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Motorcities <3s our Auto tour!
We’re excited and grateful to announce that we’ve been named an official tour partner of MotorCities National Heritage Area for the sixth year running!
MotorCities Announces Its Tour Operator Partners for 2024
Companies Offering Automotive History Experiences in the Detroit AreaThe MotorCities National Heritage Area, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Michigan’s automotive and labor heritage, is partnering with five Detroit-area based tour operators to offer public tours this tourism season. The partnerships continue a program that originally launched in 2019 to serve the 16-county National Heritage Area.
Tour experiences available vary from traditional walking tours to pedaling a bicycle – all while visiting key automotive and labor historical sites and learning the story of how the region put the world on wheels.
“We’re excited to continue partnering with these companies to offer additional tour options and bring more of our amazing automotive heritage to both metro Detroit residents and out-of-town tourists alike,” said Shawn Pomaville-Size, MotorCities’ executive director.
The tour operators selected offer the following experiences:
City Institute - MotorCities Auto Heritage New Center and Dearborn Walking Tours On the New Center walking tour, guests will experience the past, present and future of the Detroit area, going back in time with a visit inside the Ford Piquette Plant Museum and the chance to speak with some of the innovators who now call these neighborhoods home. The Dearborn walking tours provide the opportunity to learn how the past and present of this city are interwoven, get to know the people leading some exciting new projects and see the innovations and adaptations of this important city. For 2024, the New Center tours are offered on June 22 and August 24, and the Dearborn tours are offered on May 25 and July 27. For more information, please visit http://thecityinstitute.com/public-tours
City Tour Detroit - Becoming the Motor City: A Timeline of Detroit’s Auto History Paul Vachon, author of the Reedy Press book of the same name, guides these tours offered monthly on June 22, July 21, Aug 24, and Sept 29. The 3-hour walking tour will also utilize the Detroit People Mover and QLine. For more information, please visit https://citytourdetroit.com/
Michigan Labor History Society – Detroit Labor History Tours This group offers a free two-hour bus tour in June that drives by the Ford Rouge plant, site of the 1932 Ford Hunger March and the 1937 “Battle of the Overpass” with stops of the Ford Piquette Plant Museum, the Motown Museum and the “Transcending” labor legacy landmark in Hart Plaza. A narrated one-mile walking tour of downtown Detroit is also available. For more information, please visit http://mlhs.wayne.edu/.
Russell Brothers City Tours – Customized Automotive History Tours Get on board for a fun-filled tour of automotive landmarks in the city of Detroit. Your guide, Emmy-winning TV and radio personality Greg Russell, takes guests to places they may know and some sites they might not. If guests have particular sites they’d like to see, just let Greg know. The tours are informative, insightful and most importantly, fun! For more information, visit https://russellbrotherscitytours.com/.
Wheelhouse Detroit - Auto Heritage Bicycle Tour On this 15-mile tour, guests will discover how Detroit became the center of industry. The tour takes in the Globe Building, Dequindre Cut, Packard Plant, the GM Detroit-Hamtramck (Poletown) Assembly Plant, Milwaukee Junction, New Center (old GM Headquarters and Fisher Building), and TechTown, where we will learn how industry is evolving with advanced technology. Tours are available on June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, and October 13. For more information, please visit https://www.wheelhousedetroit.com/auto-heritage.
For more information on tours and events, visit www.motorcities.org.
About MotorCities NHA:
Established in 1998 and headquartered in Detroit, the MotorCities National Heritage Area Partnership is a nonprofit corporation that is part of the National Heritage Area System of the National Park Service, serving 16 counties representing a population of over 6.5 million. Its mission is to preserve, interpret and promote the region’s rich automotive and labor heritage while enabling, supporting and respecting its diversity, equity and inclusion. Regional programs inspire residents and visitors with an appreciation for how the automobile changed Michigan, the nation, and the world. Each year, MotorCities generates $489.7 million in economic impact, supporting 5,343 jobs and producing $40 million in tax revenue in Michigan. Over its 25+-year history, MotorCities has awarded more than 300 grants for a total investment in local programs of more than $1.6 million. Find MotorCities on the web at www.motorcities.org; also visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/motorcities and follow them on Twitter/Instagram: @MotorCities.
Upcoming special hours
Wheelhouse is currently open 5 days a week, Wednesday through Sunday 11AM-6PM, with the following exceptions:
We will be open Monday, Memorial Day, May 27, 11AM-6PM.
We will be closed May 29 through June 2 due to the Detroit Grand Prix.
MAY TOUR REPORT
Hard to believe we’re already halfway through May, but here we are. Here’s a quick note to summarize the state of the rest of the month’s tours.
We have openings on:
May 19, Auto Heritage
May 24, Underground Railroad *only offered twice this season, and the other one is already fully booked
May 25, Music Heritage
May 26, Techno *only offered once per season for Movement Weekend
Please note that our Eastern Market and Riverfront tours kick off in June. These are offered on weekdays (Tuesdays and Thursdays, respectively) and are less expensive than our regular weekend tours.
Now Hiring: Shop Help
Job Title: Shop Help
Pay Rate: $15/hour minimum
Hours: 14+ week. Requires Saturday, Sunday, and holiday shifts. Other shifts possible depending on availability.
Location: Wheelhouse Detroit
Duties: Shop Help is an integral crew member of a multi-faceted bike shop that services a diverse clientele with a strong focus on customer service. Their primary responsibility is to ensure a smooth running shop at all times. This can include assisting with bicycle rentals, including saddle adjustment, helmet fitting, and loading and unloading the delivery trailer; maintenance of the rental fleet; contributing to the inventory management, cleanliness, and organization of the service and retail departments; and assisting with the assembly of new bikes and the servicing of customer bicycles.
Additional hours are possible by assisting with deliveries/pickups and sweeping tours.
This job requires a positive attitude, strong teamwork skills, willingness to learn on the job and absorb constructive feedback, and some mechanical aptitude. Proven customer-service experience and/or prior bike shop experience would be a plus.
We do not expect candidate to be a fully trained bicycle mechanic, but ability to perform simple tasks such as replacing tubes and tires and gear and brake adjustments are a requirement. But if these skills aren’t yet mastered, we’d love to teach you!
You will report directly to the Shop Manager and work closely with the Mechanic and Owner. A successful candidate will contribute to the overall success of the company by participating in all aspects of the business, including retail, service, rentals, and tours. Wheelhouse is a small shop and everyone helps each other out when possible. We also have a lot of fun together and most employees have been with the Wheelhouse for 8+ years.
This job is very physical and requires a willingness to get your hands dirty in all kinds of weather.
This job does require customer interaction including answering general questions about the Riverwalk and bike routes. The shop is oftentimes a hectic environment with lots of people and noises.
Due to the seasonal nature of this position, candidate must have weekend and holiday availability.
Dress code is pretty relaxed: no open-toed shoes; fancy clothes are not recommended.
This job is at-will, part-time, and seasonal. Season is May-September. Growth into a mechanic or managerial role is very possible!
Send resume or summary of work experience and 2-3 references to info@wheelhousedetroit.com. No calls. If you’d like to come in and check out the shop prior to applying, that is more than welcome but, if staff is busy, please respect that and reach out to the owner via email with any questions.
Wheelhouse embraces and celebrates the diversity of our customer base, and we also strive for the same in our employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
Draft Weekend update
You may have heard about a li'l happening called the NFL Draft happening in Detroit this weekend! While Wheelhouse is located outside the Draft footprint, we do expect high traffic volume and parking disruptions, so we encourage you to allow for additional time to travel and park.
Biggest question out of the way first: We will be open! Our hours are Thursday through Sunday 11am-6pm.
If you’re dropping off or picking up a bike for service, you are welcome to pull up to our curbside space at the foot of Rivard. Please note: this spot is not available for those renting a bike or taking a tour.
We have four open spaces on both Friday’s Sports Heritage Tour and Sunday’s Auto Heritage Tour. Our tours have been routed around the footprint, but we ask for your patience and goodwill if on-the-spot detours need to be made. We can plan and plan and plan, but this is a (probably!) once-in-a-lifetime happening, so let's all just make the best of it!
NFL DRAFT GUIDE: Our friends at Visit Detroit have prepared an exhaustive document that covers road closures, parking, transit, etc. - Feel free to dive in!
Have a great Draft Weekend, Detroit!
Wheelhouse's Draft Weekend!
It seems quite fitting to kick off our 2024 tour season while the NFL Draft is in town.
On Friday, April 26, we are offering our unique Sports Heritage Bicycle Tour. On Saturday, in conjunction with Independent Book Store Day, is our Books & Bikes Tour and, on Sunday, our Auto Heritage Tour. In one weekend, Wheelhouse will explore historic sports sites, shop an array of independent booksellers, and visit the factories that shaped the city and the nation. More details and registration at each link.
We also encourage visitors to our city to consider renting a bike to take in some of Detroit’s wonderful, welcoming neighborhoods, the Riverfront and Dequindre Cut, and of, course, Belle Isle. Info about rentals as well as reservations can be found HERE.
We hope both locals and first-timers will take advantage of Wheelhouse this NFL Draft Weekend and Experience the Motor City on Two Wheels!
Early Season Tune-Up Deal!
If you drop your bike off for a tune-up this weekend — March 9 or 10 — you’ll receive 10 bucks off!
We have several different tune-up levels, and we promise to be super-honest about which one would be of the most value for you.
Most people will just need our Standard Tune-Up, which is typically $75. We adjust brakes, gears, and derailleur; perform a minor (on-bike) wheel true; lube and assess chain; check and tighten crank and headset; and wipe down the frame and wheels.
If your bike is single-speed, the cost is $50; for trikes and tandems, $100.
We also offer a Tune-Up Plus (typically $145) which adds in a full (off-bike) wheel true; cleaning of the bottom bracket and both derailleurs; new cables, housing, and brake pads.
Finally, a Total Overhaul is a Tune-Up Plus as well as a bearing overhaul — usually it’s $175.
We’re open Saturday and Sunday 11AM-4PM — so bring your bike in to get it all ready for Spring and save a Hamilton while you’re at it!
2024 Season Is Here! News & Specials
Hi, everyone! Hope your “Winter” went well…
We’ll be opening our doors for Season #17 (we can’t believe it either) on Saturday, March 2. For the first couple of weeks, our schedule will be: Saturdays and Sundays March 2, 3, 9, & 10 11AM to 4PM.
At that point, we’ll look at weather and staffing to set up a schedule for the remainder of March. As always, stay tuned to our website and social media for all the latest.
Now’s a really good time to drop off your bike for its Spring Tune-Up. 75 bucks gets your baby’s brakes, gears, and derailleur adjusted; a minor (on-bike) wheel true; lube; the headset and crank checked and tightened; and a wipe down.
Early season turn-around is quick. Plus, if you drop your bike off for a tune-up during our first two weeks of operation, you’ll get $10 off!
If you’d rather us pick up and deliver your bike to save you a trip, we can do that! The price for this service starts at $20 round-trip (for Greater Downtown) and will begin for the season on March 11. If you email us to schedule on or before March 10, we’ll knock 10 bucks off the delivery fee.
March is the month we will begin to craft our Tours schedule and we’ll publish them as dates get locked in. We expect to return all of our favorites and maybe even debut one or two new offerings. In the meantime, you can book a private tour or group rental while our calendar is still wide open! Early Birds! Weekday (M-Th) private tours booked for April or May will receive $50 off the base price for one to six riders.
Booking inquiries should be made to Linda at bookings@wheelhousedetroit.com.
Can’t wait to see you at the shop! Lots more news to come as we get the season rolling. - Kelli
November News: MotorCities National Heritage Area Nomination | Thank You Crew! | Sale on All 2023 In-Stock Bikes
Some quickie news hits for November:
We were very proud to be nominated for the MotorCities National Heritage Area Award of Excellence in the Heritage/Tourism Category for our Auto Heritage Bicycle Tour. Many thanks to our amazing guide, Michael Darga, and our partners at MotorCities and the Ford Piquette Plant.
I always tell people to check this tour out even if they’re not a “car person” because so many of our 20th and 21st century stories have been shaped by the automotive industry. We’re not talking about makes and models, but about industrial architecture, labor history, and neighborhood growth and decline. If you haven’t joined us — more than 1,000 people have over 13 years! — we hope you will in 2024.
I’d personally like to thank the amazing Wheelhouse crew who absolutely killed it this season. We had such good feedback on the excellence of our repairs and turn-around quickness, our overall customer service, and the quality of our tours.
Shop staff (retail and service) — Joseline, Judith, and Rob — you are all on the A-Team! Day in and day out, you achieved consistency and top-notch customer service, and that is super hard to do. You are appreciated.
Tour crew — Tera, Blake, Mike, Reg, Chris, and Dan — you all are such great stewards of Detroit’s stories. And Linda, our private tour booker, exemplifies patience, responsiveness, organization, and adaptibility. Thank you to the entire tour team for a great season.
And last but not least, our exceptional General Manager, Tatiana, whose stellar customer service is topped only by her technical expertise, her hard work, and her depth of knowledge about a lot of things. Wheelhouse would not be what it is without you!
If you’re really looking to wow someone this holiday season, check out the bikes that we still have on the floor HERE. They are all 20% off.
Shoot us an email to set up a test ride or a shopping appointment.
Other things to note are covered elsewhere in our blog, including Gift Cards & Certificates, information about Winter appointments, and our limited edition holiday swag sale!
Thank you for your continued patronage. I can’t believe it’s been 16 years and am already looking forward to #17.
Wishing you a Wonderful Winter,
Kelli B. Kavanaugh, Owner and Co-Founder
Holiday Limited Edition Swag Sale 2023
We are pleased to offer a holiday apparel sale for the 2023 season. This short run of a small sample of goods highlights our iconic city map logo in Kelly green and a special “festive” font. Orders must be placed by November 30 and will be received by December 20.
We are offering short- and long-sleeved t-shirts as well as crew neck and hoodie sweatshirts.
What’s the deal with the logo? It’s actually a map of Detroit, where the circle is Campus Martius and the spokes are the main radial streets: Fort, Michigan, Grand River, Woodward, Gratiot, and Jefferson.
Our logo was inspired by our friend Colin Hubbell, who passed away in August 2008. Read more about him and the actual "logo story" in this Model D tribute.
The sale page, which includes shipping, sizing, and material info can be found HERE.