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Tag: local businesses

  • Social media comment has some local business owners cutting ties with Shop Local Raleigh

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    A Facebook comment in an online networking group is causing a stir among some of Raleigh’s small business owners. 

    On Dec. 20, an anonymous commenter in a local networking group on Facebook responded to a post by a parent asking for advice regarding her transgender son. 

    “There’s no such thing as a transgender son. Blessings to
    you, but the sooner you help your son realize this, the more successful he
    (maybe a she) will be,” the anonymous comment read.

    Gigi Stephenson is an administrator of the group. She said
    someone flagged the comment for review. As an admin on the page, Stephenson
    said she could see that the anonymous comment was made by Jennifer Martin, the executive director of the Greater Raleigh Merchant’s Association. 

    Martin has been with the GRMA, which does business
    as Shop Local Raleigh, since 2010. The organization presents many local events
    each year including Falling for Local at Dix Park, the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo
    Series, the Raleigh Christmas Parade and the annual Brewgaloo craft beer
    festival

    “We’ve had a pretty loud and open stance on you will not be
    able to hide behind anonymous commenting or posts that we feel you are a danger
    to the community,” Stephenson told WRAL on Monday. “This is something that the
    community deserves to know. They’re spending money with this organization.”

    Martin’s post got the attention of other local business
    owners, including Be Like Missy’s Erica Vogel, who made a social media post of her own announcing her business would be stepping away from Shop Local Raleigh and
    Brewgaloo in light of the comment.

    “Being that it was her, I felt really torn because I’ve been
    a big supporter of her and of Shop Local Raleigh for at least five years, and
    I’ve encouraged a ton of my small business-owning friends to join and be a part
    of the community, “ Vogel told WRAL. “I always looked at what she did as
    inclusive and promoting small business, but to see such an ugly and hateful
    comment happen, it made me feel really conflicted.”

    Vogel said Martin emailed her following her post – not
    denying that she made the comment – but correcting her title which was
    incorrectly listed as the owner of Shop Local Raleigh and Brewgaloo.

    “I
    am always open to conversation and work hard to be welcoming and supportive of
    all small businesses in our community. Because your post
    references businesses I do not own, I’m asking that it be removed. If not, we
    will need to have our attorney formally request its removal,” Martin wrote in the email, which Vogel shared with WRAL. “I
    hope we can resolve this quickly and respectfully.”

    The comment prompted a Change.org petition
    calling for Martin to be held accountable.

    “This should include a formal apology, mandatory sensitivity
    training, financial support for one of our local organizations who provide
    direct aid to trans youth and any other corrective actions deemed appropriate
    by SLR. Every person, regardless of their gender identity should feel seen and
    supported by the communities they belong to,” the petition reads. It has gotten
    more than 500 signatures.

    The Night Market Company also posted on Facebook that it
    would not be participating in Shop Local Raleigh events due to the comment.

    Stephenson said she would like to see “education come from
    this.”

    She said she would like to see Martin “really take some time to think about this comment
    and how it affects the people in her community, the very community that has
    carried this nonprofit, and the people who show up at these event.”

    WRAL has reached out to Martin but has not heard back. Several GRMA board members told WRAL they had no comment. 

    Shop Local Raleigh posted on the group’s Facebook page on Monday afternoon:

    “The Board of Directors of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association (Shop Local Raleigh) is aware of concerns surrounding a recent, personal, social media comment made by our Executive Director. The Board is currently addressing the matter. The comment made does not reflect those of the organization. Shop Local Raleigh is dedicated to a culture of diversity, inclusion and respect.”

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  • With extra cash, Fairfax Co. contemplates ways to bring in more tourists – WTOP News

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    With millions of new dollars to help attract tourists to Fairfax County, leaders in the Northern Virginia suburb are coming up with ways to use the money.

    With millions of new dollars to help attract tourists to Fairfax County, leaders in the Northern Virginia suburb are recommending a grant program for local businesses and the possibility of upgrading sports fields to make it a more attractive place to host events.

    During a Board of Supervisors Economic Initiatives Committee meeting this week, Visit Fairfax CEO Barry Biggar said new investments can help the county increase its economic activity from tourism to $5 billion within three to five years. Tourism contributed $3.9 billion in economic activity in 2024, Biggar said.

    “We will expand direct sales,” Biggar said. “We will elevate our marketing to key areas that we know will perform. We will also utilize this to attract major events such as the National Senior Games, something we have never been able to do before.”

    The county is expecting to have $6.5 million in new revenue, as a result of an increase in the transient occupancy tax that went into effect last month. The shift increased the tax from 7% to 9%, and Virginia law requires half the funding generated from the tax to be used to promote tourism.

    “I guarantee and promise you that money will be invested to ensure the absolute maximum opportunity of bringing in more revenue to Fairfax County,” Biggar said.

    Biggar recommended several ideas for ways the county can spend the money.

    For one, the county could use $1.5 million to create a Tourism Capital Improvement Fund. It would cover the cost of field and facility upgrades to attract sports tourism events or be used to build a meeting and conference facility.

    Chairman Jeff McKay said if the county takes that approach, it would be the first time “potentially any money is invested in the sports tourism activities.”

    “Clearly, TOT tax return on investment is undoubtedly strong, and here we have an opportunity to double down on that and to say, ‘Hey, taking revenue from people who visit the county to create new opportunities for more people to visit the county, at least for this supervisor, is a real no-brainer,’” McKay said.

    Biggar said $1 million can be allotted each year to a grant program that would support hotels, restaurants and businesses. It would offer matching funds to extend the reach of promotions.

    And $4 million, Biggar said, would be used to support Visit Fairfax, funding marketing initiatives.

    It’s unclear whether the ideas will be incorporated into County Executive Bryan Hill’s budget proposal for fiscal 2027. During the meeting, Hill described the ideas as “a concept, and we’re trying to get the gauge of the board if the concept is going to work.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Scott Gelman

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  • Meet Wendy Heslink. She manages events at Centennial Plaza and Canton Civic Cetner

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    Wendy Heslink schedules and manages events held at Centennial Plaza and the Canton Memorial Civic Center in downtown Canton for ASM Global.

