The Neighborhood Business Directory Debuts In Detroit For Holidays

DETROIT (WWJ) - Days before the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear, the city of Detroit has rolled out its directory of neighborhood businesses, a glossy, one-hundred page publication that also includes pictures.

The directory unveiling took place at "Mo' Better Blues" restaurant in downtown Detroit where Gerald Watson is co-owner with his mother. This is their new location on Larned Street after a highly publicized dispute with a previous landlord.

"There were some issues, and a lot of times race was an issue but I think the mayor, I applaud him, he answered it- everyone was talking about - he put together something which funding was the biggest thing. Small business, especially minority business - often time funding is the biggest challenge," said Watson. "Now I'm telling everyone - you should definitely apply."

"What we did was take hundreds of businesses across the city of Detroit - that reflected a diverse group from every single district and we wanted to put it out before the holiday, so people who want to support local Detroit entrepreneurs have local shopping choice," said Mayor Mike Duggan.

Watson has won funding through the Motor City Match program. The Neighborhood Business directory is free and can be found throughout the city and online.

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• Detroit