Natalie Burg

Natalie Burg's Latest Articles

Red Beauty Bar to deliver mobile makeup artists to clients

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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April 23, 2014

As someone who doesn't have the skills of a makeup artist herself, Christina Carter decided she was the perfect person to open a mobile beauty concierge service. After all, she would also be the service's ideal customer.  "I'm a person that doesn't wear makeup on a regular basis, but I like having it done for a special occasion," says the University of Michigan graduate. "I noticed that when I went to a larger city, there were places to just get your makeup done. I thought, why isn't there a service like that in Ann Arbor?"  What Carter lacks in cosmetic skills, she makes up for in entrepreneurial know-how. Her Red Beauty Bar business is set to launch in June with three makeup artists who will travel to customers' doors to get their faces in shape for any occasion, from a wedding to a night out with friends.  "Convenience is key these days," Carter says. "People will go to the website, pick their time slot and their artist of choice to come out to their location."  Red Beauty Bar will focus on making a basic makeup application affordable as well as convenient. Unlike other companies in the business, the service won't require or pressure customers into purchasing any cosmetics.  It's also important, Carter says, to remind her customers that women shouldn't feel pressured to wear makeup in order to feel beautiful. The mobile cosmetics concierge is intended simply to be a fun way for customers to access makeup for occasions. Carter hopes to eventually grow her team of makeup artists, expand into other cities, and create a brick and mortar location in the future. Prior to the launch of the website, Red Beauty Bar can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Source: Christina Carter, Red Beauty Bar  Writer: Natalie Burg

Final Round Training Center to bring mixed martial arts & fitness classes to A2

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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April 23, 2014

Mixed martial arts is a fast growing sport in the U.S., and beginning next month, some of the top names in the industry will be bringing their skills to Ann Arbor with the new Final Round Training Center. Four-time world champion Muay Thai fighter Matee Jedeepitak will be among five noteworthy coaches who will offer training in Muay Thai, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, Pilates, cardio kickboxing and CrossFit.  "I knew Matee and knew that he had a long-time dream of having a gym in the U.S., and I had a dream of not having to drive an hour and a half for lessons with him, " says Final Round owner Chris DeRose. "We wanted something that was in Ann Arbor, and we got amazingly lucky in the people who we're drawing to the space as trainers."  Final Round Training Center will begin classes on May 5 in a 4,200 square foot facility on Plaza Dr. in Ann Arbor. In addition to formal mixed martial arts training, DeRose says martial arts-style fitness classes will be available to anyone interested in getting into shape.  "It's MMA fitness and training without someone punching you in the face," says DeRose. "We'll have a cardio kickboxing class and combat conditioning class that you sign up for as a package." Final Round will also host seminars with nationally recognized names from the martial arts industry. DeRose plans to reach out to area schools and other community organizations to get involved with youth fitness programs, and will host community benefits, including a cancer awareness event in October.    Source: Chris DeRose, Final Round Training Center Writer: Natalie Burg

Where Did All the Retail Go? How and Why Ann Arbor’s Downtown is Changing

By Natalie Burg

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General

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April 23, 2014

Yes, there are more restaurants and fewer retail stores in downtown Ann Arbor than there have been in recent years. But don't freak out. Downtowns evolve, change and respond to what the community needs. And the changes are less drastic than you might think.

Bailiwicks Outdoors brings fly fishing accessories and outdoor gear to Dexter

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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April 23, 2014