    She worked in education for 32 years in western New York before moving to Ohio and changing careers.

    “I started working in the city of Canton’s mayor’s office in 2022, where my primary responsibility was scheduling and handling events held throughout the city, including public events, block parties, the Beautify the Neighborhood (BAN) program and sound variances,” said Heslink, 59. “I started here with ASM Global on June 2, when their contract with the city began to manage events at Centennial Plaza.

    She began at ASM Global on June 2 when the company began managing events at Centennial Plaza. Heslink also has volunteered for numerous local organizations and events, such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Canton Palace Theatre, Visit Canton, Walking with a Purpose, Sad Team Six, Stark County Pride, Pickle Fest, Run to You Racing, Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball and First Friday.

    Her family is highly important to Wendy. Her daughter Samantha and son-in-law Corey and their children Jayden and Jireh live in Carrollton. Her son Thomas and daughter-in-law Jen and their children Grayson and Isla live in Salisbury, North Carolina.

    Wendy Heslink schedules and manages events held at Centennial Plaza and the Canton Memorial Civic Center in downtown Canton for ASM Global.

    How do the Canton Civic Center and Centennial Plaza compare to other venues you have worked with throughout your career?

    The Civic Center and the Plaza each provide distinct and memorable experiences. As the largest indoor arena in Stark County, the Civic Center has evolved beyond its original focus on sporting events. Today, it hosts a wide range of events, including concerts, comedy shows, skill-based competitions, as well as dinners and meetings.

    Centennial Plaza is truly one-of-a-kind, as it is a completely outdoor venue, meaning every event depends on the cooperation of Mother Nature, which can certainly add some challenges. What I love most about the plaza is that it was designed with the community at heart. During events, you’ll see people enjoying each other’s company, dancing, having picnics and simply having a great time.

    Many attendees dine at nearby restaurants before the event or grab a cocktail and a snack from local businesses to enjoy on the lawn. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, with smiling faces throughout the plaza and all-around downtown.

    What I’m most excited about is seeing more people visit the plaza as we expand the number and variety of events held here, including ticketed concerts. Bringing more activity downtown not only energizes the plaza but also benefits surrounding businesses. It’s a win-win for the whole community!

    What led you to work with the two Canton venues?

    When I moved to Ohio in 2022, I began working in the city of Canton Mayor’s Office, where my main role was to support event organizers for citywide events, ensuring their success, coordinating city resources, and serving as a liaison between organizers and the city. What I didn’t anticipate was how quickly I’d fall in love with everything happening in downtown Canton.

    I had the opportunity to work closely with Pat Wyatt, who managed Centennial Plaza on behalf of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, since many plaza events required coordination with city departments. I also learned a great deal from Todd Herberghs and the Downtown Canton Partnership team about the behind-the-scenes work involved in downtown events. Additionally, I took tourism-focused courses offered by Visit Canton, which sparked a true passion for helping visitors discover and enjoy all that our city has to offer.

    When I found out the Canton Memorial Civic Center was hosting concerts and events, I started attending them — and was truly impressed. For such a historic venue, it offers incredible opportunities for our community. I was amazed by the variety of entertainment available and that such high-profile events were happening right here in a relatively small city.

    Through my work with downtown events and city officials, I had the chance to get to know Blake Schilling, the General Manager of the Civic Center. I learned about his ongoing efforts to improve the Civic Center’s infrastructure and enhance its appeal, all with the goal of bringing even more people to Canton. It is impressive, to say the least.

    Through all of this, I developed a strong appreciation for both Centennial Plaza and the Civic Center, along with the vibrant energy they bring to downtown whenever events take place. So, when the opportunity arose to join ASM Global — the company that manages the Canton Memorial Civic Center and now Centennial Plaza, I was excited to be part of it.

    What excited you the most about getting others excited about attending events?

    The atmosphere is electric when downtown is bustling — businesses are busy, crowds are smiling and strolling through the streets, and both venues are filled with people simply enjoying themselves. Being part of that energy is truly exciting.

    What’s even more thrilling is the opportunity to help bring more — and even bigger — acts to both venues in the future.

    Who is your go-to person whom you can talk to about anything and why?

    I’m lucky to have several go-to people in my life, especially my closest friends and my sisters. But my No. 1 go-to is my daughter. That’s become even more true since I moved to Ohio and now live so close to her and her family.

    We check in with each other regularly and see each other almost every day. Some of our best conversations — going all the way back to when she was little — have always happened during car rides, whether we were on a long road trip or just heading out to shop. That uninterrupted time together in the car has become something I truly treasure.

    Every conversation we have means the world to me, no matter how small or insignificant it might seem. Beyond that, the support, encouragement, and faith we share — and continually lift each other up with — is truly cherished, invaluable and precious.

    If you had to put a title on your life story, what would it be and why?

    “Change is the Opportunity for Growth.” I’ve experienced many changes throughout my life, and each one has given me the chance to learn — sometimes through failure, sometimes through success — but always with growth.

    Many years ago, one of my bosses gave me a piece of advice that stuck with me: “Don’t be afraid to try something new and different, because change is the opportunity for growth.” That simple message became my mantra.

    Whether it was changing jobs, relocating to new cities or states, or stepping into unfamiliar roles, each experience has taught me something valuable and helped shape who I am today.

    Someone once told me, “You had to go down the roads you went down to get to where you are now,” and embracing that perspective gave me a whole new outlook on both my career and my life.

    Editor’s note: Five questions with … is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you’d like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.

    This article originally appeared on The Repository: Wendy Heslink manages Centennial Plaza and Canton Civic Center

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  • Bloomington Economic Development Corp. ready for 40 more years of economic growth

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    This month, the Bloomington Economic Development Corp. (BEDC) celebrates 40 years of advancing economic vitality across Monroe County, Bloomington and Ellettsville. Since 1985, our work has been about more than announcements and headlines. It has been about the steady, often behind-the-scenes efforts that shape the foundation of our community’s prosperity.

    Monroe County has seen commitments of over 900 new jobs and more than $1 billion in capital investments through 11 BEDC-supported projects since 2020 alone. These numbers are not abstract statistics. They represent higher wages for our residents, new opportunities for local businesses and greater local tax revenue to support essential services.

    We recently had a strong reminder of economic development’s impact. In August, Simtra BioPharma Solutions announced a $241 million investment to redevelop the former GE manufacturing plant it purchased from Cook Group — a project supported by the BEDC. Projects like Simtra’s not only grow a global life sciences company; they also advance the broader ecosystem that makes Monroe County a hub for innovation. Each new manufacturing line that Simtra develops will represent about 90 new jobs with annual compensation averaging $70,000, significantly above the county’s median household income.

    Latest investment: Pharma firm buys 65-acre Bloomington property from Cook Group

    When companies grow here, they help our community address key needs like sustainable wages and rising costs. Their projects spark positive ripple effects — from redeveloping old industrial sites to improving infrastructure and increasing community revenue.

    These results aren’t accidental. The BEDC works to grow key industries and attract complementary businesses that raise wages and drive innovation, including life sciences, advanced manufacturing, defense, tech, and others. This helps our region stay competitive, resilient and prosperous.

    Much of the BEDC’s work happens behind the scenes. We connect businesses with resources, inform development policy, support housing and infrastructure and serve over 100 members and partners who employ local residents. This shapes today’s decisions and tomorrow’s opportunities.

    Economic development requires strong collaboration. The BEDC partners with companies, governments, property owners, utilities, education and workforce groups, and local businesses to support job growth and new investments.

    This work also requires a proactive strategy for business retention, expansion and attraction. Our new Blueprint for the BOLD initiative is a vision and toolkit to market employment sites, track progress and position the community for future growth.

    As we mark 40 years, we invite the community to take pride in our shared progress, including past challenges that led to new opportunities. Projects like Simtra’s expansion and the redevelopment of former Otis Elevator and Thomson Consumer Electronics sites are now home to employers including Novo Nordisk, PHOENIX and Almvoy.

    The question isn’t if Monroe County will grow, but how we’ll guide it. We must stay ahead of industry shifts, support quality jobs, and align housing and quality of life with smart growth. This fall, our work will be more visible, with billboards highlighting BEDC’s impact. Once called the best kept secret, we’re now putting economic development front and center.

    As we look ahead, our message is don’t miss out on the next 40 years. At BEDC, we’re committed. The next 40 years are ours to shape — boldly and together. Contact Stacie Marotta at the BEDC to learn how you can support this mission and get involved. Together, we can ensure Monroe County continues to be a place where innovation and community prosperity thrive.

    Jennifer Pearl is president and Stacie Marotta is communications and membership director of Bloomington Economic Development Corp.

    This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington Economic Development Corp 40th year of success more growth

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  • Detroit City Distillery celebrates 11th anniversary with block party, limited-edition bourbon

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    Detroit City Distillery is releasing an 11th anniversary bourbon.

    Detroit City Distillery is celebrating 11 years of business this Saturday with a block party at its Eastern Market taproom.

    Set for 10 a.m.-11 p.m., the event will feature the release of a limited-edition Eleventh Anniversary Birthday Blend Straight Bourbon. The event will be held inside the taproom as well as outdoors on Riopelle Street, which will be closed off to traffic.

    “Each anniversary is meaningful to our team and represents so many years of hard work distilling and working together to offer the best craft spirits, cocktails, special events and bar experience we can,” said J.P. Jerome, DCD’s master distiller and co-owner, in a statement.

    “As in previous years, we make the anniversary bottle by blending bourbon from separate barrels — one representing each year we’ve been in business — to create a one-of-a-kind bourbon,” he added. “As this year marks our eleventh anniversary in business, the bottle will feature the number eleven in Roman numerals. We hope everyone will join us to toast another milestone and nab this special, limited-edition bottle.”

    Bottles of the Eleventh Anniversary Birthday Blend Straight Bourbon will be available for purchase at the tasting room for $60 each.

    The event will also feature a whiskey barrel-building demonstration as well as live music and a DJ.

    A free birthday toast will be held at 10 a.m. for all guests.

    The Detroit City Distillery taproom is located at 2462 Riopelle St.

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    Lee DeVito

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  • Cannabis vape cartridges recalled for banned chemical were sold in 75 dispensaries in Michigan

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    Courtesy of Cannabis Regulatory Agency

    Warren-based House Brands Distro is recalling its Top Smoke Go Kartz Runtz vape cartridges.

    State regulators and a Warren-based company are recalling a batch of vape cartridges that contain a banned chemical and were sold at 75 dispensaries across Michigan, regulators announced Monday.

    The recall applies to Top Smoke Go Kartz Runtz cartridges produced on Feb. 25 by IVP Holding, also known as House Brands Distro.

    The Cannabis Regulatory Agency said the dispensaries that carried the vape have posted recall notices, urging customers to return their product to the location where it was purchased or dispose of it safely.

    Many of the dispensaries are in metro Detroit.

    The CRA did not disclose what chemical was found but indicated it “should not be consumed.” Metro Times could not reach IVP Holding for comment.

    Consumers who experience health problems after using the vape are advised to contact their health care provider and report the reaction to the CRA.

    Licensed cannabis businesses are required to report adverse reactions within one business day.

    The vape cartridge recall is part of the CRA’s ongoing effort to ensure unsafe cannabis products are removed from circulation.

    Last week, the CRA announced a recall of 5,765 vape cartridges sold by Exclusive Brands. Regulators discovered the cartridges contained Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil, which may cause respiratory problems.

    On Aug. 12, the CRA announced another recall of 26,000 vape cartridges after finding MCT oil. The flavors were from Motor City Cannacarts and RIPZ.

    Detroit-based Better Made Snack Foods Inc. sued IVP Holding in U.S. District Court last year, alleging the cannabis company “knowingly and willfully” put a label on its products that closely resembles the Better Made potato logo, which has been in use for decades.

