Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor are fortunate to have a significant number of businesses run by people of Asian and Pacific Island descent, and after the recent attack against Asian businesses in Georgia, supporting AAPI-owned businesses takes on a new importance.
During that attack, the Atlanta community lost 8 of its own — Soon Chung Park (74), Hyun Jung Grant (51), Suncha Kim, (69), Yong Yue (63), Delaina Ashley Yaun (33), Paul Andre Michels (54), Xiaojie Tan (49), and Daoyou Feng (44) — six of whom were of Asian descent.
Of course, supporting Asian-owned businesses is more than ordering takeout from a South Indian street food spot or driving out of your way to the H Mart (although this type of support is important, too).
Support also comes in the form of listening to people of Asian and Pacific Island descent about issues that harm their community specifically, including immigration rights and hate crimes, and educating yourself, taking action and donating accordingly.
To start, here is a list of businesses owned by people of Asian and Pacific Island descent in metro Detroit and Ann Arbor to support now (and in the future).
Cafe Immortelle
- Address: 4979 Livernois Road, Troy
- Phone: 248-250-9858
- Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Cafe Immortelle is a family-owned and run cafe serving drinks made from coffee beans sourced from local roasteries Populace Coffee and Creation Coffee. Tea is sourced from Eli Tea Bar in Birmingham.
Festive Essentials
- Address: 3501 Caniff St., Hamtramck
- Phone: 313-727-1045
- Hours: 2-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Festive Essentials is a one-stop shop for wedding jewelry and accessories. Stop by the website or visit for a free one-hour bridal consultation to browse carefully sourced and selected layered necklaces, earrings, bangles, Maang Tikkas and more.
Go! Sy Thai
- Locations:
- Phone: Detroit locations: 313-638-1467; Livonia location: 734-550-9601
- Hours: Vary by location
Go! Sy Thai offers small plates, noodle and rice dishes, curries and specialty drinks at its three locations. Many of its menu items can be made vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten free by request.
Isla Metro Detroit
- Address: 2496 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights
- Phone: 586-883-7526
- Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday
Isla Metro Detroit specializes in Filipino cuisine and dessert. Visit for menu items like lechon kawali, chicken inasal and pork adobo and try a chocolate yema cake for dessert.
JHobby Makeup Studio
- Address: 23650 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge
- Hours: By appointment only
JHobby Makeup Studio is not currently taking bridal makeup appointments due to COVID-19, but when it is safe to reopen, the makeup studio offers both bridal ceremony and bridal reception makeup. Business owner Jahura offers traditional Indian bridal looks with a modern twist.
Kim Nhung Super Foods
- Address: 30925 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights
- Phone: 248-588-8383
- Hours: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
This specialty market and grocery offers fresh produce options including jackfruit, sweetsop and pomelos. Shoppers can also expect a large selection of seafood items like fresh oysters and snapper.
King Crab Belleville
- Address: 10840 Belleville Road, Belleville
- Phone: 734-325-7706
- Hours: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-3 p.m. and 4:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday and 1-9 p.m. Sunday
King Crab Belleville is helmed by a person of Filipino descent and offers Cajun and Creole options like seafood broils alongside a range of meat and vegetable ramen dishes.
Kumon Learning Center
- Locations
- Phone: Shelby Township: 586-254-9925; Macomb: 586-532-1234
- Hours: Shelby Township: 3:30-7:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; Macomb: 3:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
Kumon learning centers are designed to help train children as young as 3 years old in math and reading. Trained instructors work with children to explore math and reading topics that can either help children catch up in school or support them in work far beyond the individual child’s grade level.
Mo Beauty Supply
- Address: 1123 W Warren Ave, Detroit
- Phone: 313-831-9125
- Hours: 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday
Mo Beauty Supply offers a full range of wigs, hair dying products, makeup supplies including lashes and hair accessories. The store also carries a small selection of tops and leggings.
Mr. Song Millinery
- Address: Online store only
- Phone: 313-873-2540
- Hours: Call to schedule a private consultation
Mr. Song Millinery is based in Detroit, but sells hats only through an online marketplace. The shop is best known for creating the iconic bow hat worn by Aretha Franklin at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. Owner Luke Song’s creations are also in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian.
Tsai Grocery
- Address: 3115 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor
- Phone: 734-995-0422
- Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Tsai Grocery is a family-run business offering Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean goods and more. The Tsai family also owns and runs the popular Japanese restaurant Godaiko next door.
Learn more about the AAPI community by reading some of the books written by people of Asian descent in the round up here. For more information on racism and raising anti-racists, visit the Talking About Race page at MetroParent.com.
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