East Main redevelopment opens, breathes new life into downtown Milan
The East Main redevelopment is done. Leases have been signed and people and businesses are moving in to the new crown jewel of downtown Milan.
Milan
Five local building blogs you should be reading
Want a real-time indicator of a community's economic health? Look for where the construction or, even better, restoration is occurring. Concentrate has put together a list of five Ann Arbor area construction blogs worth following.
East Main Redevelopment nears finish line in downtown Milan
Downtown Milan is about to get a big boost in the new year as the first lofts from the East Main Redevelopment project begin to come online. "We're pretty well along," says Dave Snyder, developer of East Main Redevelopment. "We have been at it for six months. We're about a month from the first apartment being ready."
East Main Redevelopment project to help revitalize downtown Milan
Downtown Milan is getting a big shot in the arm as a series of historic buildings are being renovated as part of mixed-use project called East Main Redevelopment. "Milan is a town with a lot of possibilities," says Dave Snyder, developer of East Main Redevelopment. "This building provides an opportunity for the downtown to take some giant steps forward." East Main Redevelopment, also known as Wabash & Main LLC, is redeveloping four commercial buildings at the corner of Wabash and Main streets. The buildings are some of the oldest in the city, having been built between 1845 and 1892. Snyder first became interested in the project when he was a part-owner in the Milan Bakery. He thought the redevelopment of the buildings would make a good spot for a newly expanded bakery. Snyder eventually sold off his interest in the bakery and went on to pursue the East Main Redevelopment. East Main Redevelopment is taking the 27,000 square feet of space down to the studs and brick walls. All four buildings will be connected, creating 15 loft apartments and eight storefront that could that could house a handful of businesses, including the Milan Bakery. The loft apartments will range between 700 square feet to 1,100 square feet and will include high-end finishes. The entire project is expect to employ about 65 people from 20 different construction trades. "Our goal is to have it largely done by the of December," Snyder says. Source: Dave Snyder, developer of East Main Redevelopment Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
Train-themed restaurant opens in downtown Milan
Melissa and Golaik Mahmutaj's son Brooklyn has always loved trains, and the couple has long wanted to start their own restaurant. When a commercial space right next to the railroad tracks became available in Milan, everything just clicked. "It seemed like a great place to lay down our tracks," says Melissa Mahmutaj. "We just love it." Brooklyn's Sidetrack opened on Nov. 4 with a train theme that encompasses everything from the decor to the menu. The diner-style restaurant offers such dishes as the Trainmaster Breakfast and the Railbender from breakfast through dinner. Though the 1800s building required significant renovations, the husband-and-wife team brought the restaurant to life primarily with their own elbow grease. "I had a vision," Mahmutaj says. "My mother watched our kids for us so we could get as much as we could done. We pulled a lot of days where we just drank coffee and stayed as late as we could." Brooklyn's Sidetrack seats about 100 diners and employs a staff of about 13 local workers. Mahmutaj says the reaction from the community has been positive, and they're working to evolve their business along with the suggestions of their customers. Source: Melissa Mahmutaj, Brooklyn's Sidetrack Writer: Natalie Burg
Now, Then & Again brings cards, classes, antiques to Milan
A longtime knitter and card maker, Cindy Day has wanted to open a shop that included both for some time. Combined with her mother's experience as the former owner of Victorian Garden in Blissfield, the concept for Now, Then & Again in Milan finally came together: an antiques, thrift and vintage shop that includes her handmade cards and knitted goods. "It's been going really wonderfully," says Day's mother Sandra Suchy. "Milan has been very responsive. I've from Milan and all our children were raised here, so it's like coming back home." Now, Then & Again opened about three months ago and celebrated their grand opening earlier this month. Many of the antiques came straight from from Suchy's own collection of displays from her former shop, as well as garage sale and auction finds she's collected along the way. In the future, Day, who is a nurse in Adrian by day, would like to add knitting and card making classes to the shop's offerings. For now, the store will focus on a wide variety of new, used and antique items. "We have unique treasures and price ranges for everyone," Suchy says "from 50 cents to hundreds of dollars. We have a lot of beautiful antiques, good quality used furniture and brand new items." Now, Then & Again is located between Roy's BBQ & Burgers and Chase Bank in Milan. Day manages the store herself with the help of Suchy. Source: Sandra Suchy, Now, Then & Again Writer: Natalie Burg
New Milan pharmacy extends a more personal touch
After opening the Saline Pharmacy three years ago, Ziad Ghamraoui started hearing that his brand of customer-focused pharmacy services were in demand elsewhere as well. "A lot of doctors and patients were very happy with us, and a lot of Milan residents told us if we moved closer to Milan they'd give us more business," Ghamraoui says, "because we help bridge the gap in healthcare." Ghamraoui met that demand, opening Little Pharmacy in Milan about two weeks ago. Like the Saline Pharmacy, he plans to serve customers in a variety of ways, including carrying over-the-counter medications as cheaply as possible, helping those who struggle to meet their copays, allowing people to pay with store accounts when their cash flow is short and more. "Brand names can be expensive," Ghamraoui he says. "We get them coupons so we can save them on their copays. We want to make sure people get their prescriptions and make sure they're on the road to health with no restrictions whatsoever." Little Pharmacy currently occupies about 1,600 square feet of a 2,500 square foot space on Dexter Rd. in Milan. Ghamraoui has hired two employees to manage the new business. Source: Ziad Ghamraoui, Little Pharmacy Writer: Natalie Burg
OpEd: Why mediation is a model for problem solving
Unresolved disputes can hurt economies or degrade the quality of life in a community. Belinda Dulin, executive director of The Dispute Resolution Center, explains why mediation is a viable alternative to costly and time-consuming court cases.
Former Milan bank building to house new American 1 Credit Union branch
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
Ann Arbor area among happiest metros in the US
Though you might not know it reading the comment section of the local paper, Ann Arbor is a happy happy place. Excerpt: "Some metro areas scored higher than others for the different factors used to determine well-being. Ann Arbor, Mich., scored highest in life evaluation. Meanwhile, Honolulu, Hawaii, scored highest for emotional health and San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles in California scored highest for work environment. Holland-Grand Haven in Michigan scored highest for physical heath and access to basic necessities, and Salinas, Calif., scored highest for healthy behaviors." Read the rest here.