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    Steve Neavling

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  • Detroit Sandwich Party returns to Eastern Market

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    Scott Millington

    The Detroit Sandwich Party launched in Eastern Market in 2024.

    This is probably the most fun you can have between two slices of bread this week. 

    The Detroit Sandwich is set to return on Sunday for its second year at Eastern Market’s Shed 5.

    The event was inspired by food influencer Carlos Parisi’s Detroit Sandwich Week, which fills that gluttonous week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve with pop-up sandwich menus at local bars and restaurants. 

    There is no cover, and sandwiches and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase. Except unique offerings from local sandwich shops like Rocco’s Italian Deli, Grobbel’s Garage, Soul ‘N’ The Wall, Bar Chenin, Marrow Provisions, and others.

    More information is available at easternmarket.org or @detroitsandwichparty on Instagram.

    Detroit Jazz Festival The largest free jazz festival in the world, the this year's Detroit Jazz Festival lineup includes Artist-In-Residence Jason Moran and Jeff Mills with special guest jessica Care moore, Chucho Valdés and Paquito D’Rivera Reunion Sextet, Allen Dennard Quartet, and Kresge Eminent Artist Marion Hayden, among many others. Starts at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31, and noon on Monday, Sept. 1; Hart Plaza, Campus Martius, and other venues, Detroit; detroitjazzfest.org. No cover.

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    Lee DeVito

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  • Ex-cops banned from Michigan cannabis industry for inflating THC, downplaying hazards, regulators announce

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    Courtesy photos

    Former cops Todd Welch, left, and Dr. Michele Glinn have been banned from Michigan’s cannabis industry for numerous alleged violations.

    Three former Michigan State Police cops who founded one of the most controversial marijuana testing labs in the state have been permanently banned from participating in the cannabis industry.

    The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced Wednesday that Viridis Laboratories and its sister facility, Viridis North, will shut down, ending years of legal battles and disciplinary actions over allegations that the company used unapproved methods, produced unreliable test results, inflated THC levels, and downplayed hazards in cannabis.

    As part of the agreement, the lab’s majority owners — former state police forensic director Greg Michaud, forensic scientist Todd Welch, and former toxicologist Dr. Michele Glinn — are barred for life from holding any role in the state’s cannabis market. Viridis must close its Lansing lab immediately and shutter its Bay City location by Sept. 28.

    “This is justice, plain and simple,” Brian Hanna, the executive director of the CRA, said. “Viridis failed to uphold the standards required of marijuana safety compliance facilities in Michigan. Viridis circumvented the rules. Their majority owners will never operate in this space again, and the Michigan cannabis industry will be stronger for it.”

    The settlement ends a years-long clash between regulators and Viridis, which was one of the most dominant cannabis testing labs in Michigan. Founded in 2018, the company’s owners claimed their former law enforcement credential gave them unrivaled credibility. But it quickly drew scrutiny from regulators and competitors for allegedly inflating THC levels and disregarding scientific standards.

    In 2021, state regulators ordered the largest recall in Michigan history after questioning Viridis results, forcing hundreds of dispensaries to pull an estimated $229 million worth of products from shelves.

    “Several competitors alleged they were pushed to the brink — some even out of business — as a result of Viridis’ disregard for the rules,” the CRA said in a news release.

    An administrative law judge in March found that Viridis repeatedly violated state rules by failing to follow its own testing protocols, misidentifying mold, and keeping inadequate records.

    Despite those findings, Viridis stayed in business while fighting regulators in court. The company argued the CRA was targeting it unfairly, but its lawsuits were repeatedly dismissed.

    Stories of inflated THC levels have become so widespread that some consumers boycott cannabis products tested by Viridis, which critics say is often reporting suspiciously high potency.

    By admitting to all violations in six formal complaints and agreeing to drop its legal challenges, Viridis has now brought an end to one of the industry’s most contentious regulatory battles.

    “This wasn’t just a single misstep,” Hanna said. “It was a sustained, deliberate pattern of noncompliance that shook confidence in the entire regulated cannabis system.”

    At its peak, Viridis tested an estimated quarter-million pounds of cannabis flower each year, giving the company enormous influence of the state’s $3 billion marijuana market.

    “We are at a pivotal moment, where scientific progress in cannabis is unfolding under our watch,” Claire Patterson, director of the CRA’s reference laboratory, said. “Here, we had a responsibility to get this right and set a critical precedent. Scientific integrity isn’t a formality — it’s the foundation of the cannabis industry. The future of this industry depends on ethics, transparency, and science we can all trust.”

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    Steve Neavling

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  • J & T’s Kitchen celebrates grand reopening in Detroit’s Piety Hill neighborhood with dine-in service, expanded menu

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    Juan and Tabitha Ramos of J & T’s Kitchen.

    Husband-and-wife duo Juan and Tabitha Ramos are growing their Mexican-fusion restaurant on Detroit’s west side.

    After honing their skills cooking for friends and family, the couple launched J & T’s Kitchen as a catering company in 2020, eventually expanding to a dinner-only carryout spot. Now, the restaurant is reopening with a bigger menu and dine-in service with lunch and brunch hours.

    The new J & T’s Kitchen will celebrate a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 15, opening to the public at 11 a.m. with free samples and discounts for attendees, as well as live music.

    “We are super excited to expand our hours and provide dine-in services,” Tabitha Ramos said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to provide scratch-made food and exceptional customer service.”

    The menu features T & J’s signature items like three-meat tacos with steak, shrimp, and chicken; burrito bowls; birria quesadillas; cajun pastas; and more. New additions include chilaquiles, breakfast burritos, omelettes, and other items.

    J & T’s Kitchen is located at 8838 Third St. in Detroit’s Piety Hill neighborhood, next-door to the Peaches & Greens produce market.

    Chef Ji Hye Kim, who earned a James Beard Award nomination for her Korean restaurant Miss Kim in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown, has opened a sister restaurant across the street called Little Kim.

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    Lee DeVito

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  • Macomb County gets new cannabis dispensary and consumption lounge

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    Courtesy of Burn1

    Burn1 is a new cannabis consumption lounge in Utica. It opens alongside Bowdega, a new dispensary.

    A new cannabis dispensary and neighboring consumption lounge are opening this weekend in Utica, offering customers a place to buy weed and legally smoke it next door.

    Bowdega, a “culturally inspired” dispensary, and Burn1, the adjacent consumption lounge, are celebrating with a grand opening Friday that will include food trucks, DJs, exclusive giveaways, and more.

    Burn1 will be the first consumption lounge in Macomb County.

    The idea is to create a full-service cannabis destination that offers a wide range of marijuana products and a licensed, indoor space to enjoy the weed.

    The complex is located at 4511 Park Ave.

    Kiezi Company founder Marvin Kiezi said the concept is designed to feel welcoming and community-driven.

    “Bowdega is more than a dispensary. It’s a reflection of the block,” Kiezi said. “We’ve built a space that feels like your favorite corner store: familiar, fast, flavorful, and community-driven. From the product curation to the vibe, everything is designed to serve the people and support the culture.”

    The 5,500-square-foot dispensary will offer products from a wide range of brands, including Peninsula Gardens, Local Grove, Fear of Boof, Platinum Vape, Jeeter, Mitten Extracts, Hytek, Hyman, Fresh Canna, Flower Power, and Stiiizy.

    “Our goal is to be a trusted retailer with quality products,” Kiezi said.

    The 3,000-foot consumption lounge is fully licensed to allow customers to “enjoy what they purchase in a safe, welcoming setting,” according to a news release.

    “Every detail, from curated music, cozy seating and an open-air patio to live art and community events, is crafted to bring people together and celebrate Utica’s unique vibe,” the news release states. “At Burn1, it’s not just about smoking–it’s about creating moments, sharing stories, and feeling right at home.”

    Only six consumption lounges have a license to operate in the state. At least two of them have not opened yet. The state’s first consumption lounge, Hot Box Social in Hazel Park, opened in March 2022 but has since closed.

    Another consumption lounge, the Joint Cannabis Lounge, is expected to open this year in Mount Clemens.

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    Steve Neavling

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  • Buildings near White House prepare for election by boarding up – WTOP News

    Buildings near White House prepare for election by boarding up – WTOP News

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    Extra steps are being taken by local businesses out of an abundance of caution in the case violence breaks out following Election Day next week.

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    Buildings near White House begin boarding up ahead of Election Day

    Sign up for WTOP’s Election Desk weekly newsletter to stay up-to-date through Election Day 2024 with the latest developments in this historic presidential election cycle.

    The sounds of saws and drills echoed on 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW near the White House on Friday afternoon.

    While workers boarded up the front of 1750 Pennsylvania Ave., people walked by the McDonald’s location with their heads turned — looking at the plywood covering the fast food joint.

    These extra steps are being taken out of an abundance of caution in case violence breaks out following Election Day next week.

    Outside these buildings are men and women selling T-shirts, hats, scarves, commemorative buttons and other novelty items. Tourists from all around the country flock to their tables and food trucks that line 17th Street.

    WTOP asked these local entrepreneurs if the boarded-up buildings nearby would cause them to not open next week.

    “No, not at all,” said Majed Hakem. The native of Saudi Arabia usually parks his ice cream truck across from the DAR Constitution Hall.

    Hakem explained that he would be open and selling ice cream because he is not worried about violence breaking out.

    A few spots down was another ice cream truck with an owner who also plans on being open for business next week.

    “We are going to be fine,” said Sammy, originally from West Africa. He added that he is not worried at all. “All nice people come here, no trouble.”

    Officials with the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District — the 44-square-block neighborhood surrounding the White House, including the areas around the Farragut North and Foggy Bottom Metro stations — said in a statement Friday that local businesses should be “ready with a plan,” but that city officials have “indicated there are no specific credible threats at this time and there is no need to board up.”

    “Through education and exercises, we encourage our community to maintain and practice a plan with clear roles, responsibilities, and key decision-points — which will vary across the neighborhood,” the BID added.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Ciara Wells

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  • How Los Angeles is preparing for one of the most action-packed weekends in decades

    How Los Angeles is preparing for one of the most action-packed weekends in decades

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    With arguably the most anticipated World Series in decades kicking off this week in Los Angeles, city leaders say a massive effort is underway to ensure the Fall Classic and other local events go off without a hitch.

    Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other local leaders announced a comprehensive plan on Thursday to prepare for a full slate of events beginning Friday and taking place throughout the weekend, including Game 1 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees.

    Bass said the city is gearing up to welcome visitors while ensuring safety, minimizing traffic and highlighting its cultural landmarks.

    Where to watch the World Series in L.A.

    “We’re working to make sure the City is safe, that traffic is minimized, and that visitors and Angelenos alike are able to enjoy the many attractions, culture, food and neighborhoods that make L.A. an iconic international destination,” Bass said.

    Below are some of the efforts Los Angeles and its regional partners are planning to institute in the coming days:

    Traffic and safety measures

    • Expanded Metro service: Extra service on the A, B/D, and E Metro lines will be available, along with increased Dodger Stadium Express buses.

    • Deploying traffic officers: Over 100 LA Department of Transportation officers will manage car flow near major events.

    • Specialized traffic management: LADOT’s Special Traffic Operations will implement plans for efficient access to venues, including Dodger Stadium Express lane adjustments.

    • Real-time traffic monitoring: The Automated Transportation Systems and Coordination Center will manage congestion at key intersections.

    Los Angeles Dodgers fans disembark from the Dodger Stadium Express at Dodger Stadium in this undated photo. (LA Metro/The Source)Los Angeles Dodgers fans disembark from the Dodger Stadium Express at Dodger Stadium in this undated photo. (LA Metro/The Source)

    Los Angeles Dodgers fans disembark from the Dodger Stadium Express at Dodger Stadium in this undated photo. (LA Metro/The Source)

    Safety Efforts

    • Law enforcement visibility: Los Angeles Police Department officers will be deployed at event locations and pedestrian corridors to ensure safety.

