Natalie BurgWednesday, June 4, 2014

The St. Louis Center in Chelsea opened more than 60 years ago as school for developmentally disabled boys, and has grown and changed ever since. Now, with 52 residents that include men of all ages and women, the center is celebrating a $2 million renovation to their Fr. Guanella Hall for Assisted Living, which adds 2,500 square feet to the 10,065 square foot residence hall. "As time has gone on, our population has been aging," says Joe Yekulis, PR director for St. Louis Center. "In 2000, for our 50th anniversary, we said, 'It's great that we've made it for 50 years, but where do we go from here?'" The decision led to a long-term, $10 million plan the St. Louis Center calls the Three U's: Upgrade, Update and Uplift to renovate the facility to meet the needs of their growing and aging population. Previously, the organization has built a new administration center and a new special needs playground. The expansion of the Fr. Guanella Hall is their most ambitious project to date. "I think the impact will be extremely positive," says Yekulis. "It's all about creating a great quality of life for the residents here." Work on the project broke ground in October and is now about 90 percent complete. The St. Louis Center will celebrate the project with a dedication ceremony on June 8. Most Reverend Bishop Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, as well as other religious leaders and state senators are expected to attend the ceremony, which will include a mass, blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony. The public is welcome to attend. All funds for the center were raised by the St. Louis Center through donations. The next phase of their Three U's plan is to build an assisted living village on their property for more independent residents. Source: Joe Yekulis, St. Louis Center Writer: Natalie Burg

Arts and Culture

Michigan wines, ciders and education to be served up at Vin Bar on Liberty

Natalie BurgWednesday, June 4, 2014

Source: Taylor Simpson, Good Harbor Vinyard

Michigan wine is booming business. As far as Traverse City tasting rooms and wineries go, however, it's also a seasonal one. That's why, about two years ago, Good Harbor Vineyards, Black Star Farms and L. Mawby started talking about partnering to open an off-site wine bar and tasting room in a city with year-round traffic. "Ann Arbor is definitely busy in the winter months, and the demographics in Ann Arbor are fantastic," says Taylor Simpson, sales, distribution and marketing manager for Good Harbor Vineyards. "And there just seems to be a lot of support for all things local in Ann Arbor." Vin Bar, a wine bar, tasting room and wine retail store will open this summer in the former location of the Skin Bar on W. Liberty. In addition to wine, the bar will serve ciders, limited food items and cocktails featuring wine and cider. Wine tasting will be available during the day. A Michigan wines education will offered at all hours. "We're hoping to provide an educational experience about wine, but more specifically about Michigan wine, to show people what is going on in the industry," Simpson says. "We are three wineries that have a long history of making wine in Michigan, and we're hoping to bring a lot of that knowledge with us." While no opening date has been set, the Vin Bar is slated to potentially open in July. The 1,100 square foot space is now under renovation, though because of the building's historic character, Simpson says that they don't have too much to do to create their unique space. She expects the bar will hire around five employees to staff the business. Source: Taylor Simpson, Good Harbor Vinyard Writer: Natalie Burg

Entrepreneurship

Phillip Family Chiropractic brings couple's practice to Chelsea

Natalie BurgWednesday, June 4, 2014

Source: Dr. Elizabeth Phillip, Phillip Family Chiropractic

Drs. James and Elizabeth Philip both grew up in Lenawee and Washtenaw Counties, respectively. After getting married and becoming chiropractors, they almost began their careers in Traverse City, before southeast Michigan called them home. "We realized we wanted to be closer to family," says Elizabeth, who goes by Dr. Liz. That decision led to the opening of Philip Family Chiropractic in on Middle St. in downtown Chelsea last week. Dr. Liz says they chose the approximately 1,000 square foot location for its proximity to downtown shops and restaurants, and believe their services will be a good fit for that side of town. We're newly graduated, so we're on top of all the more recent technologies and information," she says. "We're interested in the lifestyle of our patients, and helping them get to bette health. We try to give them a good experience as soon as they walk in the door." Philips Family Chiropractic will celebrate a grand opening in September. Currently, the husband and wife team manage the practice themselves, but hope to grow into hiring a staff in the future. Five years down the road, says Dr. Liz, they hope to expand into a larger space. Source: Dr. Elizabeth Phillip, Phillip Family Chiropractic Writer: Natalie Burg

