Natalie Burg, Author at Concentrate

Natalie Burg's Latest Articles

New U-M apparel and gifts coming to State St. with The Victors Collection

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June 11, 2014

For some time now, the owners of M Den have had their eyes on some pretty cool new merchandise they've been wanting to offer customers — they just didn't have the room for them. After coming to an agreement with their State St. neighbor, All About Blue, they'll now be expanding into the 3,000 square foot space with a new M Den shop called The Victors Collection. "We'll be able to bring a collection of women's fashions that people have never seen before," says M Den co-owner Scott Hirth. "It's just going to knock people's socks off. That's our goal, to do a bette job for Michigan ladies." Though the shop will begin at about 70 percent men's apparel and 30 percent women's, Hirth says that breakdown will eventually move to 60 percent female and 40 percent male. In addition to fashion forward apparel, customers will find crystal glassware, Swiss watches, genuine pearls and in blue and yellow, as well as other fine goods. "There will be a little bit more of a business causal feel for both men and women," says Hirth of The Victors Collection merchandise. "Brooks Brothers will be a big partner at the store." Renovation is now underway at The Victors Collection space, with a goal of being open by the time students arrive in August. Hirth expects to hire one or two full-time and 10 to 20 part time staff to operate the new store. The Victors Collection will be the sixth M Den location. Source: Scott Hirth, M Den Writer: Natalie Burg

Romania-inspired chimney cake restaurant opens this month at Briarwood

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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June 4, 2014

When Teo Marcinescul went to Romania last year, he tried something he'd never tasted before. It was a cylinder of sweet dough with a sugar glazed, dipped in toppings. And it was delicious. "I was like, 'Wow, these are amazing,'" says Marcinescul. "Why don't we have these in America?" The pastry is called a Chimney Cake, and after Marcinescul and his two traveling partners did their research and developed a business plan, they became available in Taylor, and soon, they'll be making their debut at Briarwood Mall with the Chimney Cake Cafe. "So far, everybody likes it," Marcinescul says of their reception in Taylor. "We decided to open the second location, and hopefully we'll keep growing from there." The chimney cakes are made from a sweet dough that is wrapped around a rod a baked with a coat of sugar. When the dough is baked, the sugar caramelizes, and customers can choose from a range of toppings, including walnuts, Nutella, Oreos, peanut butter and more. The Chimney Cake Cafe will also offer savory cakes stuffed with chicken shawarma, Philly cheesesteak and pepperoni, among other options. The Chimney Cake Cafe opened its first store in the Southland Mall in Taylor in February. The Briarwood location will be located near the Chipotle and Potato & Co. restaurant and will open within about two weeks. Eight employees are currently working at the Taylor location, and Marcinescul anticipates hiring at least as many for the Briarwood store. Marcinescul hopes to continue to add more stores to their business in the future. Source: Teo Marcinescul, Chimney Cake Cafe Writer: Natalie Burg

Michigan wines, ciders and education to be served up at Vin Bar on Liberty

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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June 4, 2014

Michigan wine is booming business. As far as Traverse City tasting rooms and wineries go, however, it's also a seasonal one. That's why, about two years ago, Good Harbor Vineyards, Black Star Farms and L. Mawby started talking about partnering to open an off-site wine bar and tasting room in a city with year-round traffic. "Ann Arbor is definitely busy in the winter months, and the demographics in Ann Arbor are fantastic," says Taylor Simpson, sales, distribution and marketing manager for Good Harbor Vineyards. "And there just seems to be a lot of support for all things local in Ann Arbor." Vin Bar, a wine bar, tasting room and wine retail store will open this summer in the former location of the Skin Bar on W. Liberty. In addition to wine, the bar will serve ciders, limited food items and cocktails featuring wine and cider. Wine tasting will be available during the day. A Michigan wines education will offered at all hours. "We're hoping to provide an educational experience about wine, but more specifically about Michigan wine, to show people what is going on in the industry," Simpson says. "We are three wineries that have a long history of making wine in Michigan, and we're hoping to bring a lot of that knowledge with us." While no opening date has been set, the Vin Bar is slated to potentially open in July. The 1,100 square foot space is now under renovation, though because of the building's historic character, Simpson says that they don't have too much to do to create their unique space. She expects the bar will hire around five employees to staff the business. Source: Taylor Simpson, Good Harbor Vinyard Writer: Natalie Burg

Phillip Family Chiropractic brings couple’s practice to Chelsea

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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June 4, 2014

Drs. James and Elizabeth Philip both grew up in Lenawee and Washtenaw Counties, respectively. After getting married and becoming chiropractors, they almost began their careers in Traverse City, before southeast Michigan called them home. "We realized we wanted to be closer to family," says Elizabeth, who goes by Dr. Liz. That decision led to the opening of Philip Family Chiropractic in on Middle St. in downtown Chelsea last week. Dr. Liz says they chose the approximately 1,000 square foot location for its proximity to downtown shops and restaurants, and believe their services will be a good fit for that side of town. We're newly graduated, so we're on top of all the more recent technologies and information," she says. "We're interested in the lifestyle of our patients, and helping them get to bette health. We try to give them a good experience as soon as they walk in the door." Philips Family Chiropractic will celebrate a grand opening in September. Currently, the husband and wife team manage the practice themselves, but hope to grow into hiring a staff in the future. Five years down the road, says Dr. Liz, they hope to expand into a larger space. Source: Dr. Elizabeth Phillip, Phillip Family Chiropractic Writer: Natalie Burg

Perfect Park Potential: The Case for Liberty Plaza, Part I

By Natalie Burg

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General

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June 4, 2014

Great downtowns have great public spaces. But what makes those public spaces successful? There is a heated discussion about whether Ann Arbor should build a new park atop the library lot's underground garage. Concentrate asks: why not turn Liberty Plaza -half a block away and nearly identical in size- into the park we claim to want?

Chelsea’s St. Louis Center celebrates $2M expansion of adult residence hall

By Natalie Burg

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Community Development

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June 4, 2014

The St. Louis Center in Chelsea opened more than 60 years ago as school for developmentally disabled boys, and has grown and changed ever since. Now, with 52 residents that include men of all ages and women, the center is celebrating a $2 million renovation to their Fr. Guanella Hall for Assisted Living, which adds 2,500 square feet to the 10,065 square foot residence hall. "As time has gone on, our population has been aging," says Joe Yekulis, PR director for St. Louis Center. "In 2000, for our 50th anniversary, we said, 'It's great that we've made it for 50 years, but where do we go from here?'" The decision led to a long-term, $10 million plan the St. Louis Center calls the Three U's: Upgrade, Update and Uplift to renovate the facility to meet the needs of their growing and aging population. Previously, the organization has built a new administration center and a new special needs playground. The expansion of the Fr. Guanella Hall is their most ambitious project to date. "I think the impact will be extremely positive," says Yekulis. "It's all about creating a great quality of life for the residents here." Work on the project broke ground in October and is now about 90 percent complete. The St. Louis Center will celebrate the project with a dedication ceremony on June 8. Most Reverend Bishop Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, as well as other religious leaders and state senators are expected to attend the ceremony, which will include a mass, blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony. The public is welcome to attend. All funds for the center were raised by the St. Louis Center through donations. The next phase of their Three U's plan is to build an assisted living village on their property for more independent residents. Source: Joe Yekulis, St. Louis Center Writer: Natalie Burg

Real Baked Goods to bring handmade treats to Packard St. neighborhood

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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May 21, 2014

Cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies are in store for the small storefront next to Arbor Vacuum on Packard St. Alan Caldwell's Real Baked Goods will be serving up sweet and savory delights beginning later this year. "I'm very excited about it. It's going to be baking from scratch," says Caldwell, who is returning to his first vocational love of food service after 20 years with Ford and opening a home health company. "I don't expect to see everyone everyday, but hopefully I'll have a lot of once or twice a week customers." The 285 square foot space is small, but Caldwell says its just right for what he's planning to do. Over the next few months he'll be adding new counters, display cases, and kitchen equipment. He plans to have enough room for two tables and four chairs for customers, who will have chose between a variety of baked good from Caldwell's kitchen. "I definitely want to have some savory things for lunch time," he says, "things like pepperoni rolls and spinach rolls. It's been really fun to test recipes. I've gotten some good feedback." Caldwell plans to open Read Baked Goods in late August. Initially, he plans to operate the business himself, with some help from family members. Source: Alan Caldwell, Real Baked Goods Writer: Natalie Burg

Ypsilanti’s Thompson Block project announces 100% occupancy for commercial tenants

By Natalie Burg

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Community Development

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May 21, 2014

Things are really getting moving with Beal Properties's Thompson Block project. The $4 million redevelopment project has gained steam with the recent announcement that 100 percent of the 14,000 square feet of commercial space has been spoken for. The tenants will include big local names such as Zingerman's, Espresso Royale and Unity Vibration, as well as an unnamed bar and performance venue. "In the fall of 2013 I asked Tyler Weston with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services to become a partner in the project and to specifically handle the leasing of the project," says Steward Beal of Beal Properties. "Tyler agreed and we then literally made a list of businesses that we would approach and ask them to consider opening up their business in the building." Seeking out their ideal businesses has panned out. Beal estimates 10,000 people a year will make special trips to Ypsilanti to visit the businesses, making the hand-picked business mix a potential boon for Depot Town. "The businesses we have attracted are a good fit because they are 4 credit worthy businesses 3 of which have other locations where they have a good rental history," Beal says. "The brand names bring excitement and anticipation to the project both of which we need to make the project successful." Beal aims to have the businesses open and operating by late 2015 or early 2016. Currently, his team is working to secure construction financing and continuing to sell remaining shares in the project ownership group to individual investors. Source: Stewart Beal, Beal Properties Writer: Natalie Burg

Downtown Saline Goes to Downtown Detroit

By Natalie Burg

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General

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May 21, 2014

Over 1,300 downtown professionals are making the journey to Detroit this week for the National Main Street Conference. Saline will be in the house, learning what Motown has to teach about revitalizing downtown development and, in turn, educating the Motor City about its Main Street successes.

Mall boutique iT… to make the move to Main St.

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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May 21, 2014

Nicki Wilson's iT… boutique has been in a number of spaces in Briarwood Mall, but wherever she was located, she heard one thing from customers. "So much of the time people would come into our store and they'd say, 'You should be on Main Street. You're such a Main Street store,'" Wilson says. "We've been a store six and a half years and we've been looking for five." That search recently ended when Wilson signed a lease to set up shop in the 1,300 square foot former home of the Chocolate House on S. Main. "It was just it," Wilson says. "I feel like we got blessed with the right place at the right time. I'm just really excited to be downtown and to be part of the mix. I cannot wait to get open." Renovations are now underway in the downtown location, and iT… has closed its Briarwood store in preparation for the move. Wilson plans to feature a number of new artists, jewelry and pottery in the new location, and hope to open in the next several weeks. It… will be staffed by Wilson and her husband, and the pair plan to add a part-time staffer in the new location. Source: Nicki Wilson, iT... Writer: Natalie Burg