Natalie Burg, Author at Concentrate

Natalie Burg's Latest Articles

New Ypsi glam bar opens with numerous beauty services

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May 21, 2014

Fierce Vixens Glam Bar opened in April on W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti offering services ranging from hair extensions to teeth whitening. "My friend has a Detroit-based hair boutique and I had hair salon," says Litrece Walker, who owns Fierce Vixens Glam Bar with partner Shawn McCoy. "We wanted to expand, so we combined our businesses." Fierce Vixens Glam Bar is an extension of Detroit Make Me Fierce, which attracted so many clients from the Ypsilanti area, it was an obvious place for the business to grow. "We have a lot of clients who travel form Ypsilanti to Detroit to get their hair done," Walker says. "We wanted to make it more convenient for them, and we like that the location is close to the college." The 1,400 square foot Glam Bar also includes makeup services, hair color and barber services. On the weekends, the women offer their clients cocktails and finger food and promote specials for college students. The business currently employs four staff members as well as the two owners. Source: Litrece Walker, Fierce Vixens Beauty Bar Writer: Natalie Burg

ReImagine Washtenaw moves toward “complete streets” with new study

By Natalie Burg

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Community Development

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May 14, 2014

ReImagine Washtenaw recently released its Corridor Improvement Study, which takes a comprehensive look the five miles of Washtenaw Ave. connecting the Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Pittsfield and Ypsilanti Twps. Funded by the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the research seeks to move the corridor closer to a “Complete Street” model, including bike lanes, a sidewalk network and boulevards. “For the first time, all four local units of government have a jointly-developed, comprehensive plan for making Washtenaw Avenue a more ‘complete street,’" says Nathan Voght, Washtenaw County's ReImagine Washtenaw project manager. "ReImagine Washtenaw now has a detailed blue-print for how to transform the roadway, over time, into a street that is safer for pedestrians and bikers, and still handles vehicular travel efficiently.” The Corridor Improvement Study revealed that the current rate of increase in traffic will soon cause intersections to fail, which Voght says will further frustrate drivers and hurt the economic viability of the commercial district. "The change we need to make has never been more urgent," says Voght, "and the ReImagine Washtenaw stakeholders will be continue to push ahead with necessary changes that will provide viable alternative forms of transportation, and the land use forms that will support them.” Next up for the ReImagine Washtenaw project is to seek out funding to implement aspects of the Corridor Improvement Study that are currently achievable, as well as taking the necessary planning steps to facilitate and set the stage for those that could come to fruition in the future. Voght adds that none of the recommendations in the study are intended to impede or reduce vehicular capacity, requiring people to walk, bike and bus along the corridor. Instead, the increase in options will allow some people to take alternate modes of transport, putting the corridor in a better position for change. Source: Nathan Voght, Washtenaw County Writer: Natalie Burg

Southern California-style Mexican food comes to Ann Arbor

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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May 14, 2014

There may be a few places to get burritos around Ann Arbor, but a whole different kind of Mexican food is coming to town as early as next week with Get Some Burritos. "The owners and investors are from Southern California, and it has a unique kind of Mexican food. They call it SoCal Mexican," says Get Some Burritos General Manager Devon Bivens. "There was some interest in the Midwest to bring SoCal Mexican here." The first Get Some Burritos opened in Madison, Wisconsin, and Ann Arbor will be the second location. Bevins describes SoCal Mexican as including different spices than the TexMex food many Midwesterners are used to, and including steak instead of ground beef. "I think it's going to bring something a little bit different to Ann Arbor," Bevins says. "There are different kinds of Mexican around, but this is a different flavor profile." The 1,200 square foot restaurant on Packard will seat about 24 people and employ a staff of about 12. Bevins hopes the near-campus area will attracts students on the go to and from classes. After about six months of renovations, Get Some Burritos is hoping to open by May 15. Source: Devon Bivens, Get Some Burritos Writer: Natalie Burg

