Development News

Tallulah's Wine Bar owner to build 3 restaurants in Grosse Pointe Park

Thursday, November 01, 2012

Talk of a comeback for Kercheval Avenue in Grosse Pointe Park never really goes away, but with the anticipated opening of three new restaurants - and possibly more - in coming months locals are saying the comeback is here and now.

Perhaps the restaurant opening creating the most excitement is Red Crown, a southern-influenced American comfort food joint that will open inside the garage bays and office of the Standard Oil service station, long closed but beloved for its art deco architecture.

Renovations are in progress and Red Crows is expected to open in December.

Mindy Lopus, the owner of still hot, French-inspired Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro and her rustic Italian eatery Bellapiatti, both in Birmingham, is behind all three restaurants coming to the Park.

Besides Red Crown, which will have a garage opening onto a fireplace, patio with ping-pong tables and a kitchen run by top metro Detroit chefs, Lopus is behind a the Bona Fide Baking Company, which will move into the close Mulier's Market. Pastry chef and James Beard finalist Tanya Fallon will manage the bakery's output of artisan breads that will be sold in and out of the store and be used at Red Crown. Bona Fide, which is expected to open before the end of the year, will have a coffee bar and serve breakfast lunch.

Next to Bona Fide,where there is now parking lot, will be a Tallulah's wine bar and cafe like the Birmingham original.

The three restaurants are part of a larger redevelopment plan for the business district that hangs on to its quaint 40s-era architecture and a mix of earthy, artistic and longtime businesses are attracting young, newcomers and maintaining their old faithful clientele.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Mindy Lopus, restaurateur

Lincoln Park Theater to become Lincoln Park Lofts

Thursday, November 01, 2012

A retail and residential loft development that has potential to be a development magnet for downtown Lincoln Park is breaking ground in November.

Lincoln Park Lofts, an $11.7 million project spearheaded by the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, will take the place of a the Lincoln Park Theater that's been closed for several years.

The project is a rehab and restoration of the theater, which is local landmark. Construction will take about a year to complete and be leased by December 2013, says Erin Southward, communications manager for Wayne Metropolitan Action Agency.

Lincoln Park Lofts consists of 12 loft apartments, two retail spaces of about 1,200 square feet each. A separate building behind the theater will be built as well and consist of 24 units of affordable housing, Southward says.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Erin Southward, communications manager for Wayne Metropolitan Action Agency

Dessert Oasis expands in downtown Rochester

Thursday, October 25, 2012

The three year old Dessert Oasis in downtown Rochester is moving into a larger space to bring its specialty in-house roasted coffees desserts and live music to more customers.

Renovations are happening now at the new location, 336 South Main, just down the street from its current store at the corner of Main and 2nd.

The new location should be open sometime this winter winter and will offer more seating, a larger stage and a larger roasting area for the business that prides itself on pulling in the high quality beans and roasting them the way they're meant to be. The beans come from only from farms that Dessert Oasis knows as respected and reputable and the desserts are baked daily. Live entertainment happens nightly.

The Dessert Oasis even has a director of quality control, and the staff of baristas, sales people and managers is growing.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Dessert Oasis

Downtown Royal Oak adds Greek street food via KouZina restaurant

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Royal Oak's restaurant scene has been Greek'ed up with the arrival of KouZina, where the pita bread is baked fresh all day, the Greek yogurt is double strained daily and the short and sweet menu serves up Greek food the way Greeks know it should be done.

It's what owner Bobby Laskaris calls Greek street food, and as the son of the man behind two Greektown Detroit restaurant establishments and as a metro Detroiter who has grown tired of restaurants "butchering" gyros and other Greek favorites he decided to do things the right way. Thus KouZina, which opened Oct. 15 at 121 N. Main St. near 11 Mile Road and across from two nearby movie theaters.

Laskaris and partner George Seros brought their family's knowledge of the disappearing art of Greek cooking to their menu. Laskaris's father, 73-year-old Pete Panagiots, has been the owner and executive chef of Detroit's Athens Cuisine and Olympian Cafe for decades.