Arts and Culture

Romania-inspired chimney cake restaurant opens this month at Briarwood

Natalie BurgWednesday, June 4, 2014

Source: Teo Marcinescul, Chimney Cake Cafe

When Teo Marcinescul went to Romania last year, he tried something he'd never tasted before. It was a cylinder of sweet dough with a sugar glazed, dipped in toppings. And it was delicious. "I was like, 'Wow, these are amazing,'" says Marcinescul. "Why don't we have these in America?" The pastry is called a Chimney Cake, and after Marcinescul and his two traveling partners did their research and developed a business plan, they became available in Taylor, and soon, they'll be making their debut at Briarwood Mall with the Chimney Cake Cafe. "So far, everybody likes it," Marcinescul says of their reception in Taylor. "We decided to open the second location, and hopefully we'll keep growing from there." The chimney cakes are made from a sweet dough that is wrapped around a rod a baked with a coat of sugar. When the dough is baked, the sugar caramelizes, and customers can choose from a range of toppings, including walnuts, Nutella, Oreos, peanut butter and more. The Chimney Cake Cafe will also offer savory cakes stuffed with chicken shawarma, Philly cheesesteak and pepperoni, among other options. The Chimney Cake Cafe opened its first store in the Southland Mall in Taylor in February. The Briarwood location will be located near the Chipotle and Potato & Co. restaurant and will open within about two weeks. Eight employees are currently working at the Taylor location, and Marcinescul anticipates hiring at least as many for the Briarwood store. Marcinescul hopes to continue to add more stores to their business in the future. Source: Teo Marcinescul, Chimney Cake Cafe Writer: Natalie Burg

Economic Development

Mobile startup Larky closes on $1.76M Series A round

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Source: Concentrate

Larky, a discount mobile app startup, has secured $1.76 million in a Series A round of seed capital. A mix of venture capitalists and angel investors have invested in the downtown Ann Arbor-based startup. Leading the round was North Coast Technology Investors. Also participating were the Michigan Angel Fund, the BlueWater Angels, and the Pure Michigan Venture Match. Larky raised an additional $650,000 in a seed round last year. Larky's mobile app helps user maximize the discounts and savings available to them. So it a member of an alumni association can get 10 percent off on their car insurance by using a certain carrier, Larky’s app will them. The 2-year-old startup has already roped in a number of large clients, including the Detroit Regional Chamber and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. "The value for end users is still there," says Gregg Hammerman, co-founder of Larky. "The average Larky's still have nine discounts stored into one space." Larky plans to use its new round of seed capital to continue to develop it’s technology and advance its marketing. It is also growing its team. The company employs eight people after hiring five staff in software development and sales over the last year. It is also looking to hire another two people. "We need to get out to more of our customers and continue to evolve our product," Hammerman says. Source: Gregg Hammerman, co-founder of Larky Writer: Jon Zemke

Economic Development

Aysling moves to former Borders HQ to accommodate growth

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Source: Concentrate

The digital publishing company currently known as Aysling has a brand new home in Ann Arbor. The firm has taken 12,500 square feet in the former Borders headquarters, giving it more room to grow. Aysling has added half a dozen people over the last year, and another two in the last week, rounding out its staff to 32 employees. The new location for its headquarters is expected to accommodate that easily. "We anticipate doubling in size over the next 12-24 months," says Patrick Becker, CEO of Aysling. "Possibly sooner than that." The 9-year-old firm, formerly known as Aysling Digital Media Solutions, provides Adobe and WoodWing digital publishing software solutions and digital media production services for publishers, retailers, and corporations. Rebranding as just Aysling made sense from a streamlining point of view. "We have grown well beyond digital media solutions," Becker says. "While rebranding we thought it made sense to drop it." Becker adds that the company's growth has previously been constrained by the smallness of its previous offices. Its last space was 6,000 square feet. The former Borders headquarters has several hundred thousand square feet, which should provide plenty of room for Aysling to grow and stay in Ann Arbor. "We feel like this is where we want to build our team," Becker says. Source: Patrick Becker, CEO of Aysling Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Economic Development

