Business & Development

Published June 9, 2020

DDA, city officials provide temporary relief to restaurants, retailers

FARMINGTON — As restaurants and retailers in Farmington begin reopening their doors to customers for the first time in more than two months, another round of help is on the way from the city’s Downtown Development Authority and other city officials.

Farmington Hills company spearheads Midland flooding relief campaign

Published June 9, 2020

Farmington Press

Farmington Hills company spearheads Midland flooding relief campaign

FARMINGTON HILLS — Over 10,000 Midland County residents were required to evacuate their homes May 19 from heavy rainfall that led to the breaching and ultimate failure of the Edenville and Samford dams, leaving much of Midland County under water. This event is considered a 500-year flood.

Published June 9, 2020

Royal Oak Review

Small businesses share struggles due to shutdown

ROYAL OAK/CLAWSON — The small business world came skidding to a halt in mid-March when state shutdown orders severely limited the way they could provide services. On June 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a phased approach at reopening most retailers.

Published June 9, 2020

Royal Oak Review

Municipalities in Royal Oak, Clawson rally to bolster businesses

ROYAL OAK/CLAWSON — Local governments intrinsically benefit when business is booming, and Oakland County, as well as the Royal Oak and Clawson downtown development authorities, are aiding the reopening process.

Published June 9, 2020

Macomb Township Chronicle

Local businesses return to work as restrictions loosen

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — For nearly 10 weeks, Michigan was under a stay-at-home order. That changed June 1 when Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rescinded the order, moving the entire state to phase four of the MI Safe Start Plan. The order first took effect March 24.

Published June 8, 2020

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

Local businesses balance safety and concern during COVID crisis

EASTPOINTE/ROSEVILLE — Since quarantine and health precautions first went into place in early March to combat the spread of COVID-19, many businesses found themselves in a difficult position.

Published June 8, 2020

Shelby - Utica News

Shelby, Utica businesses face struggle and adjust due to pandemic

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — A lot has changed for everyone recently due to the coronavirus, including business owners who rely on their businesses for income.

LaRosa’s Barber Shop in St. Clair Shores has its open sign on June 4. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the following day that personal care businesses could reopen June 15.

Published June 5, 2020

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

Barber opens shop prior to state reopening in St. Clair Shores

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Quietly, without social media posts or advertising, a local barber turned on the “open” signs, in defiance of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order ordering businesses providing “non-essential personal care services” shut due to COVID-19.

Published June 5, 2020

Warren Weekly

Business resumes as owners, employees adapt to changes in Warren, Center Line

WARREN/CENTER LINE — They’re the places where you gather with family for meals or where you stop to grab a pizza. You go there to buy a six pack or a box of doughnuts. You call on them when you need something for the house or car.

Published June 5, 2020

Warren Weekly

First medical marijuana dispensary in Center Line opens

CENTER LINE — Being the first at anything often comes with a special responsibility, and that’s not lost on attorney Nick Hannawa, co-founder of Clinic Cannabis Co., Center Line’s first medical marijuana dispensary.

Work continued June 4 to repair damage at Big Boy on 12 Mile Road at Hoover Road after a May 15 fire. The restaurant’s sign promises a return soon.

Published June 5, 2020

Warren Weekly

Crews working to repair fire-damaged Big Boy in Warren

WARREN — The cause of the fire that damaged Warren’s Big Boy last month remains unknown, but the company is apparently committed to reopening the restaurant at 12 Mile and Hoover roads.

Published June 5, 2020

Sterling Heights Sentry

State restrictions lift, businesses react

STERLING HEIGHTS — Like many businesses, Nothing Bundt Cakes in Sterling Heights couldn’t simply react to the COVID-19 pandemic by doing nothing.

Terri Hayosh, the owner of Sidecar Slider Bar in Commerce Township, said she’s been excited to reopen to diners following the pandemic shutdown.

Published June 4, 2020

West Bloomfield Beacon

West Bloomfield-area businesses raring to reopen

WEST BLOOMFIELD — In every community around Michigan, even three months after the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state, most commerce was at a standstill, school desks sat empty, barstools grew cold, store shelves lay bare.

Published June 4, 2020

C&G Newspapers

Local small business owners reflect on effects of shutdown

MACOMB COUNTY — On June 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced moving Michigan into the fourth phase of the Michigan Safe Start Plan, permitting retailers to reopen June 4 and bars and restaurants June 8, but with social distancing guidelines and capacity limits.

Published June 4, 2020

C&G Newspapers

Oakland County builds ‘reopen kits’ for small businesses

OAKLAND COUNTY — On the west side of South Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Township, two unmarked buildings — one dark brown, the other white — sat seemingly vacant even prior to the COVID-19 crisis.

Published June 4, 2020

Madison - Park News

Site of contaminated groundwater to be demolished

MADISON HEIGHTS — Before COVID-19 took the world by storm, the city of Madison Heights was sorting another health concern — the contaminants leaking out of Electro-Plating Services.

Published June 4, 2020

Madison - Park News

Local businesses navigate out of shutdown as cities campaign to help

MADISON HEIGHTS/HAZEL PARK — If local business forms the backbone of a community, that backbone was strained during a shutdown that was necessary for public health but costly to the companies that saw their sales disrupted.

Published June 1, 2020

Grosse Pointe Times

New Village website offers more interactive features

GROSSE POINTE CITY — As retailers begin to reopen their doors to customers in Michigan, Village businesses in Grosse Pointe City hope to get a boost from a revamped website for the popular business and shopping district.

Published May 26, 2020

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Birmingham retailers eager to reopen

BIRMINGHAM — In every community around Michigan, even three months after the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state, most commerce is at a standstill, school desks sit empty, barstools grow cold, store shelves lie bare.