Argus Farm Stop aims to help growers and locavores with year-round market

By Natalie Burg

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Community Development

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May 14, 2014

Ann Arbor is an undeniably great place for local produce — for part of the year. The demand for local foods, however, doesn't go away in the winter, and thanks to the rise of local hoop houses, it doesn't have to. Kathy Sample, her husband Bill Brinkerhoff and their business partner Scott Fleck are aiming to help local growers extend their growing season with Argus Farm Stop, an indoor farmers market coming to W. Liberty this year. "The Farmers Market is fantastic, but there is a waiting list to get in," says Sample. "And what happens when it rains and no customer show up? We thought, there's a mismatch here." After encountering an indoor farmers market in Ohio, Sample and Brinkerhoff met with the owners, as well as local growers and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market to see what could be done to expand the availability of local food here. When they found no one else was on the job, they put themselves on it. Argus Farm Stop will be located in a 1,300 square foot former gas station on W. Liberty that is now under construction. Sample hopes to open in August with new bathrooms, an espresso bar and a wide array of produce, meats and other local foods. "Michigan is the second most diverse state in terms of agricultural products," Sample says. "Somehow things have changed over the years. We want to build that back up." Argus Farm Stop is operating as a Low-Proit Limited Liability Company, an option which will help the company maintain funding as they pursue their social goals of extending the growing season and giving new opportunities to local growers. Sample also plans to include education opportunities for kids and families in their business model. A staff of approximately six employees will operate Argus Farm Stop, along with the business partners. Source: Kathy Sample, Argus Farm Stop Writer: Natalie Burg

Pangborn Design Collection to bring art and accessories to Main St.

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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May 14, 2014

Airport layovers are generally avoided at all costs, but during the decade Pangborn Design Collection spent as a retail tenant in McNamara Terminal, customers from all over the world chose layovers in Detroit Metro Airport over direct flights to shop Dominic Pangborn's inventory of unique art, accessories and jewelry. "We had unbelievable return customers," Pangborn says. "We had people say, 'I fly though Detroit purposely to shop at your business." Those loyal customers will soon have a new destination to seek out when Pangborn Design Collection opens on Main Street this fall. The 2,000 square foot retail space will offer both Pangborn's own art, as well as a collection of unique items from other artists. "Ann Arbor has always been a fabulous market," says Pangborn. "So many of our customer were flying out from Ann Arbor, so it was just a perfect fit. We always said if we can get into the right location in Ann Arbor, we've got to do it." Pangborn has worked as an artist in Detroit since 1979, and his paintings are now sold all over the world. A regular public speaker himself, he plans to bring speakers, artists and educational opportunities to his shop for monthly events. Pangborn Design Collection will begin their Main Street lease in Sept., and Pangborn hopes to open quickly after a brief renovation period. He intends to employ between five and 10 staff members. Source: Dominic Pangborn, Pangborn Design Collection Writer: Natalie Burg

Salads Up to bring healthy food in a hurry to Liberty

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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May 7, 2014

Robert Mayer may be about to embark on his first restaurant venture, but the University of Michigan graduate has plenty of experience as an Ann Arbor diner on the go. After exploring franchising options to address the lack of both quick and healthy food options downtown with his business partner, the two decided to develop their own concept. The result will be Salads Up on E. Liberty. "This is not a traditional self-serve ‘salad bar,'" says Mayer. "It is a fast casual concept in which the customer chooses from our many ingredient options and our awesome homemade dressings. The offerings will include what most people associate with salads but will also have some creative twists." In addition to salads and salad-like options, Salads Up will also offer wraps, soups and frozen yogurt. Mayer is currently working with his chef to develop a unique menu that emphasizes quality as well as local ingredients. The 1,200 square foot space will be entirely renovated to accommodate the new restaurant, including new plumbing, electrical, venting systems and interior cosmetic work. "The building itself is not currently equipped to be a restaurant and will require some significant work," Mayer says. "We simply could not pass up on the location." Renovation are slated to begin this week, and Mayer plans to open Salads Up by the end of the summer, and will hire about 11 employees. He hopes their success in Ann Arbor will lead to more Salads Up locations in other cities. Source: Robert Mayer, Salads Up Writer: Natalie Burg