SAMSA moves into bigger office in downtown Ypsilanti

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Source: Concentrate

A little more than a year ago, tech firm SAMSA opened an office in downtown Ypsilanti. This spring it’s moving to bigger office at 7 S Washington to accommodate its growth. The Saginaw-based software firm choose to open its southeast Michigan satellite office in Ypsilanti because of it offered a vibrant urban area at a low price point. It is also in a central location of the region’s tech hubs in Ann Arbor and downtown Detroit. "I like Ypsilanti because it's strategically between Ann Arbor and Detroit," says Mike Stackhouse, president of SAMSA. "It just feels good." The 25-year-old company employs 20 people, including two in Ypsilanti. It is currently looking to add two more software and computer technology professionals to its Ypsilanti office. SAMSA is also looking to do more marketing in southeast Michigan to drum up more business for its software services. It will be aimed at more mid-sized clients as the company takes a measured approach to its future growth. "We're already quite busy," Stackhouse says. "We're taking an approach where we’re not looking for fast growth at all costs." Source: Mike Stackhouse, president of SAMSA Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Economic Development

TurtleCell launches iPhone case with retractable headphones

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Source: Concentrate

Every time I take my cell phone out of my pocket, I usually have to untangle a small web of earbuds. It’s the type of frustrating process that makes me wonder why I even want to use earbuds to begin with. The team at TurtleCell believes it has an answer to this problem. The Ann Arbor-based startup is launching a new product, a cell phone case with retractable earphones. It’s not the first time the fledgling startup has tried this. Last year is started floating the idea for the product, even launching an ill-fated crowd-funding campaign. Then it went back to the drawing board. The actual drawing board. The three-man team redesigned their product, upgraded the headphones, streamlined its business approach. They created a cell phone case (for iPhone 5 and above) they are excited to use every time they take it out of their pocket. "Every aspect has been improved," says Nick Turnbull, director of business development for TurtleCell. TurtleCell started taking pre-orders for its first run of products this week. Buyers can get the product for $39.95 (which includes $10 off the full retail price) and expect to have it delivered in October. The company expects to make tens of thousands of its cell phone case in time for the holiday shopping season. "It's somewhat up in the air but it will be more than 100,000," Turnbull says. Making all this possible is a successful seed capital round. The company has raised $250,000 from angel investors, allowing it to bypass another crowd funding campaign and just move forward with production. "We raised almost all of it over the last month," Turnbull says. Source: Nick Turnbull, director of business development for TurtleCell Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Economic Development

Elegus Technologies develops advanced battery tech

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Source: Concentrate

A group of three Masters of Entrepreneurship students, one PhD student, and one professor from the University of Michigan believe they have come up with a better cell phone battery, or at least a piece of technology that will help these batteries last longer. Elegus Technologies is commercializing a battery separator membrane that keeps battery electrodes from touching and short circuiting. It's thinner, less expensive, and more heat resistant than current option on the market. It's applications range from helping prolong cell phone battery life to jets to electric vehicles. "We saw a lot of potential for growth not only with lithium-ion batteries but with other applications," says John Hennessy, co-founder of Elegus Technologies. The team at Elegus Technologies has raised $23,000 in seed capital from grants and business plan competition wins. They hope to raise $150,000 by the end of summer. That money will help validate the technology. It is working on testing it through the rest of this year. "Once we get that testing done we can get samples out to customers who are interested in it," Hennessy says. Hennessy is one of three masters of entrepreneurship students at U-M’s Ross School of Business and a U-M PhD student who decided to take on the technology and turn it into a startup. Elegus Technologies was recently named the Entrepreneurs of the Year by the U-M Center for Entrepreneurship. Hennessy and his team are currently working with the professor at U-M that originally developed the technology. "We thought it had the best potential out of all of them so we stuck with it," Hennessy says. Source: John Hennessy, co-founder of Elegus Technologies Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Entrepreneurship

