Ann Arbor

Eat the Hub to bring food truck installation to S. University

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October 23, 2013

Alex Perlman isn't trying to create a new Mark's Carts on S. University. He is, however, using the same food cart courtyard concept to open minds and trigger ideas about how food carts can be apart of the campus-area business community in the future. With the six-month pop-up installation, Eat the Hub, Perlman will bring food cart quality food to the neighborhood all winter long. "The idea is if you don't create opportunities, there are none," says Perlman, who is part owner of both the Beet Box and Cheese Dream food carts. "Last winter I had the realization that as a food cart owner, our off season is when Ann Arbor's population is at its largest, and we weren’t taking advantage of it." Perlman is already at work revitalizing the space, and hopes to have four to six food carts operating there by early Nov. The temporary food cart installation is part of a plant to repurpose and revitalize the lot at 1215 S. University that once housed Pinball Pete's. Unlike Mark's Carts, which encouraging summertime lingering and outdoor eating, Eat the Hub will offer to-go meals, as well as delivery with local partner Eat Blue. "Our plan is to have a temporary structure over the lot to keep the elements out," says Perlman, who notes that the area is heavily trafficked by pedestrians year-round, "and we're just providing to-go food at people's convenience." Though Eat the Hub is only scheduled to run through April of 2014 the approximately 4,000 square foot lot, Perlman's goal is to create more opportunities for food carts offering freshly made foods in Ann Arbor year round. Source: Alex Perlman, Eat the Hub Writer: Natalie Burg

Merit brings fashion with a higher purpose to S. University

By Natalie Burg

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Arts and Culture

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October 23, 2013

There's no shame in looking good. Since former University of Michigan basketball player David Merritt launched his Merit clothing line, that sentiment has never been truer. After all, the stylish clothes and accessories he sells help high school students stay in school and reach for their collegiate dreams. Now, the caused-based retailer is brining its goods and goodness to a physical location on S. University. "I've been so blessed," says Merritt. "Now, it's important to me to create positive ways for young people to promote themselves. Knowing how many kids aren't given the same opportunities, we're trying to expose these kids to the resources that are out there." Merit opened on Oct. 10 and Merritt and his partner Kuhu Saha are looking forward to a grand opening Nov. 13. The 400 square foot storefront underwent four to five weeks of renovations, including considerable work on the walls and flooring. Now, Merit is looking as good as the clothes and accessories they sell. Merritt hopes the clothes will be a good fit for the university market, as well as their personable service. "With our cause, and who we are as people, our goal is to be a personal brand," Merritt says. "We want to be able to get out in front of people. We think the campus community is going to be able to help us build a strong presence." A percentage of everything sold at Merit will fund scholarships for high school students who participate in Merritt's four mentorship and training program, FATE, at Detroit's Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. Merit carries customized shirts, hats and accessories, and will soon being to introduce their cut-and-sew styles of their own design, such as pants, hoodies, shirts and more. The store currently employs a staff of two. Merritt plans to open a second location in Detroit in the next 16 to 18 months. Source: David Merritt, Merit Writer: Natalie Burg

All Things Scaly and Slithery

By Natalie Burg

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Community Development

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October 23, 2013

If you had any doubt that Ann Arbor was a unique place to live then riddle us this: Name another Metro Detroit community that has its own reptile zoo. Nestled along Jackson Road you'll find the Great Lakes Zoological Society, a place that's home to over 100 scaly critters - including a 19-foot-long python.

Blacksmith Scott Lankton at his Ann Arbor Studio

Scott Lankton: Ann Arbor’s Master Blacksmith

By Patrick Dunn

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General

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October 23, 2013

Michigan is known for what it has been able to forge out of metal and steel. Scott Lankton takes that to a whole other level. As a master blacksmith he's forged everything from a sword for the British Museum to hand-wrought railings for local clients. Concentrate's Patrick Dunn chats with this local artisan about living and working in Ann Arbor.

Human Element expands office space (twice) to grow

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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October 23, 2013

Ben Lorenz and his partners started Human Element a decade ago with the idea of working for themselves and doing less work overall. Their tech company didn't exactly provide for a leisurely work week but the co-founders are more than happy with the bottom line. "We started this company so we didn’t have to work 80 hours a week," says Ben Lorenz, managing partner with Human Element. "It started off as a lifestyle-change decision. People really liked our company so we ended up working even more." The downtown Ann Arbor-based company specializes in tech services and e-commerce platforms, specifically the Magento e-commerce platform. It has grown its sales 50 percent each year over the last few years and Lorenz is optimistic his firm will surpass that mark again. "We will eclipse that by the end of this year," Lorenz says. That growth has allowed Human Element to make three hires, including software engineers and project managers. It is also looking to hire a software engineer. The company currently employs a dozen employees and six independent contractors. Human Element has had to expand its office space twice in the last two years to accommodate its employee growth. Source: Ben Lorenz, managing partner with Human Element Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

