Development News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

General Motors Corp. has expanded on a project that has little to do with cars and a lot to do with taking care of wildlife and their habitat.

Given the companies need for large spaces to operate and build facililies it's inevitable to have clashes with land, water and animals. So in mitigating any damage that might occur GM has added another wildlife habitat protection project to its line up.

The project at GM's Drayton Warehouse in Waterford was announced earlier this week is a 35-acre habitat that brings GM's total of protected or enhanced wildlife habitats around the world to 1,000 acres.

The need to protect the habitat around Drayton Warehouse came about due to a watershed issue that was causing too much runoff from GM's parking lot and paved surfaces. The runoff was affecting the grounds, the wildlife, nearby Rainbow Lake and a subdivision.  In response, GM has turned the parking lot into a pond and changed some of its drainage and water system to retain water.

The decision revolved around environmental protection business.

Drayton Warehouse is used to store automotive parts and manufacturing equipment.

The new grounds will feature:
A 5.5 acre pond surrounded by native grasses
New grassy hills
A retention wall
A clean habitat for migratory birds
Food, shelter and open space for an increasing deer population
And in the future a viewing station for school children
to see the wildlife such as frogs, snapping
turtles, wood ducks, mallards, Canada geese, great blue herons, sand hill cranes, red tailed hawks, sharp shinned hawks, white tailed deer, coyotes, raccoons, opossums and skunks.

Source: Sharon Basel, General Motors Communications and Becky Johnson, Accounty Supervisor, Social Influence
Writer: Kim North Shine

The owner of Lola Ryan, a new home, accessories and women's clothing boutique in downtown Plymouth, is offering what she calls "pure fashion" to her customers.

Rachel Kus, a pharmaceutical rep who's long dreamed of dipping her to in the pond of retail fashion , wants to run a business that sells American products by American designers. Her husband Ryan Kus is part owner.

Rachel Kus' mother, the store manager, says it can be challenging to keep the All-American promise when American designers sell some things that are American made and others that are not, for example, but  they are working hard to stick to the philosophy, which also includes selling "affordable fashion" and offering personal shoppers and private showings for the "precocious teen to groovy matriarch" Lola Ryan seeks.

Lola Ryan opened about a month ago at 550 Forest Avenue. On its racks are designers such as Rachel Pally. Lola Ryan is the only place in Michigan to buy Pally's things. Hudson Jeans, typically found at Nordstrom, are on the racks too. James Pearse is another popular brand found at Lola Ryan.

Rachel Kus brought her fashion knowledge and dream of opening a boutique back from the East Coast after living there several years. A friend ran a boutique, and Kus learned how to get the skinny on fashion lines and retail by attending fashion shows in places such as New York. She chose Plymouth, her hometown, to start the business "because we just love it here, and there is a lot of support here," her mother says.

Source: Manager, Lola Ryan boutique, Plymouth
Writer: Kim North Shine

Pointe Alarm, a five year old home and commercial security business, is venturing into sales of other electronics, including some designed to keep homes secure and operating from a computer or other electronic controller.

The company's latest venture, Technical Living, will open in a prominent - and vacant - storefront on Kercheval Avenue in the Village shopping district in Grosse Pointe.

City Manager Peter Dame says the plan approved by the city in September has the front of the store, which was formerly an upscale boutique selling women and children's clothing, shoes and accessories, is to renovate the store that sells high end electronics and security systems in one spot.

Pointe Alarm's owners described the electronics end of the store a something similar to Sharper Image, Dame says. The front of the store will be dedicated to electronics. The back will be for security and home control systems.

Source: Pointe Alarm and Peter Dame, city manager, City of Grosse Pointe
Writer: Kim North Shine

The store that Max & Ollie's Vintage Boutique has inhabited over the last six years could be described as quaint or cramped, depending on perspective. But what's clear is that Max & Ollie's new store and its mix of furniture, clothing, tchotchkes is nothing but spacious.

Owner Diane Kubik, who sees herself and her store as part of a revival brought on by an eclectic mix of businesses and creative entrepreneurs, moved her boutique from a mere 300-square-foot space on the edge of downtown to a 1,350 square foot store in a central part of downtown, known as a gathering spot  for concerts and public events.

"We are loving the new place. The expansion turned out to be fabulous for us. There is a lot more foot traffic, not to mention we can offer more treasures and host events. Life in the bigger shop is great," says Kubik, who scouts metro Detroit for standout merchandise. She lives and works in downtown and has built a base of vintage afficianados who buy from her online through her website or Etsy as well as at the store.

The move to 65 Macomb Place is being celebrated with a grand opening today and the expansion is leading to the hiring of employees and a partnership with Detroit Fashion Vault, which will stock its accesories at the store from its own space at 56 Macomb Place.

According to the Mount Clements Downtown Development Authority, "Max & Ollie’s Vintage Boutique has built a following of regular, loyal customers who rave about the store. Here you will often find a collector of fine antiques perusing fine china and glass next to a young hipster searching for unusual vintage scarves and jewelry. There’s something for everyone in this fun shop, and it’s always a treasure hunt."

Source: Diane Kubik, owner, Max & Ollie's Vintage Boutique and Michelle Weiss, Mount Clemens DDA
Writer: Kim North Shine

The staff at S & K Steel Inc. is doubling as the company adds 9,200 square feet of space and installs new equipment to turn out more railroad supplies from its original, and soon to be newest, Madison Heights facilities.

With more than $300,000 in investment in equipment and employees growing from seven to 14 the new building will be used for product development and warehouse space and keep up with increased demand for its clamps, bars, fasteners and many other accessories that keep trains rolling the rails.

S & K Steel Inc. President Myles Paisley says in a statement that "this new expansion and the recent new hires will enable us to successfully meet the rapidly growing demand for our products and to better serve our customers." 

The company's growth is another example of manufacturing in Michigan being alive and well.

"It is truly amazing to think we have outgrown our Madison Heights building since we started the company in 1996," he says.

Source: Myles Paisley, president, S & K Steel Inc.
Writer: Kim North Shine

Royal Oak gains a new art appreciation outlet with the opening of 822 Gallery this Saturday.

Besides being a place to find "sophisticated and refined works" in mixed media by local and national artists, 822 Gallery wants to bring together the arts and fashion community, says Laura Deljanin, an artist and a fashion and art curator for the gallery, which is located at 822 11 Mile Road.

"We want to be inclusive and supportive," she says, ticking off names of other local artists and galleries. "It's for the success of all of us. We're so much stronger together."

She is helping organize this Saturday's grand opening, which starts with a Royal Oak galleries crawl from 5-8pm and ends with an afterglow at 822 Gallery, where the first of what is expected to be monthly events will be hosted. The fall-themed grand opening will feature a fashion show and art exhibit of many kinds of work and music by Royal Oak band, Michigan Basement Trio. A live art painting will be auctioned as well.

"This will be a chance to enjoy the beautiful autumnal shades of Michigan and catch a great event supporting local artists," she says. "The gallery’s focus is to contribute to the enhancement of art awareness for the community."

822 Gallery is owned by partners Roger Mason, an artist with a contemporary and whimsical style, and Dr. Douglas Nyquist. Mason, who will run the gallery, has a studio in South Haven and the vision is to showcase only original art and to promote art in general

Mason and Del will decide which works go on display, and eventually the gallery, which will be opened Tuesday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., will have studio spaces, Deljanin says.

"Both of us being artists we have a very acute eye of what we're looking for. We want refined and sophisticated art," she says. We're not just accepting anything. it has to be special….We want to try and get people excited about art and fashion.

Source: Laura Deljanin, curator, 822 Gallery
Writer: Kim North Shine