Hip in Detroit's Picks for the Weekend: July 25th - 27th

Friday, July 25th - Eye Love Art Exhibit @ The Loving Touch: The Loving Touch is hosting an art show this Friday night! There will be makers, specialty cocktails, and all vinyl DJ sets. Some of the artists that will be featured include Muraleater, HELLCAMINO, Idilico Jewelry, and more. Admission is free, and doors open at 7 PM.

Friday, July 25th - Blackout BBQ @ The Magic Stick: Black Iris Booking brings Blackout BBQ back to the Magic Stick this Friday night! This time around, the bill includes New Bomb Turks, The Drowns, and Sabert Tooth Gary. There will also be great food on the Alley Deck. Doors open at 6 PM and all ages are welcome.

Friday, July 25th - Sunday, July 27th - Stroh Down @ Outer Limits: Head to Outer Limits this weekend for 3 days of fun at Stroh Down! There will be live music, food, and even a flea market on Sunday. Some of the bands playing include Human Eye, Deadbeat Beat, Credit Card, and more. Cover is $15 per day. Doors open at 7 PM on Friday and Saturday and 1 PM on Sunday. Get all of the details here. 

Saturday, July 26th - Voyag3r @ Small's: Voyag3r brings their spooky synth sounds to Small's this Saturday night! They will be joined by Stormfeldt, Warhorses, and Forge The Sun (acoustic set). Cover is $10, doors open at 7 PM, and the music starts at 8 PM. 

Saturday, July 26th - Threads of Time @ The Fisher Building: Head to the beautiful Fisher Building this Saturday for Threads of Time: A Detroit Vintage Market. There will be vendors selling everything from vintage clothing and jewelry, to antique homewares. Admission is free and the market is open from 11 AM - 5 PM. 

~C

The Peacock Room: Detroit’s Favorite Spot for Dresses, Glamour, and Fun

When it comes to finding the perfect dress for any occasion in Detroit, The Peacock Room stands out as a truly unique experience. Located inside the meticulously restored historic Fisher Building, this boutique offers much more than clothes—it delivers beauty, whimsy, and a personalized shopping journey you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

The Peacock Room was founded by Rachel Lutz, a Detroit native who grew up visiting her parents’ shop inside the Fisher Building and developed a deep appreciation for the glamorous fashion of Detroit’s golden era. After a career in political action, journalism, and social justice, Rachel opened The Peacock Room in 2011 at the Park Shelton building with just a credit card and a dream. Frustrated by the lack of quality customer service and limited size options for women, Rachel set out to create a brick-and-mortar store where women of all sizes could feel confident, beautiful, and celebrated.

Today, The Peacock Room caters to a wide range of styles, sizes 0 through 22, and occasions—from cocktail parties and dinner events to baby showers, weddings, or even that special everyday look. During a recent visit, we witnessed a delightful scene: a young woman selecting her 8th-grade graduation dress, another shopper picking out stylish everyday wear, and ourselves finding the perfect dress and sweater for an upcoming event. This blend of customers and occasions highlights what makes The Peacock Room so special — it truly is Detroit’s dress destination.

With two locations, one inside the flagship Fisher Building and another in Midtown’s Park Shelton, The Peacock Room offers a curated collection of dresses, accessories, jewelry, stationery, gifts, and even furniture. The store’s aesthetic draws inspiration from the glamorous styles of the 1920s through the 1960s, giving shoppers a taste of Old Detroit’s elegance combined with modern personalized service.

The Fisher Building location is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 PM, Saturdays 11 AM to 6 PM, and Sundays 11 AM to 4 PM, with late hours on Fisher Theater performance nights. The Park Shelton boutique follows a similar schedule. Both locations aim to provide an intimate and welcoming environment, perfect for trying on glamorous looks and finding pieces that fit perfectly for any event.

Rachel’s vision goes beyond just selling clothes; she wants every woman who visits to feel empowered and radiant, no matter her size or style preference. By focusing on exceptional customer service and a diverse selection, The Peacock Room has become a beloved fixture in Detroit’s fashion scene.

