Some might call it an accidental career, but when a passionate hobby becomes a successful business it seems more like an inevitability. Anuja Rajendra's zeal for fitness and Bollywood-style dance inspired Bollyfit, both a lifestyle and growing brand.
With the popularity of Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches on the rise nationwide, it seemed like a perfect time for restaurateur Eric Joh and his partner to bring the trend to Ann Arbor – with their own take on the cuisine. "Our sandwiches are inspired by bánh mì , but they aren't really authentic bánh mì,"says Joh of his new S. University restaurant, Belly Deli's specialty. "The only difference is that our meats are hot, and we have Korean-style beef. It's our own unique spin on the sandwich." The breads used at Belly Deli are unique as well. While they have been using authentic Vietnamese breads made in Detroit, the owners are currently working with Great Harvest Breads to develop a new roll produced especially for them. "Right now we're still working on the bread," says Joh. "Great Harvest is local, and they mill their own flour, so we're happy to be working with them. It's been hard to find the right kind of bread." The new restaurant opened just over two weeks ago and employs a staff of 12. Belly Deli opened in the former, 700 square-foot No Thai location that was vacated after the popular eatery moved into the first floor of the Landmark building nearby. Joh is friends with the owners of No Thai, and says they have been helpful in developing the business. Some of the five Belly Deli co-owners are also co-owners of No Thai. Joh says he hopes to soon add delivery service and eventually expand into multiple locations. Source: Eric Joh, Belly Deli Writer: Natalie Burg
The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority announced last week that ridership rose 6.6 percent in 2012, with a total of 6.6 million rides on the Ann Arbor-based transportation system. AATA attributes the record-breaking number of rides to increased accessibility to The Ride's fixed-route service, increases in on-time performance, as well as national trends toward public transportation use. The shift in transportation habits, says AATA's Don Kline, is more than just a passing trend. "Demographic and research data suggest that there are growing populations of both young (under 40) and senior residents who are choosing not to drive," says Kline. "This 'sea change' in transportation habits means that robust public transportation choices are growing increasingly necessary in order to effectively serve our community." In order to meet those changing needs, AATA has made changes to services. For example, AATA doubled the frequency of weekday service on the #4 Washtenaw route in Jan. 2012, which led to an increase in ridership by 28 percent. Most of the increases, however, were due to growth in existing services. "The long-term growth trend for AATA ridership remains strong," says Kline. "The annual number of riders has increased by more than 50 percent since 2004, while AATA productivity has improved by 43 percent during the past eight years." Source: Don Kline, AATA Writer: Natalie Burg
A new report by Environment Michigan's Research and Policy Center suggests Ypsilanti leaders set a new goal of 1,000 roofs by 2020 and outlines steps the city can take to make that happen. "For such a small city, Ypsilanti ranks third for concentration of solar projects," says Virginia Shannon of Environment Michigan. "It's already leading the way. It's a really exciting goal. It's also definitely reachable and realistic." The report was presented during an event at the Ypsilanti Food Co-op on Monday with representatives from Environment Michigan, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association and SolarYpsi, among others. The study recommends the goal of 1,000 solar roofs in Ypsilanti can be reached with the following four steps: leading by example by employing solar roofs on city and historic buildings; promoting and streamlining information for the public on financing options for solar roofs; partnering with non-profits, business and Eastern Michigan University to build awareness an educate the public; and supporting policies at all levels of government that promote solar energy. "The report highlights the ability of solar to become a point of pride and identity for the community," says Shannon. "The mayor and others are always talking about how to make it a destination college town and a sustainable community. Solar helps in both ways." According to Shannon, reaching this bold goal of covering 1,000 of Ypsilanti's 5,000 homes with solar roofs is key to creating that identity. With 13 major solar projects already in place in Ypsilanti and classes in solar technology offered at EMU, this distinction is intended to further the community's identity as a place to both learn about and become involved in solar energy. Source: Virginia Shannon, Environment Michigan Writer: Natalie Burg
