Chez|Zara

Bringing retail back downtown: the Shops in the Kresge Building invoke the past to move the city forward with 50 new retailers.

Szostak, Mary
FEATURE
Closed since 1982, the Kresge Building, located at 1201 Woodward Ave. has been revamped and is reopening its doors to the public. Once home to the Kmart Corporation and 85 stores selling goods to the public for 5 to 10 cents apiece; the Shops in the Kresge Building now offers consumers a unique, multifunctional mall full of small retailers, which include jewelry boutiques, an espresso bar, a full cocktail bar, an ice cream shop and various other businesses - a total of 50 so far.

Hoping to capitalize on its prime location, the Kresge Building presents consumers with a new shopping experience. Eric Novack, the senior project manager of the development, considers the building's location on Woodward to be ideal because it is located in a high traffic area of the city.

"There are approximately 250,000 people doing business in the city," Novack said.
Situated near both Compuware and the First National Building, the shops are central to the business and financial districts downtown. The shops hope that people conducting business and working in the area stop in and take a look around. Crowds from special events being held at locations like Comerica Park, Ford Field, Joe Louis Arena and Campus Martius Park may also be drawn to the many offerings the building has.

The retailers that are a component of the Shops in the Kresge Building offer superior quality goods and original designs, as well as high fashion. They come from different backgrounds and experiences that will add to the overall diversity of the retail development. And while they are individually hoping to be successful in this endeavor, the overwhelming theme pervading their comments is that they all hope to be a major part of Detroit's revitalization.

The business owners are also thrilled at the opportunity to be a part of this venture. Aaron-Micael Beydoun, owner of the espresso bar, Chez Zara, shares this sentiment. He indicates that, what appealed to him about the Kresge Building is the unique and eclectic mix of small businesses. Beydoun's company features a rare partnership with the renowned Italian coffeemaker, Lavazza. Beydoun also owns a business in Shanghai, China, but Chez Zara is his first business venture in Michigan. He has roots that tie him to the Detroit area and decided to open his espresso bar to be a part of something that he strongly feels will better the city. "When retail comes into the area, it will bring in residents," he said.

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Are you ready?

Detroit's First Espresso Bar in

Conjunction with Italy-based  

Lavazza Coffee Set to Open 

this Fall

AMB Groupe, Shanghai. MNB & Associates, Detroit. 

This Fall, the Chez Zara concept will be opening in the heart of Detroit at 1201 Woodward Avenue in the historic and newly-renovated S.S. Kresge building. Founded by Detroit-natives operating from Shanghai, there are already plans to open an expanded-concept in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

An espresso bar by definition, yet eclectic in character, Chez Zara is the first to introduce Lavazza coffee to Detroit, a world-renowned coffee company founded over 110 years ago in Turin, Italy. Imported and ethically-traded, Lavazza is the symbol of quality Italian espresso around the world. Light salads, homemade hummus, and sandwiches infused with influences from around the world will also find their way to the menu.

Ideally located just one-half block south of Campus Martius, and with available outdoor seating along Woodward Avenue, Chez Zara is your new favorite escape. Before work, during lunch, in-between meetings, or even a simple pick-me-up during the day, let us invite you to experience a true Italian espresso experience unlike any other.

About S.S. Kresge Building: Over 100 years ago the Kresge Building first opened to the public. In 1899 Sebastian Spering Kresge introduced the concept of selling quality goods for 5 to 10 cents. The 5 and 10 store opened in downtown Detroit as a pillar of retail. The Kresge company grew into the K-mart corporation. In 1982, the Kresge Department Store closed. In 2009, 

Detroit real estate investor and restaurant owner Dennis Kefallinos, owner of the building, launched a major renovation to convert the building into an upscale bazaar of specialty shops. “I’ve got a lot of determination and a unique concept,” he said. “And there’s a lot of demand for a destination spot in Detroit right now. You have to go back to the original ideas, this is how retailers got started in the 1900s. Retail is something that’s missing in Detroit”, he said. “I’m looking for tenants with a vision like mine, those who see that this can be a great city again.” The 5 and 10 will also be reopening this summer, owned and operated by Kefallinos’ company.