If you’re in Detroit and need a dress that makes you feel amazing—whether it’s for a big celebration or simply to brighten your day—stop by The Peacock Room. Between its two locations, personalized service, and beautifully curated inventory, it’s the ultimate spot to embrace glamour, whimsy, and a little bit of Detroit’s historic sparkle.

Locations & Hours

Fisher Building (Flagship Store) 3011 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202

• Tuesday-Friday: 12 PM – 6 PM
• Saturday: 11 AM – 6 PM
• Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM
• Open late on Fisher Theater performance nights (check broadwayindetroit.com for showtimes)

Park Shelton 15 E Kirby St, Detroit, MI 48202

• Tuesday-Friday: 12 PM – 6 PM
• Saturday: 11 AM – 6 PM
• Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM

Closed Mondays

~S

Rachel Lutz Wants to Dress You: The Peacock Empire

A few years ago when I was looking for a dress for an event a friend suggested I stop by The Peacock Room in Detroit. I wasn't familiar with the space, but my friend is a stylist with great taste so I actually took her recommendation seriously and made my way down to The Park Sheldon on a Saturday morning to see what they had. An hour later I walked out of the boutique with a new dress for my event without breaking the bank, which is something I've never experienced before. Being a size 12/14 means that you can't usually shop at boutiques unless you're looking for accessories, even the most eclectic places don't carry many items above a size 8/10. Surprisingly, The Peacock Room not only carried a wide variety of sizes, but they had a ton of options in each size. So I actually got to play "Pretty Woman" and try everything on to find the perfect dress without feeling bad that I couldn't squeeze into anything on their racks.

Since that first visit, I have continued to visit The Peacock Room when I needed something special for a night on the town or a big event. Sometimes I leave with a cool scarf and sometimes I leave with a new gown for an event, but I always leave happy. Which is why I was pleased to hear that they would be expanding his year and even more excited when I found out the new location would be inside the historical Albert Kahn designed Fisher Building. I was able to visit the new store on Small Business Saturday and found out that the owner, Rachel Lutz, owner of both shops, was also the owner of a shop a few stores down called Yama. I walked through both stores, fell in love with a variety of pieces, and celebrated the fact that a local female entrepreneur has low key built herself a little all-inclusive empire in the city of Detroit. (In case, I forgot to mention it she also owns Frida, a cool shop located next to The Peacock Room in The Park Sheldon Building.)

It's rare to see someone open and sustain a successful business with such a good reputation, but to be expanding that business and reshaping retail in Detroit is fascinating to us. So, we reached out to Rachel to learn more about her stores, her approach to style, and her passion for the City of Detroit. The interview, much like her stores did not disappoint. Check out what she had to say and stop by and shop local this holiday at The Peacock Room! 

HID- Why did you decide to open the original Peacock Room?
Rachel Lutz- "I opened the original Peacock Room because I hate shopping and I don't like the fashion industry. Ironic, right? I wanted to bring the pleasure back to shopping since it's a necessary chore. I wanted to give others the experience I always wanted."

HID- What motivated you to expand?
Rachel Lutz- "I had no desire or plans to physically expand earlier this year. The Fisher Building's new owners approached me in May and I declined, wanting to keep my business small. I then toyed with the idea of a modern, contemporary version of The Peacock Room, which is decidedly vintage-inspired. But additionally, I made the mistake of standing in the last intact storefront of the Fisher Building. I realized it was the same exact space I stood in front of two years earlier when the building was slipping into foreclosure. I gawked at the beauty of the original historic detail, turned to my friend and said, "If I hadn't already built The Peacock Room in the Park Shelton, I would've built it here." By the end of May, I had two leases signed. Surprise!"

HID- Why did you pick the Fisher Building?
Rachel Lutz- "I picked the Fisher Building because it's the Fisher Building! They don't call it the world's largest art object for no reason. I believe in The Platform's vision for New Center and I'm excited to help them serve this already-vibrant neighborhood. There is a great foundation for retail laid by many businesses that have been here for 30 years or longer. Many retailers are headed in the opposite direction, downtown. But I think it's important that as Detroit builds up, we build out into the neighborhoods."


