In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through the heart of Detroit’s vibrant Eastern Market, a nearly century-old building at 2501 Russell St. partially collapsed on Saturday, Sept. 16, at around 11:30 a.m. The building, a beacon of Detroit’s history and entrepreneurial spirit, was home to multiple businesses, including two cherished Black-owned businesses: Jabs Gym Eastern Market and Detroit vs. Everybody.
Miraculously, all staff and gym members of Jabs Gym Eastern Market were safely evacuated without injury as the third and fourth-floor walls on its southern side collapsed to the ground. But as the dust settles, the future remains uncertain for both establishments. In light of recent evaluations, the City of Detroit declared the building uninhabitable, and it was slated for demolition. Today, the tone has changed, and the story of the Eastern Market building has taken another turn. However, the timeline for its restoration remains uncertain.
The city’s Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department said in a Sept. 22 statement that an engineer hired by the owner of the Del Bene building at 2501 Russell St. at Winder Street has determined it “is safe to enter, stabilize, assess, and repair.”
Both businesses have long roots in the community, with Jabs Gym operating since 2015 and consistently championing health and well-being for Detroiters of every background. Owner Armond Rashad’s gym is widely recognized for transforming lives through fitness and offering a sanctuary for residents and visitors alike.
Detroit vs. Everybody, led by Tommey Walker, occupied the building’s ground floor and had recently invested in a visually striking glass-enclosed mural by artist Bakpak Durden, celebrating the brand’s collaboration with global luxury brand Gucci. Tragically, the collapse came just as Walker was set to unveil plans for a November relaunch from the iconic location.
“It’s been constant moving and shaking ever since the morning of the collapse,” said Walker. “It was a Saturday morning, and we were actually doing vending because we were in the process of reopening, and we were going to announce our re-grand opening last Monday for a Nov. 19 opening. We were doing sidewalk sales when the sales associate called me and said that the side of the building collapsed. It was pandemonium, it was very crazy to hear the panic on the other side of the phone from her and then hear the panic in the background and not be able to do anything it was very stressful.”
Rashad painted a vivid picture of that frightful Saturday, stating, “It was a little bit after 11 a.m. and normally I wouldn’t be there at 11 a.m. on a Saturday, but I just so happened to be there, and I wonder what God was trying to tell us with the fact that I was in the building with my team and everything.”
Rashad notes that suddenly, all the windows were blown out, letting in the external light – a sharp contrast to the gym’s usual aesthetic. “If you ever been in Jabs Gym, we have drapes covering the windows. We have like this glowing type of night-club feel so it was dark in there and all of a sudden it got super bright and then we heard all of the collision and everything happening downstairs like the cars getting hit from the falling bricks. Then a (light) pole got hit so some of those transformers were breaking and you heard loud booms. That’s where people thought it was an explosion, but at that point the building had already fell and so everybody was just running and scrambling on which way to go.” Though this was a troubling reality, Rashad faith remains. “It’s an unfortunate situation, but God has been really good to us to spare our lives and our health in this situation.”
When asked, “How are you doing right now?” Rashad responded with evident emotion. “We’re still processing this a little bit. Everyone’s assumption is that the next day you get up and you run your business, you go to work, and you make your calls, and to not have that after being a business for almost a decade is a really interesting experience.”
Walker immediately chimed in: “Thank God no one was seriously hurt because when you look at it, it looked like it could have been a lot worse. So thank God for that and we’re just taking it one day at a time.”
Walker says that in true Detroit spirit, Detroiters have been very visible during this time of tragedy by supporting on all social media platforms, sending encouraging words, and donating through the respective GoFundMe campaigns that each business launched to help raise money for their recovery.
“The people of the City of Detroit have been coming through for us with an outpour of support. As far as the city of Detroit government, I look forward to them doing what it takes to fix the building not just for us, but for the history of that space. Also, (for the city to) do whatever it takes to help us get our businesses back up to where they were in that space or help us get replaced.”
Rashad said that people have mentioned the thought of his gym relocating and rebuilding in a new location but mentioned the potential issues with that scenario.
“There’s a lot of complexities since our businesses were built in 2015 and if I was to build and go somewhere else, now I have to rebuild with 2023 prices and we possibly might have to take on new debt that we didn’t have before,” he said.
“There’s been conversations about emergency loans but in this particular case we didn’t need a loan before this happened and we don’t necessarily need a loan now. That’s not the best answer to put a successful business in debt so we’re really looking forward to the city (officials) to step up and help in the interim while we rebuild because we’re probably a year out before that happens and we need to continue business and keep our staff employed.”
Rashad continued, saying, “We’re not businesses that has a bunch of debt. I’ve never got money from any other institution to build Jabs Gym, and I wouldn’t want that now, with inflation and interest rates being at 8 percent and then having to dig ourselves out of a hole that we weren’t in before. So, we’re just hoping the city does right by us. We’ve done right by the city with two brands that stayed here, we both could’ve went to California or Chicago, but we made the point to say hey, it’s Detroit Vs. Everybody, and it’s Jabs Gym in Detroit. We think the city is going to do a spectacular job, that’s what we’re hoping for, and showing support for entrepreneurship and particularly Black entrepreneurship in Detroit.” Walker echoed this sentiment by adding, “and just helping us problem solve.”
Katy Trudeau, current president of Eastern Market Partnership, said the partnership is supportive and has been trying to help both businesses bounce back in the wake of the catastrophe.
“The Eastern Market Partnership has been actively supporting Jabs Gym and Detroit Vs. Everybody in several ways. First and foremost, we understand that gaining safe entry into the building is a top priority for the businesses to access equipment and merchandise located inside. While safety is our top concern, we have maintained active communication with city officials and the building owner to ensure all options to access and stabilize the building were considered. We were pleased by the news on Friday that the building owner has a path forward with the city to stabilize and repair the building over the emergency demolition option,” she said.
“We have also been working to identify temporary space in Eastern Market for them to continue operation of their businesses, including use of the public market sheds. We have teamed up with the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance to provide other support, which includes general advocacy, legal and technical assistance, and the startup of an emergency grant fund. Lastly, we are also working with other supporters of small businesses in Detroit, including the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and the New Economy Initiative to leverage all possible resources during this time. Both businesses are vital to Eastern Market and Detroit, and we will continue these efforts, and others as identified, for as long as is needed.”
What both Detroit vs. Everybody and Jabs Gym Eastern Market have in common is their stance on resilience and pushing through adversity, pillars that Walker says will help push them through even this catastrophe. “We always say, not to complain but to contribute. So, I just look at this as a real time opportunity to show the city of Detroit’s youth or anyone who is looking for inspiration, perseverance in real time. It would be great for the city of Detroit to sit down with us and put pen to paper and help us see it through and problem solve but I have faith that we’re going to get through it regardless and that is what our brands are built upon because there is no other choice but to keep going.”
A common question that has been raised online is regarding the building’s insurance; Rashad expresses, “I think that it shows the state of the city and how many people are not in business and understand insurance because it’s not an instant thing, it may be a year before you get your money back. It’s a whole process with lawsuits, you must get lawyers involved, and it’s an expensive process. Moreover, I still have a staff that believed in me who need checks at the end of the week so when the insurance piece happens we’re grateful for that if we can fight with the insurance company to regroup but I think there’s still inherent damage done that no one really thinks about because they’re thinking the insurance is going to come in and save the day and can give us a check tomorrow but the reality is it doesn’t happen that way.”
Rashad says that Trudeau has played an intricate role in this situation. “She’s going to help us continue our mission and so we’re excited to be partnered with the Eastern Market Partnership, we think they’re going to show up big for us as well.”
The sense of loss extends beyond business investments. The building’s age and proximity to the once-thriving Black Bottom community underlines its historic significance. It stands as a testament to the resilience and indomitable spirit of Detroiters.
“We been asking questions and we want to know questions that people are asking us that we haven’t gotten any answers to partially because of how crazy things has been and it being a situation that nobody could’ve foreseen but everybody has been saying that the building we’re in was built in 1927 and it has a concrete structure – that’s the most information that we’ve gotten. So hopefully, we’ll have more answers soon.” Both Rashad and Walker are awaiting an official update.
However, all is not bleak. Walker and Rashad are a testament to Detroit’s unwavering grit. While the immediate aftermath is challenging, they have expressed optimism about their next steps and faith in the City of Detroit’s support. In interviews with the Michigan Chronicle, they spoke of the overwhelming solidarity they’ve received from residents, reflecting the city’s time-honored tradition of rallying behind its own.
“I look at it as a great ending to a chapter of a story only to start another chapter so I’m excited to see how it’ll all come together for us both,” said Walker.
As Detroiters join hands in support and businesses grapple with unforeseen adversity, the questions linger: What will rise on this site if the building is demolished? And how will the spirit of Detroit shine through this challenging moment? How will the city respond to this unfortunate event that has displaced two Black entrepreneurs who proudly uphold Detroit values?
Whatever the outcome, it’s evident that Detroit’s heart – pulsing with resilience, unity, and an unwavering commitment to community – will never waver.
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