With the promise of investment and new jobs, locally owned International Turbine Industries (ITI) will soon bring back to life 23,000 square feet of a 300-acre Willow Run property. RACER Trust, the organization tasked with remediating and positioning for redevelopment former GM locations, announced the agreement with ITI to purchase the former General Motors Willow Run Company Vehicle Operations facility in early April. "I applaud Mark and Rhonda Andrews for their commitment to Michigan," says RACER Trust Redevelopment Manager Bruce Rasher of the ITI owners. "They had opportunities elsewhere but wanted to stay and grow at Willow Run. I'm very pleased that we were able to play a role in that decision." ITI is expected to invest $50,000 into the facility and add 25 new jobs to their current staff of 10. The company specializes in engine repair, overhaul and inspection of jet engines. Andrews has worked at or near Willow Run Airport since 1988. RACER says the decision to grow his company in Michigan was based on giving his employees the chance to stay in the area. More than 300 acres and a 5-million-square-foot facility remain for sale at the site. RACER will continue to market the property. "Our goal is to do what the community has asked us to do," says Rasher, "attract new jobs and economic activity to the site as soon as possible. We have had, and continue to have, discussions with several interested parties from a variety of sectors." Rasher says he's been impressed with the level of engagement and partnership of local elected officials and economic development organizations during the marketing of the Willow Run properties. "They've been great to work with," he says. "They very clearly see the potential of Willow Run and are just as active and energized as we are about the future of that site." Source: Bruce Rasher, RACER Trust Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor
Ann Arbor's Gallup Park canoe livery will soon be more accessible, safer and easier to navigate after $563,398 of improvements coming to the property. Work is slated to begin late this week or early next week, will continue through Memorial Day, and will pick up again after Labor Day to avoid the livery's busy summer season. Work will include ADA accessibility on trails to the waterfront and additions to existing docks that will better facilitate kayaks, as well as an ADA accessible kayak dock. "The docks themselves are really exciting," says Gallup Park Facilities Supervisor Cheryl Saam. "These three new docks will be like fingers coming off [the existing dock]. One of the fingers will have an ADA accessible kayak dock. It's pretty difficult for anyone to get into a kayak, so that will be tremendous." The project will also include improved wayfinding signage, separating a sidewalk and driveway for improved safety, an ADA accessible fishing dock and expansion of the patio outside of the livery coffee shop. "We have had so much growth at the canoe livery," says Saam. "When it was designed in the '70s, we never dreamt of the capacity we're running at right now." The project was made possible through a $300,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. The remainder will be funded by the city. During pre-Memorial Day renovations, all Gallup Park operations and staff will be transferred to the Argo livery, which will be open seven days a week. Source: Cheryl Saam, Gallup Canoe Livery Writer: Natalie Burg
Keeping an airport in good condition is of no small importance, particularly one that is as integrally linked to an area's economic development as Willow Run Airport is to Washtenaw County. "It's a chicken-and-egg thing," says Scott Wintner, public affairs manager for the Wayne County Airport Authority, which operates Willow Run Airport. "We're counting on the efforts of our economic development partners to prove there is demand for a strong airport, and we also know that that Willow Run needs to be developed to continue those economic development efforts." To keep that reciprocal relationship moving forward, Willow Run will embark on an approximately $20 million reconstruction of the northern half of its longest runway this year. Though the project will only involve the removal and rebuilding of half the 7,525-foot runway, Wintner explains that the process is far from simple. "A runway is a lot more complicated than your typical driveway," says Wintner. "If you look at the architectural plans, you'd think you were looking at a mansion. It's a lot more intricate than you'd imagine." About $18 million of the project will come from a federal government grant, with the remaining ten percent evenly divided between state funding and Willow Run. The southern half of the runway is ready for reconstruction as soon as funding for the $23 million project can be secured. The runway reconstruction is part of a 10-year, $182 million capital improvement plan that has been in place at Willow Run for some time. Wintner says much of these plans involve improving aging infrastructure, some of which has been in place since the 1940s. Source: Scott Wintner, Willow Run Airport Writer: Natalie Burg