Lauren Kingsley has enjoyed fly fishing for 25 years, during which time she's become an expert in the industry. While she anticipates outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds will enjoy her new Dexter shop, Bailiwicks Outdoors, she especially hopes it will make sportswomen like herself feel welcome.  "Women are the fastest growing segment in the sport, and yet when women go into the shops, they're often less than woman-friendly," Kingsley says. "We want to be known as a welcoming shop where people don't just buy stuff, but they come for help and knowledge and community — and for that to be particularly true for women." Bailiwicks Outdoors is a joint venture between Kingsley and co-owner Dirk Fischbach. The shop features high-end fly-fishing gear, adventure wear and gifts with a Michigan outdoors theme. Dexter's proximity to the Huron River and growing downtown business community made it the perfect place for such a shop.  "It's a goof fit for us because it's a half a block away from the main downtown," says Kingsley. "You can walk to it, but there's ample parking. It's also a house, so it's really cozy, warm and there's great natural light." The 1,300 square foot location opened April 1. Kingsley plans to add seminars and workshops to the Bailiwicks Outdoors offerings in the near future. The shop is operated by the owners, who will soon share the workload with two part time trainees.  Source: Lauren Kingsley, Bailiwicks Outdoors Writer: Natalie Burg

Burger restaurant with local focus opening in Ypsilanti

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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April 23, 2014

A new local restaurant with a local focus will soon be serving up burgers on Cross St. in Ypsilanti. Got Burger, the idea of lifelong resident and Eastern Michigan University Graduate Haroun Mohammed will serve prime-grade Certified Angus Beef sourced from Toledo and breads from Detroit.  "I don't think there is another place around that uses prime, Certified Angus Beef," Mohammed says. "It will also be a price that will be affordable to a majority of the community." Got Burger will also feature wings and portobello burgers. The restaurant, now under renovation, will include room for 20 to 25 diners, as well as offering takeout and delivery services.  "We're going to start small and grow into our next location. We're hoping this is the first of many," says Mohammed.  In addition to local ingredients and creating local jobs — Mohammed plans to open Got Burger with up to five workers and help from a couple of relatives — exemplary customer service will be a focus at the restaurant.  Mohammed is aiming to open Got Burger in mid-May.  Source: Haroun Mohammed, Got Burger Writer: Natalie Burg

New location, name planned for Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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April 16, 2014

A year of change is underway at the Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts. The growing music academy is preparing to move from its 3,000 square foot S. Main St. location to share a 17,000 square foot location with Conlara School on Jewett Ave., and soon will unveil a new name as well.  "Over time, our larger group programs have needed and wanted to grow, but the space was prohibitive," says Kasia Bielak-Hoops, executive director of the school. "Things were bumping into each other. We found this opportunity and it has flown so smoothly from the beginning." With its primarily after-school programming, partnering with a school was an ideal choice for the Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts. With Conlara's business wrapping up as the music school gets started each day, and the school facility's non-traditional design, even large ensemble practices will be easily accommodated seamlessly.  In addition to new digs, the Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts will soon have a new name. After a series of focus groups, surveys and a voting process, the organization's new identity will be revealed next week.  "The school has been going through a transformational process over the last year," says Bielak-Hoops. "We refocused our mission. We recently went back and looked at our guiding principles. This rebranding is a part of going out to the community to say, 'This is who we are.'" The music school will announce the new name to their community first, will post the announcement to the public via Facebook. The transition to the Conlara School location will begin over the summer and will be complete by August. The school has 250 students enrolled, and Bielak-Hoops hopes to grow that number by about 40 students each year in the new space. Source: Kasia Bielak-Hoops, Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts Writer: Natalie Burg

Review of 8 possible locations for new Ann Arbor Amtrak station underway

By Natalie Burg

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Community Development

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April 16, 2014

The City of Ann Arbor is looking for a place to build a new Amtrak station. Anyone who has parked on the grass in the current station's overflowing lot before hauling suitcases over the Broadway St. bridge has a pretty good idea of why.  "There are a number of drawbacks to the current station," says Eli Cooper, the City of Ann Arbor's transportation program manager. "We've also found that the waiting room can only accommodate 60 or so passengers, when Amtrak currently gets about 100 or so per train." The eight possible sites recently presented for public feedback follow the railroad tracks from as far north as Huron River Dr. past Bird Rd. and as far south as Geddes and Huron Pkwy. Cooper says the new station could possibly include a cafe, museum or other unique amenities in addition to features that would improve accessibility for visitors and multimodal travelers, as well as improve the quality and comfort of the station.  "We have the ability to include discretionary items that could make the new station a place to be celebrated, as opposed to a place one might have to endure," Cooper says. "I think it's really going to create a buzz in this part of the country." Cooper expects a site to be selected and environmental reviews to be completed by the end of 2014. A vote for the new station could take place in 2015 or 2016, with the soonest possible completion date for a new station in 2018. While total project costs are currently uncertain, Cooper anticipates $20 to $30 million or more will be invested in the station. Source: Eli Cooper, City of Ann Arbor Writer: Natalie Burg

