After more than a year of speculation, Dan Gilbert tweeted today that a Nike store will open in downtown Detroit next year.
"'Nike Detroit' will open this spring at 1261 Woodward Avenue," Gilbert said in a tweet. "Believe.Then see it," he said.
Welcome @Nike to downtown Detroit!Two-level 22,000 sq. ft 'Nike Detroit' will open this spring at 1261 Woodward Avenue.Believe.Then see it.
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) November 18, 2015
The store is the next step in the effort of Gilbert's company, Bedrock Real Estate Services, to woo retailers back into the downtown area. In March, John Varvatos brought a high end store to Woodward as well.
Nike isn't the only athletic shoe company with its sights set on Detroit. In July, Adidas announced that it wants to manufacture shoes in Detroit by 2017.
Gilbert himself may see something in sneakers. Earlier this year, he invested in sneaker data company Campless which moved into the city.
