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Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
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Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street
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The Mexicantown-Hubbard Communities (MHC) Main Street is a program of Southwest Detroit Business Association in Detroit, Michigan. Established in 1957, the Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) fosters innovation, drive, and commitment. We work with investors, entrepreneurs, customers, and neighbors to capitalize on Southwest Detroit’s competitive advantage. We support our community’s vision for a healthy, vibrant neighborhood.
In the early 1920’s, the first Mexican families began to settle in the residential sections around downtown Detroit. They were drawn to Detroit because of the many job opportunities available within its rapidly growing industrial base. With time, families moved further southwest into the area now known as Mexicantown.
The Mexican community has been steadily growing and is considered one of Detroit’s most treasured neighborhoods. Its abundant diversity, walkability, and thriving business district has long been a magnet for newcomers.
Most Latinos living in Southwest Detroit are from the state of Jalisco, specifically an area in Mexico known as Los Altos (“The Highlands”). Los Altos is composed of a string of villages that are the birthplace of three of Mexico’s most popular cultural exports: mariachi music, cowboys, and tequila. While the last big wave of Mexican immigrants came in the late 1990s, new immigrants continue to trickle in, and with them they bring authentic food, tradition, and a rich cultural heritage.
Cinco de Mayo celebration along W. Vernor Hwy in the commercial district. Photo credit: Myrna Segura-Beltchenko
Walking along the streets of our Mexicantown Main Street today, you can feel the energy of our commercial corridor. Our shop windows are decorated with papel picado—or cut paper—and colorful decorative Day of the Dead skulls. Our historical buildings incorporate elements of Mexican architecture. Our exceptional murals are influenced by the Huichol art which honors our heritage, ancestors, and the first generations of immigrants who came to this city.
Add to this the smell of freshly made corn tortillas, the taste of the Pan de Muertos (Day of the Dead Bread) and other Mexican desserts available at our local bakeries, and the variety of Mexican restaurants offering traditional dishes such as Camarones al Ajillo and Pollo en Mole as well as carnitas, tacos, tamales, and Tex-Mex food.
And we cannot forget our supermercados—the supermarkets—that serve our community and visitors from all over the state of Michigan and Canada. These supermercados offer a great variety of Mexican products, including bright vegetables, and fruits, meats, and other unique goods such as fresh cheese, hot sauces, spices, flans (custards), and frozen sweet fried plantains.
This liveliness of our W. Vernor Hwy. and Bagley Ave. commercial corridors are the backdrop for our small businesses, community, and our Mexicantown-Hubbard Communities Main Street program.
Among many of the events we host celebrating our cultural traditions is the Día de los Muertos—or Day of the Dead. Celebrated November 1st and 2nd, the Día de los Muertos remembers and honors our loved ones who have passed away. This honoring is done through the installation of Ofrendas—or altars. Every year, many families place offerings and altars decorated with cempasúchil flowers, papel picado, sugar skulls, bread of the dead, mole, or a dish that their relatives to whom the offering is dedicated liked. Incense is placed to aromatize the place. The Day of the Dead is considered a celebration of memory and a ritual that privileges memory over oblivion.
Photos of this year's Oferenda displayed in Xochi's Gift Shop. Photo credit: Myrna Segura-Beltchenko
Mexicantown has been commemorating the Día de los Muertos tradition since 1999. Since then, the celebration has included Day of the Dead special events, workshops, and marches. Many businesses, churches, and other organizations in our district install Ofrendas and art displays in their windows to create a Tour of Ofrendas in our business district. Our annual Day of the Dead Brochure informs residents and visitors to all that is happening in our district during this celebration.
This celebration has expended all around Southwest Detroit and other areas of the City. Every year, more than five thousand visitors and students from our communities and from around the State take this opportunity to learn more about our communities’ culture, enjoy the shops in our business district, and eat at our restaurants.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s celebration is going to be a little different. We understand that the local community, visitors, and schools want to celebrate this annual tradition and honor loved ones and community members that have died this year. While we anticipate having visitors, we know that the number will be reduced compared to previous years.
For that reason, we will be offering a Virtual Tour of Ofrendas in Mexicantown/Southwest Detroit for the first time (view Southwest Detroit's introduction video here). Guests will be able to enjoy an introductory video with an overview of our business district and a view of each participating business. The digital brochure will also have a link to videos or photos of each Ofrenda in the Mexicantown area, with a recorded presentation provided by participant business owners or commissioned artists, who will explain the meaning of each Ofrenda. The brochure will include a link to each participant’s website or social media page. We hope this will allow visitors and community members to still celebrate this tradition from home.
View some of the Mexicantown 2020 Day of the Dead Ofrendas displayed in local businesses and establishments below:
Our program is implementing a comprehensive, commercial district economic development plan to revitalize, strengthen, market, and promote the Mexicantown Main Street/Business District. We have established strong relationships with community members and business owners, communicating clearly in both English and Spanish. Our main goal is to provide a platform and a space where stakeholders can share their vision for the Mexicantown-Hubbard Communities.
