Sometimes the most surprising developments come from where you should have expected it. Downtown Royal Oak has been a shopping, dining and nightlife destination for so long, it might be easy to assume the fresh new spots must be somewhere else.

Surprise!

While other communities scramble to retrofit makeshift downtowns (and some simply build them from the ground up), Royal Oak has quietly made critical upgrades, welcomed new establishments and refined its overall downtown atmosphere.

Royal Oak has also long been the home of strong families who have raised children here for multiple generations. We think it deserves a downtown that knows how to regenerate itself as well. And with the parking situation sorted out (see more on that in the sidebar), there’s more reason than ever to revisit downtown Royal Oak.

As for the essentials, they’ve always been here. Shopping, dining, entertainment, health care options. If you live or work in Royal Oak, you don’t have to leave the downtown area to find anything you need.

As for the new developments, maybe it helps to start with some history.

Downtown Royal Oak emerged as the place to go in the late 1980s, when the venerable home of department stores and theaters suddenly became the scene for all things edgy and funky. Anchored by the one-of-a-kind Noir Leather, the area offered a cool place for teens and young 20-somethings to hang out and socialize, without having to go to Detroit.

While downtown Royal Oak did garner a reputation for being a “party” town, the city’s neighborhoods, schools and parks balanced the picture of a desirable place to raise a family.

Even as times have changed, that distinctive vibe hasn’t gone anywhere. Royal Oak’s downtown area is still the place that draws businessowners who want a clientele with a discerning eye, and a taste for the unique. You only need to go into establishments like Chrome, La Roche Artifacts and Rail & Anchor – just to name a few – to see what we mean.

And let’s not forget the unique stores on East 4th Street, such as Studio Sandra, which sells casual, contemporary women’s clothing and accessories.


A Hot Housing Market

Once upon a time, Royal Oak’s downtown rolled up its awnings and closed up shop when 5 p.m. rolled around. And there was very little in the way of downtown accommodations – and not many people called downtown Royal Oak home.

Today, the demand for downtown housing is at an all-time high, with many new developments sporting waiting lists to get in. In the past decade, at least five new high-rise apartment/ condos have been built within the district, and downtown's viability and appeal is only growing.


A Variety of Tastes . . . and Tastes

Whatever your taste in dining – and whatever your taste in fashion – downtown Royal Oak has you covered either way.

For the famished, choices range from stalwart Leo’s Coney Island to mediterranean choices to steak, ramen, seafood and Italian. You’ll never run out of options on a night out.

And for you forever fashionistas, there’s a reason clothiers choose Royal Oak to base their stores and boutiques. Our residents and visitors expect a certain kind of experience when they shop downtown. Those looking for vintage t-shirts head to Vintage Freakazoid. For those looking for clothes, shoes and accessories from the ‘70s, they go to Lost and Found. There’s also Pitaya, The Accessories Shop, Saffron, Blu Jeans Blue, La Collection and more to find styles and accessories that will fit just about any taste in clothing.

Everyone has had to make adjustments the past few years, and downtown Royal Oak has been no exception. But challenges can be opportunities, and adjustments can turn into tremendous upgrades.

Royal Oak’s restaurants, stores and entertainment venues are here and happy to serve. You don’t have to go far from home to find the very best downtown experience.