Above Carhartt’s hometown store on Cass Avenue in Detroit, something special is happening. Tucked into the second floor is the Carhartt Workshop, a community-focused space that has become a catalyst for creativity, learning and connection across Michigan.
Since opening its doors in 2020, the Carhartt Workshop has redefined what it means to support hardworking people; not just with gear, but with real, tangible resources to help bring their ideas to life.
In just five years, the space has grown into a vital hub where local residents can access tools, training and each other.
At the heart of the Carhartt Workshop is the Tool Bench, a free tool lending library that has provided more than 80,000 loans to more than 3,400 community members. With an inventory of more than 1,600 tools -- from power drills and hammers to rakes, planers and floor sanders -- the Tool Bench supports everything from fixing up century-old homes to restoring historic alleys. Users can borrow tools free of charge for seven days, with an option to extend for an additional week, making it an invaluable resource for DIY projects of all kinds.
“Carhartt Workshop is staffed daily by tool experts, who can recommend tools for your project and show you how to use them, building techniques, materials and local vendors to help complete your DIY projects,” said Carhartt Workshop manager Achille Bianchi.
The Carhartt Workshop has hosted more than 200 free workshops and resource fairs, covering practical, skill-building topics like 3-D printing, bike maintenance and building garden beds. These sessions are open to all, empowering individuals with the knowledge and confidence to take on projects they might have never tried before.
Beyond tools and training, the Carhartt Workshop offers two multimedia-ready Community Rooms and a larger “flex” space that local organizations can reserve for meetings, training events and workshops -- free of charge. These spaces foster collaboration and creativity, providing more than 40 hours of weekly availability for community groups and grassroots initiatives to come together.
“The Carhartt Workshop is more than just a lending library for tools, it’s a place where neighbors come together to get things done,” said Todd Corley, Chief People and Impact Officer at Carhartt. “As we celebrate the positive impact that the Carhartt Workshop has brought to Detroit over the past five years, we’re reminded of the magic that happens when we roll up our sleeves to connect, create and build together.”
That spirit of collaboration is showcased through a series of new creative installations now on display at the Carhartt Workshop:
- Buffalo Soldiers Sculpture: Created in partnership with Detroit artist Olivia Guterson, this life-size horse sculpture honors the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association (BSHA). The sculpture celebrates Carhartt’s donations to facility enhancements, most recently to construct a new pole barn. It also highlights Carhartt’s continued support for BSHA’s work introducing local youth to equine experiences and Black military history in Rouge Park. The statue will be donated to BSHA at a later date.
- Keep Growing Detroit Native Bee Hotel: Supporting biodiversity and education, the Carhartt Workshop designed and donated a custom bee hotel to the Keep Growing Detroit farm. The replica on display shows community members how to build their own -- and why Michigan’s 450+ species of native bees are vital to our ecosystem.
- Belle Isle Conservancy Photo Experience: This colorful, educational installation celebrates Carhartt’s support of the Belle Isle Shop, operated by the Belle Isle Conservancy, and its efforts to preserve and activate one of Detroit’s most beloved public spaces. The installation will be donated to the Conservancy at a later date.
As the Carhartt Workshop marks its fifth anniversary, the milestone is less about looking back and more about what lies ahead. With every loaned tool, shared skill and sparked idea, the Workshop is building something far bigger than any single project: it’s building a stronger, more connected Detroit.
To learn more about the Carhartt Workshop and its community programs, visit Carhartt.com/carhartt-workshop.