Motown Vision: Donovan Baxter Aims to Showcase the New Detroit

The City of Detroit has experienced a huge boom recently due to the influx of new residents, businesses, job opportunities, and more. Depending on who you talk to, this may or not be the most positive thing. Many residents have their opinions on the subjects of gentrification and price inflation but no one can deny that the city has fostered major growth as of late. Within the past decade, restaurants, shopping, nightclubs and entertainment are now within reach; options that weren't as prevalent in the Downtown and Midtown areas years ago. Donovan Baxter, a local lifestyle blogger from metro Detroit covers these topics and more in The Downtown Express. The Downtown Express is a lifestyle blog where Baxter covers nightlife, restaurants, and local hotspots. He’s passionate about busting the myth that there’s nothing to do in Detroit. Highlighting new and exciting places such as the Candy Bar and The Belt, Baxter is just getting started. Below, we talked with him about his plans for The Downtown Express, thoughts on Detroit city politics, and where he’s hanging out these days.

Eight Eleven: What made you decide to start blogging?

Donovan Baxter: So, I used to work at the Escape Room Zone in Madison Heights, MI. I had a couple of coworkers who, during the weekends when we would meet up with each other, I would tell them about my previous adventures at bars in downtown Detroit. Every single time that I would introduce them to a new bar, they’d say “oh that’s great, I’ll have to remember that”. I’d tell them once and then next thing I know, I’ve told them ten times already. They told me “you need to start a blog and write this down so we can remember this.” That’s where it kicked off from.

What inspired you to name the blog The Downtown Express?

With downtown Detroit, they have the People Mover. I’ve been to Chicago where they have trains and subways to get people around. The bars that I cover are typically underground or they’re not very noticeable. I always thought of a New York subway which is typically underground. I want the reader to experience it like you’re in a train underground going to all of the bars in downtown Detroit. That’s why I wanted to call it The Downtown Express because I wanted you to feel like it’s a journey but we’re going at our own pace. Even though trains go fast, in your own mind, they go at a steady pace. Instead of a Lamborghini or a Ferrari going at a super fast pace, a train is a nice speed. So, as a reader I want you to feel like you’re taking your own time going through the articles and understanding what all is inside of Detroit. 

Where were you born and raised in the Detroit area?

So, I was born in Detroit at what used to be Grace Hospital and lived in Detroit for a few years when I was younger. My parents moved to Clinton Township and then Eastpointe, where I was raised for over a decade. I now live in Oak Park. 

What are your personal thoughts on the resurgence of downtown Detroit? 

My personal opinion is I’m enjoying seeing what Dan Gilbert and Mike Illitch have done with downtown in the past couple of years. I do have concerns about the borders of downtown because there are other neighborhoods that have low income families that are outside of downtown but are still in the city. Will those territories be pushed into for construction for housing to expand Downtown and Midtown or are they going to limit those areas? I think there should be some caution and consideration for those families who live around those areas that have the potential to be displaced. That’s my opinion on that issue.

Donovan Baxter

The Downtown Express is a great tool that can be used for finding entertainment and nightlife in the city. Do you hope to inspire other natives as well as tourists with your blog?

I hope to inspire tourists, natives or anybody who’s interested in downtown Detroit to visit the places that I write about to verify the information that I’m providing since it’s my opinion. When you go there I want you to get lost afterwards. Don’t stop at just one location. When you’re done, get lost inside of Detroit; accidentally run across some spots; you’d be so surprised at what we have that’s down here. The industrialization of Detroit is amazing and that’s my purpose of doing the blog. I want you to go on your own expedition when you get here. Never limit yourself to just one article that has a place you may go to, try to venture out. 

Previously, you’ve reviewed The Keep and The Belt; two popular spots in the downtown area. Can you tell us a little bit about them both?

When going out, I like going to the Belt because of all the options it offers. I really like to grab drinks from the Skip [inside the Belt] to start the night off. Mootz Pizzeria has some of the best food to offer as well. The Keep is the first bar that I’ve ever been to downtown. When I went there I felt like I belonged. I felt like I wanted to write about those two places first because it felt like I was a part of a subculture inside of American society where wanting to have fun is something we can have in common. A place where we want to leave our problems at the door and it’s paradise for us. I want my readers to feel that way when they come to places like these. 

What is your favorite bar downtown currently?

