Why will Live/Work residences continue to gain popularity in
Detroit’s suburbs? As an entrepreneur, I think I am well-equipped to
answer that. Entrepreneurs thrive on creativity and collaboration. A
home office, studio, or workshop sets you apart from others. A
live/work space puts you in close proximity with other like-minded
individuals in a close-knit community where entrepreneurs are neighbors
and stakeholders controlling the success of their retail environment.
My
sister-in-law is a textile artist outside of Chicago in Oak Park,
Illinois. Until recently, she ran her design studio from a street level
live/work apartment on Harrison Street. Her shop was flanked by an
upscale shoe store and a jewelry boutique. Up the block was the Buzz
Café, several cooperative art galleries, a dance studio, and a luxury
bath shop. Together, these businesses created the Oak Park Art District.
All of the store owners met regularly to organize art promotions that
would draw shoppers to their retail zone. They were all in it
together. Even though my sister-in-law relocated her studio, she still
calls her next-door-neighbor from Harrison her BFF.
Suburban Detroit could greatly benefit from this kind of cooperative
community and business building. Sometimes we forget about all of the
resources that are available to us. Choosing to work and live near
like-minded neighbors could be the first step toward jump-starting our
economy, while at the same time transforming our quasi-commercial,
partially neglected suburban areas into vibrant art and shopping
districts.