A new streaming series titled "Detroit Icon" is highlighting the city's long-standing small businesses with a special premiere gala and panel discussion scheduled for May 1st at the Detroit Historical Museum. The six-part series, created by a local business owner, aims to document the stories of enterprises that have become integral to the city's community and economy. The first three episodes premiered on March 30 and are currently available on multiple streaming platforms, according to a report from citybiz.co.
The Detroit Icon Series small businesses gala on May 1st will publicly celebrate local entrepreneurs who have navigated Detroit through various economic periods, offering a forum for owners and creators to discuss their stories of perseverance directly with the community. According to its creator, the project focuses on these establishments' resilience, formally recognizing their impact on the city's cultural and economic fabric.
What We Know So Far
- The "Detroit Icon" series is a new six-part streaming show created by Jason Dean Waldron, owner of Time Warp Vintage in St. Clair Shores, according to citybiz.co.
- The series spotlights small businesses that have persevered through Detroit’s economic shifts and contributed to shaping the city's future, as reported by citybiz.co.
- The first three episodes of the series were released for streaming on multiple video platforms on March 30, the report states.
- A special premiere gala for the Detroit Icon series is scheduled to take place on May 1, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Detroit Historical Museum.
- The gala will include a preview screening of series content and a live panel discussion with featured Detroit business owners and the series creators, according to the announcement.
Detroit Icon Series: Honoring Legendary Small Businesses
Local business owner Jason Dean Waldron created the "Detroit Icon" series to document and celebrate Detroit's foundational small businesses. His project focuses on enterprises that have become local legends, operating through both prosperous and challenging periods in the city's history. According to citybiz.co, the series highlights these businesses as powerful forces that have not only survived but also actively contributed to Detroit's ongoing evolution.
The core mission of the series is to explore the personal stories behind these local institutions. In a statement provided to citybiz.co, Waldron emphasized the importance of these often-overlooked contributors to Detroit's identity. "Detroit has always been defined by its builders, but it’s not just the big names," Waldron stated. "It’s the small businesses that have fought through every high and low to keep this city moving." This perspective frames the series as a tribute to the tenacity required to sustain a small business over decades of change.
Waldron's statement further clarified the series' narrative goals. "Detroit Icon is about telling their stories, honoring their perseverance, and showing how they’re still shaping what Detroit becomes next," he said, according to citybiz.co. This suggests the series will connect the historical legacy of these businesses to their current role within the community, presenting them as active participants in the city's contemporary landscape. The first half of the six-part series is currently available for public viewing.
May 1st Gala and Panel Event Details
A special Detroit Icon Premiere gala will celebrate the series and its featured businesses on May 1st, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at the Detroit Historical Museum. This venue aligns with the series' focus on the city's rich history, offering an evening dedicated to Detroit's entrepreneurial spirit. According to citybiz.co, tickets for the gala are priced at $40 per person.
The gala's agenda includes a preview screening of content from the series, offering attendees a direct look at the stories being highlighted. This will be followed by a live panel discussion featuring Detroit business owners profiled in the series and the project creators, providing a unique opportunity for direct dialogue between the documentary subjects and the wider community.
Beyond the screening and panel, the gala will feature a 1940s–50s theme, reflecting a significant era in Detroit's history. Light appetizers will be provided for guests, creating an experience that honors the historical context and cultural significance of the "Detroit Icon" series' celebrated businesses.
What We Know About Next Steps
The next scheduled event for the "Detroit Icon" series is the premiere gala on May 1, 2026. The celebration will take place from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Detroit Historical Museum. This event represents the primary upcoming opportunity for the public to engage with the series creators and featured business owners in person. The first three episodes of the six-part series remain available for viewing on multiple streaming platforms, following their release on March 30. Information regarding the release of the final three episodes has not been made available at this time.