Encore Hookah to bring gathering place to Ypsilanti this summer

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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April 16, 2014

Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor area residents will soon have a new place to relax and enjoy each others' company. This summer, Encore Hookah will open at 622 N. Hewitt. "The location we chose is perfect because we loved being in a central location where we could accommodate to local residents as well EMU and U of M students," says Encore Hookah's Heather Sinawe. The hookah lounge won't be the Sinawe's family's first business venture in the area. After owning an Italian restaurant in Ann Arbor, the family decided to stick with their love of the service industry by sharing one of their own interests consumers.  "Hookah is something we enjoy smoking while relaxing and wanted to share the phenomenal experience with the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor communities including our family and friends in surrounding areas," Sinawe says.   In addition to hookahs, Encore Hookah will provide free wifi access. For customers on the run, the business will also offer orange heads, or hookahs to-go made out of an orange, so the experience can be enjoyed at home.  Renovations are currently underway with this summer as a target date for opening. Updates can be found on Encore Hookah's Twitter and Instagram channels.  Source: Heather Sinawe, Encore Hookah Writer: Natalie Burg

Former Milan bank building to house new American 1 Credit Union branch

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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April 16, 2014

Jackson-based American 1 Credit Union will soon be opening its thirteenth location in on W. Main St. in Milan. The credit union purchased a former bank building and is now renovating the facility to make way for an April 21 opening.  "Milan is an amazing community," says Vice President, Marketing and Communications for American 1 Credit Union Kristi Edgar. "American 1 is excited to become a part of it and help to enhance the already strong community bond." The new bank branch will celebrate its opening with a Free Community Shred Day on May 3. Anyone with sensitive documents they wish to shred is welcome to join American 1 in the Milan City Hall parking lot.  With existing locations in Brooklyn, Grass Lake and Chelsea, Milan fits right in to the American 1 Credit Union family. "American 1 is a community-focused financial institution and we value our small-town communities in Michigan," Edgar says.  American 1 Credit Union promotes its extended hours for customer convenience. The new Milan branch will be open until 6 pm Monday through Friday and until 3 pm on Saturdays. The branch will be staffed by five employees. Source: Kristi Edgar, American 1 Credit Union Writer: Natalie Burg

$2.2M S. Fourth renovation to bring Ruth’s Chris Steak House to Ann Arbor

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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April 9, 2014

The S. Fourth Ave. building that housed the former Dream Nite Club is getting a major renovation, and the south side of downtown Ann Arbor will be getting a new restaurant with the $2.2 million development of a Ruth's Chris Steak House. The project came together after the development team that worked on a Ruth's Chris in Grand Rapids decided to give the franchise another go. "It was very successful and well received and that team decided tot look for another market that was similar," says Steve Fry of Concept Design, the architectural firm working on the project. "Ann Arbor sort of stood out as a good possibility."  Finding the right size building available downtown was a challenge, but the vacant nightclub was selected for its potential to become the structure they need. The one-story, approximately 8,200 square foot building will be totally renovated, including the addition of a 1,700 square foot second level.  "This building did fit for size, shape good location," Fry says. 'We basically approached this as having potential by completely renovating and bring it back to life." Fry also hopes the timing of the renovation will coincide with the neighboring properties coming back to life a well. He believes residential or hotel use of the recently sold city property across the street would be a great complement to the restaurant.  The project is pending approval by the Ann Arbor city council next month. Should it be approved, Fry says the plan is to move quickly, with a goal of opening the new Ruth's Chris by end of the year. Source: Steve Fry, Concept Design Writer: Natalie Burg