323 East in Royal Oak

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Once you get past the initial lime-green shock of 323 East (which actually isn’t really that shocking) you’ll be glad you did, because once you get inside, you’ll find this ain't no artsy-fartsy place.

Hipsters, Royal Oak natives and just about anyone who has heard so far flocks to the scene inside the art gallery/boutique to shop, while the actual artists barter their goods for the chance to hang on the 323 walls, in hopes that someone will purchase their latest pieces.

“The economy is good here, it’s a nice community and we were welcomed,” says co-owner Jesse Cory.

“It’s got that urban feel; Royal Oak needed us,” adds co-owner Mike MacKool, 24, of Detroit.  

So Cory, MacKool and their other partners -- Jason Schultz and Dan Armand -- created their combo of an art boutique filled with paintings, prints, clothing, jewelry and sculptures in a space for not only the art, but for networking with their full-service ohm creative group.

“I’m not an artist, but I’ve always been closely related with the art-world; we all have,” says MacKool. “So it’s a collaborative effort of seeing where our own futures are going being in a creative world.”

Alright, let’s get this out of the way first…so what’s up with the lime-green paint on the building? I mean I think it’s cool; my sister actually painted her room that color before…
We wanted to make sure people knew we were here. Dan -- our creative director --suggested we do lime green.

So besides the green, what makes 323 East stand-out? What’s it all about here?
It’s a collection of artists, designers and crafters in a gallery-like setting, but in a boutique-type atmosphere. We have a lot of variety and we wanted to have every form of design that’s accessible. Really, there’s nothing like us in the metro Detroit area, similar, but nothing like us. Nothing comes close to us; we’re a permanent art festival in Royal Oak.

Will you turn away anything? I mean, if something’s really crappy or maybe it’s not very good art?
I have turned people away, but it’s been because we didn’t have room for them, but generally we accept all forms. We want young, talented, innovative and new art. We seek out people and they seek out us. We get new artists everyday and if something sells, we replace it; we’re an ever-revolving showcase.

But really, what is art? Are we art? Is art, art?
Art is art. It’s something that causes an emotional reaction; it’s different for everybody. A creative inspiration.

So what’s coming up here next?
Our 'BBQued Artists' -- which is a featured artist every Saturday for the rest of the summer. There’s food, a DJ and beer. We wanted to create an atmosphere where you can feel comfortable being here; it’s fine art without the stuffiness.

How is 323 East evolving?
We have 323 brand apparel and clothing line where we mash up a line of clothes and designers. We’re also doing screen printing on canvases, making expensive art more accessible... So, for us we want to be the facilitator of projects, more art, sculptures, whatever, just more art.