Nowfal Akash is proud of what he and his team have done with the John R. Road location for the new Hot Box Social cannabis lounge in Hazel Park: "It's part of the community now, it feels like it's been there forever." Biba Adams dives into the foodie scene there, from Frame movie pairings to city policy changes, to find out how it's evolving.
In the food business, less is more. These 16 Metro Detroit food businesses have already started leading the country in a sustainability movement boasting economic, environmental, and community benefits. They're looking for more to join them.
Macomb is home to more than 400 active farms, from high-tech greenhouse hubs to market suppliers to flower growers. Many are legacy businesses, handed down from industrious grandparents: "When 23 Mile Road was a two-lane dirt road, they had a produce stand out in front."
Clawson was already home to well-known community fixtures such as Clawson Steakhouse and Noble Fish, but in recent years a new crop of entrepreneurs have been putting the city on the dining map.
Bommarito Bakery in St Clair Shores is the kind of place customers, who visited as children, now bring their children and grandchildren. Italian immigrants Jim and Rose started the family business in Detroit in 1925, selling cookies, lemon ice, gelato, and wedding cakes, but the next generation are bringing more even delights to their patrons.
In recent years, there have been several new restaurants moving in, such as Oak Park Social and Pink Garlic, joining community staples like Ernie's Market to grow an often over-looked food scene.
Photographer Rosa María Zamarrón was on hand to capture a sugar bush celebration in River Rouge Park, documenting the resiliency of the community as they gathered to honor the season, despite interruptions from police. This powerful photo essay tells a story of finding joy and strength, in the face of barriers.
The news of a Philippines-based restaurant coming to Sterling Heights has been making waves across the internet this week.
George Hamilton had been looking for employment for three years before the COVID-19 pandemic produced staffing shortages and he finally got his shot. For inclusive workforce advocates like Dutton Farm in Rochester, the hiring fallout has opened up pathways, and placement organizations have seen a huge boost in their ability to find employment for members: "Now there’s more of an understanding of the talent and the skill levels we have here.”
“I think people are ready to experience the sights, sounds, and local color of Saturday life in a Michigan small town,” Walt Gajewski says. “The market provides an aspect of community life that people really want to get back to.”
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