BizeeBox creates more sustainable to-go box

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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October 23, 2013

Rich Grousset and Raphael Meyer enjoyed eating out while going to college at the University of Michigan. However, the recent grads didn’t feel right about the disposable take-home containers that their food came in. That's what turned on the CFL above their heads. "We both really liked going out to restaurants but we both really disliked the waste," Grousset says. The partners started BizeeBox last summer with the idea of supplying reusable plastic container to local restaurants for take-out meals. The idea is the eateries would supply it to their customers who would then send it back, for a small fee, and eliminate more landfill waste. The customers can drop off the empty containers at a central location for cleaning within a certain time period. "As long as you get it back to us within 30 days we won’t charge you," Grousset says. The business started as Go Blue Box at the tail end of their college careers and has taken off as they begin their professional careers as entrepreneurs. "After graduating we decided we wanted to do this after school," says Rich Grousset, co-founder of BizeeBox. The partners are now ironing out the wrinkles in their business plan, such specifically what reusable container to use or how to set up a rewards program to coincide with restaurant patronage. The company plans to running a crowd-funding campaign to launch a small pilot program in Ann Arbor early next year. Source: Rich Grousset, co-founder of BizeeBox Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Ann Arbor ranks high among livable college towns

By Newsroom

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Healthy Communities

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October 23, 2013

Aside for its now dated reference to Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burgers, the folks at Livability.com make a good case for why Ann Arbor is such livable college town. Excerpt: "In addition to providing residents with opportunities to cheer for some of the best teams in college sports, U-M offers a lot of free arts programming, including plays, concerts and gallery tours. Dance Marathon, the largest student-run nonprofit event at the university, raised more than $516,000 to support pediatric patients at two local hospitals during the 2012-13 school year. Students also provide mentoring and tutoring to elementary school children, build homes for underprivileged families, and participate in programs to better the lives of residents in both Ann Arbor and Detroit." Read the rest here.

Avegant works on next generation of night-vision gear

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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October 23, 2013

Avegant believe it is building a better night-vision goggle, which the downtown Ann Arbor start-up hopes to begin selling next year. The 1-year-old firm got its start when it co-founders were approached by military contractors while working in a government lab. The need was for a better night-vision equipment for military drivers during wartime. Soldiers were experiencing better results using thermal night vision while driving. The problem was the display was in their vehicle’s dash instead of over their eyes. "It's fairly difficult to drive a car like that, staring down at a monitor in the center dash while driving through a combat zone," says Edward Tang, CEO of Avegant. So Avegant has created a head-mounted virtual retina display, so it can give its users the same sort of freedom of movement when using it. The company and its team of half a dozen people are currently “heavily engaged in product development” while working on prototypes, according to Tang. Tang hopes to begin making sales of the technology on the consumer market in early 2014. "It's a pretty interesting technology and a pretty interesting idea," Tang says. Source: Edward Tang, CEO of Avegant Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

A black Detroiter in Ann Arbor

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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October 9, 2013

There have been more than a few references to the Ann Arbor "bubble" over the years. And it's relationship with Detroit, a mere 45 miles away, seems disproportionately distant. So, how does a black senior from Detroit attending U-M view our leafy college city? The answer may surprise you. Excerpt: "You have a campus that claims to be diverse, viewing the picture through a white lens, but falling pretty short of that mark.Some may argue, “Nothing is in Detroit; what good can you really say about it?” I have seen this in so many comment sections on blogs and news sites. My family lives in Detroit. I personally take offense to this remark because it pretty much implies my family’s existence is worthless. It hurts me every time someone makes a blanket statement about Detroit because I view it as a personal attack on who I am and what has shaped me." Read the rest here.

Fiber fans to flock to Ann Arbor

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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October 9, 2013

Okay, there's three ways this story could go. There's the fiber that's good for your G-I tract. Then there's the high-tech data transfer medium so many techies crave. But here we're talking 'bout natural fibers, as in weaving, knitting and the like. Classes, vendors and spools and spools of the stuff will be on hand. Excerpt: "In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in the fiber arts. The sustainable and green movement has brought a new life to the age old crafts of felting, knitting, spinning and other crafts using natural fibers. The economy has forced people to look towards entertainment at home, so the craft industry has been flourishing. One problem for those interested in these natural fiber arts is where to find materials for these crafts. " Read the rest here.