A shop with a story.
HLC books, original prints, Detroit gifts, and thoughtful finds connected to the places and people we explore.
HISTORY LOVES COMPANY · THE NEXT CHAPTER
A home for the
stories we keep.
Help build the future home of History Loves Company in downtown Detroit.
Books worth keeping. Gifts with a story. Original films. A place to walk in, find your people, and discover something about the city you love.
Downtown Detroit is our goal. A location and opening date have not yet been secured.
FROM CHRIS HUBEL
We have told a lot of stories.
Now, let’s build a home for them.
I spend a lot of time talking about the places Detroit has lost. Lately, I have been thinking about a place I would love to help create.
Somewhere you could find a book about a neighborhood you grew up in, pick up a gift that actually means something, and end up in a conversation about a place your family remembers.
I have put everything I can into building History Loves Company. I have taken this as far as I can on my own, and I need help taking the next step.
That is why I am inviting you to help write The Next Chapter.
Chris Hubel
Founder, History Loves Company
WHAT WE WANT TO CREATE
Detroit stories, in good company.
A home for the films.
A practical space for recording, interviews, and the work behind the history films you already watch.
A place to connect.
Conversations, shared memories, and small gatherings as the space, staffing, and required approvals allow.
The first home will focus on books, retail, and storytelling. This campaign does not promise a restaurant or a confirmed event venue.
HELP WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER
Let’s give these stories a home.
Help bring History Loves Company to downtown Detroit. Contribute to the opening campaign, pick up a book, or start a conversation about a business partnership. Choose the way that works for you.
CONTRIBUTE
Help open the doors.
Your contribution supports the planning, first steps, and opening fund for our future Detroit home. Choose an amount that feels right for you.
Contribute on Spotfund ↗Opens our fundraiser on Spotfund, where you can review the campaign and choose your contribution.
See how funds would be used ↓SHOP
Take a story home.
Discover They Lied to Us About Detroit, our Bob-Lo coloring book, and more history worth keeping. Your purchase supports the work behind HLC.
Shop books & history ↗A regular store purchase, separate from a campaign contribution. Current availability and delivery options appear in the store.
Explore Chris’s Detroit book →PARTNER
Build something with us.
Bring your business into the next chapter through a founding sponsorship. Let’s talk about a partnership that fits your brand and our history-loving community.
Ask about sponsorshipProposed packages begin at $2,500. Audience information, deliverables, and terms are agreed in writing before a commitment.
Call Chris: (248) 568-6030This campaign supports a business. Direct contributions do not include goods, services, ownership, repayment, or a charitable tax deduction. Read the campaign FAQ ↓
PHASE 1 · OUR FIRST $10,000
One chapter at a time.
Our first goal: $10,000.
We are starting with a $10,000 fundraising goal to take the first practical steps toward History Loves Company’s future home in downtown Detroit.
We will build this in phases. First, establish the foundation. Then prepare the space and work toward opening the doors. Each new phase will have a clear purpose and a funding target based on confirmed needs.
Build the foundation.
Begin site and lease feasibility work, evaluate practical downtown opportunities, and build the initial opening fund. Any sales tests or early purchases will depend on available net funds and confirmed needs.
Prepare the space.
Once a suitable location and costs are confirmed, set the next fundraising target for deposits, required improvements, and essential retail and production setup.
Open the doors.
Set a final launch target around opening inventory, remaining setup, and an operating reserve. Announce an opening date when funding, the space, and required approvals are ready.
Clear goals. Progress you can follow.
Our focus today is the first $10,000. Before launching each later phase, we will share its target, intended use of funds, and what the previous phase accomplished.
Fundraising totals are gross receipts. Fees and other disclosed campaign costs reduce the amount available for the project. We will report collected funds, costs, and remaining funds separately. Phase plans may evolve with property availability, lease terms, quotes, and approvals; changes will be shared with the community.
BEFORE YOU TAKE PART
The questions that matter.
Have you secured a downtown location?
Not yet. Downtown Detroit is the target. We will announce a location and opening date after the lease, funding, and required approvals are in place. This page is not an announcement that the Pontiac location has closed.
What if the permanent location does not open?
The first phase includes planning and testing, so disclosed costs may be incurred even if a permanent location does not open. Review the current spending and cancellation terms on our Spotfund fundraiser before contributing. We will report what has been spent and what remains, and will not silently redirect contributions to an unrelated project.
Are contributions charitable donations or an investment?
This campaign supports a business. We are not offering charitable tax deductions, equity, repayment, or a financial return. Purchases and sponsorships have their own terms, separate from direct contributions.
Will this fund existing obligations?
The proposed allocation on this page is for the Detroit first phase and future opening. Existing obligations are not included in that allocation. Any change in the use of campaign contributions will be disclosed before funds are collected for that purpose.
How will I follow the progress?
During the active campaign, we plan to share weekly updates covering collected funds, costs, progress, and the next decision. You can also follow along through The Stories We Keep newsletter.
Can I help if I do not live near Detroit?
Absolutely. This community reaches far beyond the city. Sharing the campaign, watching the films, shopping online, and supporting the future home are all ways to be involved.
LATEST UPDATE · NOVEMBER 7, 2026
The next chapter starts here.
Phase 1 is underway with a first fundraising goal of $10,000. We will work toward our Detroit home in stages, sharing the next target as costs and plans are confirmed. A location and opening date have not yet been secured. Thank you for helping write the next chapter.
HISTORY LOVES COMPANY
You have helped us tell the stories.
Help us build what comes next.
Questions? [email protected]
