  Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 106 Registered: 05-2006 |
Blaze Spreads Through Detroit Businesses Early morning fire destroys apartment house, businesses in northwest Detroit (Message edited by Ramcharger on November 06, 2006) | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1084 Registered: 12-2004 |
Any word on the state of the theater? | ||
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto Post Number: 2692 Registered: 10-2003 |
bummer. RIP, Meyer's Rexall | ||
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765 Post Number: 1182 Registered: 01-2004 |
That doesnt look like its anywhere near the theater. | ||
Pamequus Member Username: Pamequus Post Number: 86 Registered: 07-2005 |
Damn. | ||
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto Post Number: 2694 Registered: 10-2003 |
oops, a closer look reveals that it's the building kittycorner from Meyer's. Southwest Corner of GR/Lahser. Used to be a Loan place. | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 7070 Registered: 10-2003 |
A LOAN PLACE? Nooooooooooooooooooo. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 885 Registered: 11-2003 |
sounds like code speak for PAWN SHOP lol | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 698 Registered: 12-2005 |
 It's this building, looking southeast | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1085 Registered: 12-2004 |
So sad...but I love that the pic of the building is so old. | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 2063 Registered: 10-2003 |
Glad to hear the grand ol' dame of a theatre is safe and sound. Someone should really change this headline so folks don't have a heart attack. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 6989 Registered: 12-2003 |
Why, the fire was IN old Redford?! | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3239 Registered: 10-2003 |
My worst fears were true. The fire destroyed the classic old 1919 CF Smith Building, the nicest building on the intersection.  | ||
Mayor_sekou Member Username: Mayor_sekou Post Number: 244 Registered: 09-2006 |
Thats a tragedy. The facade could still be saved if it is really worth saving. | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 757 Registered: 02-2004 |
I am so depressed. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3240 Registered: 10-2003 |
   | ||
Mayor_sekou Member Username: Mayor_sekou Post Number: 246 Registered: 09-2006 |
Damn. Now I can see a preview of how the riots made the city look. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3241 Registered: 10-2003 |
 | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 699 Registered: 12-2005 |
The following message went out to recipients of the Redford theatre's email list concerning the fire: You may have heard about the multiple alarm fire at the corner of Grand River and Lahser early this morning. Fortunately for us the fire was about 1/2 block south of us on the other side of both Lahser and Grand River. The C.F. Smith building (built in 1919( on the southwest corner was destroyed. The Redford Theatre was not endangered. Will and I checked out the theatre building this afternoon and everything is fine, not even a smoky smell inside. The intersection of Lahser and Grand River remained completely closed at 4:00 this afternoon as utility crews were digging up the pavement and a team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were investigating the scene. Lahser Road south of Grand River is covered with rubble that fell from the second story of the building. Traffic was being routed in a circular fashion along Redford, McNichols, Greydale and Orchard Streets. Nothing you haven't heard on the news, but important to pass along least rumors start. | ||
Huggybear Member Username: Huggybear Post Number: 267 Registered: 08-2005 |
Tragic. China Clipper was where I went on my first date. Note that was more than a decade ago, so the food was a lot better! | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 1877 Registered: 07-2004 |
The C.F. Smith Building was a beautiful corner building. I have always been fond of its architecture. The gold colored bricks made it very unique. Indeed, one of the prettiest buildings in that intersection. It's sad to see it destroyed. (Message edited by royce on November 06, 2006) | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1088 Registered: 12-2004 |
That was a beautiful building. We need more like it. Any rumors on the cause? | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1416 Registered: 11-2003 |
What was housed in the C. F. Smith building originally. Was it a grocery store? When I was a kid in B'ham, C.F. Smith was a small grocery store chain. I can still remember going into the store with my mother, and the shop keeper would take her grocery list and would walk around the store with a long pole with a clamp on the end of it and would pluck the products down from the shelf!! Talk about personal service!!! | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 897 Registered: 01-2005 |
Lowell....great (if sad) photos. Thanks so much for posting. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 950 Registered: 12-2005 |
Channel 7 just now reported that officials are still trying to determine the cause. Glad the theater is OK. We just went there for the first time on Saturday. It's very nice. | ||
Yaktown Member Username: Yaktown Post Number: 43 Registered: 02-2006 |
"The intersection of Lahser and Grand River remained completely closed at 4:00 this afternoon as utility crews were digging up the pavement and a team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were investigating the scene." Why would ATF be on scene here? That means they suspect arson. Does Detroit FD not have a fire investigation unit? | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 139 Registered: 11-2005 |