HID- Why did you decide to open two stores at the same time?
Rachel Lutz- "I wanted to open two stores at one time because once you're mentally, physically and financially invested, you're all in. My two Fisher Building stores have very different looks, so between them, there's something for nearly everyone. I wanted to give my customers double the reason to come to New Center, bringing the neighborhood new foot traffic. I also wanted to help bring our customers back and forth across the storefronts on Woodward between Grand Boulevard and the Amtrak station, an area poised for major growth within the next couple of years."


HID- What kind of customer does the Peacock Room cater to?
Rachel Lutz- "The Peacock Room is very vintage inspired, but not costume-y. It's for someone who loves a classic feminine look."

HID- What kind of customer does Yama cater to?
Rachel Lutz- "Yama is a polar opposite of The Peacock Room. Inspired by Minoru Yamasaki, it favors his no-nonsense clean lines. It's for someone who appreciates architecture and modern design."

HID- Why was it important for the Peacock Room to cater to the Plus Size market?
Rachel Lutz- "It's important to cater to all sizes. Detroit's apparel scene has always been inspired, but there's a documented shortage of retail, especially clothing. I wear a size 2X, larger than the average woman, but not by much. Most boutiques the size of our Park Shelton location would never commit to carrying sizes 00-26 because it's only 1,000 square feet. But it was important to me that nearly every woman has options, even if it's a small but well-curated selection. I struggle to buy good finds in extended sizes- they're not easy to source, and it gets harder every season to find unique plus apparel that's made well. One of the great things about the new, larger space is that we can continue to expand our selection in every size."

HID- Do you plan to keep both Peacock room locations open? Will they feature the same merchandise or different merchandise?
Rachel Lutz- "I plan to keep both locations of The Peacock Room open as I decide my next steps. Both Peacock Rooms have some things in common, but enough unique merchandise that will make you want to visit both. Frida in the Park Shelton is completely different than Yama in the Fisher Building. That's the benefit of the stores being less than a mile from each other! You can easily take the QLINE and walk only a block from building to building, shopping at all four."


HID- What are some of your favorite style tips? Will you share them with us?
Rachel Lutz- "My favorite style tip is DO YOU. Stop feeding yourself the same images from social media and pop culture that everyone else consumes. Go to the library, go to a concert, get out in nature, people-watch. Get inspiration from life around you. Don't give into the expectations of others, and use your style to express yourself to the world. Don't think of fashion as an industry- think of it as the evolution of your own personal style. Fashion is the process of figuring out the next you, not letting others dictate their ideas to you. Fashion is your very own evolution."

HID- Why did you decide to open a second location in Detroit instead of somewhere else?
Rachel Lutz- "I didn't want a second location of The Peacock Room anywhere. But the combination of the Fisher Building and this specific storefront made it impossible to say no. Cities vary neighborhood by neighborhood, even block by block. The two buildings are only a mile apart, but each surrounding area has its own unique identity, needs, and challenges. I will only consider opening shop in the right context and Detroit gives me that context. It also has a wealth of beautiful historic spaces that provide a unique atmosphere. The future of retail is experiential, and it's hard to get your visitors inspired by the average suburban white box build out."

HID- What is your favorite part about being in the Fisher Building?
Rachel Lutz- "My favorite part of the Fisher Building is being able to hunt for fossils in the lobby. Check out the hidden fossils in the stonework next time you visit! I love that every inch of this building is beautiful for the sake of beauty. We don't build spaces like this anymore, so we need to fiercely protect the ones we have left."

HID- Is there anything else that you would like our readers to know?
Rachel Lutz- "I want to remind everyone, especially this time of the year, that your spending power is so important to your neighborhood. If you want to support Detroit, support its small businesses."

~S

Calling all Bikers! Time to Bust out That Tweed!

We had a taste of spring this past week, and luckily it should be just around the corner. Hopefully anyway! I don't know about you, but it got me in the mood for some warmer weather activities- like riding bikes! I got an awesome new, well, 'new' old bike that was my grandma's at the end of the season last year and I've been itching to ride it!

