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Michigan should invest in Detroit’s recovery, survey says

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Community Development

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December 4, 2014

A recent Crain's survey of 300 business owners and executives revealed their sentiments on priority areas for state spending, the state of the economy, and other important concerns heading into 2015. Excerpt: "Optimism about Michigan's economy continued to soar, with 78 percent saying they were satisfied with how it affected business, compared with 70 percent in May... "I used to meet folks out of town about adding new retail markets, and people would almost immediately tell me, "Michigan's near the bottom of our list.' But now it's become fashionable to become associated with projects in Detroit or at least in metropolitan Detroit," said Cindy Ciura, principal of  CC Consulting LLC  in Bloomfield Hills. "Some of the coverage and national attention to our bankruptcy is turning a negative into a positive. People are seeing, I think, that now it's working to our advantage. It's almost an impetus to get people talking about the comeback." More here. 

Crowdfunding campaign for Detroit community skatepark gets rolling

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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November 20, 2014

Skateparks are not only recreational, they're economic and community development tools in southeast Michigan. Following the tide of popularity of the Ann Arbor Skatepark and Riley Skatepark in Farmington, a campaign is afoot for a new skatepark in Detroit. Excerpt: "The campaign will support phase two of “The Wig,” a community-led project to transform the vacant and blighted Wigle Recreation Center in Midtown into a new skatepark. Located at 801 Seldon St., the once vibrant Wigle Recreation Center has sat vacant since 2005. This past summer, Community Push, an organization started by skateboarders to bridge the gap between skateboarding and the community, officially adopted the center’s park from the Detroit Parks and Recreation Department to build a community skatepark... With the foundation for a great skatepark in place, phase two will involve expansion elements, including new skateboarding obstacles (concrete and steel), artistic beautification, public seating, and programs to introduce youth and students at surrounding schools to skateboarding and the social benefits it brings – civic participation, health and wellness, cultural creativity, risk-taking and supportive community building. If Community Push attains its crowdfunding goal of $20,000 by  December 13, MEDC will provide a $20,000 matching grant." For more information and to donate,  click here.

Shinola watch company to add retail outlet in Washington, D.C.

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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November 20, 2014

Shinola, a manufacturer and retailer of watches and other high-end goods, is putting the shine on with its latest retail store. Excerpt: "Detroit-based Shinola continues to expand its retail presence beyond the Motor City, with a permanent, brick-and-mortar outlet reportedly in the works for the nation's capital. The company, which makes watches in Detroit, in addition to crafting bikes, journals and leather goods at a variety of mostly-American locations, last month said it was opening shops in London, Los Angeles and Chicago... Shinola had previously said it will have six brick-and-mortar stores once the Chicago one comes online in the Wicker Park-Bucktown neighborhood. Shinola’s flagship Detroit location is at 441 W. Canfield in Midtown, and the company also has stores in Manhattan and Minneapolis. It also has a presence in Paris' ultra-trendy Colette shop and in the Abu Dhabi airport." More here. 

Southfield’s Ayar Law Group takes off with tax law work, adds 5 jobs

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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November 20, 2014

When Venar Ayar launched his own tax law practice, Ayar Law Group, two years ago he quickly realized he had a growing problem. But it was a good problem. The Southfield-based firm's legal services were so in demand that Ayar had to move out of the 10-foot by 12-foot office within three months because he hired his first employee. Three months later he had to move to a bigger office after he hired two more people. Three months later, Ayar Law Group moved to its current offices to accommodate its growth.   "This office is almost to the point where I am at capacity," Ayar says. "I have grown so fast." Ayar Law Group offers legal services in tax law, including audit defense, tax-debt relief, negotiating tax settlements, criminal tax fraud defense, and unfiled tax returns. It services individuals, families, and small businesses. Today Ayar Law Group has a staff of eight employees and three interns, including five hires over the last year. It is currently looking for another attorney to hire and a law student for an internship. "I am always looking for more law students and lawyers," Ayar says. "I don't plan to stop hiring anytime soon." Ayar has a Master of Laws in Taxation (the highest degree available in tax law practice) from the University of San Diego School of Law. He also worked as an IRS defense lawyer for five years. He started Ayar Law Group two years ago because he saw a huge uptick in tax troubles thanks to the Great Recession and the economy was finally improving to the point that people were becoming optimistic. "It was sort of the perfect time for this," Ayar says. Source: Venar Ayar, principal of Ayar Law Group Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Forbes magazine spotlights business acumen of Fathead’s CEO

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Arts & Culture

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November 20, 2014

Forbes recently profiled the CEO of Detroit-based Fathead, a leading national supplier of life-sized vinyl wall graphics. Excerpt:  "The ‘Core-Trust-Loyalty’ belief system has remained with McInnis over the past five years as Fathead recently  shifted from sports-specific offerings to being a lifestyle consumer company. Now, as the company’s leader, part of McInnis’ role is that of a “psychologist,” somebody who understands the makeup and personality of the senior leadership team and, in turn, can motivate people in different ways." More here. 

