Somerset Collection Brings Shopping To Downtown Detroit With CityLoft (Video)
By Edward Cardenas
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Retail shopping is returning to downtown Detroit for the holidays in a bigger way.
Somerset Collection CityLoft opened Wednesday in a new, larger location in the First National Building at 660 Woodward Ave. with more retailers than previous years and will be open for more days than past pop-up markets.
"We are really in the heart of it all at Campus Martius and Cadillac Square," Linda McIntosh, of the Somerset Collection. "Everyone wants to come down and join us ... we are a model for retail in the city."
CityLoft shops is a partnership with Bedrock Real Estate Services and is part of the Quicken Loans 2014 Season of Winter Magic on Campus Martius Park and Cadillac Square. It will be open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday until Dec. 23.
Some of the nearly 40 retailers include:
- 7 for All Mankind
- Aveda
- The Body Shop
- The Buckle
- Cache
- Eddie Bauer
- Gap
- Gucci
- Icing
- Lego
- Lilly Pulitzer
- Lacoste
- Paradise Pen
- Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids
- Ralph Lauren
- Swarovski
- The Detroit Shoppe
- Thomas Pink
Howard Tapper, founder of Tapper's Diamonds and Fine Jewlery, says CityLoft is a "great starting point" for retail downtown.
"This new location in the First National Building is a fantastic location," said Tapper, as he set up his display. "With all the people working down here, it is going to be very good season for us."
CityLoft is giving those working and living downtown a sample of retail shopping to come in Detroit. This March, designer John Varvatos will open a flagship store on Woodward.
"(CityLoft) is a great addition to a lot of the retail that is coming in downtown Detroit," said Dan Mullen, vice president of development, Bedrock Real Estate Services.
This is the seventh season Somerset has brought the pop-up retail experience to Detroit. In addition to the shopping, Somerset Collection is also bringing Santa's Wonderland to the First National Building. For a $5 donation, children can shop in the kids-only store for merchandise donated by Somerset Collection retailers. Donations benefit the Children's Tumor Foundation.
There is also the Snowman Collection presented by Somerset Collection in a giant igloo in Cadillac Square where 25 designer snowmen are decorated with items from Somerset retailers.
"(Campus Martius and Cadillac Square) is a destination now that has a lot of things going on," said Robert Gregory, president, Detroit 300 Conservancy. "Families of all ages come in from the city and suburbs to really enjoy the holidays in downtown Detroit."
