It’s now time for detroitblog’s summer guide!

“But you already said that!” one might note with irritation. True. But after pursuing the idea for a couple weeks I decided to expand the concept and actually offer a real summer guide with more comprehensive accounts of interesting places to visit in the city, besides oddballs selling pecans on street corners or flea markets where there are actual fleas, as it was trending towards.

Detroit is nearly 140 square miles, though you’d think it’s a small town consisting of downtown and the cultural center, judging by the coverage area of local entertainment guides.

So instead of mentioning the same Midtown bakery, the same Renaissance Center restaurant, the same “quirky” Corktown bars and the same Hart Plaza or New Center festivals – wonderful as those things can be – here you’ll find places and events many people have never heard of, great stores and unique restaurants where people pour their hearts into their little businesses day after day, some with success, and some barely hanging on.

Detroit is huge and rich with things to do, things that rarely get attention. What follows for the rest of the summer are a handful of them.