Detroit

blue

Axios Detroit Partners

Axios Detroit

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Detroit.

Axios Detroit Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Detroit Alerts

Alert

Detroit Members

Membership

Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair

A successful first fair helped the Detroit artist launch a full-time ceramics business.

News

For <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit artist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/26/beginner-guide-collecting-local-art" data-vars-content-id="11b295f9-e490-429e-9b0b-f55381b25304" data-vars-headline="Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/26/beginner-guide-collecting-local-art" target="_self">Detroit artist</a> Genevieve VanZandt, the Ann Arbor Art Fair proved she could make a living as a full-time artist.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="VanZandt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.genevievevanzandt.com/" data-vars-content-id="11b295f9-e490-429e-9b0b-f55381b25304" data-vars-headline="Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.genevievevanzandt.com/" target="_blank">VanZandt</a> is among dozens of Detroit-area artists at this month&#x27;s fair — one of the country&#x27;s largest and among <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="several upcoming fairs across the region" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/01/summer-art-fairs-guide-2026-michigan" data-vars-content-id="11b295f9-e490-429e-9b0b-f55381b25304" data-vars-headline="Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/01/summer-art-fairs-guide-2026-michigan" target="_self">several upcoming fairs across the region</a>.

7 Detroit restaurant openings in the works

From Waka to Hamlin Pub, here's the latest on upcoming restaurant openings.

Food and Drink

It&#x27;s a universal truth that restaurants come and go — and we&#x27;ve seen some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big closures recently" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2026/06/30/these-michigan-restaurants-closed-doors-reorganized-in-june/90710548007/" data-vars-content-id="57d33438-6df0-4d06-9976-a6ac80ca86a2" data-vars-headline="7 Detroit restaurant openings in the works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2026/06/30/these-michigan-restaurants-closed-doors-reorganized-in-june/90710548007/" target="_blank">big closures recently</a>.On the flip side, we&#x27;re also waiting (im)patiently on exciting openings.Why it matters: Delays in some restaurants&#x27; opening timelines reflect the various <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="challenges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bridgedetroit.com/licensing-will-be-easier-for-detroit-businesses-under-new-rules/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="57d33438-6df0-4d06-9976-a6ac80ca86a2" data-vars-headline="7 Detroit restaurant openings in the works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bridgedetroit.com/licensing-will-be-easier-for-detroit-businesses-under-new-rules/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">challenges</a> many small businesses face, from financing to permitting, construction and staffing difficulties.

Michigan has eighth highest liquor taxes in nation

Michigan has the eighth highest tax on distilled spirits in the country.

Michiganders pay more in taxes for their liquor than in most other states, a tax research group finds.Why it matters: Alcohol taxes vary dramatically from state to state, meaning the same can of beer, glass of wine or fancy cocktail can cost significantly more depending on where you order it.

Where to find a trendy Hugo spritz in Metro Detroit

Where to find the Hugo spritz in Metro Detroit.

The spritz is looking a little less orange these days.The big picture: Although Aperol spritz remains a warm-weather staple, the pale green Hugo spritz — typically made with Prosecco, elderflower liqueur and soda water with mint and lime for garnish — is emerging as a major summer cocktail.

Letter to Sheffield offers glimpse into youth gathering response

A newly obtained letter reveals business concerns before the city's summer strategy was fully implemented.

Business

The Downtown Detroit Partnership urged Mayor Mary Sheffield&#x27;s administration in May to take stronger action against troublesome youth gatherings that had raised concerns among downtown businesses, per a letter from the group obtained by Axios.Why it matters: The letter captures early anxiety around the time of highly publicized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring &quot;teen takeovers.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2026/06/inside-detroits-teen-takeovers-whats-driving-the-summer-trend.html" data-vars-content-id="009de37e-8c2a-4d8e-a409-4ce340f7773a" data-vars-headline="Letter to Sheffield offers glimpse into youth gathering response" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2026/06/inside-detroits-teen-takeovers-whats-driving-the-summer-trend.html" target="_blank">spring &quot;teen takeovers.&quot;</a>

Michigan legislators aim to ban surveillance pricing

The proposal would prohibit using personal data to raise prices for individual shoppers.

