DETROIT – City leaders call them legacy businesses, small businesses that have survived Detroit’s ups and downs and earned support from generations of customers.
In Round 3 of the Detroit Legacy Business Project, 30 local businesses are being honored with grants totaling $310,000, helping them modernize and continue serving their communities.
At the corner of E. Warren and Courville on Detroit’s east side, JAM Enterprises 3 has been a fixture for nearly 50 years.
The family-run custom apparel and screen-printing shop has created T-shirts and designs for churches, schools, organizations, and Detroit institutions for decades.
“We are fast and efficient,” said James “J. Mike” Antoine. “You don’t say damn! You come to JAM.”
Co-owner Michael Johnson says the recognition is personal and tied directly to family history.
“Legacy means everything to us,” Johnson said. “Because my father started this as a young man fresh out of college. And for us to make it to this point, decades later, I feel like it means a lot.”
JAM Enterprises 3 received the top grant of $50,000, which Johnson says will go toward upgrades customers will see.
“We plan to work on the façade and make things more modern, so it’s more appealing to the community,” Johnson said. “We also plan on making some upgrades to our equipment.”
Not far away on Mack Avenue, M & D Pharmacy continues to fill a critical healthcare gap.
“There’s really no other pharmacies within five miles of here,” said owner and registered pharmacist Mary Frazier, who opened the business in 1989 to help provide dependable access to care in the neighborhood.
“It’s a high need area,” Frazier said. “Between air pollution and the stressful inner-city life, we try to help people control whatever chronic illnesses they have.”
M & D Pharmacy received a $15,000 grant, funding, Frazier says, will help modernize day-to-day operations and improve the customer experience.
“Oh my goodness, I can finally upgrade my computer systems,” Fraizer said.
The lobby is also expected to receive aesthetic updates to make it more welcoming.
“I’m just so glad that our city is supporting the small businesses,” Frazier added.
Mayor Mary Sheffield and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation are expected to recognize all 30 Round 3 recipients during a ceremony at 6 p.m., March 26, at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle.
Detroit Legacy Business Project Round 3 recipients:
$50,000 Grant
- JAM Enterprises 3 — Custom apparel and screen-printing business on E. Warren Avenue.
$15,000 Grants
- Arthur J. Rohde & Company
- Maurice’s Hi-Tech Automotive Services
- The Old Miami
- The Final Kut Barbershop
- Tee Shirts Galore & More LLC
- Soboh Insurance Agency
- Detroit Fence Co
- Cliff Bell’s
- Hood Tire & Service Center LLC
- Hats Galore & More
- M & D Pharmacy Inc.
- Bob’s Pizza Palace
- Sucher Tire
- Dixon’s 3rd Generation Barbershop
$5,000 Microgrants
- Nemo’s Bar
- American Coney Island
- Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
- Henry The Hatter
- Stricklen’s Tax Service
$2,500 Microgrants
- Infinity Marketing & Printing
- The Last Tangle Hair Salon
- Terry’s Wigs and Lashes
- Casablanca Dry
- Maximized Security Systems
- Andrews & Hardy Funeral Home
- Porter Bottle Company
- Windows Diverse Services
- 8 Eight Mile Chiropractic Clinic
- Inter City Protective Services
For more information about the Detroit Legacy Business Project grants and guidelines, visit https://detroitmi.gov/opportunities/apply-grant.