Entrepreneurship

Argus Farm Stop aims to help growers and locavores with year-round market

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May 14, 2014

Ann Arbor is an undeniably great place for local produce — for part of the year. The demand for local foods, however, doesn't go away in the winter, and thanks to the rise of local hoop houses, it doesn't have to. Kathy Sample, her husband Bill Brinkerhoff and their business partner Scott Fleck are aiming to help local growers extend their growing season with Argus Farm Stop, an indoor farmers market coming to W. Liberty this year. "The Farmers Market is fantastic, but there is a waiting list to get in," says Sample. "And what happens when it rains and no customer show up? We thought, there's a mismatch here." After encountering an indoor farmers market in Ohio, Sample and Brinkerhoff met with the owners, as well as local growers and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market to see what could be done to expand the availability of local food here. When they found no one else was on the job, they put themselves on it. Argus Farm Stop will be located in a 1,300 square foot former gas station on W. Liberty that is now under construction. Sample hopes to open in August with new bathrooms, an espresso bar and a wide array of produce, meats and other local foods. "Michigan is the second most diverse state in terms of agricultural products," Sample says. "Somehow things have changed over the years. We want to build that back up." Argus Farm Stop is operating as a Low-Proit Limited Liability Company, an option which will help the company maintain funding as they pursue their social goals of extending the growing season and giving new opportunities to local growers. Sample also plans to include education opportunities for kids and families in their business model. A staff of approximately six employees will operate Argus Farm Stop, along with the business partners. Source: Kathy Sample, Argus Farm Stop Writer: Natalie Burg

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Southern California-style Mexican food comes to Ann Arbor

By Natalie Burg

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Arts and Culture

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May 14, 2014

There may be a few places to get burritos around Ann Arbor, but a whole different kind of Mexican food is coming to town as early as next week with Get Some Burritos. "The owners and investors are from Southern California, and it has a unique kind of Mexican food. They call it SoCal Mexican," says Get Some Burritos General Manager Devon Bivens. "There was some interest in the Midwest to bring SoCal Mexican here." The first Get Some Burritos opened in Madison, Wisconsin, and Ann Arbor will be the second location. Bevins describes SoCal Mexican as including different spices than the TexMex food many Midwesterners are used to, and including steak instead of ground beef. "I think it's going to bring something a little bit different to Ann Arbor," Bevins says. "There are different kinds of Mexican around, but this is a different flavor profile." The 1,200 square foot restaurant on Packard will seat about 24 people and employ a staff of about 12. Bevins hopes the near-campus area will attracts students on the go to and from classes. After about six months of renovations, Get Some Burritos is hoping to open by May 15. Source: Devon Bivens, Get Some Burritos Writer: Natalie Burg

Salads Up to bring healthy food in a hurry to Liberty

By Natalie Burg

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Arts and Culture

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May 7, 2014

Robert Mayer may be about to embark on his first restaurant venture, but the University of Michigan graduate has plenty of experience as an Ann Arbor diner on the go. After exploring franchising options to address the lack of both quick and healthy food options downtown with his business partner, the two decided to develop their own concept. The result will be Salads Up on E. Liberty. "This is not a traditional self-serve ‘salad bar,'" says Mayer. "It is a fast casual concept in which the customer chooses from our many ingredient options and our awesome homemade dressings. The offerings will include what most people associate with salads but will also have some creative twists." In addition to salads and salad-like options, Salads Up will also offer wraps, soups and frozen yogurt. Mayer is currently working with his chef to develop a unique menu that emphasizes quality as well as local ingredients. The 1,200 square foot space will be entirely renovated to accommodate the new restaurant, including new plumbing, electrical, venting systems and interior cosmetic work. "The building itself is not currently equipped to be a restaurant and will require some significant work," Mayer says. "We simply could not pass up on the location." Renovation are slated to begin this week, and Mayer plans to open Salads Up by the end of the summer, and will hire about 11 employees. He hopes their success in Ann Arbor will lead to more Salads Up locations in other cities. Source: Robert Mayer, Salads Up Writer: Natalie Burg

