Have you been to Detroit lately? There’s a lot going on and people are noticing. Detroit has been named to Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2022. Detroit spent decades on much different lists, often known worldwide as the very definition of urban decay. But times are changing and the world is taking note.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said, “It’s gratifying that TIME has recognized what Detroiters always have known: that Detroit is a great city with an extraordinary history.”

Duggan said, “We still have work to do, but Detroit is in the midst of a real rebirth – one that many had thought was impossible just a few years ago.”

Duggan credited the city residents and employees, as well as the support of the business and philanthropic community, for the reinvestment that began in the downtown core and spread to neighborhoods across the city.

He said, “Opportunity is more abundant and equitable today than at perhaps any time in our city’s history.  All of this adds up to more people seeing Detroit as a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

District43 is a family-owned shoe store in Downtown Port Huron, and they’ve recently expanded their retail space and the products available for customers.

Owner Jorja Baldwin said she recognized a need to provide items that were sought after by both locals and tourists, and when Ruboo Boutique closed their brick-and-mortar location next door, she saw the perfect opportunity to expand.

Part of the wall separating the two stores was removed, and District43 products now flow over into twice the space.

“We felt like we needed to offer some gifts, and expand on the shoes, but also expand more into clothing as well,” said Baldwin.

District43 has acquired a new line of clothing featuring logos created by Katie Stepp. The Michigan Boat Company line promotes Port Huron and its water community.

“From our partners at Boater City [Marketplace] in New Baltimore and now the Michigan Boat Company, we just feel like we really want to promote our entire area and all the things. Whether you enjoy the water by land or by sea, whether you’re kayaking or you just love to walk and find beach glass, I think we have something for everybody,” said Baldwin.

Along with the new clothing, District43 has an extensive collection of summer Birkenstocks for adults and children, beach bags, travel mugs, and sunglasses. As they continue to expand, Baldwin plans on bringing in more clothing including professional pieces, golf wear, and athletic attire.

The store is still being renovated, but they are open for business now and hope to be fully settled in by fall. Baldwin encourages people to visit and shop the new lines and also to give her feedback about what they’d like to see her add to the shop.

“What’s missing downtown? How can we compliment our entire downtown by carrying something else? We’re really excited to get that feedback from people,” she said.

To learn more, visit District43’s Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/district43ph

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

The International Symphony Orchestra has announced a full-season concert hall return with “ISO65”. The orchestra, which has musicians from both sides of the border, has expanded its list of venues.

The ISO will perform seven concerts during the 2022-23 season at the Great Lakes High School Auditorium, which is the orchestra’s new Canadian home, and both the McMorran Theatre and the Port Huron Northern High School Performing Arts Center in the U.S.

The first performance is on Friday, September 30th in Sarnia. This will be the first live concert on the Canadian side of the border since February of 2020. The first stateside performance will be on October 1st at Port Huron Northern.

The concert series includes seven different shows starting with Franck’s Symphony in D minor and the premiere of Swiss-Canadian composer Anne Lauber’s Cello Concerto.

Tickets can be purchased for the entire series or for individual shows. https://theiso.ticketspice.com/iso65-usa

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland