Business & Tech

Vote to Help Grosse Pointe Shores Native Open Retail Store

Joe Posch is competing in the Hatch Detroit contest to receive money to start a permanent version of his previously developed pop-up retail store Hugh, featuring all of the appropriate bachelor pad needs.

Joe Posch wants your vote to win seed money to start a permanent retail store he's named Hugh. He is one of 10 finalists participating in Hatch Detroit—a contest that is encouraging entrepreneurs to make the leap from vision to reality in Detroit.

The store, he says, would be one of the "brick and mortar retailers" that would add character and identity to the neighborhood—a belief he is passionate about, especially for Detroit.

The Grosse Pointe Shores native has been in the retail business since 1998, when he opened Mezzanine, a modern furniture and home accessory store. It was first located on Main Street in Ann Arbor but as the business area began changing to more of an entertainment district, Posch decided to move the store to Detroit in 2005. 

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Mezzanine operated in Detroit through late 2010, when Posch closed it, took time to travel and began working as a freelance creative consultant.

His newest retail idea is already known to some. Hugh, the quintessential modern day bachelor pad shop, has already been in operation as a temporary pop-up store, Posch said—first in 2009 and then again for three weeks in 2010 during the holidays.

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Both temporary runs were successful, Posch said, noting it shows the worthiness of pursuing a permanent store. It features housewares, glassware, smoking accessories, books, lighting, furniture and more that have the modern day but classic bachelor pad style, he said.

However, there is something for everyone in the store, he said, specifically naming women as previous and hopefully future customers.

Posch wants to develop the store with greater depth than he was able to do with the temporary stores and believes it would be a draw for consumers. To be located in Midtown near Wayne State University, Posch said if he wins, the store would open in September 2012.

Not only does he believe that the store's temporary opening will benefit him in the Hatch contest, but also he said a permanent location will require nothing more than the Hatch money. He already has the licensing and required permits.

Ultimately, even if he does not win the contest, Posch wants to open Hugh in a permanent location—it may just take a bit longer to secure the startup funding.

Hugh is in fierce competition with a —a healthy restaurant with vegan and locally grown options.

They are ranked in first and second place among the 10 finalists. Voting may be done daily through 11:59 p.m. Friday Oct. 14 with up to four picks each vote. Votes may be lodged only once per 24 hours per IP address.

The grand prize winner will receive $50,000 in startup money.


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