The expression about one door opening as another closes has taken on a literal meaning for business owner J.W. Boyle, who may no longer be planning to launch Great Day Gourmet Brownies in Ypsilanti, but just recently opened the doors of America's Resellers Corp., or ARC on E. Michigan Ave. Though complications with a major utility claim prevented Great Day Gourmet Brownies from opening, Boyle took his 30 years of restaurant experience and all of the equipment he'd purchased for the business and turned it into ARC, which Boyle says is the first business of its kind in the area. "There is nobody who does restaurant equipment with our inside experience," says Boyle. "We opened the first day at 8:30 in the morning, and there had been cars waiting. Local restaurants are tickled." The 7,800 sq. ft. building on E. Michigan Ave. had been abandoned for several years, but Boyle says its size and convenient location was perfect for his showroom. Boyle offers new and refurbished restaurant equipment for sale, but he says making sales isn't his only goal. "It's about service to the community and helping people," says Boyle. "We try to help people who are opening a business, and take them through the steps. We'll sit down in my conference room and go through their food cost and their menu and their rent." ARC opened its doors about three weeks ago, after Boyle spent about a year building the business through online sales. The family business employs a staff of five. Boyle says he hopes to be a great resource for local restaurateurs, both with his inventory and his advice. Source: JW Boyle, America's Resellers Corp Writer: Natalie Burg
Smartphone repair may have a reputation for being the territory of big box stores, but Kort Linden and Katrina Chizek are looking to change that image with Phone Home Repair on E. Liberty St. in downtown Ann Arbor. "We wanted a retail setting," says Linden, "and to offer more unusual products, and have access to the downtown foot traffic in this area." Phone Home Repair isn't Linden's first venture in the industry. Prior to moving to Ann Arbor with his fiancé, Chizek owned three phone repair shops in California. When the pair decided to move closer to Chizek's family in Plymouth, he sold his West Coast locations to set up shop on Liberty. "There's not a lot of high-quality competition in this area," says Linden." So far, people have been really receptive." The small, 700 sq. ft. shop opened March 26, and offers mobile device repair, customization and accessories. In addition to being independently owned, Linden says Phone Home Repair offers faster turnaround on repairs and lower prices on retail items. Chizek and Linden spent about a month renovating the space themselves. The store is also staffed by the couple. Linden says he hopes to eventually expand Phone Home Repair by opening locations in other Michigan cities. Source: Kort Linden, Phone Home Repair Writer: Natalie Burg
Healthcare software company MedHub has received a boost from the village of Dexter that will help the firm move toward its goal of renovating and relocating in the historic Old Grain Mill. The recently awarded industrial facilities tax exemption is expected to save the firm $24,000 per year as a 50-percent tax abatement for six years on real property and two years on personal property. "Dexter is a vibrant and dynamic community that understands economic growth and vitality," says MedHub President Peter Orr. "We considered Ann Arbor, but with just nine miles separating the two, we felt the flexible opportunities available for expansion in Dexter coupled with the close proximity to Ann Arbor was a very easy decision." MedHub intends to invest $1.7 million into the 1899 structure. Though Orr says the cost to renovate the building will be triple what it might have been to demolish it and rebuild, both his firm and the village of Dexter recognized the importance of saving a community landmark and made a collaborative effort to preserve it. While the tax abatement incentivized MedHub's investment, it will also benefit the village, as it will increase the taxable value of the long-abandoned, 22,000 sq. ft. facility, as well as bring new employees to the downtown. Now employing a staff of seven, Orr expects to double MedHub's staff in the new space. "We not only have the space we are currently in the process of redeveloping," say Orr, "but we also have room to develop a training facility in a large non-contiguous out building on the property. Our clients from across the country could eventually congregate in this facility for intensified training. This will add to the economic vitality of Dexter because our new location will be a true campus in every sense of the word." MedHub purchased the historic mill in 2011, and expects to renovate and move into the facility in this spring. Source: Peter Orr, MedHub Writer: Natalie Burg
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