24/7 downtown Birmingham leads to more jobs

Downtown Birmingham is becoming all about “more” these days. Specifically, more businesses open more hours to attract more people (as well as businesses and jobs). For instance, the Zuma Coffee House on 207 S Old Woodward Ave (the old Java Hutt) is routinely open 24 hours. It’s the policy of new owners Richard and Lisa Spicko.”Since my wife and I bought it in 2008 we haven’t been closed for a minute,” Richard Spicko says. The policy has turned the coffee house into a refuge of sorts for the after-bar crowd, students pulling an all-nighter, and people who don’t work bankers’ hours. Patrons routinely thank the Spickos for staying open. The policy also enables the couple to hire two extra people to cover all the hours.It’s that type of vibrancy that attracted businesses like Arcadia Health Care. The Southfield-based firm moved one of its satellite offices (four employees) from Lathrup Village to downtown Birmingham last year because of the city center’s urban vibrancy. “It’s a lively downtown,” says Jennie Allard-Gilchrist, branch manager of the Arcadia Health Care Birmingham office. “A lot of people are walking around there. It’s close to the neighborhoods and they have a great chamber. Birmingham is great. It’s just a great place to be.”Sources: Richard Spicko, co-owner of Zuma Coffee House, and Jennie Allard-Gilchrist, branch manager of the Arcadia Health Care Birmingham officeWriter: Jon Zemke