One of the big names in Detroit’s downtown music and entrepreneurial scene, Robert Stanzler, 40, recently introduced a new line of T-shirts and outerwear called Detroit Manufacturing LLC. At least 25 retailers have come on board.
“Detroit Manufacturing is not just a brand, it is a dynamic product with a Detroit-centric philosophy,” said Stanzler, owner and producer. He plans to deploy workers to the Arts, Beats & Eats festival in Pontiac over Labor Day and hires contractors to sell a full line of products at Eastern Market in Detroit every Saturday.
Crowds flock around the booths to buy shirts with high density inks, fine-gauge cotton and foil designs that bear logos such as “Detroit, City of Tomorrow,” “Little Miss Detroit” and other upbeat mottos.
Stanzler sued a former employee to register his own name on the trademark graphic of a man holding a wrench in the “Made in Detroit” logo. The design was part of an inspiration and mission to create a positive image of the Motor City. He is constantly working on new designs.
Today he competes with a variety of retailers and wholesalers. Pure Detroit sells city-themed merchandise at its stores in the Guardian and Fisher buildings and in the Renaissance Center. An upstart T-shirt company, Aptemal Clothing sells its wares at Eastern Market on Saturdays. Kid Rock sells shirts through his Web site, www.madeindetroit.com. Yet, the Stanzler name and design package retain their clout.
Image via MadeInDetroit
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