The M Den Selects Columbia Street Destination in The District Detroit for First Detroit Location
The M Den and Olympia Development of Michigan announced today that the official merchandise retailer for University of Michigan athletic apparel will open its first Detroit location along the new Columbia Street shopping and dining destination next year.
Located next to the Fox Theatre, the block-long Columbia Street destination will bring nearly 40,000 square feet of new shops and restaurants to a European-style, pedestrian-friendly promenade that will feature outdoor dining and festoon lighting.
Located on the street-level of the new nine-story Little Caesars world headquarters campus expansion, the 4,000-square foot space will feature two storefronts; one for The M Den merchandise and another for The Victors Collection by The M Den. The special collection targets alumni and features high-end accessories, golf and business casual apparel.
Scott Hirth, president and co-owner of The M Den, has been exploring options for a first Detroit location since he and his partners took over the family-owned business in 2013.
“It was very important to us that the next round of investment was in the city of Detroit,” Hirth said. “With the resurgence, we wanted The M Den and by extension, the University of Michigan, to put our stamp on Detroit.”
Hirth added that the new retail location will bring the University of Michigan’s presence to downtown Detroit, where it originally opened 201 years ago. The new store will make the shopping experience easier and more convenient for its loyal customer base in Detroit, Hirth said.
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, The M Den has products available at 6 traditional locations in downtown Ann Arbor and throughout southeastern Michigan, including three malls and 13 locations at Michigan Stadium on game days. Its near 30,000-square-foot flagship on State Street in downtown Ann Arbor features more than 5,000 products for men, women and children. The M Den also serves customers around the world through its website MDen.com. As the official retailer for University of Michigan Athletics, every purchase made through The M Den helps benefit the university’s sports programs.
The M Den launched renovation projects and a major expansion earlier this year. Its newly updated 6,000-square-foot space at Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor now houses an expanded women’s department and merchandise from The Victors Collection. And the company’s Main Street location, currently under construction, is expected to re-open by early next year.
The Detroit shop will become its seventh brick-and-mortar location, featuring the same high-quality, authentic products found at its flagship along with new, Detroit-themed Michigan merchandise. Hirth also anticipates hosting dedicated events at the new shop, including signings with professional athletes.
About 10-20 percent of the new location’s merchandise will be dedicated to The Victors Collection, which includes licensed apparel from well-known fashion brands like Nike/Jordan Brand, Vineyard Vines, Brooks Brothers and Tommy Bahama.
The M Den began as a sporting goods shop in Ann Arbor in 1976 before gradually switching its focus to University of Michigan goods and ultimately becoming the institution’s official retailer in 1992.
“As an athletics retailer, The M Den will be a fitting and welcome addition to The District Detroit, the only destination in the nation where four major sports teams play in the city’s urban core,” said Travis Arbogast, Vice President of Development at Olympia Development of Michigan. “The apparel and merchandise shop is among many storefronts planned for Columbia Street that will continue to bring retail diversity to our steadily-growing district.”
Located next to the historic Fox Theatre, the block-long Columbia Street destination will bring nearly 40,000 square feet of new shops and restaurants to a European-style, pedestrian-friendly promenade that will feature outdoor dining and festoon lighting.
Frita Batidos, another Ann Arbor-based business, recently announced it would open its first location in Detroit along Columbia Street next year. The eatery will serve Cuban-inspired burgers, milkshakes, alcoholic beverages and game-day specials.
The District Detroit retail properties are represented by Scott Young and Ashley Ketko of CBRE. For more information on becoming a tenant, please call 248-353-5400.
Visit The M Den online at www.mden.com or on Twitter and Facebook at @TheMDen and on Instagram at @them_den.
About The District Detroit
The District Detroit is a dynamic urban destination in the heart of Detroit. One that includes something for everyone—a dense neighborhood experience with a variety of developments alongside Detroit’s premier sports and entertainment venues. Connecting downtown Detroit to growing nearby neighborhoods such as Midtown, Corktown and Brush Park, The District Detroit is having a dramatic economic impact on Detroit and is a driving catalyst of the city’s remarkable resurgence. The District Detroit represents $1.4 billion in new investment to Detroit including the new Little Caesars Arena, Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University and Little Caesars world headquarters campus expansion. Additionally, new office, residential and retail spaces will continue to add momentum to Detroit’s amazing comeback for years to come.
