Natalie Burg

Annex of Paredown shop brings home decor to Old Westside

Brenda Brown refers to herself as a lifelong Ann Arbor townie, and after spending 40 years in the book manufacturing industry, she's now turning her attention to helping other townies make their homes more cozy and beautiful. Her new Jackson Rd. shop, Annex of Paredown, offers new and vintage home furnishings, home decor fabrics, as well as design ideas and organizing services.  "I've been helping people rethink and repurpose their furnishings because they're downsizing or moving, or rethinking how they're living in their homes when they have empty nests," Brown says.  The character of the homes in and around Ann Arbor's Old West Side is how she ended up choosing her location, right at the division of Jackson and Dexter Aves. The neighborhood's homes fit in well with the era and style of her inventory and services. She opened the doors of her less than 1,000 square foot shop in early November. "So far the reception has been wonderful," says Brown. "The neighborhood traffic in particular has been phenomenal." While she currently operates Annex of Paredown independently, she hopes to soon add three to five contractors as instructors for home decor-related classes such as sewing or upholstery. Farther into the future, she would like to add up to two staffers in the shop.  Source: Brenda Brown, Annex of Paredown Writer: Natalie Burg

Healing through Xbox: Locally-launched non-profit gives games to sick kids nationwide

Talk about the law of unintended consequences. In 2007, a local police officer shut down a Saline high school Halo tournament, claiming video games corrupted the minds of teens. That one misguided complaint ended up inspiring Gamers Outreach, a growing nonprofit that provides video games to children's hospitals across the country.

Mishigama Craft Brewing to add more variety to Ypsilanti’s growing beer scene

After more than two decades with General Motors. David Roberts was looking for a new challenge. It just so happened that his daughter's father-in-law, a longtime craft beer brewer, was looking for the same thing at the same time. Their resulting project will soon take place in the form of Mishigama Craft Brewing in downtown Ypsilanti.  "There is a lot of good beer made in the Ann Arbor/Ypsi area, and we hope to add to it," Roberts says. "There is a market in Ypsi for this type of product."  Mishigama Craft Brewing will feature a variety of craft beers, including wheat beers, ales and stouts. The goal is to eventually serve food as well, though the business may begin small with six to eight beers on tap.  "I'm hoping people will come and find us, and hopefully they'll have a nice, enjoyable experience for people in downtown Ypsilanti," says Roberts.  The 5,700 square foot location, part of which was a former Buffalo Wild Wings, is well-suited to Roberts' vision of a downtown brewery and restaurant with room for growth. He expects Mishigama Craft Brewing to seat between 100 and 125 customers. Initially, he anticipates hiring a brewery staff in the range of five to 10 workers. Once restaurant operations are underway, however, that number could range up to 40 employees. Roberts hopes to open Mishigama Craft Brewing late summer of 2015. Source: David Roberts, Mishigama Craft Brewing Writer: Natalie Burg

Popular Ann Arbor Indian restaurant Cardamom to expand

It wasn't long ago when, Binod Dhakal and his wife opened Cardamom Restaurant on Plymouth Rd. in Ann Arbor. Less than two years later, the popular place with the tagline "Fresh Indian" is expanding, allowing them to serve more customers more quickly.  "The expansion area design will allow folks to wait for a table or carry out order comfortably, and grab a drink while they wait," says Dhakal. "It will also make the dining room more comfortable for seated guests because there won't be all the in and out traffic. And perhaps most importantly will be what you won't see: an expanded kitchen so we can produce more food." The Courtyard Shops restaurant is currently 1,709 square feet, plus an adjacent outdoor patio. The closing of the Biggby Coffee shop next door is allowing them to expand into an additional 1,105 square feet. "We knew after about two weeks in business that if we ever had the opportunity to expand we would need to grab it, so when this space came open next door we had to go for it," Dhakal says. "It's a risk since we've only been in business 20 months, but we have really great regular customers and we hope they will lend us their patience through this construction and transition." Dhakal is waiting for his plans to be approved by the city, but should everything move forward as expected, he hopes to open for business in the new area sometime this summer. He anticipates remaining open as much as possible throughout construction.  Dhakal anticipates growing his staff by eight to 10 workers after the expansion. In terms of future plans, he hopes to continue to grow and eventually add catering to Cardamom's offerings.  Source: Binod Dhakal, Cardamom Restaurant Writer: Natalie Burg

Coffee roasters to set up shop in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town

