American Pop! is one of my kids' favorite stores, as it is Tif's and mine. It is one of those stores I think Stephanie Loveless, publisher of Ferndale Friends, would call, "authentic Ferndale."

American Pop! is certainly a store I think is "authentic Ferndale." Ferndale's retail stores contribute more to its uniqueness than its bars. Most downtowns have fun bars. None come to mind that have a retro-vintage-what-you-grew-up-loving-as-a-kid shop.

Soon, apparently, neither will Ferndale.

Say it isn't so, Wyll!

This is frustrating. I keep hearing 'it's all bars and restaurants', but it seems in the last 3 years almost nothing but clothing boutiques have opened. In fact, two restaurants across from American Pop turned into clothing stores not too long ago. There's one big fat noisy exception of a bar that opened recently, but that place seemed to help street life if anything (for 9 Mile, not for Troy).

This sounds more like a cross between familiarity breeding contempt, and personal friction with the DDA.

Anyways, definitely a loss for the city - cool store. We're getting low on 'destination' spots. Dang.

That's so sad. American Pop is truly one of Ferndale's gems.

That's a shame! I'm gonna miss walking by the coin-operated pony!

It was bound to happen. I've sat back and watched one store merchant after another close it's doors. It certainly doesn't take a rocket scienist to see the direction downtown Ferndale has gone and appears to be going. Ferndale was once a great destination, day or night, but those days are gone. Hopefully Ferndale's Administration will recognize how lack of accountability on the DDA's part has steered downtown Ferndale off the rails; perhaps it's not too late to right it. Chris Hughes and the rest of the DDA have not effectively demonstrated how they benefit the city. What will it take for the city's administration to to hold the DDA's feet to the fire and require measurables, or Key Performance Initiatives, be reported and acheived at least annually ("Pimp My Pot" is NOT a KPI),? Then if these goals are not achieved, Ms. Hughes and Company are replaced with people who will take their roles seriously, and this continues until the right team is in place. Like any successful organization, it holds its team accountable for their performance. I'm sure most of us would love to have a job where we don't have any accountability!

Perhaps the Mayor will take a SERIOUS look at what little positive impact the DDA is having on Downtown Ferndale and make some changes for the better...

Wake up, Ferndale! The tumbleweeds blowing down the middle of 9-Mile are not far away.

JH - Thanks for the post:

Can you please explain why it is solely the DDA’s fault that these businesses have closed? Might it instead be the result of a poor economy and a really cold winter? Might it relate to those businesses personal mismanagement and inability to manage cash flows? I don't know the answers but generally believe we should not make accusations not rooted in certainty. If you know more than what you posted above about how the DDA drove these businesses out of business I would love to hear from you. Please advise.

I've been waiting as many have for an anchor store to open at the Old Navy building. There was even a Facebook page devoted to getting H&M there. But alas, no parking for heavy hitters. I'm interested to learn more about Rustbelt Market's pending lease in that space! It's a destination idea that could really thrive with foot and bike traffic.
Wyll, you should hold out for a few months. I think the changes at N.W. 9 may light a new spark for your stretch of road!

I have been shopping at American Pop ever since moving into Ferndale. I can remember when my partner and myself were looking for places to relocate we chose Ferndale because of what downtown Nine mile felt like. American pop played a huge role in that decision. After visiting the vintage shop we were flooded with memories of growing up with all of those items the first time around. Then it hit me. I started a tradition, I began to collect the metal key wind-up toys for my partner. Every Christmas I would purchase one for him and have it wrapped under the tree claiming it came from Santa. I am not sure about how I feel about losing out on that special tradition. It saddens me to think that we are yet losing another unique piece of downtown. I wish it were not so. I will miss the friendly atmosphere, Wyll's warm smile and the fond memories of reflecting back to what truly has become history in his merchandise. I hope that Wyll may have a change of heart and not close his shop. However, if he does it will yet again be another great loss for Ferndale! How sad.

