On the fifth floor of a former General Motors building is where the story begins. Shinola, the popular shoe polish from the first half of the 20th century, is seeking to reinvent itself in a big way. It’s embracing its past while looking to the future by transforming itself into a consumer product based company. And they’re doing it in Detroit, Michigan, a city that was once the heart of American manufacturing. With an ambitious goal of making all their products in the U.S., they are committed to building a brand with an emphasis on craftsmanship and well designed products. This fall, Shinola will unveil its offerings ranging from watches and bikes to leather and paper goods. But before they do, The Scout had an opportunity to see first hand the operation they were building.

Luke Scarola and his girlfriend Rebecca Squiers have a gift for uncovering American treasures. They’re the owners of Luddite, a beautiful antique store located on the edge of Greenpoint on Franklin Street. They made a name for themselves within the trade and the general public with their impeccable eye for lighting and furniture – attracting buyers from all over the world from Japan to the Netherlands, to locals looking for a piece of authentic Americana.

Craftsmanship and heritage are words that are tossed around lightly these days—few brands can really own these distinguishable traits as well as Bentley can. With its birth dating back to 1919, there’s no denying the rich history behind the automotive company.