Detroit opens arms to retailers: New collection of stores welcomed.

Byline: Greta Guest

Dec. 8--Staples Inc. took a chance by opening a store in Detroit, and the investment has paid off in some unusual ways. In his 27 years in the business, Mark Chizek, Staples district manager for southeast Michigan, says he hasn't seen anything like it. Chizek started shopping for a site two years ago in the city because people in and near downtown had nowhere to buy office supplies. "The people of Detroit have welcomed us in a way I have yet to see," Chizek said. "Customers thank me for putting a store in downtown Detroit." Such consumer gratitude is common for many national retailers that open their doors in Detroit. Despite attracting a handful of big names like Borders, CVS, Hard Rock Cafe, Au Bon Pain, Athlete's Foot, Avis, Starbucks, Kinko's and Cingular Wireless, Detroit lacks a critical retail mass. The 14,650-square-foot Staples store opened on Jefferson between Chene and Jos. Campau streets east of downtown in October. Mary Grace Wilbert of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. said that Super Bowl ...