DETROIT: GREEKTOWN - THE OLD - THE NEW - WINDS OF CHANGE
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- Опубліковано 28 бер 2019
- During my last visit to Greektown I was struck by how warm and inviting this part of Monroe Street appeared in the late afternoon sun. It just seemed like the right place to be in Detroit to revel in the ambience so abundant in Greektown. I also looked up at the sign at the top of the Greektown Casino Hotel and wondered - wasn’t that name supposed to be changed? Why was it not changed? Yes Iof course I thought that the proposed name change had all the appeal of a wet dishrag but why was the name not changed? In my wonderings, I was also perplexed as to why two mainstay Greek restaurants had closed since my last visit. How could that be possible? This is Greektown, why would these Greek restaurants be closed down? I was full of questions. Questions which in fact remained unanswered until I did this vlog. So join me as I take another look at Greektown, a look that leads me to the “old” as well as the “new”. All in all, I walked away feeling uncertain of the future of Greektown. It was going somewhere but I just didn’t know where.
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Link:
Monroe Blocks Flythrough -- from Bedrock Detroit
• Video
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Greektown is a historic commercial and entertainment district in Detroit, Michigan, located just northeast of the heart of downtown, along Monroe Avenue between Brush and St. Antoine Streets with a station on the city's elevated downtown transit system known as the Detroit People Mover. Greektown is also situated between the Renaissance Center, Comerica Park, and Ford Field. The district is dominated by Greek-themed restaurants and includes St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Second Baptist Church, the Athenium Suite Hotel, and the Greektown Casino-Hotel within its boundaries. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[1] The district is often the site of the Greek parade in March.[2]
The area known today as Greektown was first settled in the 1830s by German immigrants, who created a primarily residential neighborhood in the area.[3] However, in the earliest years of the 20th century, most of the German residents began moving from the neighborhood into areas farther from downtown.[3] As the Germans left the area, new Greek immigrants moved in, spurred by Theodore Gerasimos, the first documented Greek immigrant in Detroit.[3] The newly arrived Greeks established businesses in the neighborhood.
By the 1920s, the area was becoming primarily commercial rather than residential, and the Greek residents began moving out; however, the restaurants, stores, and coffeehouses they established remained.[3] The next thirty years brought a melange of immigrants to the few residential spaces left in the neighborhood. Redevelopment in the 1960s led to the neighborhood becoming more commercialized to provide space for municipal buildings and parking.[3]
Realizing the culturally significant neighborhood was at risk, Detroit's Greek leaders banded together. With the help of the Mayor's office, the streetscape and building exteriors were improved, and additional street lighting was installed.[4] The neighborhood threw a Greek festival in 1966, timed to coincide with Fourth of July celebrations.[4] The festival was a success, and was continued for years until turnout grew too large.[4] By that time, Greektown was firmly established in Detroit. The Greektown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
As of June 2012 only three full-fledged Greek restaurants remain in Greektown.[5] The neighborhood is a popular restaurant and entertainment district, having many restaurants that serve authentic Greek cuisine, as well as one of the city's three casinos, Greektown Casino. Certain buildings on Monroe Street are themed to resemble the Parthenon, Pegasus, and other forms of Greek architecture. Greek music is also played on Monroe Street throughout the day. Well known restaurants include The New Parthenon, The Golden Fleece, Laikon Cafe, Cyprus Taverna, Pegasus Taverna, Pizza Papalis, and Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen Cafe. The Detroit People Mover has a station at the Greektown Casino on Beaubien Street between Monroe Street and Lafayette Boulevard.
This is definitely on my list of places to go to when visiting Detroit. Thank you for taking us along with you!
Detroit as America's Great Comeback story is a developing story. From great city to desperate city to comeback city that is still far from having reached its full potential. Throughout it all there has been one relative constant - Greektown. But on second thought it still took Dan Gilbert to step in and rescue the Greektown Casino and Greektown Casino Hotel from bankruptcy. So even Greektown has gone through various cycles. But yes Greektown is Detroit's go to place - check out Pizza Papalis.
Looks like we are everywhere lol, very happy to see my fellow Greeks abroad.
Look at it again - you are in the video.
Εminem was working at a greek's restaurant does anyone know where?
Used to go to Greek town after Tigers games at Tigers stadium all the time. Fun place, great people. Detroit rocks - it gets a really bad rap from the media. Loved Hellas and Grecian Gardens
Nice to encounter you friend! Good stuff place!. Members always welcome to my tribe+*-*
I love Detroit 💘◇$!
I didn't realize your blogs were so popular in Detroit. How did all those people lining the street to see you find out you were coming that day? Also don't forget to mention Pizza Pappalis, the best pizza in MI.
I could only wish - that is a good one Harold ---love it - you have a keen sense of humour. Pizza Papalis ...amazing I was in Greektown so many times and I never went inside since pizza is not one of my go to foods.Had I know I would have included it in my videos. But best in Detroit ...isn't that the title claimed by Supino Pizzaria in the Eastern Market. I did go inside there and included it in one of my Eastern Market videos. When I did a Google search for best pizza in Detroit - Papalis came up first and Supino second. Anyway I hope you go to Papalis soon just to enjoy Greektown...and by the way, have a look at the video link I put in the description for the Monroe Blocks. Consider the waiting list for a condo in the Monroe Blocks ..that will be a hot ticket in the "New Detroit". Have a great weekend from Banff, Alberta.
Greek Town is fun!
It was my favourite part of Detroit....well maybe the Eastern Market was more authentic.
Love Greektown miss going there I moved away from the metro Detroit Area back in 2010
Yes Greektown is Detroit's go-to destination because it is so intense, compact and close to downtown. I also like the Eastern Market
even although it is quite different. There have been great changes in downtown Detroit since 2010. Hope you get a chance to go back and have a look. On the other hand after the Hudson Tower and the Monroe Blocks are completed it will be even more impressive. Then there are the neighbourhoods ...that is another story.
Had my first cup of Turkish coffee in Greek town in 1967
It always was a charming place to go in Detroit. Glad you got to see it in 1967 when there must have been a lot more Greek restaurants.
Question, does greektown casino have a buffet?
www.greektowncasino.com/2017/10/casinos-bring-buffet-america/shutterstock_538900747/
Have a good one - Lobo
@@TravelsWithLobo Salaam. Motorcity casino. You pay $30 and you get lobster too!.
@@djsomali4414 great deal
Looks like a lot of fun with great food.Hopefully Detroit, Michigan as a city will rebound positively as a city.
Thanks for commenting. Greektown is really the only place to go to in Detroit for eating and entertainment. It was my go to place while I was there.
@@TravelsWithLobo When you went to go eat there where the people nice, and around that area at least,???? Because they say Detroit Michigan's rough,& tough area,to be in person there.I would not want to go there,if I felt unsafe in person to Detroit Michigan. Isn't the weather super cold there,????
I really hope that Detroit,gets better crime wise as a city.
Hello i am Greek agronomist and i want to travel in Michigan State for work.
The Grecian Gardens was the original Greektown casino, but this was before gambling was made legal.
Thanks for adding this bit of Greektown history.
supper
Danke Manne ...leiter kommt Detroit bald zu Ende...es war eine gute Geschichte.