    • Emergency services: The Los Angeles Fire Department is coordinating with Dodgers’ Public Safety Team for medical support.

    Welcoming Visitors

    • Cultural landmarks: The City Tourism Department is promoting free admission to many local cultural landmarks, and highlighting the diversity of its neighborhoods through discoverlosangeles.com

    • Airline traffic: LAX expects increased traffic ahead of the World Series, with tips for early arrivals and pre-booking services for departing guests.

    Supporting businesses

    • Assistance for local businesses: The Mayor’s Office Business Concierge will provide resources to help businesses benefit from the influx of visitors. Additionally, the new “ProcureLA” program aims to prepare businesses for upcoming events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

    The city is also hosting watch parties for Game 4 of the World Series at El Sereno Recreation Center, Algin Sutton Recreation Center, Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, and Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex. Additional watch parties will be held for Games 5-7, if needed.

    Those watch party events will feature entertainment, activities and a PlayLA sports zone for kids to inspire the “next generation of world champions.”

    “My message is that L.A. is ready – ready to host the World Series, ready to welcome visitors from near and far, and we are ready to win,” Bass said. “Go Dodgers!”

    In addition to Game 1 of the World Series, Friday also features USC vs. Rutgers at the L.A. Coliseum, Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, and the 89th East LA Classic between James A. Garfield High School and Theodore Roosevelt High School taking place at SoFi Stadium. The Lakers will also host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.

    World Series, other events prompting likely traffic nightmare in L.A. on Friday

    The Intuit Dome will host English singer-songwriter David Gilmour Friday, and the Kia Forum will have two nights of performances from classic rock band Electric Light Orchestra, or at least, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Friday and Saturday.

    Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

    For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.

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  • Breakfast spot Effin Egg readies to open in Detroit’s Midtown

    Breakfast spot Effin Egg readies to open in Detroit’s Midtown

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    A new fast-casual breakfast sandwich restaurant with a colorful name is set to open in Midtown.

    The cheekily named Effin Egg is moving into the former Treat Dreams ice cream shop at 4160 Cass Ave., Detroit.

    The brand was established in Florida in 2019 and has around 10 stores across the U.S. This is its first Michigan location.

    The Detroit location’s owner Lucretia Willams, who worked as an executive in the auto industry and says she was looking to start a local business when the opportunity fell into her lap, as she describes it.

    “I contacted the owner and just said, ‘Hey, I’m effin’ interested in Effin Eggs,’” she tells Metro Times.

    Most of the restaurant’s menu revolves around eggs, with a variety of breakfast sandwiches and breakfast burritos available.

    “It’s a twist on comfort food, in a way,” Willams says. “It’s very tasty, very delicious, as all food should be. We’re more interested in giving people high-quality, made-to-order breakfasts that taste just as good as any fine-dining, if you will, breakfast.”

    Williams anticipates her customers will be largely made up of college students from nearby Wayne State University. She’ll be offering a coffee drink called the “Effin Warrior,” named after WSU’s mascot.

    A variety of other espressos, lattes, and teas will also be available — what the chain calls “pot” drinks. (Continuing its theme of tongue-in-cheek language, the company’s website proclaims, “Potheads welcome.”) Williams says she also plans to cater to the young customer base by serving nonalcoholic mocktails “to appeal to their sense of almost grownish selves.”

    It’s not all kid’s stuff, though; Williams plans to open by 6:30 a.m. daily so workers at the nearby Detroit Medical Center can also come in for a bite to eat before their shifts.

    The restaurant will close at 3 p.m. except from Thursday through Saturday, when it will have a later shift from 7-11 p.m. Then, “we’re going to have breakfast all effin’ day,” Williams says.

    The restaurant can seat 33 inside and another 20 on an outside patio.

    “We’re trying to give [customers] the best of both worlds,” Williams says. “Everyone’s trying to do this thing, but fast-casual is in between where you do get to sit-down, you do get fresh cooked meals, but it’s not carrying the expense of having a large staff of servers and all that.”

    Williams says she’s hoping to open by WSU’s homecoming game on Oct. 26. The restaurant is now hiring; more information is available at effineggdetroit.com.

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    Lee DeVito

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  • Sepia Coffee Project opens in former Gathering Coffee Co. space

    Sepia Coffee Project opens in former Gathering Coffee Co. space

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    The space at 2831 E. Grand Blvd. in Detroit wasn’t empty for long.

    Just a few weeks after Gathering Coffee Co.’s final day on Sept. 8, a new coffee shop is set to take its place. Highland Park-based Sepia Coffee Project, a roasting company founded by Martell Mason in 2021, will open its first sit-down cafe on Thursday, Oct. 3.

    Originally announced in July, the cafe was expected to open on Oct. 1, but Sepia recently updated the launch date to Oct. 3 via Instagram, simultaneously revealing a fresh new look for the space’s exterior.

    The new cafe marks an important step for Sepia Coffee, which currently operates as a micro-roastery in Detroit’s North End. The owner hopes the new spot will generate revenue to further fund a planned roastery and tasting room in Highland Park, slated to open in fall 2025.

    With ethical sourcing at its forefront, Sepia Coffee Project specializes in single-origin and blended whole beans from Black and brown farmers from throughout the Americas, Africa, and the Indian Pacific. The company currently supplies its beans to about 30 clients across metro Detroit, New York, and Minneapolis.

    The upcoming opening of the new community coffee shop will be a soft launch, with no grand opening date yet.

    Updates can be found on Instagram @scpdetroit.

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    Layla McMurtrie

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  • Detroit’s Puma restaurant draws inspiration from Argentina, South America, and beyond

    Detroit’s Puma restaurant draws inspiration from Argentina, South America, and beyond

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    Puma does Argentina without the beef. Well, not quite, but there’s not the focus on cow meat you might expect from an Argentinian chef: Javier Bardauil, whose upscale Barda, just a block away, was a James Beard Foundation finalist for best new restaurant in 2022.

