Motor City Match helps Detroit author bring book bar vision to life in Corktown

• T&T Sip-N-Read, a new literary-inspired wine bar, officially opens in Corktown

• The business received a $65,000 grant in Round 23 of Motor City Match

• T&T Sip-N-Read is the 193rd Motor City Match-supported business to open

• Motor City Match has awarded $21 million in cash grants; 85% of overall winners are minority-owned, 73% are women-owned, and 69% are operated by Detroit residents

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 (DETROIT) – Today, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) and the City of Detroit celebrated the grand opening of T&T Sip-N-Read, a literary-inspired wine bar in Corktown. The business received a $65,000 grant through Motor City Match and is the program’s 193rd supported business to open.

Founded by Detroit native, author and wine enthusiast Tamela Todd, T&T Sip-N-Read combines her twin passions—literature and wine. Inspired by visits to book bars in Denver, New York, Paris and Rome, Todd envisioned bringing the concept home.

Research suggests that “third places,” such as book bars, provide a space where people can mix socially and improve their mental health and well-being. Digital fatigue and a desire for human connection have fueled the bookstore bar trend across the U.S.

“Detroit deserves a space like this too,” said Todd. “As both a writer and a wine enthusiast, I wanted to build a place where people can come together to sip, read and connect, right in the city where I was born and raised. It’s an incredible feeling to bring this vision to life here in Detroit.”

Located at 1620 Michigan Ave., Suite 122, the 2,400-square-foot venue can accommodate up to 111 guests and offers an inviting atmosphere for readers, book clubs, families and friends. Patrons can expect a curated selection of Michigan and Detroit-based wines and beverages, alongside literary events and opportunities to discover local authors. T&T Sip N’ Read employs five Detroiters and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, with Sundays reserved for private bookings.

“Here you have a business that’s employing Detroiters, showcasing Michigan wines and creating a space for our literary community to thrive. That’s the kind of entrepreneurship and creativity that makes our city better,” said Deputy Mayor Melia Howard. “Tamela has created something that’s uniquely Detroit while drawing inspiration from around the world.”

The $65,000 grant from Round 23 of Motor City Match supported the buildout, equipment, and supplies necessary to open. Todd also went through two other Motor City Match tracks, winning Space in Round 17 and Design in Round 19. She also received support from Black Leaders Detroit, Invest Detroit, and the Detroit Development Fund.

“Tamela’s journey really shows how Motor City Match is designed to work. She didn’t just get one grant and disappear. She worked with us through multiple rounds, building her vision step by step,” said Sean Gray, vice president of Small Business Services at DEGC, which manages Motor City Match. “Now she’s opened a business that’s authentically Detroit while bringing something completely new to the neighborhood.”

Through 29 rounds of Motor City Match:

• Total cash grants: $21 million (Total leveraged investment: $110 million)

• 85% of awardees are minority-owned

• 73% are women-owned

• 69% are owned by Detroit residents

Applications are now open for Round 30 of Motor City Match. The Round 30 application window runs from September 1 to September 30, 2025, closing at 11:59 PM on September 30.

About Motor City Match

Motor City Match is a unique partnership between the City of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Competitive financial assistance is supported by a broad partnership of Southeast Michigan community development financial institutions and corporations including, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, Ford Foundation, Hudson Webber Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, New Economy Initiative and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Motor City Match applications are available quarterly. More information is available at www.MotorCityMatch.com