“Bye Europe, this is going to happen.”
Ricky Herbert, 31, said this after he chose to take the vacant space in Ypsilanti on 206 W. Michigan Ave, over going on a journey to Europe to find a place for himself.
“An on-the-road soul,” Herbert visited 30 countries in order to find a community for himself until realizing later he can create a community himself.
Once used as the music venue, Green Room, in the late 1990s, Herbert found the vacant space in Ypsilanti on Craigslist and decided to take a chance on it. It was sold and renovated for the creation of the beginning of his one-stop shop and community center, Lampshade.
The community center and café was open for the Ypsilanti community on December 18, 2015.
“I was watching the progress of the place and I was excited when it opened,” said sophomore women and gender studies major, Sam Quinn. “I have high hopes for it.”
Quinn lives upstairs of the apartment complex and is neighbors with Herbert.
“It’s a great atmosphere for anyone to come in and further artistic endeavors or just hang out,” she said.
Filled with antiques, games, cozy seating, a stage, plenty of beverages to replenish with and more, Lampshade is not your ordinary coffeehouse.
Lampshade is a "bookstore, art gallery, art studio, classroom, event and performance space, music venue, meditation and yoga center, community center, and retail shop for local art, jewelry, healing stones and crystals, toiletries such as lotions, deodorants, soaps, and other organic, sustainable sundries, as well as other local, live-well retail that comes our way,” Herbert said in a press release.
Intended to fuse community and commodity with enough of everything that was foreign and unknown to current business, Herbert created the new creative space for others to share and explore themselves.
“The idea is when you come in everyone is friends. If you want to study you can be left alone to study, everyone is friendly. Challenge to chess? Then challenge on chess. Something burning in your mind? Present your “haha” moment on stage. Share yourself and create magic.”
As not only a place for magic and sharing, Herbert also wanted it to be safe place from fear, ego, capitalism and competitions.
“It’s kind of like when you come in here we want you to feel safe, honored and welcomed and I think that is the only way to really puncture that third wall and get to a space where we are commuting to our higher selves--where our higher selves can see beyond the fear where it’s kind of true community, compassion, mindfulness, love, and exploration. More than anything I think it’s a space for exploration.”
He also described it as a place where “you’ll find Kerouac, Hemingway, Plath, Tesla, Einstein, Plato and Joplin if they were alive.”
Ann Arbor resident, Hope Dundas, 42, physician assistant at Ingham County Health Department says that Lampshade is a magical spot.
“It’s like a living room and he just opens it up for everyone,” she said.
Dundas discovered Lampshade 3-4 weeks ago before New Year’s.
“There was a News Year’s Eve event and I was on stage with my sax,” she said. “It was very welcoming and homey.”
Dundas was familiar with the Green Room where her friends use to perform. She said it was nice to see the venue re-born.
Toledo resident and student of University of Toledo, Vipul Shukla, 31, was a first time visitor to Lampshade on Jan. 16. He was reading the different books on the shelves and looking at a wooden pony on a wall as well as the coins and other small materials imbedded in a couple of missing floorboards.
“It has cool things. I like cool things. There are so many things to look at. You never stop discovering something new.”
“There’s always something new here,” Dundas added. “Some things are broken like that statue of woman with broken wings. It seems perfect that way. Everything is welcome here, no matter how broken.”
What’s unique about Lampshade is not just providing books, coffee and beautiful artwork for the eye, but a price deal of your choosing for your pocket.
“Pick your price” is the word where Lampshade gives people the freedom to explore their relationship with money.
Customers are able to buy a book, get a coffee and even items around the store based on how much they can contribute.
Give back what equal measure you get, Herbert said.
“Money is something we attach value too. We give the value of it without our preconceived notion of it. It’s just a piece of paper. Rethink about it. Allow everyone’s budget to come and still enjoy the space. As long as they contribute to the space.”
This has become an issue to Lampshade, however, where items would end up stolen.
Herbert said the real concern was going broke as the money that people contribute help to keep the lights on.
After paying $65,000 for renovations, Herbert pays out of his pocket through his credit cards for the space.
The art, soaps and other items apart of the store are either brought or sold to him by local business or the Ypsilanti Community looking to donate.
Performances and work are volunteer based due to the budget.
Herbert is currently working on a microloan program where it will include a building block mural and a plan to help raise the funds to pay off the credit cards.
“Although stuff was stolen, he still remains to please people,” said Dundas.
Still new and developing, Lampshade is not only growing on the community as a warm and inviting space but on Herbert as well.
“I want to live my best version. Live the life I was sent here for. Create a space for people to find the best versions of themselves and to be themselves.”
For future plans, Herbert plans on spreading Lampshade outside of Ypsilanti and creating a “chain of love.”
In the meantime, Lampshade will continue with events such as open mics, kid activities, and spoken word to continue to fuse the arts and a friendly atmosphere.
“We’re always looking for events, class performance, something to get a little crafty. It’s not just music and art. Let everyone share what they’re working on. Let people think in their head, ‘Ah Lampshade, that’s here. I’m going to share what’s been brewing’.”
Considering Ypsilanti an affordable place and with rising potential already going on, Herbert asks ‘Why not Ypsilanti?’
“I think it’s going to work out here. I’m pretty happy,” said Herbert.
For more information visit Lampshade on their website at http://www.lampshade.life/ as well on social media sites.