Ypsilanti women’s retailer to open second location in Ann Arbor

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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May 7, 2014

Nickels Arcade is about to get Mix-ed up — in a good way. Ypsilanti's popular women's clothing and accessories shop is opening a second location in the former home of Beagle Brain. "It was sort of a no brainer," says Leslie Leland, who owns Mix with business partner Bonnie Penet. "We discovered the space at Nickels Arcade was open and we just loved the ambiance of that location, and it's historic nature. We thought t would be an absolutely fabulous fit for our clothes." Renovations to the 850 square foot shop are now underway. Most of the work is focused on creating Mix's unique lighting. The Ann Arbor location will be a third of the size of the original Mix, which opened about four and half years ago. The two stories will carry similar "mixes" of new and second-hand clothing and accessories, with enough variety to make visits to both stores worthwhile. "The similarity will be in the clothing that we carry, which is really artistically chic," Leland says. "We're in New York [at a trade show] right now and we've added some incredibly exciting clothing to our line." The new Mix store is slated to open in June. The store currently employs a staff of five part-time workers. Penet and Leland plan to staff the shop themselves in the beginning and add staff as needed. Source: Bonnie Penet and Leslie Leland, Mix Writer: Natalie Burg

Ann Arbor start-up to market wearable body sensors

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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May 7, 2014

Imagine military uniforms that can assess the environment they're in. Or even the condition of the soldier wearing them? An Ann Arbor start-up isn't just imagining such a thing, they're developing it. Excerpt: "A pair of professors, one at the University of Michigan, has completed the first round of funding for PsiKick, a two-year-old start-up aiming to sell ultra-low-power chips that can be embedded in a T-shirt or other clothing, do not need a battery or wires and can run on heat, vibrations and sunlight." Read the rest here.

Burger restaurant with local focus opening in Ypsilanti

By Natalie Burg

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Arts and Culture

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April 23, 2014

A new local restaurant with a local focus will soon be serving up burgers on Cross St. in Ypsilanti. Got Burger, the idea of lifelong resident and Eastern Michigan University Graduate Haroun Mohammed will serve prime-grade Certified Angus Beef sourced from Toledo and breads from Detroit. "I don't think there is another place around that uses prime, Certified Angus Beef," Mohammed says. "It will also be a price that will be affordable to a majority of the community." Got Burger will also feature wings and portobello burgers. The restaurant, now under renovation, will include room for 20 to 25 diners, as well as offering takeout and delivery services. "We're going to start small and grow into our next location. We're hoping this is the first of many," says Mohammed. In addition to local ingredients and creating local jobs — Mohammed plans to open Got Burger with up to five workers and help from a couple of relatives — exemplary customer service will be a focus at the restaurant. Mohammed is aiming to open Got Burger in mid-May. Source: Haroun Mohammed, Got Burger Writer: Natalie Burg

Red Beauty Bar to deliver mobile makeup artists to clients

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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April 23, 2014

As someone who doesn't have the skills of a makeup artist herself, Christina Carter decided she was the perfect person to open a mobile beauty concierge service. After all, she would also be the service's ideal customer. "I'm a person that doesn't wear makeup on a regular basis, but I like having it done for a special occasion," says the University of Michigan graduate. "I noticed that when I went to a larger city, there were places to just get your makeup done. I thought, why isn't there a service like that in Ann Arbor?" What Carter lacks in cosmetic skills, she makes up for in entrepreneurial know-how. Her Red Beauty Bar business is set to launch in June with three makeup artists who will travel to customers' doors to get their faces in shape for any occasion, from a wedding to a night out with friends. "Convenience is key these days," Carter says. "People will go to the website, pick their time slot and their artist of choice to come out to their location." Red Beauty Bar will focus on making a basic makeup application affordable as well as convenient. Unlike other companies in the business, the service won't require or pressure customers into purchasing any cosmetics. It's also important, Carter says, to remind her customers that women shouldn't feel pressured to wear makeup in order to feel beautiful. The mobile cosmetics concierge is intended simply to be a fun way for customers to access makeup for occasions. Carter hopes to eventually grow her team of makeup artists, expand into other cities, and create a brick and mortar location in the future. Prior to the launch of the website, Red Beauty Bar can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Source: Christina Carter, Red Beauty Bar Writer: Natalie Burg

