors! and, thank you for not being Tartars anymore --WTH, anyway?!)...
Ben ran right under the ropes and on top of this worn emblem:
Sorry, Fisher Bros.
Before we left, we had to stop in the restroom. Check out the swinging double doors and cool tiles:
Last stop: City Knits. Picked up the last of my Summer Tweed for my Kaffe Fassett afghan (yeah, right...intarsia, in Summer Tweed! Nutso) and some Tofootsie sock yarn. Got on their mailing list. LOVE their new space (well, 2 year old new space, but much bigger & more light...not in the bowels of the Fisher Bldg. anymore). All in all, a great trip & I'm glad my kids got to see a bit of Detroit. Even if it was from the car (perhaps more appropriate that way...)
Last pic...a beautiful mosaic wall...
Yup, the entire building is a work of art.
7 comments:
LOL LOL LOL!!!! LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE that billboard and the sign U reference!!!!! And those PHOTOS ROCK!!! :)):):):):):):):):):):):)
That is a beautiful building! Love all your signs, and glad you didnt end up in Canada!
Yeah I always love going to the Fisher. Looking forward to seeing the blanket!
thanks for that sweet trip down memory lane! i now live in hawaii (thank God) but grew up in Dogbone (aka Dearborn) Michigan. I love the Fisher Bldg (though all my sister thinks of at it's mention is going to the dentist there!!lol! Mahalo big time. Let's go to Boblo next!!!
Something made me think of you the other day and I see it's your Birthday!! Happy Birthday! AND I see you mentioned you are on Facebook now. I couldn't find you so please go find me and add me as a friend! It's been a long time, I kind of gave up on my blog..... search for vintagelilac@hotmail.com
Amy
i've never been there!
cool wheel!
The Fisher Building is Beautiful. Karen's taken me there twice, and it's awe inspiring every time. And the fact that it has City Knits is a double plus bonus!
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