PriceLocal aims to divert more Internet sales to local retailers

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Source: Concentrate

PriceLocal thinks has a way to help local retailers take back some of the sales they have lost to e-commerce over the last decade. The Ann Arbor-based web service givers local stores the opportunity to match the online price for a product when shoppers are searching Amazon. The idea is to harness the momentum of the shop-local movement and pair it with savings consumers traditionally have only gotten online. "Local stores have an advantage over Amazon no matter how many drones they say they are going to fly," says Matt Chosid, founder & CEO PriceLocal. "The local store can put a book in your hand today." Chosid knows a thing or two about that. He worked on the litigation team at Borders from the 1990s until it closed. He saw the good years and bad ones. He saw how consumers increasingly used Borders as a showroom for their online purchases. "They would take a book and say I can get this cheaper at Amazon," Chosid says. "They would walk out of the store and buy the book on Amazon. I am not saying that is the only reason for Borders' demise, but we didn’t have a response for that." PriceLocal is that response. Chosid and the tech team at Alfa Jango created a web-browser plug-in that consumers can download at getpricelocal.com. Once its installed, shoppers can click on the PriceLocal button and send a price request to local stores to see if they will match it. If a local store has the item and can match the online price, shoppers get a coupon for the item at the Amazon price. PriceLocal is launching with more than a dozen Ann Arbor retail partners. It has received requests from retailers ranging from Royal Oak to California. Source: Matt Chosid, founder & CEO PriceLocal Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Feature Story

Economic Development

OpEd: Why I'm Moving Back to Michigan

Lauren SheridanWednesday, May 21, 2014

After years of population loss, in 2013 Michigan saw a net gain in in-migration, including 20-something college grads who see a better chance to make a difference in Ann Arbor and Detroit than in ginormous cities like Chicago. Lauren Sheridan discusses her move back to Ann Arbor and the hunt for reasonably priced housing.

Feature Story

Community Development

Cinetopia Film Festival: Regional Ambitions, Financial Realities

Patrick DunnWednesday, May 21, 2014

Over the years there have been several attempts to create a regional film festival, one that bridges the gulf between Ann Arbor and Detroit. With 50 films screening in Tree Town and 40 in Motown, the third year of Cinetopia might just be the film festival "to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."

Feature Story

Building Communities

Downtown Saline Goes to Downtown Detroit

Natalie BurgWednesday, May 21, 2014

Over 1,300 downtown professionals are making the journey to Detroit this week for the National Main Street Conference. Saline will be in the house, learning what Motown has to teach about revitalizing downtown development and, in turn, educating the Motor City about its Main Street successes.

Sustainability

Tony Hawk to celebrate opening of Ann Arbor Skatepark

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Source: The Ann Arbor Chronicle

Having Tony hawkshow up to christen your community's new skatepark is a pretty big damn deal - as Dave Askins, co-founder of the The Ann Arbor Chronicle discovers. Excerpt: "Now that Tony Hawk is scheduled to make an appearance in Ann Arbor in just a little over a month, I took some time check into why it’s a big deal. Here’s what I have learned. He’s a professional skateboarder, and not just some very good professional skateboarder. If a new tennis court were being dedicated, it’d be like Roger Federer showing up to hit a few balls over the net. Or if a new public swimming pool were being christened, it’d be like Michael Phelps turning a few laps on opening day. If new chess tables were being installed at a city park, it’d be like Garry Kasparov sitting down at a board to force checkmate in three moves." Read the rest here.

Kids and Education

EMU, U-M chosen for Google Community Leaders Program

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Source: dBusiness

EMU joins Wayne State University, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and the University of Michigan for a Google-sponsored program that teaches search optimization and digital marketing experience to students in order to help them support local businesses. Excerpt: "Five Eastern Michigan University students have been accepted into Google's Community Leader's Program, a volunteer operation in which students help equip local small businesses and non-profits to compete in the digital age. The five EMU students, Mahdi Alkadib, Patrick Cotter, Joseph Wendl, Robert Larson, and Sean Tseng, will work with various local businesses and organizations throughout southeastern Michigan, introducing them to tactical Google tools like Google+, Google Apps, Google Analytics and Google AdWords." Read the rest here.

Economic Development

Duo Security's Dug Song named Leader & Innovator of the Year

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Source: Automation Alley

It's no secret that Concentrate has a soft spot for local CEO Dug Song and his tech firm Duo Security. Seems like others are starting to catch up... Excerpt: "he Leaders & Innovators program was developed in 2005 by Lawrence Tech to recognize Michigan business executives who are engaged in cutting-edge professions and industries expected to be key to Michigan’s economic future. Song has a history of leading successful products and companies to solve pressing Internet security problems. He spent seven years as founding chief security architect at Arbor Networks, protecting 80 percent of the world’s Internet service providers, and growing annual revenue to $120 million before its acquisition by Danaher." Read the rest here.

