Detroit City Council member Renata Miller has requested city departments to examine multiple businesses along Kercheval Avenue, specifically focusing on the concentration of alcohol-serving establishments in West Village. Miller’s request involves Detroit’s Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED), the Law Department, and the city’s Legislative Policy Division, seeking review of zoning, licensing, and variances in proximity to homes, schools, recreation centers, and historic districts.
Matt Mergener, co-owner of Two Birds, a bar and seasonal ice cream shop that opened six years ago on Kercheval, alleges that Councilwoman Miller is attempting to undermine his business and others in the area. Mergener notes that Two Birds began operations during the pandemic when few other businesses were open in the neighborhood, and has since operated with full state-supported liquor licenses, City Council approvals, and a health department compliance certificate. He expressed that the review "kind of comes out of the blue" after years of compliance.
Miller has stated publicly that her actions are in response to residents’ complaints. She told the Detroit City Council last week that she was simply responding to concerns about businesses. In an emailed statement to a business publication, Miller further clarified that her requests were prompted by resident questions about zoning, licensing, permitted uses, and overall compliance along the Kercheval and Van Dyke corridors. She cited concerns for the safety and well-being of children and families, particularly given the proximity of schools and recreation facilities. Miller emphasized that her inquiries are not an accusation against any business, but rather an effort to ensure all requirements are followed and that rules apply consistently to everyone, fulfilling her responsibility to residents.
Among the businesses specifically asked to be reviewed by BSEED are Two Birds, Barkside dog park bar, Our House Café/Bistro, Grandma Bob’s Pizza (which has not yet opened), the proposed Bar 9 sports bar, and other nearby liquor stores. Mergener claims that Miller is "targeting every business that has a liquor license," including those attempting to open or in the process of opening. He also suggested that parking issues and congestion might be underlying factors. Mergener noted that Miller, her family, and her chief of staff live in the neighborhood, implying they are "using their position of power to come after us."
Mac Farr, executive director of the nonprofit Villages Community Development Corporation, also voiced concerns. Farr stated that he did not believe Councilwoman Miller’s intentions were positive. In a community newsletter, Farr wrote that Miller’s justification to City Council regarding community complaints had not led to any direct contact with the businesses themselves. He highlighted that the Islandview/Greater Villages (IVGV) Planning Project, which includes the targeted businesses, was initiated by the city of Detroit in 2016 and has seen approximately $30 million in investments from various sources including the city, philanthropy, investors, developers, and business owners. Farr emphasized the diverse population of small business owners along Kercheval, many of whom are Detroit residents, and suggested that Miller is "out of step with the neighborhood."
Recent community events reflect some of the tensions surrounding the issue. Mergener reported that Miller called an emergency meeting at the Butzel Community Center on a Monday, where she was booed by attendees and eventually left during public comments. He also noted that Miller had planned to discuss the issue at a committee meeting at City Hall on a Thursday but subsequently canceled the agenda item.
