Unprecedented press coverage about the city’s renaissance and growing business base continue to entice visitors.

Why locate or relocate your business in Downtown Ferndale

Always looking toward the opportunities of the future, Ferndale maintains a keen emphasis on economic development, attracting a strong, diverse, business cadre. Conveniently located near every major freeway and Main Street, and a Gateway City to Oakland County, Ferndale has a thriving downtown business community and will provide your business access to providers of advice and accounting, photographers and contractors, builders and designers, attorneys and insurance….as well as to a strong base of potential customers. These factors combine to assure that your business will be a success.

Centrally located in Metro Detroit, Downtown Ferndale businesses offer unique, convenient, and personalized service. Shops and services in this area, extending east and west along Nine Mile Road and north and south along Woodward Avenue, include specialty food markets and grocery stores, coffee houses and restaurants, bookstores and card shops, drugstores, bath and beauty salons, bead shops and jewelers, music and video stores, clothing and shoe shops, and a variety of other businesses. Unlike many suburbs, Ferndale also has many "corner stores" within walking distance of its neighborhoods. Everything needed for comfortable living is available close to home.

New businesses continue to be attracted to Ferndale because of its stability, convenient location, and vibrant nightlife. Ferndale’s Downtown Development Authority, through its planning actions, helps to ensure that the shopping district remains responsive to the needs of Ferndale’s residential district.

The Ferndale DDA also provides financial incentives for exterior improvements in the downtown through our BUILD program. A 20% reimbursement is available to businesses and property owners in the DDA area. At the same time, we have high expectations of building improvements, and it is required to submit all intended changes to the exterior for "appearance review" by the city. We recommend reading our design guidelines and applicable ordinances.

We also help you get your foot in the door by assisting with your search for a location, helping out with city permit process and references to experts in architecture, construction and business consultants. Streamlining your start-up process is our goal, and another new tool to help you start and grow your business down the road is Insyght, which links entrepreneurs at every stage to the resources they need. Let us help you navigate this online tool and answer your local questions. Click on the tool at the bottom of this page.

Pick up the newly published brochure featuring all downtown businesses in Downtown Ferndale available at local businesses and City Hall or email us at cristina@downtownferndale.com.

Links:
Downtown Ferndale Business Guide
Trade Area Report
Trade Area Fact Sheet
Downtown Ferndale Market Analysis Summary &
Market Place Profile from ESRI
Available Properties in Downtown Ferndale
Steps to Starting A Business Downtown
Zoning Determination Form (ZDR)
BUILD Application
Main Street Oakland County & Design Assistance Program
Appearance Review Ordinance & Application
Sidewalk Cafe on Public ROW Application
Sandwich Board Sign Application & Guidelines
City of Ferndale Code of Ordinances
City of Ferndale Zoning Code of Ordinances
City of Ferndale Zoning Map
Parking Study
- Section 1: Parking Study Overview
- Section 2: Analysis
- Section 3: Survey Results
- Section 4: Operational Recommendations
- Section 5: New Parking
- Section 6: Appendix
- Parking Surplus & Demand Study 2009
City of Ferndale Liquor License Policy & Criteria
Michigan Liquor Control Commission
City of Ferndale Tax & Assessing Data
Oakland County Workshops
Oakland County One Stop Shop & Business Resources
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
State Historic Preservation Office & Incentives