Tragically, Freep didn't cover it. It's on the News' Web site but didn't make Tuesday's print edition. I'm sure if it were in the suburbs, it would have been in both. | ||
Frank_c Member Username: Frank_c Post Number: 853 Registered: 10-2003 |
Use to spend our hard earned money at the China Clipper on egg rolls, we felt like adults, and oh such an exotic place......we were just kids. | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 859 Registered: 01-2004 |
China Clipper was the place where I fell in LOVE with Chinese food several years ago. This saddens me deeply. I hope there's a plan in the near future to rebuild this corner. | ||
Rustic Member Username: Rustic Post Number: 2902 Registered: 10-2003 |
that's a shame. that building anchored a particularly nice couple of blocks of commercial buildings running along lahser south from GR on the west side of the street. china clipper was a very neat place a little small but very neat ... for decades it had never been remodeled and was like stepping into a timewarp back into 1940s Detroit, it eventually was remodeled into what looked like the usual u[lesant walk up pictures over the counter type chinese place. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3242 Registered: 10-2003 |
I met ATF at the site. They had had a big investigative van truck on the site. They asked me what I was doing while walking around the intersection. I told them I was taking pictures for DetroitYES, a news website [which is the truth]. They pleasantly accepted that and in return I asked them why they were there, on something I thought would be a local jurisdiction. They said something about a fire being over a million dollars, something about businesses possibly being involved in interstate commerce... which came off to me as saying, "This is what we tell people because we can't tell you the real reason." My wild guess is that they had a previous ongoing investigation on a business within the property. But that and a buck gets me a cup of coffee. | ||
Bob_cosgrove Member Username: Bob_cosgrove Post Number: 403 Registered: 03-2005 |
The ATF investigates many fires of unknown origin, that doesn't necessarily inicate arson. Bob Cosgrove | ||
Huggybear Member Username: Huggybear Post Number: 268 Registered: 08-2005 |
Most of the businesses were defunct - I shot photos of all of them a month ago, and there was precious little going on. China Clipper went out of business two years ago. Sounds like a landlord job to me. Which of course seems a little like Devil's Night. If you couldn't sell your house after 1967, come back in the 1980s and burn it down for the insurance. | ||
Rustic Member Username: Rustic Post Number: 2903 Registered: 10-2003 |
Lowell, up through the 70's the block SOUTH of that one (on Lahser) had what most certainly were some mob business storefronts. | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 700 Registered: 12-2005 |
Rustic--like, perhaps the Tuxedo place that continued long after all other such businesses left the area? Drumroll please-post 700! | ||
Rustic Member Username: Rustic Post Number: 2904 Registered: 10-2003 |
56packman, hey, I never said nuthin specific ... | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3245 Registered: 10-2003 |
Speaking of ironies, direcly across from the CF Smith building was this anti-arson Angels Night Mural.  The breast plate on the buff angel with boxing gloves reads "Motor City Blight Busters". | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 281 Registered: 08-2006 |
I recall the Marquis on that building in the 70s and early 80s always had some kind of inspirational saying, it would change weekly. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5171 Registered: 02-2004 |
Folks around there don't care Even for the Historic C.F. Building. Built before Detroit annexed parts of Redford TWP. Parts of Old Downtown Reford TWP. is being destroyed for a lack of community unity. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10840 Registered: 10-2003 |
Word on the street is the ATF was looking for Ghettoman and his street prophets, as they had some questions for them pertaining to the fire. | ||
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto Post Number: 2700 Registered: 10-2003 |
I rolled past this eve and the patient will be put out of its' misery tomorrow, I think. The backhoes are in place. Lotta old memories came back as I drove by... Going to China Clipper with my folks as a kid for the pressed duck...They put so much MSG in the food that I would drive the waitresses crazy by constantly asking for refills of water. About 20 years ago they got rid of their old neon airplane sign, and I always wonder if a collector got it, or it went into the dumpster. My first job just down the street in 9th grade as a phone solicitor, selling tix to a police benefit. I was good at it, and that job bought me my first car, a black 71 Eldorado, a bit much for a tenth grader. Hanging out at my buddies studio in the Dawntreader building twenty years ago. It was an all purpose kinda place, where bands practiced, and both pictures and videos were made. Years before that, it was a men's wear store and I bought my dad a tie there. Another friend lived above Master's Candies in a huge apt. As we were all broke, it seemed to be everybody's crash pad for a while. Too bad John George didn't get that place. I hate to speculate, but I've seen an awful lot of arson in my time here, and that sure looks like a professional job. The area already looked like a mouth missing a few teeth...now it looks like a mouth missing half of its' teeth. | ||
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto Post Number: 2701 Registered: 10-2003 |
confidential to packman: any chance we can get a screening of "Last Tango in Paris" (with organ music) at the Redford sometime? I'm overdue for a visit. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 7024 Registered: 12-2003 |
