Kathy King proves that you don't have to move to the coasts to be an artist. After a stint in L.A., the dancer and choreographer returned to Michigan to start the Michigan Dance Project, an organization that is slowly but surely growing in size and stature.
It's no secret that things are happening on Washtenaw Ave. From the forthcoming Arbor Hills Crossing shopping center to new pedestrian walkways, the corridor between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti is in the midst of a transformation. With these changes in mind, the multi-jurisdictional land use planning and public transit initiative, ReImagine Washtenaw, wants to get public feedback on the future of the avenue. "We want the public to review various corridor cross-section alternatives and give us their preference," says ReImagine Washtenaw Project Manager Nathan Voght. "We’re also asking for feedback on best locations for mid-block pedestrian crossings, and where other pedestrian safety enhancements may be needed." The initiative is already involved in multiple projects to make Washtenaw Ave. friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists and addressing traffic congestion and land use issues. Based on feedback from the public forums scheduled this month, future projects could address traffic congestion with a boulevard, a “road diet” or other variations. Voght says knowing what the public wants Washtenaw Ave. to be like will help ReImagine Washtenaw partners know how to act when the time is right. "When MDOT funding becomes available, they will have a strong sense of what the community wants for the corridor," says Voght, "and we’ll be able to work quickly and efficiently to develop construction drawings for the work that achieves our goals." The public forums will take place on May 28 and 29 at the Washtenaw County Service Center, May 30 at Carpenter Elementary School, and May 31 at EMU's McKenny Union. Additional details are available at: washtenawavenue.org. Source: Nathan Voght, Washtenaw County Writer: Natalie Burg
Annette Collins is no stranger to the pet business. Between herself and her four groomers at All Paws Grooming on Hewitt Rd. in Ypsilanti, the new business brings 47 years of experience to customers. "People really like us because we're so dog-friendly," says Collins. "When the dogs come in they start wagging their tails, and everything is dog proof, so they can snoop around all they want." All Paws Grooming opened in an approximately 2,000 square-foot bungalow in late March, and already, Collins says the business is even busier than she and her husband had hoped. "We opened with a bang," she says. "Our pastor came and blessed the place when we opened, and we've had great success." In both her dog grooming products and her retail items, such as collars and doggies' clothing, Collins focuses on stocking American-made inventory. She also carries several Ypsilanti-made products. As a local business, she says supporting other local entrepreneurs is a high priority. Eventually, Collins hopes to add daycare, as well as dog obedience classes for her clients at the new facility. Clients also benefit from her son's massage therapy business, which is located above All Paws. Clients can get a massage after dropping off their pets for grooming. Source: Annette Collins, All Paws Grooming Writer: Natalie Burg
In a world in which so many people buy insurance from faceless companies online, Susan Kirk Rosales hopes to bring real relationships into the equation with her new business, Rosales Insurance Agency in Saline. "We try to get to know our clients," says Rosales. "You're going to need us when you're in a time of need. You want to know that when we're there in a time of crisis, you can recognize that face." In addition to insurance, Rosales offers financial services to her clients in the new E. Michigan Ave. office. Her office, which is affiliated with State Farm Insurance, opened in January and celebrated its grand opening this month. "It's growing area here, a great place to be," Rosales says of her location, which formerly served as home to a dry cleaner. "We're in Saline, near Ann Arbor and near Ypsilanti. It's going very well." Rosales recently moved back to the Ann Arbor area where she grew up after living in Texas for six years. She returned to the area to be closer to family. She hopes Rosales Insurance will grow to be deeply involved in the community through civic organizations and support of local kids' groups. The new, 800 square-foot office currently employs Rosales and three additional team members. Source: Susan Rosales, Rosales Insurance Agency Writer: Natalie Burg
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Some salons are just salons, but not the new Casa Bella on N. Maple Rd. The hair, nails and massage spa won't just be servicing the beauty needs of clients, but also a very special community need. Owner Kaliah Wolf says that 90 percent of Casa Bella's profits will be used to fund Caron's Crazy Corral, Wolf's new non-profit that pairs at-risk children with therapeutic horse lessons. "Some of these kids' parents are drug addicts; some are in jail," says Wolf. "Our mission is to teach them that they are only limited by their dreams." The seven-month-old 501(c)(3) is located on Sylvan Rd. in Chelsea and has received an outpouring of support and interested from the community already. Within three months of opening, Caron's Crazy Corral was serving 25 local kids. Wolf is now developing a 4H program at farm, and is partnering with other non-profits to expand their services to more kids in need. In the meantime, the 785 square-foot Casa Bella joins a rush of occupancy at the Maple Rd. shopping center in which Juicy Kitchen, El Harissa Market and a new tattoo shop have or are scheduled to open this year. Wolf says the sense of community in the complex is what drew her to the location. "Everybody in the shopping center has been helpful and friendly," she says. "It's a little downtown there. " Though not technically open yet, Casa Bella has been servicing a few clients in their new location and Wolf plans to open to the public soon. The salon currently employs a staff of three and Wolf is looking to hire another stylist, massage therapist and makeup artist. Source: Kali Wolf, Casa Bella Writer: Natalie Burg
