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Business & Tech

Ferndale DIY Profile: Brian and Lori Kelly, Owners of Detroit Comics

As part of our DIY Project, we've asked Ferndale residents to tell us about what DIY means to them.

As part of Ferndale Patch's DIY Project, Brian and Lori Kelly, owners of Detroit Comics, tell us, in one voice, what DIY means to them and why it fits for Ferndale. To learn more and to participate in the DIY Project, go .

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

We are Brian and Lori Kelly, owners of We both grew up in Michigan, but decided to move to Chicago in 1997. Our son Henry was born there in 2002 and it was then we realized how much we missed Michigan. So we moved back that same year for many different reasons. One being the suburbs of Chicago, to put it nicely, suck. Another was that there is just no place like home (which is the Detroit area for us)! Go Tigers!

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In 2007, we opened Detroit Comics to live out a life-long passion of Brian's -- comics, comics, comics! And for me (Lori) being able to create a shop that was comfortable, clean, and carried other products than just the funny books, but still related to them.

2. What does DIY mean to you?

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Our definition of DIY is to create an item, space, or anything really, that lends itself to the notion that one's personality and dream is only enhanced with the use of local artists, goods and/or theme.

3. Tell us about a DIY project (or projects) you have worked on and why it was DIY.

We are able to showcase the DIY spirit through many events at Detroit Comics. Every May we have Free Comic Book Day and we literally give out free comics. It also gives us a chance to have local artists and writers in the store to meet with customers and fans and showcase the talent we have here in Michigan.

We also have our annual Metalliclaus Holiday Party in December, which is our own "Bad Santa." He is available for pictures and the money from that is donated (past organizations have included FernCare and Children's Hospital). There is a kid's craft table, sing-a-longs, and just a nice break from the mall to do some shopping that includes locally made crafts.

4. Why does the DIY attitude fit Ferndale?

The DIY attitude fits Ferndale perfectly. We could not imagine living anywhere else, nor could we have imagined opening our store anywhere else. Ferndale is an open-minded and creative community. This lends such a strong foundation to businesses like ours and the artists who live here. Many other communities have caught on to the DIY spirit, but in my opinion, no one does it better than Ferndale!

5. Who is your favorite DIY artist/musician/human?

Favorite DIY artist: Ferndale's own David Petersen, author of the graphic novel series, MouseGuard.

Favorite DIY musician: Goober and the Peas, The Hand Grenades, and The Luddites.

Favorite DIY human: Of course our two children, who are able to see the world the way it should be seen and the many teachers in the Detroit Metro area who nurture and inspire all of our children.

If you'd like to participate in Ferndale Patch's DIY Project, email the editor atTerry.Parris@patch.com.

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