Detroit’s cultural identity and small business legacy take center stage in Detroit Icon, a new six-part streaming series created by Jason Dean, owner of Time Warp Vintage. The series explores the businesses that have endured Detroit’s highs and lows and continue shaping its future.
The first three episodes premiered March 30 and are now streaming, with additional platform releases planned throughout April. Following a year of production—and Dean’s recent YouTube Silver Creator Award for his Time Warp Live podcast—the series expands his storytelling beyond vintage culture to highlight Detroit’s people and places.
The production team includes Dean (Host/Executive Producer), Steve Heintz (Executive Producer), Nikki Bell (Co-Host), and Roberto Boschian (Video Producer/Editor).
More than a documentary, Detroit Icon celebrates the city’s entrepreneurial spirit through a cinematic, behind-the-scenes lens, emphasizing community loyalty, generational legacy, and resilience.
Season One features:
• Pewabic Pottery — handcrafted tile-making
• Henry the Hatter — with ties to the Purple Gang
• John King Rare & Used Books — including rare archival access
Season Two is underway, with three additional episodes, including The Peacock Room.
The series is currently streaming on Relay and FAWESOME, with expansion to Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Pluto TV, and YouTube TV expected in April.
A premiere gala will be held May 1 (6–9 PM) at the Detroit Historical Museum, featuring screenings, a panel discussion, and a vintage-themed experience. Tickets are $40.
The series originated in 2020 during the COVID-19 shutdown through Dean’s Time Warp Live podcast, evolving into a platform dedicated to preserving Detroit’s small business stories.