Rob and Mindy D'Oria's forthcoming Bits and Pizzas restaurant in Dexter won't be anyone's run of the mill pizza place. From imported Italian tomatoes to longtime family meatball recipes, the D'Orias are planning to create a restaurant unlike any Dexter has seen before. "I'm from the east coast, so I'm kind of a pizza snob," says Rob D'Oria. "We've spent the better part of the last ten years thinking about the food and testing out recipes." Patrons will get their chance to try out those recipes around mid-June. D'Oria hopes to have work completed on the downtown Dexter space and a staff of about 20 in place by that point to make and serve the New York-style pizza and other specialty Italian foods. The recipes aren't the only aspect of Bits and Pizzas that have been carefully crafted for some time. The 5,000 square-foot building on Main St. in Dexter has been under redevelopment for about a year. "The building is almost 150 years old," says D'Oria. "It's pretty well configured from a layout standpoint, and it will give us room to grow." In addition to updating the infrastructure of the historic building, the D'Orias are building a patio from the rear of the building that will hold out outdoor seating. Eventually, Bits and Pizzas will expand seating into the second floor, including a full bar. D'Oria says he's not cutting any corners to make Bits and Pizzas a truly unique place. They'll source their ingredients from local and specialty sources and be making everything – including their own Italian sausage – in house. Source: Rob D'Oria, Bits and Pizzas Writer: Natalie Burg
As if 40 rotating taps of craft beers and 500 rotating bottles from craft breweries around the world weren't enough to get a beer lover excited about S. University's forthcoming World of Beer, co-owner Chad Wilson says the bar's true specialty will be a well-educated staff. "All of our servers and bartenders go through a two-week beer school," says Wilson. "We give them a broad knowledge of beer. We'll have a great atmosphere and live music, but we'll also have a commitment to knowledge." That means every server will be able to answer guests' questions about the flavor profiles and origins of the hundreds of beers available at the 3,000 square-foot World of Beer, which is scheduled to open in mid-June in the Landmark building with 35 to 40 employees. University of Michigan graduates Wilson and co-owner Steve Rossi's decision to open on S. University was carefully made, even though they anticipate their typical patron to better fit the Main St. market over the more student-oriented S. University area. "We'll brand ourselves as a different type of bar on South University," Wilson says. "We want to change the dynamic of the area, to introduce craft beer to the kids, and also to get some of the business professionals down there to make it a more universal destination." The Ann Arbor World of Beer will be one of more than 40 locations of its kind in the United States. Wilson says World of Beer operates unlike a typical franchise, and the Ann Arbor location will be owned and operated by himself and Rossi, who are local to the area and will place an emphasis on Michigan beers. The co-owners plan to eventually open six World of Beer bars in the state. Source: Chad Wilson, World of Beer Writer: Natalie Burg
Local veterans and their families could have a new housing option in Ypsilanti Twp. Julie Fielek, owner of Oakridge Apartments on Holmes Rd., would like to turn her 64-unit rental property into a place where veterans with families can find affordable housing and specialized services. "Julie has been doing work for veterans over the past few years," says Bob Beale, owner of Premier Property Management, which manages the 20-year-old Oakridge Apartments. "There are some very specific needs veteran families need." The project, which Beale estimates will cost between $6 and $7 million, aims to renovate the 64 units, as well as build a community center that can accommodate some of those special services, including having healthcare staff available to address posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and provide daycare for veterans so they more easily find and maintain employment. Oakridge Apartments are now fully leased. Beale says residents will be notified of the transition, and the management will work with other area rental properties to help relocate those who may need assistance. Low-income housing tax credits will be sought to help finance the project, and Beale says additional applications will be made for Housing and Urban Development grants. An application for Washtenaw County HOME funds has been approved to assist as well, contingent upon securing the housing tax credits. Should the financing move forward, Beale anticipates renovations being completed in 2015. Source: Bob Beale, Premier Property Management Writer: Natalie Burg
It's been a busy year for Ypsilanti kombucha brewer Unity Vibration. The company, founded by Rachel and Tarek Kanaan after they began experimenting with brewing their own kombucha and kombucha beer in 2006, has expanded the reach of their product from two markets to 12 since January of last year. Today, Unity Vibration kombucha is sold in Michigan, Chicago, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Florida, Washington, Oregon, L.A., San Francisco and Sacramento. "It takes time to grow a truly unique product and create a category," says Rachel Kanaan of Unity Vibration's unique kombucha beer. "We get a lot of positive feedback everyday, so we know it's worth growing at a healthy rate." There's evidence of the small company's growth at their headquarters as well. The Kanaans have hired a staff of four, and are now building a new tasting room in their Ypsilanti brewing facility. "We wanted more direct contact with our customers," says Tarek Kanaan, "and it seemed like a cool thing to do. Eventually we will have a tasting room either in Depot Town or Michigan Ave, which will be much more of a healthy foods, kombucha, music-venue kind of hip spot." The first Unity Vibration tasting room is currently under construction in the company's Ecorse Rd. facility. Though the footprint will be small, it will include a bar and a 'keezer,' which is a converted freezer with six taps coming out of it. At the tasting room, visitors will be able to buy growlers, as well as packaged products, and taste samples. The Kanaans plan for continued growth down the road as well. They hope to expand their operations to include a farm where their ingredients can be grown, and to hire additional staff. In the meantime, they'll keep growing their list of new kombucha flavors, including the new Bourbon Peach, Kombucha Pale Ale and their seasonal Kombucha Tea Cranberry Clementine. Source: Rachel and Tarek Kanaan, Unity Vibration Living Kombucha Tea Writer: Natalie Burg
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