Brix Wine, a wine bar in the Rivertown neighborhood, specializes in providing an elevated experience with cultivated wine
Brix Wine intends to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all residents eager to learn about wine
Brix Wine is the 149th brick-and-mortar businesses opened by Motor City Match
Motor City Match has awarded $12.9M in cash grants; 81% of overall winners are minority-owned businesses and 70% are women-owned
May 3, 2023 (DETROIT) – Detroit's Rivertown neighborhood now has a posh wine destination with the opening of Brix Wine, marking the 149th Motor City Match business to open its doors. The establishment offers a unique and welcoming atmosphere for wine enthusiasts to indulge in their passion. Today, owner Mikiah Westbrooks, along with City officials and community members, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Founded by owner Mikiah Westbrooks, Brix Wine boasts an extensive wine list featuring local and international wines carefully curated by expert sommeliers. Customers can choose from a variety of wine flights and tasting options to suit their palate and budget.
"We're thrilled to open Brix Wine in Detroit and offer a diverse selection of wine, beer and cocktails in a comfortable and welcoming environment," said Westbrooks. "We believe that everyone, from novice to enthusiast, should have the opportunity to learn about wine and enjoy it together."
In addition to wine tasting, the establishment offers craft beers, cocktails and light bites. Westbrooks also noted that the representation of people of color in the wine industry needs to be higher. According to Bloomberg, just 1% of the winemakers and brand owners are black in the U.S. Westbrooks aims to challenge this disparity through the opening of her new establishment, where all are invited to unwind and expand their knowledge of wine in an inclusive and hospitable setting.
“Brix Wine is a great example of the type of businesses that Motor City Match is supporting and I am proud to see this program supporting so many talented entrepreneurs," said Deputy
Mayor Todd Bettison. "I am also impressed by Mikiah's vision for Brix Wine to be a welcoming and inclusive space for all wine enthusiasts. Businesses like hers create the character of a neighborhood, and I am confident that Brix Wine will be a great success in Rivertown."
The establishment, situated at 1588 Franklin St., is the proud recipient of a $32,000 grant from Motor City Match. This generous funding was utilized to enhance the building's infrastructure and create a welcoming ambiance for its patrons. The business was also acknowledged with an award from the Design track, which played a pivotal role in successfully launching its new location.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mikiah and her establishment to this vibrant Detroit neighborhood,” said Sean Gray, vice president of Small Business Services at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, which manages the Motor City Match program. “The opening of this establishment is a testament to the growing entrepreneurial spirit of our city, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on our community.”
After 22 rounds, Motor City Match has distributed $12.9 million in grants for start-ups and new businesses located throughout the city of Detroit. Through the pipeline of resources provided by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation’s small business teams, almost 1,700 businesses have received assistance along their journey to open their doors. This is all part of the organization’s greater goal to enhance the city’s economic development and beautify its commercial corridors.
Motor City Match continues to grow Detroit’s small-business landscape.
Combined with its other small business programming, DEGC is creating a sustainable small business environment that nurtures new concepts and ideas. Motor City Match offers business owners a wide range of assistance in five tracks: Plan, Develop, Design, Cash and Restore. The program helps Detroit entrepreneurs plan, formalize, launch, and grow their business by providing business planning classes, site-selection assistance, financial planning, legal aid, design services, and gap funding.
Through 22 rounds of Motor City Match:
Total cash grants: $12.9 million (Total leveraged investment: $68 million)
Total business open: 148
81 percent are minority-owned businesses
70 percent are women-owned businesses
66 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents
About Motor City Match
Motor City Match is a unique partnership between the City of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Competitive financial assistance is supported by a broad partnership of Southeast Michigan community development financial institutions and corporations including, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, Ford Foundation, Hudson Webber Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, New Economy Initiative, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Motor City Match applications are available quarterly. More information is available at www.MotorCityMatch.com
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