As a child growing up in Monroe MI, my parents every Sunday afternoon used to take my brother, sister and I on the traditional Sunday afternoon drive that always ended with a stop at the vintage penny candy store. I used to save all the change I found while playing with friends or while digging around the sofa cushions so that I could afford to load up on my weekly stash of sugar. That was almost 30 years ago and the penny store I grew to love so much has long closed, so I can’t tell you how happy it made feel when I moving to Ferndale 8 months ago and walked into American Pop for the first time. The first thing I saw to my left was a counter filled with the same candy I grew up buying with all those pennies I savored so much. Then I looked to my immediate right, a wall filled with gags like the hand buzzer, whoopi cushion and invisible ink that I could buy at the back of the comic books as a child. Last but not least walls jammed pack from floor to ceiling of retro collectibles, funky stuff, crazy art, vintage games, hilarious bumper stickers, antique furniture etc. etc. etc. American Pop is a store that you can walk around ten times and see something new each and every time. It’s the type of store that gives life to a downtown! Continued.....

When I moved to Ferndale 8 months ago it was because of several reasons. 1. Affordable Housing 2. Proximity to Detroit 3. Its Diversity 4. The unique small downtown area. When American Pop closes its doors Ferndale will lose by far its most unique store it has to offer period. As a new Ferndale resident, I am troubled to see what is happening to Downtown Ferndale. It’s great to have a nice mix of food and drink to choose from, but downtown NEEDS retail also. It needs small boutiques that are unique like American Pop. Walk down the street and ask the owners of the other retail shops how their doing. If they are not going out of business they soon will be. Yes this economy sucks, Yes businesses are struggling, but isn’t there an organization (DDA) that receives TIF money from these exact businesses and is supposed to help b these businesses through hard times? Where are they? I hear rumors on the street that Mother Fletchers will be probably moving. Festivals are packing their tents and moving to other cities? WHY? As a new resident, I don’t like what I see going on in downtown Ferndale right now. I can only hope that the owner of American Pop will have a change of heart and decide to stay open, because Ferndale needs more shops like yours.

Terry: True only one event as of now has moved, but why? There have been complaints from the Organizers of the Blues Festival, DIY Festival and just last council meeting, the VFW in regards to additional fees that are being required to hold events. In my opinion the City and the DDA need to be doing more and provide anyone who wishes to hold an event in Ferndale with incentives to do so. A great many businesses downtown rely on these festivals/events to say alive. Just a thought.

The Ferndale DDA seems to have lost sight of it's mission, like most politicians in this day and age the mission seems to be lining their own pockets and those of their inner circles- The DDA claims they offer advertising to all merchants, yet hundreds of these advertising booklets were found trashed, I'm sure the advertisers will be pleased that their hard earned advertising dollars went in the trash heap- Also the DDA has used out of state vendors for publishing/printing, our economy is hurting, we have business that would love that business- It seems the DDA is allowed to operate without any oversight, no checks and balances here- The DDA has done more to foster divisiveness than to contribute to the efforts of local merchants to promote the uniqueness of Ferndale, the past uniqueness of Ferndale- Ferndale is not a mini Royal Oak, Ferndale has always had that authentic neighborhood feeling, the small shops that populated the nine mile stretch were a destination because they offered something fresh, unique and memorable, You came to know the store owners and they you, it was a very welcoming place-
Now, most of the smaller shops are closing, or coming and going, it seems no one is really doing well other than the DDA.
I will be sad to see American Pop go out of business, you could always find something worthwhile and fun in the shop, And the owner Wyll was always ready with a greeting and a warm bag of pop corn- It's sad what progress and greed can do to a community-

Bummer! I'd been worried about American Pop when I saw all the sale signs on the door. While I haven't purchased much there over the years, I've always been glad it's there. It's one of my favourite shops in Ferndale to show out-of-towners and I thought it lent a great sense of humor and character to the town.

FWIW and at the sake of being a pot-stirrer; I distinctly recall a similar situation when American Pop was in Berkley.

