Downtown Detroit’s shops, restaurants, and services give our city its energy and its character. Long-standing local staples sit alongside bold new ventures, and together they create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen the fabric of our community. Supporting them is central to the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s (DDP) mission to make Downtown a vibrant place to shop, dine and discover.
DDP recognizes that small businesses are the heartbeat of our city. They drive economic vitality, foster community, and help shape Detroit’s identity.
That is why the DDP devotes time and resources to supporting the Downtown small business community, with the goal of making business a little easier and, hopefully, more profitable. Through its Small Business Program and other initiatives, the DDP provides a variety of resources, including public visibility and promotions, funding opportunities, advocacy, technical assistance and connections to citywide networks to help businesses grow and thrive.
And we are showing up for them. Through seasonal marketing campaigns, communications, and personal outreach, the Small Business team is making a real difference for Downtown’s business community.
Campaigns
During the last year, we have successfully curated strategic programs designed to elevate and uplift small businesses, reach new customers, and bring awareness to what Downtown has to offer.
25 Days of December
In an article in the Detroit Free Press, Smita Wadhawan, chief marketing officer at Constant Contact, a marketing company that surveys small businesses, told reporter Carol Cain that, “The holiday season is the most critical time of the year for small businesses, accounting for up to half of annual sales for 60% of owners.”
During the 2025 holiday season, the DDP launched the inaugural 25 Days of December, in close collaboration with our diverse small business community and supported by Diversified Members Credit Union, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Hudson-Webber Foundation, and GW Home. This robust, inclusive small-business marketing campaign delivered impressive results, increasing foot traffic and awareness for nearly 300 businesses in Downtown Detroit, particularly the 40 that directly participated. Our team and businesses are excited to bring this campaign back on November 28, 2026.
Downtown Detroit with Pride
The DDP, in partnership with the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce, developed the Downtown Detroit Pride Pass for Motor City Pride weekend. Pass holders received exclusive deals and offerings at several LGBTQ+ owned and allied Downtown small businesses. This campaign handed out over 250 passes to participants. Pride Pass participating business’s saw a 24% increase in foot traffic compared the surround areas.
Downtown Detroit Treat n’ Peek
We brought Halloween fun to our small businesses. Building on Campus Kids Day Lil’ Boo Bash presented by Corewell Health, we designed a family-friendly event that included an afternoon of trick-or-treating, thanks to support from Lake Michigan Credit Union. Little ghosts and goblins collected treats using their free DDP commemorative Halloween tote, were introduced to businesses in Cadillac Square, and peeked inside businesses along Woodward Avenue.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Clothier Free People and Shinola both reported impressive increases in foot traffic and sales, and enjoyed connecting with families and potential new customers. At Toastique, a restaurant and café, several customers returned the following week and said the event was what brought them back. Participating businesses are already looking forward to next year.
Communications
The Small Business newsletter covers DDP programming, road closures, major events, funding resources, key contacts, training opportunities, and more. It keeps our small business community informed about what’s happening Downtown so they can plan ahead and make the most of it, whether that means adjusting delivery routes, scheduling staff, or preparing for a big game. With a 55 percent open rate, it’s clear the newsletter is a valued resource for our readers.
We’ve also increased our social media and small business’s presence. Instagram and Facebook posts support our events, recognize critical sponsor support, and highlight both new and existing small businesses.
Personal Outreach
One-on-one outreach is one of the best ways we get to know our businesses and understand what they need. Our team is on the ground, talking with owners and managers, gathering feedback, and asking what services would help them succeed. That connection lets us get ahead of challenges and respond quickly when issues come up.
As the season changes, it’s a beautiful time to be in Downtown Detroit to shop, dine and discover all our small businesses.
With over 26 years of experience in finance, nonprofit organizations, and real estate, Cari Easterday is a seasoned leader in driving fiscal responsibility and optimizing financial performance. As the Chief Financial Officer for Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP), she ensures sustainable growth for the organization while fostering long-term financial stability. Before joining DDP, she served as Chief Financial Officer for Midtown Detroit, Inc., a nonprofit planning and development organization dedicated to revitalizing the Midtown Detroit neighborhood.