Local lawmakers want to stop corporations from using your online search history and other personal data to charge more for necessary items like airline tickets or a new baby stroller.Why it matters: More leaders around Michigan and the U.S. are interested in stopping businesses from using surveillance pricing.

New hub aims to support local filmmakers

Free workspaces, screenings and artist residencies are coming to Detroit's Little Village.

Culture

Local filmmakers are getting a new early-career support center on the east side.Why it matters: Detroit&#x27;s arts community includes a long tradition of filmmaking, but some feel there&#x27;s limited opportunity to screen local films, learn and share ideas across the industry.

Miller's Bar crowned Metro Detroit burger bracket champ

Readers picked the longtime Dearborn spot as the region's best for burgers.

The votes are in — Miller&#x27;s Bar in Dearborn triumphed as the best Metro Detroit burger in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/23/millers-vs-mercury-best-burger-final" data-vars-content-id="8d211ec7-a6d7-4a0f-9ed2-261ca7987e51" data-vars-headline="Miller&#x27;s Bar crowned Metro Detroit burger bracket champ" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/23/millers-vs-mercury-best-burger-final" target="_self">our bracket</a>.<ul><li>Thank you to everyone who weighed in!</li></ul>

Miller's and Mercury advance to burger bracket finals

The final showdown is here. Vote before 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The finals are set for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Metro Detroit&#x27;s best burger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/22/vote-in-the-axios-detroit-burger-brackets-final-four" data-vars-content-id="28011680-a63d-47fa-8353-f6f8fae1d6c0" data-vars-headline="Miller&#x27;s and Mercury advance to burger bracket finals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/22/vote-in-the-axios-detroit-burger-brackets-final-four" target="_self">Metro Detroit&#x27;s best burger</a> — it&#x27;s Miller&#x27;s vs. Mercury.Between the lines: The final two caught us a little by surprise, but the storylines write themselves: an old-school suburban mainstay in Dearborn against a Corktown neighborhood favorite.

Vote in the Axios Detroit burger bracket's Final Four

Sliders got far in the early rounds, and some of them continue toward victory.

We&#x27;re down to the Final Four in our Metro Detroit burger battle.

Vote for Metro Detroit's best burger: Round 2

All four slider joints advanced as voting moves to the Elite Eight.

Detroit really is a slider city.State of play: With a nail-biting victory by Telway over Nemo&#x27;s, all four slider joints advanced to the second round of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our burger bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/17/best-burger-metro-detroit-bracket-vote" data-vars-content-id="f7010a4b-e9f8-4e7c-9699-258d5e3c443c" data-vars-headline="Vote for Metro Detroit&#x27;s best burger: Round 2" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/17/best-burger-metro-detroit-bracket-vote" target="_self">our burger bracket</a>.

Vote for Metro Detroit's best burger: Round 1

Choose among sliders, suburban favorites and city institutions to decide burger bragging rights.

Local burger bragging rights are up for grabs this month at Eastern Market&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10th anniversary burger battle" data-vars-click-url="https://burgerbattle.info/" data-vars-content-id="24257dd4-36c5-486b-b588-f713ec18a2ce" data-vars-headline="Vote for Metro Detroit&#x27;s best burger: Round 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://burgerbattle.info/" target="_blank">10th anniversary burger battle</a>.Why it matters: Before Detroit&#x27;s burger chefs duke it out, we want Axios readers to crown a winner in our own NCAA Tournament-style bracket.

Clashing Pride Month values on display in Detroit

Activists and organizers disagree on the role of corporate funding in Pride.

Anti-war activists are challenging Motor City Pride, arguing some of its sponsors&#x27; business ties conflict with the values Pride celebrations should represent.Why it matters: The dispute reflects a broader national debate over whether corporate support makes large June LGBTQ+ celebrations possible or instead dilutes Pride&#x27;s protest roots.

Business 🏦

Letter to Sheffield offers glimpse into youth gathering response

7 Detroit restaurant openings in the works

Michigan legislators aim to ban surveillance pricing

New hub aims to support local filmmakers

Miller's Bar crowned Metro Detroit burger bracket champ