    The dearth of beef is not a complaint. Instead, Puma lists a wide variety of dishes from Peru, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Mexico, as well as Argentina; the one Argentina-branded dish is built on pork — chorizo.

    Puma seems very much at home on developer Philip Kafka’s row of Quonset-hut houses that he calls True North; he’s the landlord, but Bardauil designed the space, billed as Barda’s more casual relative. Besides featuring late-night DJs, it’s said to appeal to a younger (read: poorer) crowd, with more approachable (read: less expensive) menu items. With Barda’s starters starting at $18 and its mains topping out at $75, you can see why.

    Puma’s not for the impecunious, either, with mains set at $30 and $10 for potato salad. But if you’re happy with a small dish of vegan ceviche you can get out for $15 and the same again for your drink, or order a mammoth chicken sandwich for $18.

    My favorite dishes at Puma were the simplest. Provoleta is a provolone-type cheese, melted in a cast-iron skillet till it bubbles, and served as an appetizer with chimichurri and bread. (The few slices of baguette didn’t match the amount of cheese and when we asked for more, we were surprised to learn we’d been charged $4 for two petite pieces.) Still, there’s no gainsaying chewy, crusty, melty cheese with a garlicky parsley sauce that is quintessentially Argentine.

    Also perfectly simple was a big butterflied trout, displayed on a thick bed of arugula with a charred lemon to squeeze over. The tender, juicy flesh was easy to pick from the bones.

    Arugula is a recurring note, to my delight. It appears in a chivito, the national dish of Uruguay, Argentina’s next-door cousin. Chivito means “little goat,” but the sandwich is now usually made with beefsteak — the same way it’s hard to find lamb in metro Detroit Middle Eastern restaurants these days. The chivito is very, very tall, with plenty of arugula, aioli, and a fried egg, and is a challenge to eat tidily, but it has a good smoky, charred flavor.

    I was less happy with Bolivian chicken, fried in tallow, or beef fat. Though the two thighs were ginormous, some of that heft was due to a more-crust-than-meat policy. My companion had a similar tall fried chicken sandwich on brioche and commented, “I don’t think they have this tallow thing down.”

    A side dish of rice nodded to the Caribbean, with mild coconut notes and a tangle of slivered red onion on top.

    We liked better the choripan, a very Argentine meal: chorizo on a crusty baguette (pan), with generous chimichurri. The sausage was tangy, and we heeded the server’s advice that it needed two optional add-ons, cabbage and provolone.

    For starters, besides the provoleta, Ecuadorean empanadas were beaten out by Puerto Rican arañitas (“little spiders”). The spiders are balls of crisp, shredded green plantains with jalapeños and aioli, all playing well together: fried, hot and spicy, creamy. The empanada was also made from shredded plantain, but chewy and in the shape of a pasty, filled with very mild melted cheese, not too exciting.

    Puma carries three ceviche-adjacents. The vegan one marinates hominy and cucumber in a citrus sauce the Peruvians call “tiger’s milk.” It was tasty without being super-satisfying. The others are mussels with a Peruvian sauce and a Mexican shrimp aguachile.

    For dessert dulce de leche is offered as soft-serve. It’s tasty enough (one of my favorite flavors), but it’s still soft-serve.

    Cocktails tend toward bitter ingredients like Campari, Aperol, and yerba mate, though I was happy with a Pisco Agrio. Pisco is grape brandy and agrio means sour, but this drink was decidedly citrus-sweet, easy to toss down. An Ananas combined tequila, pineapple cordial (sounds awful, I know), passion fruit and lime for a drink that tasted like none of the above. A friend ordered a “chef’s choice fancy mocktail” and liked the mojito-like result.

    One cool thing about Puma’s drinks program: you can order a Chilean white wine or an Argentinian Malbec served in 8-ounce pours, for $15 or $18, called “penguins.” This custom originated in Argentina in the 1930s when Italians were arriving by the boatload, wine production was booming, and they needed a receptacle smaller than five-gallon storage containers to put on the table. Ceramic birds — you poured through the beak — serendipitously became the thing. I need to go back to Puma just for this.

    There’s a stand-up steel bar outside, in addition to a long bar within. The place was full, and loud, on a Thursday; Puma is open Thursday through Sunday only, starting at 5 p.m.

    Puma doesn’t take reservations. A 20% tip is added automatically.

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    Jane Slaughter

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  • 3 Kings Sports Cards expands to downtown Detroit

    3 Kings Sports Cards expands to downtown Detroit

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    3 Kings Sports Cards & Collectibles is expanding into downtown Detroit, becoming the only sports card shop in the city.

    The brand, known for its extensive collection of sports cards, memorabilia, and collectibles, opened its first location in Canton in 2021. The new 2,200-square-foot store, located at 1414 Griswold St., is set to open in October, bringing new features and more memorabilia to Detroit collectors and sports fans.

    “Not too long after we opened our location in Canton, I saw the vision to open one downtown,” co-owner DeWitt Moore says. “It’s always been on the horizon for us, but it was all about timing.”

    Moore, along with his business partners James Mathews and Michael Khoury — known collectively as “The 3 Kings” — are lifelong collectors who first met at a local card show. “They were in the card show shopping, they came to my table and bought some things from me,” Moore says. “We just all got a good vibe, hit it off real good, exchanged numbers, and we built a rapport with each other.”

    He adds, “When the opportunity came to open the store, it was a no brainer.”

    3 Kings’s Canton location has built a strong customer base, Moore says, but he believes the new Detroit store, located near the city’s major sports stadiums, will attract even more collectors and fans.

    “You literally have to drive 20-30 miles out of the city to find a good card shop,” Moore says. “We got the people that do come [to Canton], but how many aren’t coming because it’s too far? I just felt there was a need for that to be near those stadiums within walking distance and provide us an opportunity to do things within the community as well as being down there and develop these relationships with these local sports teams.”

