Development News

Peterlin's Restaurant & Bar in Farmington brings two visions, jobs

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Zach Peterlin and Kim Decapite are in the dating phase of their relationship, but they've already figured out how to marry their experience into a restaurant and bar in Farmington.

Peterlin's Restaurant & Bar opened about six months ago at the corner of Farmington Road and 9 Mile "and it's been even better than we thought. You never know. Starting a business is a big gamble," Peterlin says.

He says the reasons the customers are coming have to do with value for fresh-made food, customer service that is as much a business cornerstone as the menu, and with backgrounds that he and Decapite bring to the table.

Peterlin, an honors graduate in hospitality management from Northern Michigan University and an experienced chef in corporate and independent restaurants, brings a passion for original and creative foods.

Decapite, with her experience in fine food shops such as Alban's Bottle & Basket in Birmingham and for the last eight years at Joe's Produce and Gourmet Market in Livonia, has perfected a face-to-face, customer-comes-first attitude.

"It's hard to compete with the Subways and Little Caesars and their $5 meals. But it's all processed," Peterlin says. "I think we've found the right price point and we have the quality."

Peterlin also brought with him customers he had cultivated while working as a chef for other restaurants. They chose to open in Farmington because they live there and because they knew there was market potential, he says.

Peterlin and Dicapite met during a food and wine pairing course, and decided about a year ago to go into business for themselves.

"I had gone to work for J Alexander's right out of school and learned a lot. But I wanted to try to the independent thing. So I went to work for smaller, independents. I found out I like doing the independent thing, being creative and doing something that's special, Peterlin explains. "We think we've hit the right combination: a good price point, fresh food, great customer service. In these times you have to give people value and you have to give them what's going make them come back."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Zach Peterlin, co-owner, Peterlin's Restaurant & Bar

New rail cars are tested for two proposed commuter rail lines

Thursday, November 15, 2012

As efforts to improve passenger rail service between Pontiac and Jackson and Washtenaw and Livingston counties plugs along refurbished commuter rail cars are being tested on Amtrak lines.

Six bi-level, stainless steel cars, refurbished at a cost of $310,000 each by Owosso-based Great Lakes Central Railroad, came from Illinois and will eventually be used on the proposed Detroit-to-Ann Arbor line that is being planned by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and on the WALLY line between Livingston and Washtenaw counties, a project of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.

The refurbished cars were previously used by METRA, the northeast Illinois community rail system. They were paid for with federal and state grant from Departments of Transportation that are pushing commuter rail improvements as economic and community development.

Funding for the proposed commuter rail services is not yet lined up, but the testing is a step in the process to obtain funding.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Janet Foran, Communications, Michigan Department of Transportation

Historic preservation and dream menu come together in Rochester

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A much-watched restaurant project in downtown Rochester keeps going deeper into history as its owners build an new eatery that maintains ties to the building's past.

Owners Jason Mood and Chris Johnson had hoped to open The Meeting House in October, but they decided to go ahead with bigger plans to renovate both floors of the 1880s-era building at 301 S. Main Street rather than just the first. They are also seeing how painstaking preservation can be but expecting it to pay off as the historical features of the 1880s era building are uncovered and highlighted.

Construction began last summer, which was the start of a dream for the two former staffers of Beverly Hills Grill. Mood was a host, Johnson a chef.

Kristi Trevarrow, executive director of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority, says the renovation is impressive and "It's pretty phenomenal what they've found there and what they've worked through," she says. They've worked with historic committee people and discovered many interesting things. Its a really cool project. It's been challening, but it's been so good."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Kristi Trevarrow, executive director, Rochester Downtown Development Authority

Annoying, little bugs create growth for Rapunzel's Lice Boutique

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Little lice - and the families who so desperately want to get rid of them - are responsible for the big growth of the Rapunzel's Lice Boutique, which opened its fourth salon last week in Farmington Hills.

Owner Sarah Casello-Rees, who opened the first boutique in Ann Arbor in 2009, says, "We've been doubling our growth every year."

Sure the ipads, lego tables and TVs have attracted notice for the family-oriented salons but for Rapunzel's growth has come because those pesky head bugs have built up a resistance to traditional treatments and parents want to avoid pesticides to treat a problem that can consume hours, days, weeks, looking for lice and picking nits.

The determined removal specialists at Rapunzel's use a heat treatment and manual removal, a one-time process that is guaranteed.

Rapunzel's started as a mobile operation called the Lice Brigrade in 2008.

"When we opened our first boutique we thought the name was a little too militaristic. We wanted something more comforting," says Casello-Rees.

About 15 employees work for the company and there are more job openings for removal technicians who are paid $25-$35 an hour.

Rapunzel's recently started offering a benefits package to employees.

"As an owner of the company we strive to offer outstanding customer service to the families…and what's equally important is being a good employer," Casello-Rees says.

Employees receive health care coverage and a retirement plan.

"When we started in 2008 we were at the lowest point in our economy, so to do this is no small feat…I call it a recession proof business because people are always willing to pay to get ride of their parasites," says Casello-Rees. "

The Farmington Hills location on Farmington Road opened in response to the large number of Oakland County customers traveling to other shops in other counties.

Besides the Ann Arbor location, which is on Plymouth Road, there are boutiques in Sterling Heights on Metro Parkway and in Grand Rapids.

"It's just like a salon…The only difference is we don't cut hair or wash hair….Licensed hair sons can't treat head lice or service customers with lice," she says. "The hair industry is thrilled we are here….That's where we a get lot of referrals."

And with all the amenities, "the kids love coming there."

"They sometimes ask to come back," she says. "Usually the parents aren't too keen on that."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Sarah Casello-Rees, owner Rapunzel's Lice Boutique

Birmingham's Griffin Claw Brewing half built, but beer tastings have begun

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Construction is more than halfway complete for a new brewpub that is expected to open in March in Birmingham's Rail District.

Even before all the walls are up, however , Griffin Claw Brewing Co. is holding tastings to highlight the bread and butter of its business - its Big Rock Chophouse brews from brewmaster Dan Rogers. The latest tasting of Roger's award-winning IPA came with a construction update.

The 12,000-square-foot facility is being build on Eton Street. Brewing and distribution will take place on site, and there will be a tasting roo and outdoor garden to complement the restaurant.

On Nov. 1, Big Rock Chop House sold and shipped its massive 15-barrel copper tank system to a brewing in Lexington, Kentucky. In December, Griffin Claw will receive new brewery equipment from Kraft Werks in Lake Orion.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Jaclyn Robinson, JT Marketing Group

West Nine Mile streetscape continues downtown Ferndale's make over

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Ferndale is embarking on a major overhaul of West 9 Mile in downtown, part of a project that will take care of maintenance, such as updating underground infrastructure. The investment will also address a neglected part of downtown by creating a place that's inviting, walkable, safe and ready for economic development.

The project, affectionately dubbed "How The West Was One," is expected to run from April to September 2013 and give attention to the stretch of West 9 Mile from Planavon to Pinecrest.

The finished product will be a new road that's narrowed from five lanes to three and that's painted with bike friendly sharrows (sharing arrows). There will be wider sidewalks, a new water main, a streetscape with benches, trash and recycling containers, 60 trees and perennial beds and sidewalk and on-street bike corrals, new lighting and more crosswalks.

The $1.1 million construction project is a cooperative effort between the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority and the City of Ferndale.

The streetscape portion of the project was developed by the DDA and has been a work in progress for more than ten years. Last summer, the DDA won a Transportation Enhancement grant to cover nearly half of the cost.

In October, the Ferndale City Council voted to match the grant.

“This project, and the city’s investment in it, is critical to the improvement of a long-neglected section of our Downtown,” said Cristina Sheppard-Decius, executive director of the Ferndale DDA. “Private redevelopment follows public investment. The City Council’s commitment is exactly the kind of leadership that will kick start a great future for that end of town and all of Ferndale."

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Chris Hughes, Ferndale Downtown Development Authority

Oxford is first Oakland Co. downtown offering free wireless

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Oxford has become Oakland County's first community to offer free wireless service across its downtown.

The Wireless Oakland initiative, which sought to set up wireless service in all of Oakland County downtowns as an economic stimulus, has been revived and scaled back after the original plan developed in 2005 "fell victim to recession when private investors backed out," Bill Mullan, a spokesman for the county, says in a news release announcing Oakland Township's going wireless.

Internet Provider Air Advantage is providing the wireless coverage in exchange for access to some of the county's strategically placed communications towers. Air Advantage will also offer competitively priced, wireless broadband services to northern and western parts of the county where there is no such service.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Bill Mullan, spokesman, Oakland County

Element PR brings its practice and pet cause to downtown Birmingham

Thursday, November 01, 2012

A public relations firm that formed when a group of freelancers decided to bring their skills together under one roof is hosting an unveiling party to celebrate the collaboration, business successes and the school that guided the firm's founder to the postion she's in.

Element, a public relations and marketing firm, has four full-time employees working out of its office on Old Woodward and Maple in downtown Birmingham. Co-founder Eric Scott is a graduate of the Eton Academy in Birmingham, a school that serves students with learning disabilities and other special needs. Scott and his colleagues wanted to pair Element's grand opening party with a thank-you for Eton.

So from 4-7 p.m. on Nov. 15 at David Wachler jewelers in Birmingham Element is hosting a party where Element and Eton are the centerpieces. Element, which in part guides clients through digital media optimization and messaging, is located upstairs from David Wachler.

"We're looking to connect downtown Birmingham with the mission of Eton Academy," Element spokesperson Alexis Smith says.

There will be live entertainment and a video that tells the stories of Eton students struggles and challenges and coming through them - just as Eric Smith has. Fox Grill from Bloomfield Hills will cater.

"Without Eton Academy a thriving PR firm like ourselves wouldn't be in existence," she said.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Alexis Smith, Element PR

Rochester wraps up Main St. re-do with higher retail occupancy rate

Thursday, November 01, 2012

The final touches are being put on the massive rebuild of Main Street in downtown Rochester.

Kristi Trevarrow says the project, which rebuild the road, the infrastructure under it, sidewalks and more, will be done Nov. 23 in time for the start of holiday shopping.

Currently, trees, decorative fencing, benches and street signs are going in - the last of the work.

While the project has been a headache and hassle for some business owners and locals, amazingly, Trevarrow says, downtown's occupancy rate is higher than before construction.

Although about four businesses closed during the project, she says, more have moved in or expanded, bringing the occupancy rate to 97 percent.

Pre-construction that number was 95 percent, she says.

"We've had a lot of people who came in saying they want to start a business. They say, 'We knew before that this is a great place to be, and now we with all the improvements we want to get in before anyone else.' "

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Kristi Trevarrow, executive director Rochester Downtown Development Authority

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