Small Business

Growing CRM firm Nutshell expands into 4,300 sq ft. Fifth Ave space

●

January 29, 2014

Web-based customer relationship management software company Nutshell is on the move. After outgrowing spaces on State St. and Depot St., the firm is moving from their a sublet space at Barracuda Networks into a 4,300 square foot space on S. Fifth Ave. "When we were on Depot St. we had about 1,400 square feet," says Nutshell partner Andy Fowler. "Subletting from Barracuta is more flexible, but we're looking forward to having a space of our own. The whole team is excited." It's shaping up to be a big year for Nutshell. After moving into their new, larger space in early February, the company is headed to their first appearance at SXSW, the famed music, film and tech conference in Austin, Texas in March. Nutshell is also introducing a new dashboard product for their clients early this year. "We're looking forward to really moving into the spotlight over the next year," Fowler says. The 12-member staff of Nutshell is growing on an as-needed basis, and Fowler expects the team to grow slowly as the right applicants come along for posted positions. The downtown location, which is an Oxford Company property, was a great fit for the company, as the many Nutshell staffers enjoy commuting to work via bike or by food. Source: Andy Fowler, Nutshell Writer: Natalie Burg

Latest in Small Business

Gym America to expand size, staff in new $2 million facility

By Natalie Burg

●

Development News

●

January 15, 2014

Gym America is a pretty unique business, so perhaps it should come as no surprise that the growing gymnastics training facility couldn't quite find the right building to expand into among existing properties for sale in the area. Rather than settle, owner Claudia Kretschmer decided to not only build new in order to serve the 200 kids on the Gym America waiting list but to expand into new programming. "We currently hold 700 at capacity here," says Kretschmer. "We'll be able to take at least our waiting list, which has been pretty steady throughout the past year." The $2 million, 19,000 square foot facility will be built on State St. and Hines Dr. in Pittsfield Twp. The location was perfect, says Kretschmer as it is near their current facility and will provide room for the numerous changes that will come along with the business' move. In addition to taking on students on her waiting list, she'll add dance classes, a pre-school activity area, retail space, a pre-school and more. "It will be a certified preschool, teaching movement, language and music," Kretschmer says. "They'll be using both sides of the brain. There won't be anything electronic, it will all be using creativity and using their minds in a different way." Work on the new Gym America building in the spring, and Kretschmer hopes to open the doors to the new facility by Thanksgiving. She expects the number of children served to jump from 700 to at least 1,000, and will hire 15 to 20 new staff members to accommodate the additional kids and programming. Source: Claudia Kretschmer, Gym America Writer: Natalie Burg

Jolly Pumkin gets new facility in Dexter, to add a taproom

By Natalie Burg

●

Arts & Culture

●

January 15, 2014

The forthcoming null Taphouse at the Jolly Pumpkin facility in Dexter has been a long time coming. "Ever since Lori and I opened Jolly Pumpkin we wanted to have a tasting room in the brewery," says owner Ron Jeffries. "We opened with a ridiculous shoestring budget, and then we kind of went back and forth over the next ten years of having either not enough space or money at the time." After moving into a new, 70,000 square foot facility last year, the time is finally right for that vision to be fulfilled. A 5,000 square foot space in the building will be dedicated to the taproom and tasting area, the plans for which are still under development. One thing Jeffries knows for sure is that it will come together with the input of their customers. "We always want to get our fans involved," Jeffries says. "We want them to have the opportunity to participate in building out the taproom." To support the project, customers can join a number of "clubs" by donating funds in exchange for different ways to be a part of the project, such as sponsoring a booth or having their name included on a wall. The null Taphouse will serve beer tastings, light snacks and possibly sandwiches, include seating, and will also host tours. Jeffries says customers often stop by the facility, and he's looking forward to being able to give them the opportunity to look around. An additional five to ten employees will initially be hired to staff the business. Though progress will depend on a number of factors, he hopes the taproom will be open to the public by early summer. Source: Ron Jeffries, Jolly Pumpkin Writer: Natalie Burg