Marriott’s Residence Inn to add 110 hotel rooms to downtown

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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May 7, 2014

The much anticipated hotel coming to the corner of Ashely and Huron in downtown Ann Arbor now has a name. Developer First Martin announced last week that Residence Inn by Marriott will be the brand of hotel to occupy the planned six-story building. An extended stay model, the Resident Inn will offer studio, one- and two-bedroom suites. "There are different types of segments in the hotel industry, so we looked at the performance of each segment we were attracted to the extended stay market," says Mike Martin, vice president of First Martin Corporation. "Of that market we thought that the Residence Inn was far and away the leader." The 110-room hotel is expected to open in late summer or early fall of 2015. Those rooms will significantly grow the 274 hospitality rooms that are currently available downtown. While the extended stay option is especially convenient for business travelers, Martin says visitors of all kinds will be attracted to the Residence Inn. "There is a lot of flexibility in that type of room," he says. "You have people who are staying for just one night, but would like a little bigger room who will also enjoy it. The rooms have a desk and a couch, so they speak to wide range of travelers." In addition to the hotel, the proposed First Martin development will include nearly 6,000 square feet of first floor restaurant or retail space. Source: Mike Martin, First Martin Corporation Writer: Natalie Burg

Ypsilanti women’s retailer to open second location in Ann Arbor

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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May 7, 2014

Nickels Arcade is about to get Mix-ed up — in a good way. Ypsilanti's popular women's clothing and accessories shop is opening a second location in the former home of Beagle Brain. "It was sort of a no brainer," says Leslie Leland, who owns Mix with business partner Bonnie Penet. "We discovered the space at Nickels Arcade was open and we just loved the ambiance of that location, and it's historic nature. We thought t would be an absolutely fabulous fit for our clothes." Renovations to the 850 square foot shop are now underway. Most of the work is focused on creating Mix's unique lighting. The Ann Arbor location will be a third of the size of the original Mix, which opened about four and half years ago. The two stories will carry similar "mixes" of new and second-hand clothing and accessories, with enough variety to make visits to both stores worthwhile. "The similarity will be in the clothing that we carry, which is really artistically chic," Leland says. "We're in New York [at a trade show] right now and we've added some incredibly exciting clothing to our line." The new Mix store is slated to open in June. The store currently employs a staff of five part-time workers. Penet and Leland plan to staff the shop themselves in the beginning and add staff as needed. Source: Bonnie Penet and Leslie Leland, Mix Writer: Natalie Burg

New Dexter business spices up downtown

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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May 7, 2014

After 14 years as a public school teacher, Denise Becker decided to spice things up with her business in downtown Dexter. The Dexter Spice House offers spices, rubs and spice blends that are unique to the area. Becker's interest in spices began when she her daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease four years ago. Rather that relying on pizza and take-out to feed her busy family as she had before, Becker was inspired to take to the kitchen and learn how to cook foods her daughter would love. Spices became key to her success. "I loved it," Becker says. "I was always on the hunt for different species and rubs and blends. When I had the idea to open my own store, I just decided to go for it." The Dexter Spice House offers a variety of unique spice rubs like honey chipotle and an adobo lime, and blends such as shawarma, spicy thai, as well as all-purpose blends named after ares of Dexter. "My blends are ones that you just can't find at any grocery store," Becker says. "Even the nice spice shop in at Ann Arbor — they have some blends that I don't have, but I have some they don't have." Becker is now working to develop her online presence and expand her business to the web. She currently operates the shop herself with help from her mother and a part-time employee. Source: Denise Becker, Dexter Spice House Writer: Natalie Burg

Where Did the Fiber Fever Go? The Case for Ultra High Speed Internet

By Natalie Burg

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General

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May 7, 2014

Three years ago Ann Arbor was gung-ho about being the opportunity to become one of Google's fiber-to-premises communities. Now we're not even on the list of 34 potential sites. What happened since and why is ultra high speed internet important for a community like ours? Concentrate's Natalie Burg digs in.