Good lord, Barnes, the image of you cruising in that Caddy might just haunt me, that is TOO funny. So you're an old Redforder? I've got cousins that grew up around there...we'll have to remember to compare notes next time we cross paths. Thanks for the jog down the lane... | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 701 Registered: 12-2005 |
Barnesfoto: I don't see any screening of "last tango" happening any day soon, we kind of stick to family-friendly fare. Interesting concept though. I wouldn't want to make Brando's words any harder to understand, though. Here's our new schedule of films,........................ Oh- excuse me, MOVIES January 5 & 6 - The Long, Long Trailer Plus The Looney Tunes Cartoon "Fox Pop" - $4.00 January 19 & 20 - The Caine Mutiny - $4.00 February 2 & 3 - Monkey Business - $4.00 February 16 & 17 - Pillow Talk - $4.00 March 2 & 3 - Seven Brides For Seven Brothers Plus Bugs Bunny in "8 Ball Bunny" - $4.00 March 10 - Silent Film Peter Pan accompanied by Lance Luce - $10.00 March 16 & 17 - The Maltese Falcon Plus Bugs Bunny in "Bugs Bunny Rides Again" - $4.00 March 30 & 31 - Flipper Plus Daffy, Porky and Tweety in "Baby Bottleneck" - $4.00 April 13 & 14 - Three Stooges Festival - $5.00 April 27 & 28 - Gone With The Wind - $5.00 (no matinee for this weekend) bring your friends and family and support the only remaining neighborhood movie theatre operating in Detroit. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3262 Registered: 10-2003 |
I believe you have an Indiana Jones flic coming up in a week or too. Right or wrong? A friend of mine who used to attend the Redford in his youth was making a point of seeing it as it was [in his words] the kind of movie he have died to see back then. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 25 Registered: 10-2006 |
Is not the HQ for Blight Busters around that intersection? | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1683 Registered: 10-2003 |
I was very relieved to hear that the Redford Theatre didn't suffer any damage from the nearby fire! My husband and I, along with several friends, have many fond memories of seeing some of our favorite classic movies there. Some 10 years ago, we took our two boys plus three nephews to see Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland in the 1938 classic The Adventures of Robin Hood. Several friends and I are already planning to see Gone With The Wind both nights at the Redford in April. Yes, we are huge fans and do travel to attend GWTW events each year. I've seen GWTW over 70 times since 1969, mostly in movie theatres. The last time I recall seeing GWTW at the Redford was in January 1986; my firstborn who turns 21 today went with me (yes, I bought him a $2 ticket so that he could sleep in his carseat next to me). | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 704 Registered: 12-2005 |
We're glad the fire was no where near the theatre, and we're happy THIS didn't happen:  a 1950 proposal for a re-front job. The current marquee is what they (the Goldberg brothers) settled on. | ||
Rustic Member Username: Rustic Post Number: 2915 Registered: 10-2003 |
looks a bit like the Norwest face lift! | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 705 Registered: 12-2005 |
Rustic-the Norwest never had a facelift--that was the original 1937 facade, with some funky thin brick added on the bottom 8' or so, after the mid 70's.  | ||
Brandon48202 Member Username: Brandon48202 Post Number: 117 Registered: 12-2004 |
Charlotte, Yes, the blightbusters headquarters is just north of there. | ||
Busterwmu Member Username: Busterwmu Post Number: 291 Registered: 09-2004 |
Too bad the CF Building was damaged so far beyond repair. It was a graceful anchor to that corner, even if it was greatly unused. Glad to hear the fire didn't harm the Theatre, but the next time I'm down there for a show it'll seem a little more empty  | ||
Stecks77 Member Username: Stecks77 Post Number: 177 Registered: 08-2006 |
I drove through the area Wednesday night and you could still smell it smoldering. Charlotte: I was in the Blightbusters HQ's that night as well. As Brandon48202 stated, they are located in an old Mason's building not far from the fire. Its about four stories tall or so and its fairly non-descript but it contains a beautiful sanctuary hall on the 3rd floor that Blightbusters is going to begin raising funds for so it can be used as a community theatre once renovated. Its an incredible space. I wish I had pictures to share. | ||
Detroitkate Member Username: Detroitkate Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006 |
My dad's store was one of the destroyed businesses. If any of you know of Mario's Formal Wear (formerly Paul's Tuxedo) Mario is my dad. It is actually directly across from the "Angel's Night" mural. To give you some of the business owner perspective, he is in total shock still. He loved being a part of the community and the community loved him. He said that firemen and policemen that he knew came to give him their support when he went to the site. He stayed there because he thought that the neighborhood needed something hopeful like a Tux store there. All the memories of the people and things that went on there are gone now. He always would talk about how Gil Hill came in and how The Spinners loved his store. Hell, I remember being 7yrs old and playing Barbies on the floor while I waited for him to close up. I said my first swear word in that building! He doesnt know where to go from here. He's just trying to put it all together in his mind and move on as best as possible. I'm going to help him. I am going to hold a benefit fundraiser for him in January prolly at Magic Bag in Ferndale. The business had been going poorly lately and he couldnt afford insurance on it....so he gets nothing. I hope that all of you who care about Detroit and about local Detroit businessmen who were just trying to do right by their community will come out and support getting him back on his feet. You'll never meet someone more able to put a smile on your face than my Dad. Please help him and the other businesses that lost everything to this tragedy. | ||