If you are an avid biker, or like me and just getting more into it and want to learn more, then there are two great events for you this weekend, Detroit Bike City and Tweed City. Detroit Bike City is a bicycle show and swap meet, but with much more than just that; and Tweed City is the pre-party for the show. There is so much going on at these events, we thought we'd ask the people in charge a few questions to learn about it. See what Jason, Mike and Jakki have to say!

HipInDetroit- First of all, what roles do you play in the Tweed City event and Detroit Bike City?

Jakki- I am coordinating the Tweed City Party this year. Our friends at the Fillmore Detroit were kind enough to sponsor this event. With such a gorgeous venue as the Fillmore at our disposal, we knew that we had to do something elegant and upscale, but still fun and quirky.
 
Mike/Jason- We are the Co-Founders of Detroit Bike City. We work together and we all find ourselves having many roles. 

HipInDetroit- Can you explain what Detroit Bike City is?  

DBC- Its an all out bicycle extravaganza! Its an Expo, its a Show, its a Swap Meet, and just overall a really great event covering all styles and types of bikes and riders. 

HipInDetroit- This is the second year for the event, what special things can people look forward to seeing at it this year?

Mike/Jason- More bikes and more variety for one thing. With the addition of Custom Builder Row and the event growing to double the size, there are going be some pretty amazing bikes, some VERY unique. We also made the Bike Swap section free of cost this year to help bring in more swap participants.

HipInDetroit- Is the event more for avid bikers or can someone who's just getting into biking find things here?
 
Mike/Jason- We pride ourselves in having a very diverse crowd, and we do everything we can to invite people of all levels to attend. Bikes are for everyone and we really want to emphasize that.

HipInDetroit-  Will there be anything there besides bikes for people to see/do?

Mike/Jason- There is the Detroit Marketplace, which is made up of maybe non-bike related items, but represents a good mix of the small business and artists of Metro Detroit. Plus a documentary screening, auctions, BMX demos, educations opportunities, a live bike build and so much more. 

HipInDetroit- The Tweed City event sounds pretty awesome, especially for those who are particularly into vintage items and bikes. Where did the idea for the theme come from?
 
Jakki- The inspiration came from a Detroit Creative Corridor Center ("DC3") Accelerator Gallery opening (appropriately named "Bicycle, Bicycle") where I met some great guys from Windsor. They are opening a new bicycle shop called City Cyclery and decided to officially launch the store on Mother's Day with a Tweed Ride. The idea of a Tweed Ride seemed so charming and strong enough to stand alone as an event. Don't worry – I broke the news of my "borrowing" their event to them in person, and they were extremely supportive and connected us with the Windsor Tweed Ride organizers. Ideally, this event will be an annual part of the Bicycle Expo.

HipInDetroit-  What are some of the cool vintage things people will be able to see at the event?
 
DBC- Penny-farthings, vintage bicycles, and vignettes courtesy of Swoon Design and Rentals and The Detroit Mercantile Co. We have a couple other surprises up our tailored tweed sleeves that are best saved for in person!

HipInDetroit-  Detroit is not typically the most bike-friendly city, but biking seems to be getting more popular. Why do you think that is?

Mike- Detroit is on a great upswing, and people love having an accessible place to live, biking allows that. Detroit is super bike friendly, flat and wide-open roads for endless bicycle adventuring. 

Tweed City will be at the Fillmore on Friday, March 15 and goes from 7-11 p.m. Tickets cost $30 and are available here, or $35 at the door. They recommend dressing the part, and why not? That's half the fun! They have organized a shopping event tonight (Wednesday, March 13) at The Peacock Room and Emerald, both located in the Park Shelton, from 5-7 p.m. In addition to the vintage festivities, there will be live music! DJ Richie Wohlfeil, The Juliets and The High Strung will be playing. And don't worry about where you're going to put your bike while you're tweed-ing it up. There will be complimentary bike parking!

The main event, Detroit Bike City, will be at Cobo Center on Saturday, March 16 from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. As you can see, there will be tons of fun stuff to do and see! Tickets are only $10 at the door, but keep an eye out for early bird tickets with discounts/raffles. Check out the local vendors, go to the free bike swap, check out some new ones and support your local bike community and businesses!

~B