There is no shortage of coffee experience among the partners behind the forthcoming Hyperion Coffee Company in Ypsilanti. Dan Kubera has been a barista, roaster and manager in the coffee business for more than five years, Alex Merz is a longtime coffee connoisseur and Eric Mullins has spent more than a decade in the industry. Together, they plan to create micro-roasted coffee with a focus on relationships, science and education.  "Our specialization will be in working as much as possible with farmers when we can and to develop that work into lasting relationships that our local community can invest into," says Mullins. "We are trying to focus on educating our customers and wholesaling our coffee so that we can reach a wider audience and to get great coffee into more hands."  Hyperion Coffee Company will be located on N. River St. in a 1,200 square foot space Depot Town location. As Kubera and Mullins are both former managers at the Ugly Mug Cafe, the Ypsilanti location was a great way to capitalize on their established local network of coffee lovers, a well as position themselves well between Ann Arbor and Detroit.  "When we first took a tour of the place a few months ago we kind of fell in love with the old brickwork, the giant green doors, great location in Depot Town, and amazing neighbors," Mullins says. "When we all met up after our initial walkthrough we were in awe that such a cool spot had gone unused in Depot Town for so long, we fell in love with it and immediately picked it up." The Hyperion Coffee team hopes to have their roasting operations underway by mid- to late March. While their focus will be entirely on roasting initially, they hope to eventually add a small cafe to the business. Mullins says they expect to hire two to three employees in the first year, and can foresee employing 10 to 12 workers in the future.  Source: Eric Mullins, Hyperion Coffee Company Writer: Natalie Burg

Ann Arbor’s Tiny Buddha Yoga opens and grows quickly on Pauline Blvd.

Pita King brings Middle Eastern sandwiches to E. Stadium

Just across the parking lot from Trader Joe's, a new restaurant is hoping to attract some of the popular grocer's fresh, natural food-loving audience. Pita King joined the neighborhood on Dec. 17, offering a healthy, American twist on Middle Eastern sandwiches.  "Because what we serve is so healthy and fresh, we thought it would be great location," says Assistant Manager Fidaa Kasham, who operates Pita King with her husband, manager Moe Shalabi. "We also use organic chicken that has no antibiotics. It's what we've been using at home for years, and we wanted to share it with others." A family affair, Pita King is owned by Shalabi's father, and two of the sandwiches on the menu are named after the couple's children. A longtime restaurant worker, Kasham says her husband saw opening a restaurant as an opportunity to do the work he enjoys in a new way.  "He's always loved the food industry," she says. "He never wanted to leave his spot, but he always said if he were ever to leave, it would be for his own place. We found this great location and felt very fortunate." While diners will find familiar Middle Eastern titles on Pita King's menu, Kasham says the American twist comes in with the ingredients, including cheddar cheese, banana peppers, lettuce and tomato, as well as chicken. She and her husband currently operate the restaurant with the help of her brother-in-law. As their delivery service and business grows, they plan to hire a delivery driver and additional kitchen worker.  Source: Fidaa Kasham, Pita King Writer: Natalie Burg

Affordable Housing: What Ann Arbor Can Learn From Santa Cruz, CA

In discussing the need for affordable housing in Ann Arbor, recent conversations have ranged from planned density to public assistance to developer incentives. But what about revisiting the idea of allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs)? Santa Cruz, CA has taken the lead with these small, apartment-sized houses, creating a program that cities around the nation are emulating.

The Lunch Room to open second downtown Ann Arbor location next week

Just a few years ago, The Lunch Room was but a food cart. As of next week, the popular vegan eatery will be an established and growing restaurant chain with two downtown locations.  "The Kerrytown location probably wasn't big enough from the first day we moved in there," says co-owner Joel Panozzo of The Lunch Room's first permanent location, which opened in 2013. "We've been making things work, but on a weekly basis, we'd say no to large catering orders and wedding cakes and one thing after another. So we've been trying to figure out how we could say yes." The answer turned out to be a second location with a larger baking space. The new restaurant in Huron Towers on Fuller Ct. will include a 1,037-square foot dining room and adjoining kitchen large enough for the owners to expand their baking operations enough to cover both locations, catering and wholesale orders. The new Lunch Room will feature grab-and-go options to cater to the student and hospital worker crowds buzzing around Huron Towers, while the Kerrytown location will continue to focus on made-to-order meals. Sit-down dining, however, will definitely still be available at the new restaurant, in addition to their deli case offerings.  "With the sandwiches, we'll unwrap it and grill it to order," says Panozzo. "We'll play and experiment with how far we can take the grab-and-go concept." Panozzo expects to begin with a soft opening of the new location over this weekend, with doors officially opening some day next week. He and co-owner Phillis Engelbert plan to employ about 15 part- and full-time workers at the new restaurant. Source: Joel Panozzo, The Lunch Room Writer: Natalie Burg

New Arbor Hills Crossing salon to offer fine art with hair artistry

Clair Broderick has long been an artist of hair, but she’s also a mixed-media, painting and crafts artist too. That collection of talents will all be on display at her new saline boutique, Sprig Hair Studio 21, in Arbor Hills Crossing.  “I see my salon as a high-end, boutique salon,” says Broderick. ”Others that work with me in the space will have that skill and customer care for our clients as their absolute first priority.” Sprig Hair Studio 21 opened on Jan. 6, though Broderick is developing her vision for the space as she works in it. She anticipates having her full line of products, including her own art and jewelry, in place by the end of February.  “I have brought in local art by friends and myself to decorate along with a few vintage pieces,” Broderick says. “I am having custom work made by clients who were willing to help and trade for their fantastic abilities.” In addition to herself, Broderick will work with two other stylists at Sprig Hair Studio 21. She is also looking for one additional employee. Her future plans include becoming involved in community efforts such as volunteering in schools, community events and non-profits.  Source: Claire Broderick, Sprig Hair Studio 21 Writer: Natalie Burg