Stecks77 Member Username: Stecks77 Post Number: 182 Registered: 08-2006 |
Best of luck Detroitkate to you and your father. Also, welcome to the forum. There are many business people like your father trying to make an honest living in the city and too often by the skin of their teeth. I hope your father can pick himself back up and move forward in light of the situation. I hope the benefit is a success. | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 778 Registered: 02-2004 |
I'm so sorry DKate. Keep us posted. | ||
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto Post Number: 2713 Registered: 10-2003 |
Best to your Father, DKate, that was one of the few stores that remained from my ancient childhood memories (G&R Bikes and the former Albert's are still there too, along with the pharmacy and the theater.  , Here's a flyer from CF Smith Stores that I found under my porch when I was a kid. | ||
Rustic Member Username: Rustic Post Number: 2935 Registered: 10-2003 |
G&R bikes is a relative newcomer. IT moved to Old redford from GR east of Burt in the 70's. | ||
Rustic Member Username: Rustic Post Number: 2936 Registered: 10-2003 |
Barnes', BTW ... High-test LYE? wtf? | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3281 Registered: 10-2003 |
Detroitkate, I'm so saddened to hear about your father's setback. Pass along a big virtual hug from the forum. [hug] Very nice memories, thanks for a great bittersweet first post. | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 644 Registered: 11-2005 |
Uses of lye. I knew about the soap making use, but not the food uses. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S odium_hydroxide#Uses | ||
Detroitkate Member Username: Detroitkate Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2006 |
Thanks for the well wishes. Its really nice that all of you care about what is going on. Here are some updates to what is going on with everything. The ATF left yesterday and the store owners were allowed to go inside for the first time. My dad saved most of the best tuxes, pictures, an old sewing machine and the cash register (God bless pre-plastic items!) but most of it was gone. They still dont know what happened, but the common rumor is that it was a developer burning out the corner to redevelop, especially seeing as that type of thing has happened a lot in the area and people do want to redevelop the area. Also, they do know that the fire moved FAST and only a major accelerant would cause it to happen as it did. My dad has moved from saddened to pissed! As I write this, he and my stepmom are there writing "We will not be burned out!" on the storefront. Before all of this happened, my dad was considering closing the shop due to slow business, but now he is going to rebuild the business because he doesnt want the developers to win! He kept saying "everything happens for a reason" after it happened and now he believes was that the reason was to kick his ass and make the business better than it ever was. They are also really excited about the benefit and want part of the money to go to the people that lived above. Old Redford will not die if my dad has anything to say about it! I will keep all of you updated on the fundraiser and other important info. Thanks again for all the well wishes. (Message edited by detroitkate on November 11, 2006) | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 29 Registered: 10-2006 |
wow really great story--Detroit: American City... | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 4162 Registered: 10-2003 |
High-test lye http://www.boyercorporation.co m/ | ||
Rustic Member Username: Rustic Post Number: 2939 Registered: 10-2003 |
Jams, is that company owned by Borat? From the website: Other Boyer Products available | ||
Jwengrow Member Username: Jwengrow Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006 |
The C.F. Smith building holds a special place in my heart--or did. My Mom and her family lived there for years above "Paul the Tailor". It was the second apartment from the alley. We have several pictures from the late 50's of the apartment inside and of the back lot. This is a very sad situation! My Grandmother lived there up until the late 1980's before she had to move due to health reasons. When word of this fire got to me I was deeply saddened but was hopeful that maybe the place could be saved or restored. From the looks of the pictures it does not look possible. Also the pictures look to me as obvious arson. It is my hope that whoever caused this gets what's coming to them. Strangely enough, I re-visited the old complex for the first time in several years about a year ago just to see it again. I drove through the back alley and took pictures. I'm so glad I did now. It had appeared that the place was being cared for since all the woodwork and the staircases had been replaced in back. My Mother had told me that a judge with the last name Kaufman had owned the building years ago. I was surprised to see that huge rooftop billboard sign had survived the fire. I grew up visiting that building for years and I really hope that those who lived there are ok and that their businesses will survive. I can still remember my dad parking his vehicle at the bottom of the staircase in front of the spray-painted sign: No Parking- Reserved for Paul the Tailor. | ||
Jwengrow Member Username: Jwengrow Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2006 |
Detroitkate---when and where is this fundraiser--I'd like to try to be a part of it! |