Pierre Paul Design adds more art, services in new Washtenaw Ave. space

By Natalie Burg

●

Arts & Culture

●

January 15, 2014

Pierre Paul Design has moved to a new home just a brief walk away from its former Washtenaw Ave. location. Though the distance may be small, in all other ways, the move was a big one. The new storefront, which was the former home of a PNC Bank branch in the Arlington Square Shopping Center, is 800 square feet larger than the previous Pierre Paul space, is on the first floor rather than second, and is much more visible to passersby. "We needed more room," says Pierre Paul owner Lee Gilles. "We were more a destination business before. We're now more of a standard retail store, but everything here is connected to original art." In addition to adding room, Pierre Paul Design has introduced new inventory, services and partnerships since the Dec. 21 move. The retail space now offers interior design services to the public, and includes a growing variety of original gifts under $100. Among the new inventory are wares from local organizations, such as the Arbor Opera Theater and Cleary University, that will be sold to support the non-profits. "It's a win-win situation," says Gilles. "We're reaching out to community organizations that are connected to the arts to raise money for them, and they bring us unique products to sell." With a highly visible storefront and more traditional retail offerings, Gilles is expanding his hours and business days to mirror the nearby Arbor Hills Crossing. He plans to expand his four-person staff by at least three to accommodate the new seven-day schedule and later hours. Source: Lee Gilles, Pierre Paul Design Writer: Natalie Burg

Local CPA firm celebrates 66th year with new location and an eye on growth

By Natalie Burg

●

Development News

●

January 8, 2014

Local firm Weidmayer, Schneider, & Raham CPAs, P.C. are starting the new year in a new, larger location in Scio Township. The business expanded from its former, 6,000 square foot home of 25 years into a 9,000 square foot space on Little Lake Dr. "We just had an opportunity to buy a larger and nicer building instead of renting," says Steven Schneider, managing principal for Weidmayer, Schneider, & Raham CPAs, P.C. "We decided to make the move, and it worked out well for us." The larger location will allow Weidmayer, Schneider, & Raham to grow, though, after adding two new staff members over the last year, Schneider says he expects the 15-employee firm's growth to be slow and steady. He projects the firm will eventually grow to a staff of no more than 25. "We'd like to be still be a small, local firm," says Schneider. "There are clients that can be well served by firms of our size. It's what our clients like, that contact with the principal." After 66 years in business - and serving some of the same clients they began with - giving the same personal service to their clients has served Weidmayer, Schneider, & Raham well thus far. The firm made the move on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 and are now open for business in their new location. Source: Steven Schneider, Weidmayer, Schneider, & Raham CPAs, P.C. Writer: Natalie Burg

Old Carolina Barbecue to open first Michigan location in Ann Arbor

By Natalie Burg

●

Arts & Culture

●

January 8, 2014

When people think about barbecue, they often think about slow cooking from the South. A new restaurant coming to Cranbrook Village Shopping Center confounds both ideas. Though Old Carolina Barbecue offers southern-inspired cuisine, the growing franchise began in Ohio and offers it up fast-casual style. With plans to open in mid- to late February, the Old Carolina Barbecue will be the chain's first in another state. "Expanding into neighboring state is a logical move for Old Carolina, wherein we are able to use much of the existing supply chain," says local franchisee Nick Ferris. "The fact that I was a resident in the local market, familiar with the business community, coupled with Ann Arbor being the premier and preferred market location for most restaurateurs and retailers entering the Michigan market, made sense to focus our efforts here." The 3,315-square foot restaurant will will share a building with Potbelly and Tony Sacco's Coal Oven Pizza on Eisenhower Pkway. Ferris says the location was ideal because it is in the Briarwood economic trade area with a number of complementary co-tenants nearby in the Cranbrook Village Shopping Center. He believes the tastes of local diners will be a great fit for the menu. "The local consumer has a discerning…appetite," Ferris says. "While there are some places for barbecue in the local market, there is no fast casual environment. We believe the concept, and the exceptional food will be well received in this underserved category." Ferris expects to employ 30 to 35 workers when the Old Carolina Barbecue opens early this year. He anticipates the restaurant becoming an active supporter of the Ann Arbor community. Source: Nick Ferris, Old Carolina Barbecue Writer: Natalie Burg

Growing Ypsilanti Food Co-op plans to expand bakery

By Natalie Burg

●

Development News

●

January 8, 2014

At some point in the future, Ypsilanti Food Co-op shoppers will be able to get closer to their baked goods as they're being prepared. Growth and change have been underway at the co-op for some time now, and as the community grocer adjusts to recent renovations including a new checkout counter and point of sale technology, the business is looking toward a future with an expanded bakery area including customer seating. "Wanting to expand our bakery came from the idea that customers love the food that's being produced here," says Corinne Sikorski, general manager for the Ypsilanti Food Co-op. "We have our wood-fired oven that is pretty to look at, and fun to watch. That was kind of the push to open the bakery up so customers can see the bread baking." The Ypsilanti Food Co-op currently operates in two-thirds of the first floors in a three-building group. The proposed expansion, which is still in early planning stages, would make use of the final third, bringing another 1,600 square feet of space into active use. In addition to increasing access to the bakery, Sikorski says the seating area will help the Food Co-op more fully meet its goal of being a true community hub. "We have a great selection of grab-and-go food, so expanding our area for them to sit down and eat is part of the intention," she says. "One of the draws of the Co-op is that it's more than just a grocery store. It's a community space. It's a place where people talk to their neighbors." With visioning and planning still underway, Sikorski says no timeline is yet in place for the project, but she hopes to see the expansion move forward this year. She attributes the Co-op's growth and ability to keep growing, on the community's continued support of the member-owned business. Source: Corinne Sikorski, Ypsilanti Food Co-op Writer: Natalie Burg