"Everything is fresh. We have no freezers, no microwaves in the place. We serve pork gyros like you find in Athens. We make everything ourselves," Laskaris says.

KouZina is located in the space formerly occupied by Zumba Mexican grill. After months of renovations and hiring of about 50 employees, 10 full time, Laskaris says the downtown crowds are eating up the casual Greek fare - real, authentic "like you would find in Athens," he says. The menu, a one-sided, easy digest list, consists of gyros, a gyro bowl, a Greek salad, two sauces and a handful of extras such as spinach pie "that we can't make enough of."

Laskaris didn't expect to follow in the tired steps of his father into restaurant ownership. "I saw how many hours he worked. It's hard, tiring work," he says. Instead he went the route of providing Greek food to sports and entertainment venues. But after one too many bad gyros "I had to do something," he says. "I thought it's time to change this."

The plan, he says, was for the first week of business to be a soft opening, to work out the kinks, but the public didn't give them time. At 10:45, 15 minutes before opening time, "the parking lot was packed and there was a line at the door."

"It hasn't stopped. We can hardly keep up," he says. "It's amazing."

Buzz about KouZina, including a 2012 win for Best Entree at Arts, Beats & Eats, helped build the anticipation. It's why the intimate 20-seat establishment is seeing sales volume on a large scale. He has people asking if he wants to open a second location, if they can invest. Regular orders for meetings at nearby offices are coming in.

Staying true to the cuisine of his culture is just one accomplishment that's exceeding his expectations. He also wanted KouZina to be a Royal Oaker's place. The majority of his staff are locals and each month a local artists' work will decorate the walls.

Source: Bobby Laskaris
Writer: Kim North Shine

Ohio couple jumps into indoor trampoline, dodgeball business in Troy

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Holiday parties, corporate events and birthday celebrations are already booking for an indoor trampoline business that's opening this weekend in Troy.

The pre-opening interest is showing the Ohio couple who left successful careers in Columbus to start AirTime Trampoline & Game Park that their idea has some major bounce.

Pam and Will Wannemacher have renovated a 31,000-square-foot space at busy Rochester and 16 Mile roads as they launch what they expect to be a franchise. Two more openings are already in the planning.

"It is our own creation," she says. "We're planning two more in the Detroit area…We absolutely love it here…We looked all over the country for locations: Austin, Texas, Charlotte, Philly, Miami. We decided on Detroit ."

In Troy, where there is 15,000 square feet of trampolines, some interconnected so jumpers can "literally bounce off the walls," Pam Wannemacher says, the couple have hired 70 employees, 30 of them full time.

"We've been absolutely thrilled with the quality of people we've hired," she says.

It was Detroit's down real estate market and retail space prices that weren't as "astronomical" as other cities that brought them to Michigan. Their location near REI, Norstrom Rack and other high traffic retailers was key, she says.

The anticipation of the opening comes through on AirTime's Facebook page, and the owners have decided to make Friday the sneak peak day for its Facebook fans. Saturday will be open to the public. Tuesday will be the official grand opening.

Pam originally owned a commercial cleaning company and had been in public relations and marketing for AT&T and BankOne while Bill was in construction for a national restaurant group. The two decided it was time for something new.

"It was a big risk, a big lifestyle change," she says. "But we weren't just spinning a wheel and hoping for good luck. Detroit has the demographics and the market for a business like ours to grow."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Pam Wannemacher, co-owner and operator Air Time Trampoline & Game Park

Oakland County's investment in small business reached $38 million in 2012

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Investment in small businesses by Oakland County and the U.S. Small Business Administration increased by 50 percent in 2012, a sign, says County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, that “we have turned a corner” economically.

The investment of over $38 million came from the Oakland County Business Finance Corp., which works with the U.S. Small Business Administration to determine projects that have a promise of success but need a financial boost to get there.

The OCBF Corp’s financial backing went to 39 projects across the county and created hundreds of jobs.

In 2011, the corporation awarded # Since it began its work under the SBA’s Certified Development Company program in 1982 more than 433 loans have been funded, $491 million invested and 17,800 jobs created.

Source: John Huber, marketing and communications officer for the Oakland County Department of Economic Development and Community Affairs
Writer: Kim North Shine

Love & Buttercream sweetens up downtown Royal Oak with new bakery

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Brooke Wilson joined the so-called Michigan Brain Drain that had so many local college graduates uprooting for careers in other states.

But the 25-year-old owner of the three-week old Love & Buttercream bakery in Royal Oak is also part of the migration home, a return to the state to do good.

After graduating with a business marketing degree from Michigan State University, Wilson moved to Chicago, worked in the restaurant industry and eventually discovered it was baking and pastries that ruled her career aspirations.

She went on to the French Pastry School in Chicago and after graduating decided, "I wanted to come home and give Michigan some love."

She started a special order business about a year ago and took the leap Oct. 2 to retail bakery at 3202 Crooks Road. It's a bakery that makes everything from scratch, concocting classic bake goods with a twist.

It's her full-time job, her career, as well as that of two full-time employees and one-part-timer.

"It's only our third week of business…and it has been really really great We've been really surprised at the turnout," Wilson says. "We're getting a lot of locals, people coming from the downtown area, from Berkley, Clawson."

The love of her home state goes into Mitten Mades, which are a combo of potato chips, pretzels, toffee and other Michigan made products.

The name Love & Buttercream came to her suddenly one morning after thinking about it for weeks.

"It's kind of cheesy cliche, but I had been trying to come up with a name for weeks and then I woke up and said, I know what it is. It really speaks to what our products are all about. We make everything from scratch. We put a lot of love into what goes out the door."

Source: Brooke Wilson, owner, Love & Buttercream bakery
Writer: Kim North Shine

Natural Food Express to add second location in Dearborn Heights

Thursday, October 18, 2012

A growing market and interest in locally-sourced food, organic food and knowing where your food comes from has Garry Kuneman expanding his business, adding a new location and bringing new products to customers.

Kuneman, who worked the farmer's market circuit for 10 years, opened his Natural Food Local Express in Plymouth in July 2010. It didn't take him long to see that demand would lead to a second location.

The new store will open Dec. 1 at 6870 Telegraph Road. The company will take on a new name, Pure Pastures, with one location becoming Pure Pastures East and the other Pure Pastures West.

The name change is more of a reflection of the core business, says Kuneman. That is to sell meat, eggs and other products from Michigan farmers.

Except for air-chilled chicken, a European style of chicken preparation that's become popular since an endorsement from Dr. Mehmet Oz, and a portion of buffalo, another popular product, everything comes from Michigan. Local eggs that come from chickens that aren't caged and eat no soy or GMOs are a top seller. Kuneman will add more national products when he brings in more organic and gluten-free foods, he says.

Kuneman's start with farmers' markets and home deliveries are still a part of the operations. He plans to expand home delivery and product offerings and hire 3-4 new employees when the new store opens. Currently, there are four employees.

"The farmers markets helped me get a handle on the kind of products I wanted to carry. And it helped me build a customer base," he says. "There are several segments of the population we pull from: special diets, people who want to know what's in their food and some are concerned about the humane treatment of animals. It's a little pricier, but people are willing to pay to know what they're getting, to support Michigan."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Garry Kuneman, owner, Natural Food Local Express, the future Pure Pastures

Canine to Five to add second dog boarding location in Ferndale

Thursday, October 18, 2012

In about seven years Canine To Five has become a Midtown Detroit institution, not only making itself a favorite day care and dog groomer for dog owners but a vital part of that Detroit neighborhood.

The continued business growth of Canine To Five has prompted owner Liz Blondy to export the business to Ferndale, another community she wants to be a part of, both civically and personally.

The first outpost of Canine to Five is expected to open in December at 2141 Hilton, and renovations have already started for the facility.

The Midtown location is also expanding. Betweenserving both urban and suburban clientele, Blondy will be adding nine new positions.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Liz Blondy, owner, Canine To Five

Slow Jams jam in Grosse Pointe gets deal with Kroger stores

Thursday, October 18, 2012

In about a year's time Slow Jams jam has gone from a hobby to a business, from Detroit's Eastern Market to store shelves at markets around and small shops all around Metro Detroit.

This month the jam that comes in 20-plus creative flavor combinations such as blueberry lavender and strawberry balsamic and the newest just announced Spicy Strawberry Bomb, hopped on Pure Michigan shelves in 20 Kroger stores.

Shannon Byrne, jam-maker and founder of Slow Jams, says the success comes from being part of a connected, supportive food and slow foods community in metro Detroit.

On the heels of the Kroger deal more stores are coming, such as Fresh Farms Market in Grosse Pointe Farms.

Slow Jams, which is based in Grosse Pointe, employs four, not including Byrne, and will likely expand as more stores stock their product. New Slow Jams sellers include Plum Market and Zingerman's Creamery.

"We are so grateful for the success we've had so far," says Byrne.

It only took about six months of selling at Eastern Market to decide to go retail. "It was fast once we saw there was a demand," Byrne says. "We had restaurants coming to us wanting to use our stuff."

She says cottage food laws that eased restrictions to let more products be made in homes made it possible for the business to begin.

"And having Eastern Market, that was huge…It is a huge hub of what's going on the city around food," says Byrne, who uses locally sourced ingredients and business partnerships to produce Slow Jam. "Restaurant owners, chefs, store folks would come by and say they were really interested."

One example Forest Grill's Brian Polcyn and David Gilbert

"We want to continue to be successful," she says. "But only if we can stay true to using locally sourced ingredients…and only with an environmental focus on low waste and making our carbon footprint as small as it can be."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Shannon Byrne, owner, Slow Jams

Specialty food market to open in downtown Pontiac's Lafayette Pl. Lofts

Thursday, October 11, 2012

In less than a month downtown Pontiac will have a grocery store, one with fresh foods, take-out lunch and dinner, a butcher, a cafe with coffee and baked goods and wide selection of merchandise like nothing the downtown has seen in years.

The 10,000-square-foot The Layfayette Market will be run by Chris Monette, who's managed a successful market at Oakland University, and is part of the larger Lafayette Place Lofts, a project of developer Kyle Westberg's West Construction Services.

Next door to the market, which is at 154 N. Saginaw, will be an Anytime Fitness, and above the two businesses will be 46 loft apartments. It's all inside the former Sears Department Store, a behemoth of a building that's been closed for years. The structure has historic architectural components that are being incorporated into the renovation, including the market's wood floors, which are original.

The Lafayette Market will open Saturday, Nov. 17, and the apartments are expected to be completed in December. The market and lofts are close to Oakland McLaren Oakland Hospital.

In the meantime there is an effort to learn what the community wants in the store through an online survey.

"The community is very excited about this," says spokesperson Corinne Petras. "But the survey is to make sure it's clear what the community wants."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Corinne Petras, spokesperson, Lafayette Lofts

Children's clothing boutique moves into downtown Royal Oak

Thursday, October 11, 2012

A mother of four turned entrepreneur is getting her dress-up-the-kids fix through her new store, Spoil 'Em Rotten in downtown Royal Oak.

Shay Van opened the children's clothing boutique at 630 E. 11 Mile on Oct. 1, and the traffic has been great, she says.

Her business model is to offer every day clothing that can't be found just anywhere and to sell dressier clothing "that won't break your pocketbook."

"I have the the things you wouldn't always see at the mall, things for special occasions that aren't the usual … And I believe it should be affordable."

The opening of the 2,200-square-foot shop, which was previously a jewelry store, brings business back to a spot that's been empty for five years.

It's also one mom's new full-time career.

"I was a stay-at-home mom of four children," Van says. "That's what made me really get into this. It's really fun. It's like shopping for everyone's kids."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Shay Van, owner, Spoil 'Em Rotten boutique, Royal Oak

Woodward Ave. communities plan for sustainability amidst growth

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The goal of the Woodward Sustainability 5 partnership is to brainstorm and plan for development and economic prosperity while being mindful of how to achieve those things with limited resources and without detrimental impacts on the environment and future generations.

The "5" refers to Berkley, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak and Huntington Woods, all cities with Woodward as a common thoroughfare, and is an initiative of the Oakland County Planning & Economic Development department. The partnership is hosting public meetings, one tonight, Oct. 11, from 6-8 p.m. at the Pleasant Ridge Community Center.

It is one of several meetings that will culminate in a plan that will outline ways the communities can "work together and leverage resources for a sustainable future," Steve Huber, marketing and communications officer for the department of economic development and community affairs, says in a statement announcing the meeting.

A description of the initiative says, "the partnership seeks to engage a diverse cross-section of the community, including environmental, business, social services, health, and educational institutions. The goal of the group is to develop a plan which will help the communities work together and leverage shared resources for a sustainable future."

The final plan, which is being paid for with a $25,000 of in-kind services from the county and a $50,000 grand from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, should be completed by March 2013.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Steve Huber, marketing and communications officer for Oakland County's Department of Economic Development and Community Affairs.

Investors, DDA plan several changes to downtown Farmington

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Farmington Downtown Development Authority is working with an investment firm that specializes in repositioning old or unused yet promising commercial spaces.

At the same time that the firm, Manifold Ventures, takes over a shopping center that is anchored by TJ Maxx. Other improvements to downtown are unfolding.

Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington DDA, says Manifold Ventures, was attracted by the DDA's offers to contribute funds toward facade improvements to a closed store and by the financial assistance they offered toward the interior renovation.

"Manifold Ventures seeks to acquire buildings that exist in excellent locations but are in need of repositioning or recapitalization," says a statement distributed by Knowles. "The owners believe Farmington matches their vision of creating a walkable community with great potential."

She says as the space occupied by TJ Maxx is renovated Manifold will look for high-quality tenants that contribute to a new vision of downtown Farmington, one that's more walkable and accessible to different transportation options.

Work should begin in early spring 2013 and will coincide with improvements to Grove Street and a project that will add parking spaces to the center of downtown.

“Our vision is to help transform Farmington into a walkable neighborhood community, with integrated shopping, dining, and recreation,” Ricky Singh, Manifold Ventures principal, says.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Annette Knowles, executive director, Farmington DDA

Burn Rubber unveils men's brand in new Royal Oak store

Thursday, October 04, 2012

The owners of Burn Rubber, a unique Royal Oak sneaker boutique known for unique styles that can fetch top dollar, have taken their concept for originality into men's clothing.

two/eighteen By Burn Rubber opened nearly two weeks ago at 108 E. Fourth Street. Burn Rubber sells its sneakers down the street at 202 W. Fourth.

"Two/eighteen is similar to the philosophy of Burn Rubber where you wouldn't find what we sell anywhere else in Michigan," says co-owner and co-founder Rick Williams.

One of the lines being promoted currently is out of Atlanta, Strivers Row.

The name two/eighteen is the numerical-alphabetical equivalent of B and R - for Burn Rubber. The new store, a total of 2,500 square feet front and back, is owned and run by Rick Williams and his partners Ro Coit, Fred Walker and Tawny Thieu, who are celebrating "a next tier of the business."

Williams says downtown Royal Oak has been the launching point for a solid business and customer base that are growing along with the company.

"Royal Oak is where we've made our home," he says. "This is basically a step up from Burn Rubber, something for the more mature customers."

Source: Rick Williams, co-owner and co-founder two/eighteen By Burn Rubber
Writer: Kim North Shine