We are intentional in our efforts to achieve our overarching goals and support our business community:
✔ Providing resources in English and Spanish. We provide bilingual business workshops, networking events, and general support. We collaborate with and receive support from different City departments, Detroit District 6 City Councilwoman Raquel Castañeda-López, and other local agencies in an effort to advocate for the creation of multilingual City forms and communications with our community members and constituents. Spanish is the native language of many of our residents and business owners.
✔ Shop Southwest Detroit. The Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) has identified the need for increased technical support to help our small businesses bridge the digital divide as an integral part of their COVID-19 business plans. To address this, SDBA will soon be launching Shop Southwest Detroit, an e-commerce megastore for businesses in Mexicantown/Southwest Detroit. Seven businesses in our Mexicantown Main Street district will receive support services valued at $2,500. A total of 25 businesses in Southwest Detroit will participate in this new program.
✔ Southwest Detroit/Mexicantown Façade Improvement Program. Our SDBA/Mexicantown Façade Improvement Program helps business and property owners improve their storefronts by providing grants for architectural services and reimbursement for up to 50% of construction costs. Façade improvements include updates such as new signage, lighting, and awnings, but can also completely rebuild storefronts. We provide architectural assistance, façade matching grants, and technical assistance throughout the application, design, bidding, permitting, and construction phases.
Local business owner Gloria Rosas Baiocco in front of her small business in the commercial corridor. Photo credit: Myrna Segura-Beltchenko
The Mexicantown-Hubbard Communities Main Street welcomes everyone to respectfully enjoy its vibrant, colorful, and distinctive commercial district. Its architecture and aesthetics are reflective of its proud Latin American roots. Its walkable streets are safe with inviting, family-friendly activities. Its business community is an accessible, equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Main Street America is pleased to announce the launch of a $1.8 million sub-grant program as part of our partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Thriving Communities Program.
Beloit, Kansas © Shane Hampton
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Hillsboro, Oregon © Alicia Gallo
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Downtown Ruston, Louisiana. Photo by Henry McCoy.
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© Mayor Randall Woodfin
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Derrick Braziel, owner of Pata Roja Taqueria and co-founder of MORTAR, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Learn how Albany, Georgia, recognizes their civil rights legacy and supports the African American community today.
Celebrate this traditional Mexican holiday with Gardnerville, Nevada.
Gardnerville, NV © Main Street Gardnerville
Tasha Sams shared their experiences at this unique Appalachian cultural festival.
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Tulsa, OK © Kendall Whittier Main Street
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Rio Grande City, TX © Rio Grande City
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© Allapattah CDC
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Dearborn, MI © H2BE
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Miami, FL © NTHP
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Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer Photography
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Boston, MA © Kyle Klein
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Dublin, GA © Visit Dublin GA
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Downtown Sheridan Association partners with the Crow Tribe to host the annual First People’s Pow Wow event during the WYO Rodeo Week.
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Wixom, MI © Carissa Serylo
Storytelling is a critical part of the placemaking work that we do in Main Street districts. But are we sharing every story equally?
Jonesborough, TN © Jay Huron
Main Street Franklin is leading the way in showing how women business owners can be a powerful force for change in their communities.
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Camden, AR © Kimberly Moore Davis
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Erie, PA © Dave Tamulonis
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Stockbridge, GA © Stockbridge Main Street
Juneteenth is the anniversary of the final emancipation of enslaved people in the US. Here are five examples of examples of community celebrations from Main Streets across the network.
Charles Town, WV © Elizabeth Ricketts
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Thomasville, GA © City of Thomasville
Learn how four Main Street communities celebrated Black History Month.
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El Reno, OK © El Reno Main Street
Kendall Whittier is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in an ever-diversifying Tulsa. Learn how they are making efforts to engage their large Hispanic community.
Tulsa, OK © Kendall Whittier Main Street
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Memphis, TN © Four Way
Heart of Biddeford shares the strategies they developed to support Black-owned businesses in their community.
Biddeford, ME © Heart of Biddeford
This May marked the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma. We explored the impact and legacy of this tragic event.
Tulsa, OK © Dr. Tiffany Crutcher
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Fremont, CA © Fremont Economic Development
From small business owners to public artists to local leaders, join us this month to amplify the impact of the LGBTQ+ community in your Main Street district.
San Luis Obispo, CA © Downtown SLO
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Brooksville, FL © Brooksville Main Street
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Milwaukee, WI © Historic King Drive BID
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San Luis Obispo, CA © Downtown SLO
Main Street programs around the Network have created engaging and COVID-safe ways to honor and celebrate the histories and lives of Black Americans in their commercial districts.
Meet some amazing women business owners!
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Our research team dug into some of the data about the state of Black-owned businesses on Main Street, the structural challenges they face, and how Main Streets can support them.
Since 2013, Try This West Virginia has sought to improve health environments in local communities as a collaboration of organizations working together to combat the health challenges facing West Virginians.
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Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
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To understand the role that immigrant business owners play in Boston’s small business ecosystem, you need only to walk through any Boston Main Streets district.
New arrivals have made Shaw more diverse.
Preserving diverse populations, not just buildings.