Final Round Training Center to bring mixed martial arts & fitness classes to A2

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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April 23, 2014

Mixed martial arts is a fast growing sport in the U.S., and beginning next month, some of the top names in the industry will be bringing their skills to Ann Arbor with the new Final Round Training Center. Four-time world champion Muay Thai fighter Matee Jedeepitak will be among five noteworthy coaches who will offer training in Muay Thai, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, Pilates, cardio kickboxing and CrossFit. "I knew Matee and knew that he had a long-time dream of having a gym in the U.S., and I had a dream of not having to drive an hour and a half for lessons with him, " says Final Round owner Chris DeRose. "We wanted something that was in Ann Arbor, and we got amazingly lucky in the people who we're drawing to the space as trainers." Final Round Training Center will begin classes on May 5 in a 4,200 square foot facility on Plaza Dr. in Ann Arbor. In addition to formal mixed martial arts training, DeRose says martial arts-style fitness classes will be available to anyone interested in getting into shape. "It's MMA fitness and training without someone punching you in the face," says DeRose. "We'll have a cardio kickboxing class and combat conditioning class that you sign up for as a package." Final Round will also host seminars with nationally recognized names from the martial arts industry. DeRose plans to reach out to area schools and other community organizations to get involved with youth fitness programs, and will host community benefits, including a cancer awareness event in October. Source: Chris DeRose, Final Round Training Center Writer: Natalie Burg

Bailiwicks Outdoors brings fly fishing accessories and outdoor gear to Dexter

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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April 23, 2014

Lauren Kingsley has enjoyed fly fishing for 25 years, during which time she's become an expert in the industry. While she anticipates outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds will enjoy her new Dexter shop, Bailiwicks Outdoors, she especially hopes it will make sportswomen like herself feel welcome. "Women are the fastest growing segment in the sport, and yet when women go into the shops, they're often less than woman-friendly," Kingsley says. "We want to be known as a welcoming shop where people don't just buy stuff, but they come for help and knowledge and community — and for that to be particularly true for women." Bailiwicks Outdoors is a joint venture between Kingsley and co-owner Dirk Fischbach. The shop features high-end fly-fishing gear, adventure wear and gifts with a Michigan outdoors theme. Dexter's proximity to the Huron River and growing downtown business community made it the perfect place for such a shop. "It's a goof fit for us because it's a half a block away from the main downtown," says Kingsley. "You can walk to it, but there's ample parking. It's also a house, so it's really cozy, warm and there's great natural light." The 1,300 square foot location opened April 1. Kingsley plans to add seminars and workshops to the Bailiwicks Outdoors offerings in the near future. The shop is operated by the owners, who will soon share the workload with two part time trainees. Source: Lauren Kingsley, Bailiwicks Outdoors Writer: Natalie Burg

State earmarks $6.6M to seed tech startups

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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April 16, 2014

The state plans to invest a whole lot of simoleans in up and coming tech firms, seeding Michigan's entrepreneurial ground with promising startups. Excerpt: "As with the state’s first Pre-Seed Fund, which is fully invested and managed by Ann Arbor SPARK, the money for the fund announced today has been allocated by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Paula Sorrell, the MEDC’s vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation, will take a seat on Invest Michigan’s board along with Martin Dober, a former MEDC exec and current vice president of business development at Invest Detroit; Mark Bennett, an attorney and serial entrepreneur; Marianne Fey, an advertising executive, entrepreneur, and angel investor; and David Gregorka, a partner with Baird Capital in Ann Arbor and advisor on technology transfer to state universities." Read the rest here.