    The new location will offer a larger space and interactive features, including a Card Breaking Studio where collectors can participate in live card breaks — a popular trend in the industry. Card breaking involves splitting up decks of cards to sell portions at lower prices, and Moore believes it has “revolutionized the card business.”

    “Those guys doing breaks are equivalent to ten 3 Kings stores,” he says.

    In addition to serving collectors, 3 Kings has a mission of giving back to the community through sponsorships, school supply giveaways, and partnerships with local sports teams.

    Looking ahead, the owners hope to develop relationships with city officials, Detroit’s major athletic teams, and local little league teams, as well as provide education about collecting and offer a space where collectors can connect.

    The store’s upcoming grand opening in October will feature a weekend of events with food, music, giveaways, and more.

    Further details and the grand opening date are coming soon. Updates can be found @3kingssportscards on Instagram.

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    Layla McMurtrie

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  • Hamtramck bar The High Dive sold to new owners

    Hamtramck bar The High Dive sold to new owners

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    Hamtramck bar The High Dive has been sold to new owners.

    That’s according to a Wednesday social media post by David Lew, aka Los Angeles artist Shark Toof, who acquired the former Carbon nightclub in 2018.

    With a heavy heart filled with extreme gratitude, this is an official announcement to let all of our Community know The High Dive will be changing hands.

    Thank you beyond measure to everyone who participated in the vision and art piece The High Dive was, is, and will always be. You were more than part of the business but part of the art, colors to my painting. Textures to The High Dive.

    The High Dive’s most celebrated moments were being able to watch some of the best talent grow into their own.

    Every DJ, musician, aspiring professional, amateur, mid career, I hope you felt seen, heard, cared for. All of your voices mattered to me. We had some of the absolute best techno in Detroit. We had some of the most innovative parties. I truly tried to give a platform to the underrepresented.

    I do not know what the next hands have in mind for The High Dive, and I encourage you to follow me on FB as Haley Dive or on IG as SHARK _ _ TOOF for potential updates

    The High Dives’s social media accounts will be turned over to the new owners.

    Thank you Community.

    The High Dive Loves You.

    See you on the dancefloor.

    David

    Under Shark Toof, the club was remodeled with what he described as a Victorian-era “parlor look — borderline burlesque” (except perhaps for that red fiberglass shark head peering out of the front of the building), and focused on techno and DJ nights.

    “I really want people to have that sensation when you walk in somewhere and say, ‘Where has this bar been all my life?’” the artist previously told Metro Times. “I want to take people out of their element.”

    No word on the club’s new owners, but we’ll be sure to keep our eyes peeled.

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    Lee DeVito

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  • Detroit ranked among worst cities for coffee lovers, according to study

    Detroit ranked among worst cities for coffee lovers, according to study

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    Coffee is a daily essential for many people, and new coffee shops in metro Detroit are cropping up all the time.

    Still, some coffee scenes are better than others.

    In a recent study by WalletHub titled “Best Coffee Cities in America,” Detroit was ranked among the worst cities for coffee lovers, placing 96th out of 100.

    To determine the rankings, WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities across 12 key indicators, including the number of coffee houses, cafés, and coffee shops per capita and the average price of coffee.

    Detroit placed dead last in categories like the average amount spent on coffee per household and the percent of homes with coffee makers.

    Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle claimed the top spots, while Detroit’s coffee scene ranked better than just four other cities: Lubbock, Texas; Hialeah, Florida; Toledo, Ohio; and Laredo, Texas.

    Despite the rankings, we think Detroit’s local coffee culture is packed with great options.

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    Layla McMurtrie

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  • Michigan Central’s first retail tenant is Yellow Light Coffee

    Michigan Central’s first retail tenant is Yellow Light Coffee

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    click to enlarge

    Stephanie Rhoades Hume / Michigan Central

    Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts is set to open inside Michigan Central this fall.

    The first retail tenant of Detroit’s recently rehabilitated former train station has been announced.

    Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts is set to open inside Michigan Central this fall. It’ll be its first food-and-beverage tenant since the station closed in 1988.

    The locally owned coffee shop opened its first location on Detroit’s east side in 2020. It shares the same owners as popular city restaurants Green Dot Stables and Johnny Noodle King.

    “Offering our in-house roasted coffee, scratch-made doughnuts and biscuit sandwiches to Corktown and Southwest is beyond exciting for our growth in Detroit,” co-owner Christine Driscoll said in a statement. “We’re also humbled that we will be part of this newest chapter in The Station’s history starting this fall.”

    The coffee shop is now hiring for its Michigan Central location.

    Michigan Central also announced a partnership with Detroit History Tours to offer guided tours of the station, which was rehabilitated by Ford Motor Co. over the course of six years for nearly $1 billion. The guided tours will highlight stories about the building’s restoration and also show guests areas not accessible to the general public.

    “Detroit History Tours is honored to be powering tours of The Station,” said owner Bailey Sisoy-Moore. “From The Station’s legendary past to its exciting future, we are excited to share this landmark’s story with the world.”

    More information is available at michigancentral.com/visit.

    Since reopening in June with a star-studded televised concert, Michigan Central says it has welcomed 167,000 visitors curious to see the historic building, which first opened in 1913 and was once one of the most most grand train stations in the U.S.

    Michigan Central is expected to announce additional retail tenants in the coming months, and Ford Motor Co. says it will begin moving its workers into three floors of the building this fall.

    After years of neglect, Detroit’s refurbished Michigan Central Station opens to the public [PHOTOS]

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    Lee DeVito

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  • The Metro Times Best of Detroit poll is now open!

    The Metro Times Best of Detroit poll is now open!

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    The Metro Times annual Best of Detroit Reader’s Poll is now open!

    You can vote for all the people, places, and things to do that make Detroit great across 400+ categories — including arts & entertainment, food & drink, goods & services, people & places, and sports & recreation.

    Voting closes at midnight on Wednesday, September 11. You can read all the winners in the Best of Detroit Issue, to be published Wednesday, October 16 in print and online.

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    Lee DeVito

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