THURSDAY, May 9 — When Ashley Kelsey opened the doors of Old Town’s Metro Retro vintage and resale shop noon today, she knew it signaled the beginning of a new era.
That’s because it’s the first time that Metro Retro, 304 E. Grand River Ave., has been back up and running full time for the first time since its founder and owner, Ted Stewart, died March 30 at the age of 56. News of his death came less than a week after the shop celebrated its eighth anniversary.
In the weeks since, Stewart’s husband, Dannie Stewart, and Kelsey, who regularly worked with Ted Stewart over the years, started discussing the possibility of keeping the store open to continue his legacy.
“Originally, I had planned on having a blowout sale and closing the store,” Dannie Stewart said, adding that knew he wouldn’t have the time to keep it going on his own because he also owns his own business, Kelly’s Pet Boutique, in East Lansing.
After hearing from hundreds of people who’d reached out to share memories of Ted Stewart and lament the loss of both Metro Retro and the man who made it a Lansing staple, he began to reconsider.
“It seemed that so many people were sad not only because was Ted gone, but also because they were also going to lose this place that is cool and affordable and one they felt safe in,” he said.
He said that he approached Kelsey a few days after his husband’s April 16 funeral to see what she thought about potentially reopening the space.
“I told her how I would love to keep the store open for the community. Ashley said that I should and that she would help me. That’s how our little adventure started,” he said.
Kelsey had worked with Ted Stewart for years and frequently helped him find unique items to sell. When Dannie Stewart asked if she’d help keep it going, she knew few others had a better feel for what Metro Retro’s late owner would have wanted.
“I have a really good memory of his style and tastes. When I look at things, I can kind of just hear him saying, ‘No, that’s not right’ or ‘That’s beautiful,’” Kelsey said.
“We don’t want to change much,” she added. “He had some ideas that we’ve talked about adding, like bringing in more art to support local artists, and we’re working on that.”
Some of the most “powerful” moments came when Stewart would help transgender youths explore new styles, Kelsey said.
“Parents would often bring their trans kids into the shop because they wanted to support them but didn’t know how. Ted would be there to help them pick out their first dress. He would make them feel comfortable and encourage them to be themselves,” Kelsey said.
Several longtime customers showed up within an hour of the doors opening back up. One of them, Greg Root, said he got to know Stewart over the years and wanted to continue patronizing the business in his absence.
“He was just a real cool guy who gave me a nickname when I first stopped in,” Root said. “So, I’m here to support the shop. I’m just trying to do my part for my community and somebody who was always kind to me.”
Kristina Spotts, another good friend of Stewart, traveled from her home “in the country,” just outside of the greater Lansing area, to attend the grand re-opening. Spotts said it was important to her to be at Metro Retro for the occasion.
“I thought I’d swing through because I wanted to show my love and support. I’m just really happy that they’re keeping it open,” Spotts said.
She said she met Stewart four years ago and would frequently travel across the state with him to source items and clothing for the shop.
“I was his favorite shopper, so I drove him all over to some of his favorite spots in places like Detroit, Flint and Ypsilanti. We would go to all the thrift stores and pick out all the gems,” Spotts explained.
Spotts, who was sporting thick-rimmed red glasses and a black and white houndstooth cardigan over a black skeleton t-shirt, looks herself to be an embodiment of Metro Retro. She said her style was what originally led to her meeting Stewart for the first time, as people would often ask her if she found her wardrobe at the Old Town shop.
“When I first walked in here, we were immediately like besties,” Spotts said. “We had a lot in common and got very close. I started being his driver, we would go to shows together, and we would spend many mornings together. He really cared about people, what they were going through and the idea of the underdog.”
In keeping the store open, Dannie Stewart hopes to honor his husband, who, to him, “was Metro Retro.”
“My husband had a big heart. The community loved him because he was a safe place for anyone who wasn’t considered the norm in society, and I’m not just talking about gay and trans folks. This also included people addicted to drugs or alcohol, homeless people,” he said.
The outpour of support Dannie Stewart saw after his husband’s death led to more than just the storefront reopening. A celebration of Stewart’s life, dubbed “Ted Fest” is set for May 18. Starting at noon that day, businesses and residents in Old Town will collaborate for a neighborhood-wide event featuring Stewart’s favorite foods and music, while local artists plan on creating some public pieces in his memory.
Click here for more information on Ted Fest.
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