Pingree Detroit to Open Flagship Store on Veteran's Day, Celebrating City's Energy and Economic Resilience
A decade after its founding, Pingree Detroit, a worker-owned footwear business that supports U.S. military veterans by upcycling auto materials, is set to open its first flagship store in downtown Detroit. The 11 a.m. opening on Veteran's Day, Tuesday, November 11, marks an exciting milestone for the company, which aims to reconnect customers with the hands and hearts behind their purchases.
The new shop, located at 22 W. Columbia St., will be situated around the corner from the Fox Theater in "The District Detroit" development near Little Caesars Arena. According to Pingree Detroit co-founder and CEO Jarret Schlaff, Detroit's energy is "incredible right now," and he believes his company is well-positioned to capitalize on this momentum.
As a cooperatively owned business, Pingree Detroit employs military veterans and Detroiters, with 77% of its profits shared or reinvested locally. The company has diverted over 55,000 pounds of leather, vinyl, and seat belts from landfills to create handcrafted footwear, bags, and accessories.
In addition to retail, the flagship store will serve as a showroom and workshop where customers can watch workers craft products and meet their makers on "Footwear Fridays." Schlaff emphasizes that worker-ownership is not just a feel-good concept but an economic survival strategy. When people have real ownership, they stay committed, persevere, and build – skills that Pingree Detroit has successfully applied over the past decade.
To mark its 100th season, the Red Wings will partner with Pingree Detroit for a limited-edition collection available in-store on November 10. A portion of proceeds from this collaboration will support local charities benefiting veterans.
Pingree's commitment to transparency and community is reflected in its name, inspired by former Detroit mayor and Michigan governor Hazen S. Pingree. The company's vision is to reconnect people with the hands and hearts behind what they buy, supporting Veterans and Detroiters who are building opportunity and impact right here in their own neighborhoods.
As Pingree Detroit embarks on this new chapter, it remains committed to its core values: community-driven ownership, sustainable practices, and a passion for storytelling.
A decade after its founding, Pingree Detroit, a worker-owned footwear business that supports U.S. military veterans by upcycling auto materials, is set to open its first flagship store in downtown Detroit. The 11 a.m. opening on Veteran's Day, Tuesday, November 11, marks an exciting milestone for the company, which aims to reconnect customers with the hands and hearts behind their purchases.
The new shop, located at 22 W. Columbia St., will be situated around the corner from the Fox Theater in "The District Detroit" development near Little Caesars Arena. According to Pingree Detroit co-founder and CEO Jarret Schlaff, Detroit's energy is "incredible right now," and he believes his company is well-positioned to capitalize on this momentum.
As a cooperatively owned business, Pingree Detroit employs military veterans and Detroiters, with 77% of its profits shared or reinvested locally. The company has diverted over 55,000 pounds of leather, vinyl, and seat belts from landfills to create handcrafted footwear, bags, and accessories.
In addition to retail, the flagship store will serve as a showroom and workshop where customers can watch workers craft products and meet their makers on "Footwear Fridays." Schlaff emphasizes that worker-ownership is not just a feel-good concept but an economic survival strategy. When people have real ownership, they stay committed, persevere, and build – skills that Pingree Detroit has successfully applied over the past decade.
To mark its 100th season, the Red Wings will partner with Pingree Detroit for a limited-edition collection available in-store on November 10. A portion of proceeds from this collaboration will support local charities benefiting veterans.
Pingree's commitment to transparency and community is reflected in its name, inspired by former Detroit mayor and Michigan governor Hazen S. Pingree. The company's vision is to reconnect people with the hands and hearts behind what they buy, supporting Veterans and Detroiters who are building opportunity and impact right here in their own neighborhoods.
As Pingree Detroit embarks on this new chapter, it remains committed to its core values: community-driven ownership, sustainable practices, and a passion for storytelling.
. I mean, yeah, 77% of profits shared locally is nice, but what's the real motive here? Just to say they're helping vets and Detroiters, or are they just doing it to boost their brand? 
. And what's the real difference between watching some dudes work in a workshop and buying their products online like everyone else? 
. I wanna know how much of that money really goes back to the community and not just lining the pockets of the owners 
i've been following them since they first started out as a small upcycling business and its so cool to see how far they've come. the fact that they're empowering vets and detroiter locals by paying 'em a fair wage is just amazing 
also, i love how they're keepin it real with transparency - it's not every day u see a company bein as open & honest about their business model like this 
let's give pingree detroit a round of applause for changin the game in detroit 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to shop at a place that supports U.S. military veterans by upcycling auto materials? 
It's like they're keeping Detroit's history alive while making awesome products 
. Plus, the fact that 77% of profits are shared locally is just incredible 
. I'm already counting down to that limited-edition Red Wings collab on Nov 10 
... can't wait to see what kind of magic happens 
. This store is gonna be a game-changer for Detroit, and I'm all about it! 
their co-founder jarret schlaff is literally a genius 
and i love how they're giving back to the community 
plus, they're creating this dope limited-edition collab with the red wings on nov 10 
what more could we ask for? 
. And it's not just about the business itself, but also about the impact it has on people's lives.
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. But what really gets me is that we're only hearing about this now because it's Veteran's Day and they want to tie in their whole "supporting veterans" vibe with the event 
OMG, just heard the news that Pingree Detroit is opening its flagship store on Veteran's Day 
. This collab with the Red Wings is also a great idea - supporting local charities benefiting vets is everything 
️, can't wait to check out this new store & get my hands on those limited-edition kicks 
I'm curious though, what kind of limited-edition collection is the Red Wings going to create with Pingree Detroit? And how will it benefit local charities? 
. I mean, yeah okay Pingree Detroit is doing some cool stuff with upcycling auto materials and all that jazz, but what's really going on here? Is this just another way for the powers that be to control the narrative and keep us distracted from the real issues at hand? 
it's awesome that they're transparent about their operations too, it shows they're all about honesty and building trust