A New Landmark on Eight Mile: Saf-Gard’s Redford Mural Honors Detroit’s Workforce

If you ask locals what defines Detroit, you’ll hear a lot of different answers. Cars. Steel. Grit. Creativity. Resilience. A relentless work ethic. Whatever words they choose, they’re always pointing toward the same thing: a city that knows who it is and isn’t shy about showing it.

That spirit is exactly why Detroit, and specifically our Redford store on Eight Mile, was the perfect place for our newest project: a large-scale exterior mural created in partnership with Detroit artist Desiree Kelly.

This mural is not just a piece of art. It’s a statement about who we are, who we serve, and how deeply we value the workers who keep Michigan’s industries running every day.

 

Redford: Where the Story Begins

When Saf-Gard and Michigan Industrial came together, we gained something money cannot buy: a loyal customer base with deep roots in the local community. The Redford store has been part of workers’ lives here for years, and we wanted to honor that history while giving a peek at what’s next.

At the same time, Detroit has invested heavily in public art since 2017. Murals have become an integral part of the city’s landscape. They serve as bright, bold markers of identity and pride. We saw an opportunity not just to join that movement, but to contribute something meaningful to it.

Our Redford store spans an entire block, so we had a generous canvas to work with. More importantly, we wanted people to see, before they ever walked through our doors, that Saf-Gard is about more than shoes. We are here for the people who make, build, move and maintain the things that keep this region strong. The mural needed to reflect that purpose.

 

Desiree Kelly, an Artist Who Knows Detroit

Right from the start, we knew this had to be a Detroit project through and through, not something just dropped into the city. That meant working with a local artist who already gets it, someone who truly understands the city’s language. Desiree Kelly brought exactly that energy.

Desiree is known for blending realism, graffiti and bold color in a way that feels unmistakably Detroit. Her work is energetic, rooted and expressive. Her background in oil painting, combined with her love for spray-paint texture, gives her portraits a depth and humanity that felt right for telling the story of Detroit’s workers.

Before she began painting, Desiree spent time getting to know the industries and people who define this region. Automotive. Steel. Manufacturing. Logistics.

As Desiree says, “The grit and determination in this area really run deep. You can feel it.” That feeling became the foundation of her design.

 

Bringing the Story to Life

Desiree began with pencil sketches and digital mockups, trying out different compositions, faces and color schemes. But the mural truly came to life when Desiree stood in front of the wall and let the space guide her execution. The building is part of the neighborhood, and the final design needed to feel that way too.

We asked for a mural that showcased the workers we serve every day. Desiree delivered a design filled with movement, heart and detail. The mural includes faces and figures representing Detroit’s diverse workforce, nods to automotive and steel industries, and little “Easter eggs” that speak directly to our history and values. If you look closely, you’ll spot small callouts that reflect the spirit of Saf-Gard, like “Corporate programs made simple. No BS.” There’s also a tribute to our founders, Bob and Ann Kubis, who built this company on hard work and integrity. These details help tell the story of who we are and how we show up for the Detroit community.

Detroit is known for resilience, and that theme runs throughout the mural. It highlights workers who aren’t often celebrated in large public art installations. It showcases the pride that comes from skilled work and reflects a community that gets the job done, day after day.

Our goal was to honor the people who trust us to keep them safe on the job. We wanted the community to see themselves on the wall. We also wanted visiting customers, suppliers and partners to understand immediately that this store belongs to Detroit.

The end result feels like a tribute to the city’s past and a confident step into its future.   

  

 

A Community Response That Means Everything

Since the installation process began, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Customers have followed along with Desiree’s progress, stopping to chat with the artist and watching the creation process unfold.

The mural has also helped signal something important. Our Redford store is evolving. It is becoming a flagship location for Saf-Gard in this region. The new artwork is a way of saying, “We’re here. We are investing in this community. And we want this store to play an important part.”

 

More Than a Mural

For Desiree, the most meaningful part of the work is watching people interact with the wall every day. For us, it’s the same. This project is about people, not paint. Our hope is that the mural at our Redford store becomes a familiar sight, a source of pride and a reminder of the workers who drive this region forward.

This community shows up for us every day. With the mural, we got to show up for them too.