Bedrock Brings Back ‘Hudson’s for the Holidays’ in Downtown Detroit

November 12, 2025

Bedrock has launched a holiday celebration at Nick Gilbert Way, a new public plaza connecting the redeveloped Hudson's Block in downtown Detroit. The seasonal programming, running through early January, aims to recreate the nostalgic experience of the original J.L. Hudson Department Store that served as Detroit's holiday destination for generations. The festivities include a massive historical American flag display, vintage holiday window exhibits curated with the Detroit Historical Society, local vendor markets, food service, and family activities like meeting Mrs. Claus and mailing letters to Santa.

Who is affected

Detroiters and families who historically visited the original J.L. Hudson Department Store
Detroit's Black community with personal connections to Hudson's
Local small businesses including POST, Halie & Co., Café Sous Terre, ALO, and Tecovas
NFX and The Gilly Project (beneficiaries of proceeds from The Bear collectible)
Visitors and shoppers coming downtown during the holiday season
Detroit Historical Society (partnership organization)
General Motors (partner creating holiday displays)

What action is being taken

Nick Gilbert Way is hosting holiday programming with pop-ups, live entertainment, and food service through early January
A 141 by 85-foot American flag is hanging on the Woodward Avenue façade through the end of November
Vendor carts and kiosks are selling keepsakes, ornaments, and goods from Detroit-based businesses
Un Deux Trois café truck is serving hot drinks, pastries, and festive treats
Historic window displays are being showcased in partnership with the Detroit Historical Society
General Motors is displaying automotive-themed holiday windows at Entrance One
Children can mail letters to Santa and meet Mrs. Claus and elves
New retail stores ALO and Tecovas are opening

Why it matters

This initiative represents Detroit's ongoing downtown revitalization while honoring the city's cultural heritage and community traditions. The original J.L. Hudson Department Store was a cornerstone of Detroit's holiday experience for decades, serving as a gathering place where families created memories during the city's retail heyday. By recreating this experience at the new development, the project bridges generations and provides renewed opportunities for community connection during the holidays. It also supports local entrepreneurship and small businesses while transforming previously vacant downtown space into an active, festive destination that reinforces Detroit's capacity for reinvention without abandoning its historical identity.

What's next

The holiday programming will continue with regular hours (Thursdays-Fridays 4-8 p.m., Saturdays 12-8 p.m., Sundays 12-6 p.m.) through January 4, with extended hours beginning December 15.

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle