Author

Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Natalie Burg, Development News Editor's Latest Articles

Second Glassbox Coffee location to open at Arbor Hills Crossing
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Arts and Culture
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April 17, 2013

A month after opening his first Glassbox Coffee location on S. University, owner Jason Friend has announced a forthcoming second, larger Glassbox Coffee to be located in Arbor Hills Crossing. "For an independent coffee shop, having a chance to get in at a center like Arbor Hills Crossing is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity," says Friend. "The developers have done an outstanding job at getting in a stellar group of well known national stores as well as really making a very concerted effort to get local businesses in." The second iteration of the café will still offer gourmet coffee and unique juices, but the 2,100 square-foot space will expand the capabilities of the new shop beyond the original, 700 square-foot Glassbox Coffee.  "We will have a full juice bar inside the shop, as opposed to the four to five juices we currently offer at the shop on South U.," Friend says. "The shop will definitely be one of a kind, from our very unique brewing equipment, to the distinct layout and design. We are also planning on eventually roasting in the space, which customers will be able to watch through glass walls." Friend anticipates an Aug. 23 opening, and plans to hire a staff of about 15. Despite opening a second location so quickly, Friend currently has no plans for further expansion. His focus for now, he says, will be making both Glassbox Coffee locations the best they can be.  Source: Jason Friend, Glassbox Coffee Writer: Natalie Burg

Arbor One Mortgage nearly doubles staff in first week, looks toward growth
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Community Development
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March 13, 2013

When Reigis Recchia and his two partners were looking for a location to open their new mortgage group, they chose an office at 2800 S. State St. because of the space's ability to expand with the business.  It turns out, that was a good idea. Its first week of business, Arbor One Mortgage Group nearly doubled their staff from four to seven employees, and according to Recchia, they're just getting started.  "We're already looking to hire four to seven more people," he says.  Arbor One Mortgage Group is a new organization affiliated with Sterling Heights-based Mortgage 1. According to Recchia, the goal of Arbor One Mortgage is to connect mortgage experts who know the local real estate market with customers. Though the firm is growing quickly, Arbor One Mortgage is selective in its hiring, only employing those with at least five years experience in the mortgage industry, something Recchia says is rare in the field.  "When you're dealing with a more experienced staff, you're able to make the transaction a lot smoother," he says, also emphasizing the group's advantage of being local to Washtenaw County. "Our underwriters are very familiar with what's going on in this area." The 2,000 square foot office opened on March 1, and has the ability to expand another 10,000 square feet throughout the building.   Source: Reigis Recchia, Arbor One Mortgage Group Writer: Natalie Burg

Hail Hookah Lounge coming to former Firefly Club location
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Arts and Culture
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March 13, 2013

A new option for entertainment and relaxation is coming to S. Main with the Hail Hookah Lounge. Under development by hookah enthusiasts Bernard Arabo, John Saroki and Marius Essak, the 4,000 square foot lounge is slated to open in the former Firefly Club location in about six weeks.  "When we would to go to the games during football season, we'd walk by it every day," Arabo says of the building. "We decided being between the stadium and campus, it was a good location."  The partners are now working to renovate the space from floor to ceiling. Arabo says the lounge will be the only one of its kind in the area with up to 16 seating area and a television for each.  "It's cozy and home-like," says Arabo. "You can just relax and hang out with your friends." Arabo, who also owns Wireless Toyz in Downtown Ann Arbor, hopes Hail Hookah will attract a diverse crowd, including students, business people, cigar smokers and more. The lounge will offer coffee and espresso, and employ between eight and ten workers.   Source: Bernard Arabo, Hail Hookah Writer: Natalie Burg

Cardamom to bring Indian fusion to Plymouth Rd
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Arts and Culture
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March 13, 2013

Binod Dhakal is no stranger to food. He started working in the food industry as a waiter back in 1995, and his love of people and food has helped him rise through the ranks. After managing Shalimar for more than 13 years, Dhakal is now opening his own restaurant, Cardamom, with a unique take on Indian food.  "We are offering something that is missing in the Indian restaurants here," says Dhakal. "We're creating something different – new dishes from different parts of India." The 1,700 square foot Plymouth Rd. location is now under renovation. Once complete, Cardamom will serve its fusion of modern and traditional Indian cuisine to up to 65 diners inside and 36 on the patio.  Dhakal chose his location at the Plymouth Road Shops because of its proximity to campus, the hospital and so many other large employers. He says he's most looking forward to interacting with his new customers and serving them his unique foods. "It's always what I eventually wanted to do," Dhakal says. "I enjoy doing it because I enjoy food and I love people. That's why I'm in the food business." The menu is still under development, but Dhakal knows he will feature goat in some items. He plans to open Cardamom in April and to employ a staff of about seven.   Source: Binod Dhakal, Cardamom Writer: Natalie Burg

Eclectic retailer Shine to open in Fourth Ave. storefront
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Development News
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March 13, 2013

Kelly Hadin is a retail manager with a vision.  "It's a one-stop shop," she says. "We have free gift wrapping so you can walk in and say, 'I'm going to a wedding. What do I do?' You can come in an get an awesome gift for 15 or 20 dollars, or a piece of artisan pottery for a 100." That vision is coming to Downtown Ann Arbor this month with Shine, a unique retailer of gift items based in Royal Oak. The new location on S. Fourth Ave. will be the second Shine shop.  "There is a great variety in this downtown," says Hadin. "My store has so much variety and color an energy, I feel like it is a reflection of how unique and varied Ann Arbor is."  Shine offers an eclectic mix of handmade and artisanal items, from local to international artists. Hadin says the Fourth Ave. space was perfect for the store, as its historic features create a beautiful backdrop for their products.   "I love the energy," Hadin says. "I feel like it'll showcase the colors really well, but it has its own texture and history."  Hadin plans to be open by March 23, when the store will celebrate its grand opening. In addition to Hadin, Shine will open with one full- and one part-time employee.  Source: Kelly Hadin, Shine Writer: Natalie Burg

Ypsi DDA to invest up to $30K in building rehab assistance
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Community Development
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March 6, 2013

Renovating a historic commercial building is no easy task, but the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority (YDDA) is working to make it more manageable to do so in their district. The organization has recently announced that $30,000 will be made available through their YDDA Building Rehabilitation Program.  "This is an opportunity for a businesses to expand or come into a space or to leverage funds to increase their property value," says YDDA Director Tim Colbeck. The funds are eligible to cover up to 50 percent of the cost to rehabilitate buildings within the YDDA district. Qualifying projects include ADA accessibility construction, fire suppression upgrades, or other tasks involved in bringing buildings up to code inside the YDDA district, which includes properties in downtown, Depot Town and the W. Cross St. District.  "It's not for a coat of paint," says Colbeck. "It has to be something that will take a building that is in a state of disrepair and bring it up to code. It's not just cosmetic stuff in the interior." The YDDA Building Rehabilitation Program is now in its fourth round of grants. This round will differ from the prior three in that, rather than accepting applications until a particular deadline, grants will be awarded on a rolling basis. The $30,000 available through the program is funded by the YDDA and the Washtenaw County Economic Development & Energy Department. Applications are available on the YDDA's website.  Source: Tim Colbeck, Ypsilanti DDA Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Mid-Michigan physical therapy concept expands to Ann Arbor
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Development News
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March 6, 2013

Renue Physical Therapy began in 2011 in when Tony Klapish noticed a pattern among physical therapy practices he didn't like. Rather than bouncing clients between multiple therapists and assistants on each visit, he founded Mid-Michigan-based Renue Physical Therapy, which promises patients one licensed physical therapist throughout their treatment. The concept caught on. Renue's fourth office, and first outside of the Tri-Cities, opened on S. Main in Ann Arbor in mid-January.  "We decided on Ann Arbor because we thought it was a good fit," says A.J. Grzesiak, managing partner of the Ann Arbor Renue office. "It's a competitive market for sure, but it's a great area for healthcare. We're hoping to contribute to the quality here."  The 2,300 square foot location includes open gym space, a clinical area and private treatment rooms. The convenient location of the office at the corner of S. Main and Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. was a major factor in the decision to locate there.  "Convenience is big for therapy, because clients are typically going two to three times per week for quite awhile," says Grzesiak.  The new clinic currently employs a staff of three, and Grzesiak hopes to add another physical therapist over the next six months, and to grow to a three-therapist office within two years. He also hopes to grow Renue's community involvement.  "We want to become part of the community," he says. "It's important to us to be a place where people want to come." Source: A.J. Grzesiak, Renue Physical Therapy Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Sava-style tapas coming to E. Washington storefront
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Arts and Culture
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March 6, 2013

Considering the rush of new restaurants opening in Downtown Ann Arbor, it may seem that there's one of every genre to choose from now. Not yet, says foodie entrepreneur Sava Lelcaj. "We just don't have anything around here that is true tapas style," says Lelcaj. "We have Isalita, but I'm thinking more Mediterranean or European-style. Those are my roots, and I felt that was really good move for us right now."  Lelcaj is currently working to remedy that void, as she develops her newest venture, a yet-unnamed tapas restaurant on E. Washington. While she has been quietly planning the eatery for some time, having recently purchased the building at 216 E. Washington, the pending departure of the Mahek Indian restaurant next door has allowed the owner of Sava's and babo market to triple the size of her vision.  "It's actually three narrow buildings coming together to make this project happen," Lelcaj says. "It's one of the most beautiful streets in town. There is all of this beautiful architecture here."  The combined 6,000 square foot space will include between 200 to 250 seats between open dining and private rooms, as well as a basement kitchen and upstairs offices.  Many of the details, including the name, décor and menu items are still under consideration, and Lelcaj says a research trip to Spain this summer will help inform some of those decisions. One menu items she does anticipate serving is the flaming Greek cheese appetizer, saganaki. "My brother said that if you're going to do a Mediterranean restaurant you have to do saganaki," says Lelcaj. "We like to have fun, and that's one menu idea we're excited about that is more tongue in cheek." Lelcaj plans to open the restaurant this coming falls. She anticipates hiring a staff of 50 to 60 employees.   Source: Sava Lelcaj, babo market Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Pizzeria Biga to bring healthy dining, dozens of jobs to Washtenaw Ave.
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Arts and Culture
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March 6, 2013

In word association games, it's unlikely that many people connect the terms "pizza" and "healthy." But according to Senior Manager for the Metro Detroit-based Pizzeria Biga restaurants Jeff Jepko, those two words both describe the Italian eatery coming to Arbor Hills Crossing. "We didn't set out to be a healthy restaurant," says Jepko. "It just happens to be that the food in Southern Italy is better for you." Like its soon-to-be neighbor, the forthcoming restaurant from the owners of Café Zola, the Pizzeria Biga location is still awaiting construction on Arbor Hills Crossing to finish up before beginning their build out on the Washtenaw Ave. space.  What sets the pizzeria apart from other restaurants in the area, says Jepko, is their unique combination of pre-fermented dough and a 100 percent wood-fired oven.  "We use all natural biga leavening," says Jepko. "It's commercial yeast free, so it has a better bite, and it's a little bit better for you. Not very many people use it because it's very labor intensive." The extra work has proven to be worthwhile for Pizzeria Biga, which now has locations in Royal Oak and Southfield. The restaurants first opened in 2010 following the success of Chef Luciano Del Signore's fine dining restaurant, Bacco Ristorante in Southfield.  Jepko says Signore was drawn to the Ann Arbor market because of the area's food consciousness. Pizzeria Biga will feature local ingredients in their menu items, as well as beer selection. The restaurant will also have a focus on craft cocktails. Late August is currently the target date for opening. Jepko expects Pizzeria Biga to employ between 30 and 50 workers.  Source: Jeff Jepko, Pizzeria Biga Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Planet Fitness to invest $1.2M in West Stadium location
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Development News
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February 27, 2013

The exercise franchise Planet Fitness is coming to Ann Arbor's west side, and bringing with it a new workout model and significant investment. The 26,000 square foot W. Stadium Hollywood Video building, which has been vacant for two years, is now under renovation, and franchisee Dennis Backos expect the doors to be open near the end of April.  "We're very pleased to be coming to Ann Arbor," says Backos, who owns the forthcoming Planet Fitness, along with five other Michigan locations with partner Jim Matthew. "We wouldn't be investing the money if we didn't think it was a great place to be." According to Backos, he and Matthew have been looking to open an Ann Arbor-area Planet Fitness for some time, believing that the business' "judgment free" attitude will appeal to locals.  "This means member can relax and have fun without being subjected to the "look at me" philosophy some people have," Backos says. "We have a lot of different rules others gym don’t. You're not allowed to grunt, and we don't allow people to intimidate others." Between renovations and equipment, Backos and Matthews plan to invest $1.2 million into the former Hollywood Video building. The facility will include about 250 piece of cardio equipment, 125 pieces of weight training equipment, circuit training space and massage chairs.  Backos expects the Planet Fitness to open with a staff of up to 13. The gym will be open and staffed 24 hours a day during weekdays and offer perks to members such as monthly pizza nights and bagel mornings. Backos and Matthews plan to open additional Planet Fitness locations in the future. They currently own the franchise rights to all of Washtenaw County.   Source: Dennis Backos, Planet Fitness Writer: Natalie Burg

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