I am very sadden to see our town of Ferndale going down the toilet. In this economy City Government DDA and landlords need to stop raising costs! Store owners are struggling as it is~then make it even harder for store owners and all the other businesses that are here in Ferndale. Ferndale had a unique mix of shops, restaurants, etc. It is a town that drew people because of its uniqueness and the spirit that it reflected. NOW~it is loosing its charm, basically melting into every other towns look and feel. People used to smile, greet each other, and walked around. Parking lots were packed, street parking was always a pain to find a spot~NOW, no problem! Get a spot anywhere easily. City government and DDA, landlords would want to keep their properties rented, and people coming downtown. It benefits them as well as merchants. Knowing the economy as it is, take LESS profit to keep the town on the map. Until the last year and half, there were few vacate store fronts. NOW................ Im happy new stores have come in, but I can guarantee within 8 months they will be gone! The City government and the DDA should be trying to encourage people to bring their festivals, crafts shows or whatever for the benefit of the City of Ferndale. Ferndale is more then clothing and restaurants. Its about the people and the heart Why keep stabbing the life blood with higher taxes, fees, rents~soon there be no reason to have a town because it will be all gone, people will leave!

I ran out of space to type so adding additional chatter. I am deeply saddened that American Pop has to shut its doors. THis unique shop had many things from my childhood. It reflected past and present American history with its products that were available. American Pop brought back what America used to be about~Family, togetherness, fun and keeping things close to your heart. When I walked into this store it brought about the many fond memories of growing up, grandmothers love, you feel the warmth when you remember a time past from that item you found at American Pop, for a moment you forgot the stress of your life, for a moment you smile as you touch that tin toy either original or remake of what you played with. Or a special vase or dish~remember a sunday dinner at grandma's house. Or a furniture piece from your aunt's or uncle's house. What was also nice about American Pop was you got greeted and even if the store was busy with many people you are treated like you are the only one there. That will be missed. It is that type of thing that Ferndale used to be about also. Like family, that you had value and appreciated for being in the City of Ferndale.

This is for Mr. Parris. To answer your questions or curiosities. I have been here in Ferndale for 27 years. I moved here because the City had charm and a community spirit. It did go through a few years of a slump but it popped back better than ever. I do understand the City of Ferndale has expenses, I understand landlords have expenses-I have rental properties. The operational cost for the City of Ferndale come from who!? Tax payers and the businesses of Ferndale. They are tapped out! It has been extremely difficult. The horse is already lacking food, now trying to take the water away. TO keep the City afloat a new direction in this poor economy needs to be taken. Businesses shouldn't or its customer base be victims deeper in the poor economy. People come to Ferndale and are willing to spend their last nickle for affordable products n service. However, when costs are raised higher, not only the business but the customer suffers. Ultimately, the customer can go home and not spend. The business remains~still spending money every month, having to raise prices on their goods, which in turn causes less customers to come into their business. I would like with my rental properties to put more money in my pocket. More expenses covered~more in my pocket, less going out! However, I know, if I am unreasonable with my tenants, I will have empty properties, and higher financial burden on my shoulders. I rather compromise, then over fee things~City of Ferndale should do the same.

Further Mr. Parris~it used to be when I would during the day need or desire a parking spot, I spent more time touring the City of Ferndale trying to park within a reasonable area to where I wanted to do business with. Last year and half! No longer an issue! I am happy about finding quickly a parking spot, but at the same time, it makes me sad to see so many parking spots and a large reduction of customers now on the sidewalks in good weather. I love my CIty of Ferndale. I made it my home. THe DDA and City GOvernment needs to get that love back, draw in things and keep things in Ferndale so people come and spend their money here~not take it elsewhere. Money is good anywhere, our city needs it! If you have to cut fees 10% to keep a festival here~then do it! THe Motor CIty thing shouldn't have had to leave! That generated extra money for everyone business wise and for the City. Now it has moved. I would rather take a small cut on the fees for whatever, for the good of the city to generate money for business and survival of the city.

I always had fun browsing American Pop. I bought my “What would a zombie do?” spin folder there a few years ago and it still helps guide me with my daily decisions.

What a bizarre set of comments though. Are there really that many people that believe the DDA is the cause of this? If I were a conspiracy theorist I might make the assumption that it was one group or person with an agenda behind these observations.