Unique Affordable Finds at Mama Coo's

DETROIT – Located on the corner of Trumbull and Bagely is a brightly colored store with a rack of fun skirts outside and a colorful banner in the window; it's called Mama Coo's. Driving passed it everyday I always wanted to go inside and see what they had to offer, and I am so glad I did!

When you walk in your eye can't help but dart around and look at the various vibrant items. The owner, Lana Rodriguez sits behind the counter and welcomes you in.

"I've always shopped for people. I've always been able to match people's style and I've always found really good deals,"says Rodriguez.

Mama Coo's has a little bit of everything from vintage clothes, to men's ties, to little home knick knacks like a Faygo Rock and Rye scented candle. They also have a series of bilingual children's books called Lil Libros, that Lana says always sells out. Lana is Mexican American and says her store is and extension of her personal style.

"I grew up in Southwest Detroit. After high school I went into the military, four years I was in the Navy. When I got back I got my degree from U of M, it's actually in political science and art history, and that's where I started my internship at the gallery where the conception of Mama Coo's got started," explains Lana.

She started by selling jewelry and artwork she made, then she expanded her inventory and began doing pop-ups. Eventually she was ready to have her own store. She ideally wanted to open a store in Southwest Detroit, but then she was introduced to her current location on Trumbull and Bagley. When she showed a picture of the place to her mom she found out her grandparents used to live there when they first moved to Michigan. It was deced, she had found her location, and she named it Mama Coo's after a nick name her grandpa used to call her.  

Mama Coo's first opened it's doors in August of 2016  and it has been going strong since, selling unique items at affordable prices, like $1 ear rings, a $3 purse bin, and a 5 dollar clothing rack.

In honor of Mama Coo's one year anniversary, as well as the anniversary of the other woman owned stores on the block (Farmer's Hand and the Bearded Lady), they are having a block party on September 17th from 3 to 6pm. They will have free haircuts for kids, a pinata, party games, food, deals, music, chair massages, tarot readings and more! Clark Street Boutique and Pot + Box will be on site as well. Cake and a toast to the businesses will be at 5pm. For more information on Mama Coo's visit their website here.