Traverwood Apartments to bring 216 new residential units to A2’s northside

By Natalie Burg

●

Community Development

●

January 8, 2014

Local commercial real estate firm First Martin has long believed their 19.82 acre property on Traverwood Dr. near Plymouth Rd. and Huron Pkwy. would make a great place for Ann Arbor residents to live, and now, the firm's plans to build 216 apartment units there is moving forward. "This project has been in the back our minds for a long time," says First Martin Vice President Mike Martin. "We've had a sign on the property for close to two decades, but various other opportunities took our attention." Martin says the Plymouth Rd. area has proven to be a popular place for Ann Arbor residents in general, and anticipates a strong market exists for the forthcoming apartments. The development will have a slight emphasis on one-bedroom units, which will average around 850 square feet each, and will also include two-bedroom apartments. Approximately two-thirds of the units will include attached garages. "We feel confident we'll get the typical demographic for the Ann Arbor rental market," says Martin. "With the location being adjacent to the city golf course and near the library, there is a lot of public and private infrastructure that will be very attractive the the residents who will live there." Martin expects construction to begin on the Traverwood Apartments in late spring or early summer of 2014 and continue for 18 to 24 months. Once completed, he anticipates about six jobs will be created to maintain the complex. Source: Mike Martin, First Martin Writer: Natalie Burg

New beer and wine retail concept to open first location in Dexter

By Natalie Burg

●

Development News

●

December 18, 2013

The Beer Grotto coming to downtown Dexter will be more than a retail store. Though beer and wine sales will be its primary function, those sales will come with advice, recommendations and information from alcohol experts, along with samples and even a chance to sit down and enjoy a drink inside the store. "Our goal is that you're never going to walk out of the store with something you haven't tried," says Beer Grotto President Sam Short. "We're going to have an educated staff, a good selection and the ability to test stuff in the store before you leave." East Lansing resident Short is relatively new to Michigan, but has been in the beer and restaurant business for years. After working with a number of well-known names in the industry, such as Grand Rapids' Barfly Ventures of HopCat fame, he is moving into the retail business. In what turns out to be a happy coincidence, the prime location for launching The Beer Grotto is the same village that is home to his wife's family. "It was serendipity," says Short. "Dexter is great because it's very close to Ann Arbor, but yet it retains this true American small town feel. But it still has 30,000 cars driving regularly through. It's a neat little community." The Beer Grotto will open in the 3,000 square foot former home of Dexter Pharmacy on Main St. In addition to retail space, the business will include a lounge area in which customers to enjoy a beverage. He anticipates work beginning on the space in Jan., and hopes to open with a staff of about 15 employees in late April or early May. Short plans for the Dexter location to be the first of 15 Beer Grotto locations. He anticipates the next two will also be in the Ann Arbor area, and will open in 2014. Source: Sam Short, The Beer Grotto Writer: Natalie Burg

School of Rock to open on Jackson Rd.

By Natalie Burg

●

Arts & Culture

●

December 18, 2013

Ann Arbor has no lack of interest in the arts and creative expression. That's exactly why entrepreneur Dianna Wilson decided opening her own School of Rock business was a great fit for the area. "[I] went to a couple operating School of Rock locations and was hooked," Wilson says. "I enjoy kids and music. To be able to watch kids develop and be proud of themselves is awesome." The new business is set to open in January in a 2,400 square foot location at 6101 Jackson Rd. Originally developed as an office building, Wilson says the segmented layout made it perfect for music lessons. The location is also ideal, she adds, for parents who may need to run errands during their kids' lessons at the many nearby retail stores. "School of Rock is a performance-based program," Wilson says. "It's not just taking lessons; they are learning to perform. The national exposure of the company offers some awesome and unique opportunities for students." As the business gets established locally, those opportunities will include recording their work. A planned recording studio in the space will give kids the chance to learn the technical side of recording as well. School of Rock will open with a staff of seven. Wilson hopes to increase her number of employees as enrollment numbers grow. The exact dates for opening, enrollment and an open house will soon be available on the business' Facebook page. Source: Dianna Wilson, School of Rock Writer: Natalie Burg