Arts and Culture

Ann Arbor historic architecture captured in new book

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Source: a2 modern

A hero to some, a villain to others, there's little doubt that The Ann Arbor Historical Foundation has deep love and appreciation for Ann Arbor's architectural identity. To wit, they have released a new book: Historic Ann Arbor: An Architectural Guide, which describes over 350 vintage local buildings. There's a book signing event with the authors tomorrow at the Ann Arbor City Club at 1830 Washtenaw Ave from 4-8pm. Check it out. More info here.

Entrepreneurship

Mall boutique iT... to make the move to Main St.

Natalie BurgWednesday, May 21, 2014

Source: Nicki Wilson, iT...

Nicki Wilson's iT… boutique has been in a number of spaces in Briarwood Mall, but wherever she was located, she heard one thing from customers. "So much of the time people would come into our store and they'd say, 'You should be on Main Street. You're such a Main Street store,'" Wilson says. "We've been a store six and a half years and we've been looking for five." That search recently ended when Wilson signed a lease to set up shop in the 1,300 square foot former home of the Chocolate House on S. Main. "It was just it," Wilson says. "I feel like we got blessed with the right place at the right time. I'm just really excited to be downtown and to be part of the mix. I cannot wait to get open." Renovations are now underway in the downtown location, and iT… has closed its Briarwood store in preparation for the move. Wilson plans to feature a number of new artists, jewelry and pottery in the new location, and hope to open in the next several weeks. It… will be staffed by Wilson and her husband, and the pair plan to add a part-time staffer in the new location. Source: Nicki Wilson, iT... Writer: Natalie Burg

Arts and Culture

Real Baked Goods to bring handmade treats to Packard St. neighborhood

Natalie BurgWednesday, May 21, 2014

Source: Alan Caldwell, Real Baked Goods

Cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies are in store for the small storefront next to Arbor Vacuum on Packard St. Alan Caldwell's Real Baked Goods will be serving up sweet and savory delights beginning later this year. "I'm very excited about it. It's going to be baking from scratch," says Caldwell, who is returning to his first vocational love of food service after 20 years with Ford and opening a home health company. "I don't expect to see everyone everyday, but hopefully I'll have a lot of once or twice a week customers." The 285 square foot space is small, but Caldwell says its just right for what he's planning to do. Over the next few months he'll be adding new counters, display cases, and kitchen equipment. He plans to have enough room for two tables and four chairs for customers, who will have chose between a variety of baked good from Caldwell's kitchen. "I definitely want to have some savory things for lunch time," he says, "things like pepperoni rolls and spinach rolls. It's been really fun to test recipes. I've gotten some good feedback." Caldwell plans to open Read Baked Goods in late August. Initially, he plans to operate the business himself, with some help from family members. Source: Alan Caldwell, Real Baked Goods Writer: Natalie Burg

Economic Development

Ypsilanti's Thompson Block project announces 100% occupancy for commercial tenants

Natalie BurgWednesday, May 21, 2014

Source: Stewart Beal, Beal Properties

Things are really getting moving with Beal Properties's Thompson Block project. The $4 million redevelopment project has gained steam with the recent announcement that 100 percent of the 14,000 square feet of commercial space has been spoken for. The tenants will include big local names such as Zingerman's, Espresso Royale and Unity Vibration, as well as an unnamed bar and performance venue. "In the fall of 2013 I asked Tyler Weston with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services to become a partner in the project and to specifically handle the leasing of the project," says Steward Beal of Beal Properties. "Tyler agreed and we then literally made a list of businesses that we would approach and ask them to consider opening up their business in the building." Seeking out their ideal businesses has panned out. Beal estimates 10,000 people a year will make special trips to Ypsilanti to visit the businesses, making the hand-picked business mix a potential boon for Depot Town. "The businesses we have attracted are a good fit because they are 4 credit worthy businesses 3 of which have other locations where they have a good rental history," Beal says. "The brand names bring excitement and anticipation to the project both of which we need to make the project successful." Beal aims to have the businesses open and operating by late 2015 or early 2016. Currently, his team is working to secure construction financing and continuing to sell remaining shares in the project ownership group to individual investors. Source: Stewart Beal, Beal Properties Writer: Natalie Burg

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Hasini and Harshini Anand are members of Corner Health Center's Youth Leadership Council and mental health advocates.

Voices of Youth

Concentrate's Voices of Youth series features content created by Washtenaw County youth in partnership with Concentrate mentors, as well as feature stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. Click here for a full list of the latest content from this series.