Synergy System Solutions brings alternative energy to Michigan

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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November 20, 2014

Jerry Eden has worded in the energy industry for 20-plus years, including more than a dozen in an electricians union. In that time he has noticed Michigan seems to be lacking when it comes to keeping up with technological improvements. "We seem to lag behind a little bit as far as technology advancement in Michigan," Eden says. "Sometimes a lot." So he started to do something about it six months ago by starting Synergy System Solutions. The Royal Oak-based startup specializes in integrating new technology into everyday uses. More times than not that has to do with adding alternative energy to the mix. That could mean adding solar arrays to light poles to help keep streetlights on more cost-effectively. Or adding alternative energy generators to machines that work in remote places, such as the blinking arrows that steer construction traffic in the right direction far away from the nearest electrical plug. Eden has been working with a number of different alternative energy players in Metro Detroit, including the Green Team Coalition at the NextEnergy campus in Detroit's New Center neighborhood. He hopes these projects help create more jobs in Michigan. It has already led to the creation of a three-person staff at Synergy System Solutions. "I want us to be at the forefront of Michigan’s disruptive technology," Eden says. "Doing things differently, but innovative." Source: Jerry Eden, president of Synergy System Solutions Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Berkley ranks in nation’s top 50 suburbs

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Arts & Culture

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November 20, 2014

Among other factors, good-quality schools and a short commuting time means the Oakland County city of Berkley is a place you'll want to nest, according to an analysis from MSN.com. Excerpt: "After examining data on nearly 300 suburbs, we put together a list of the 50 best suburbs in America. For this list, we considered suburbs with populations between 5,000 and 100,000 within 40 kilometers of the nearest metropolitan area... A suburb of the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area, Berkley benefits from a low poverty rate (2.7%) and good public schools. Folks in Berkley spend an average of 21.8 minutes commuting to work." More here. 

Emagine Entertainment to open luxury movie theater in Macomb Co.

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Arts & Culture

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November 20, 2014

Troy-based Emagine Entertainment is opening its first movie theater in Macomb County in December, bringing movie-goers a new upscale and luxurious experience that comes with amenities galore. The opening of a theater on 23 Mile Road near Hayes in Macomb Township will bring to eight the company's number of metro Detroit theaters. A theater is also in the works for downtown Birmingham. The new Emagine Macomb is being built inside a closed Kroger grocery store that will be transformed into nine theaters, a restaurant and bar with onyx countertop and seating areas with sofas, high-top tables, chairs and stone fireplaces for a living-room feel. When it opens Dec. 19, visitors will find full-service and comfort amenities not found in older theaters. There will be 100-percent reserved seating in power recliners and service by a chef from the Ironwood Grill in Plymouth. A full-service bar, a self-serve soda fountain and dessert bar, and gourmet popcorn healthy snacks for kids will be part of the theater. It will have nine auditoriums with floor-to-ceiling screens and seating that provides a good view from any spot. Source: Dawn Kelly, spokesperson, Emagine Entertainment Writer: Kim North Shine

Jet-setting firm Broadsword cultivates consulting work in backyard

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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November 20, 2014

When the economy went south, Broadsword branched out. The tech consulting company had once relied on the local automotive and manufacturing industries, but added work with the federal government, specifically the U.S. Dept. of Defense. Today the Livonia-based firm company is looking to flesh out its local work. Broadsword has watched its revenue jump 30 percent over the last year, mostly by expanding its customer base outside of Metro Detroit. "It was mostly new customers," says Jeff Dalton, president of Broadsword. "We're starting to expand our work with our existing customers." Broadsword specializes in leveraging Agile and Lean methods to drive up performance engineering using its AgileCMMI methodology and collaborative consulting and coaching solutions. Some of its clients include Rockwell Collins, NASA, Boeing, Chrysler, Compuware and L-3 Communications. The company currently employs 10 people. It has hired two over the last year, including senior- and junior-level consultants. It it currently looking to hire two more consultants. Source: Jeff Dalton, president of Broadsword Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Small Favors opening specialty shop in Grosse Pointe’s Village

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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November 20, 2014

Grosse Pointe's Village business district is getting another tenant in a specialty gift shop, Small Favors, an arrival that will almost completely fill the three-block area along Kercheval Avenue. A year ago the stretch that is considered the Grosse Pointes's downtown area was pocked by numerous vacant storefronts. "The Village is on the cusp of a rebirth, and it's so exciting to be a part of it," says Kasey Malley, who co-owns Small Favors with Betsy Enders. Small Favors started in the basement of Malley's home in 2003, mostly selling specialty party favors. Within a few years the business had moved into a warehouse-type building with room to assemble party supplies and corporate gift baskets and such. Five years ago they opened a retail gift shop on Mack Avenue. Earlier this year, they decided to move from their approximately 500-square-foot square foot store to a 1,500-square-foot space in the same block of Kercheval where a Borders bookstore and Ace Hardware once operated. Now there is a recently opened massage business, a dance studio, a Calico Corners fabric store and a shoe store, The Shoe Tree. St.John Medical center offices and a Scott Shuptrine furniture store are on the way. "We didn't do as well as we could have on Mack. We had limited parking on the street and no parking lot," Malley says. "People would go out of their way to come to us. They're loyal, but there just was not enough traffic." A build-out of the new Small Favors space is underway and will have "a great look with an industrial feel" with an open ceiling, exposed duct work and polished concrete floors, says Malley. Opening day is expected to come in February. The current location remains open with holiday merchandise already out. While the new store, which is near the city's Santa's Village, is under construction there will be holiday pop-up shops selling Small Favors favorites. Other local Grosse Pointe business owners such as Ethel's Edibles's Jill Bommarito, and belt, belt buckle and specialty monogrammed item designer Kristen Henchel will join the pop-ups. Small Favors is stocked with carefully selected merchandise found mostly by Enders and Malley on their annual trips to America's Mart in Atlanta. There they seek out new businesses and products that are unique. "We don't want anything you'll find in Target or Bed, Bath & Beyond…We don't want mass market.We're trying to keep that boutique-y small town, smaller feel," Malley says. Small Favors regulars also come for the selection of favorite preppy brands such as Scout, high-quality candles and body products and unusual toys. The move to the Village takes Malley back to the days "of what the Village used to be. It was small, independent businesses. That's what we've been missing. People want to go to the Village and shop around, get a coffee and stroll in and out. I think we're getting back to that and it's an exciting time."