The Keep would’ve probably been my favorite when I wrote the article but my favorite bar of all time here is Bad Luck Bar. It’s very hard to notice at first, it’s in a back alley in downtown. It’s small but the drink selections are exquisite. The prices are expensive but my favorite drink is the Hammer. I love the back door, speakeasy vibe. It’s kind of like an Al Capone situation.

What other developments would you like to see downtown?

Well, downtown is excellent by Midwest club standards and they do a pretty good job with eateries and bars. I would like to see more activity centered facilities available, places with various things for people to do. Adult arcade establishments or anything of that nature I would like to see more of down here. We have plenty of eateries and bars but we could expand further on the entertainment aspect.

Imagine someone has about 24 hours here with a budget of $100. What would you describe as a perfect day in Detroit and what would you advise them to do in the city?

I would advise them to go to at least two bars. I’d recommend the Bad Luck Bar and the other would be Wright & Company. Just purchase one drink from each. Go to a nice restaurant down there. I’d recommend Pegasus in Greektown, that’s one of my go-to’s. I like it because it’s affordable. If you’re still hungry and looking for something else, go to American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island. You’re not a true Detroiter unless you eat there. Go sightsee and see the DIA in Midtown. I’d definitely recommend that. Also, go for a ride on the People Mover, that’s the fastest way to see all of downtown.

Do you plan on covering any other topics in The Downtown Express besides nightlife and entertainment?

Eventually, I want to delve into politics. I notice there aren’t a lot of people who seem to care or are up to date with news. Whether it’s on the City Council, the Mayor, or Congress representatives who are from Detroit and what’s going on with politics as a whole in Michigan. So, eventually I’d like to dive into that. I would like to show both perspectives from the two party system. I’m not just going to write exclusively Democratic or Republican; I’d like to show both and some independent viewpoints. But politics would be my next subject to write about.

Are you interested in covering any sports inside the city? 

Detroit has the most insufferable sports base as far as fans are concerned. I feel like if I were to write anything, it would be about how fans are the reason why the franchises in Detroit are a disappointment today. I feel like they are responsible. If I ever had to cover sports in town, that’s what I would do; just to give a wake up call. But if I were to write from a positive standpoint, University of Michigan basketball would be one that I would write positively about. I’ve always been a fan of them since I was a kid. In general, I’ve been a fan of college basketball since I was ten. Starting in 2008, and it’s been over a decade since then.

Previously you mentioned Dan Gilbert and Mike Ilitch as people you give credit to for the resurgence in the city. Are there any other people that you feel have contributed to the renaissance?

One person that definitely needs a shoutout is Mike Duggan, the current mayor. Even though there are certain issues with the demolition of housing that he’s been trying to do. He’s allowed all of that construction to come inside of Detroit with the renovation of Downtown and Midtown and permitting such things has definitely helped the city. We’ve benefitted with revenue. The members of Detroit City Council have been trying their best to help with the implementation of more jobs based off of bank financing and doing deals with other corporations to try to benefit Detroit. As far as those two entities go, they have done an excellent job in my opinion with the resurgence of Detroit and bringing it to what it should be today. 

Can you tell us a little bit about your past internship with journalism in the city?

Yes, I interned with the former President of Detroit City Council, Brenda Jones. I handled her social and digital media content. Anything involving her campaign or Detroit based as a whole that I knew of, I covered through recording, editing, and producing it on her Instagram page for her campaign for people to see what’s happening and to be informed. I also used that access to cover events that are inside the city so my position allowed me to have some leeway with getting into places that other journalists or reporters may not be able to go. As far as that aspect goes, I was able to move a little bit more in Detroit.

Where do you think blogging will take you within the next five years?

In the next five years, I think blogging will take me to where people are reading my content. I don’t plan on being someone who’s famous for my work. But I think I’ll get more viewers and people will pay more attention to what I’m writing and covering. Hopefully, with any job that I’m trying to do, it will allow me to produce content on the blog and where I can use that to endorse Detroit. I do hope there are more people viewing what I’m producing in five years. 

What does your typical day in Detroit look like?

I attended Wayne State University and my major was broadcast journalism. I went to class there in Midtown. I loved to go to the Student Center and the DIA to study. Even now, I typically come to downtown at night because I enjoy the nightlife so I’d probably go to The Whiskey Parlor or Wright & Company bars. That’s a typical day for me here but I do explore a lot. Sometimes I’ll put my headphones in, grab my phone, and just walk around trying to find what else is new to discover.

Read The Downtown Express here.