Give up those doughnut dreams: plans for a Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins have been abandoned for the empty space at 33779 and 33757 Woodward Ave., the former location of Bordine's on Woodward. Bordine's closed its Woodward Avenue greenhouse space last winter. The site is comprised of a greenhouse structure, a parking lot in the rear and a brick building on the corner of Humphrey and Woodward. Plans for a Dunkin Donuts were brought to the city in early summer by Coffee Enterprises, one of the largest Dunkin Donuts franchisees in Michigan. The project, now led by Tri-Phase Construction, now …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in the Birmingham business community this week: Drive-thru eliminated in new plans for Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins took the next step toward moving to Birmingham last week, receiving approval of their preliminary site plans for the empty space at 33779 and 33757 Woodward Ave. The new doughnut shop and Baskin Robbins ice cream parlor would be moving into the former location of Bordine's on Woodward, which closed last winter. The current site is comprised of a greenhouse structure, a parking lot in the rear and a brick …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in the Birmingham business community this week: Preliminary plans for senior residence home receives approval The preliminary site plans for All Seasons of Birmingham, a senior living facility looking to move into 820 E. Maple Rd., were approved by the Birmingham Planning Board at their meeting Aug. 8. The plans call for a three- and five-story independent senior living residence, with 123 apartments and eight live/work units. The group would demolish the former funeral home which now occupies the lot, and construct a new 150,499 square-foot facility. The …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in the Birmingham business community this week: New condo complex approved for Railroad District The Birmingham Planning Board gave the green light to plans to build new condos, with first-floor retail space, at 401-451 S. Eton St. At the board's Aug. 25 meeting, the board approved the final site plans for Iron Gate of Birmingham, a 2.5-story mixed-use building with 11 multi-family and live-work units. The lot, which is currently vacant, is situated between Villa and Hazel on the east side of Eton, just south of The Reserve and Big Rock Chop House. The …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in the Birmingham business community this week: Bank of Birmingham named a 5-Star bank Bank of Birmingham has been recognized as a 5-Star Superior bank by BauerFinancial, Inc., the nation's leading bank rating and research firm. To earn this rating, banks must excel in areas of capital quality, asset quality and profitability. "As big banks grow increasingly complex and inflexible, it's encouraging to know that there are still community banks, like Bank of Birmingham, that have mastered the three R's of banking," said Karen Dorway, president of …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in the Birmingham business community this week: Shanghai Motors opens North American operations center on North Old Woodward Shanghai Automotive Industries Corporation (SAIC) recently opened its new North American Operations Center in downtown Birmingham. Senior executives from SAIC, General Motors (GM) and other major automotive suppliers attended the grand opening ceremony held June 12 at the firm's offices at 322 N. Old Woodward, across the street from Fleming's. Gov. Rick Snyder and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson also attended. SAIC Motor…

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in the Birmingham business community this week: Birmingham rug shop marks 20 years Azar's Oriental Rugs is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The rug shop, which specializes in selling, cleaning and repairing oriental rugs, is located at 670 S. Old Woodward and owner Azar Alizadeh told Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield she's grateful for his loyal customers over the years. "It's nice to have customers who appreciate (our rugs) and beautify their homes with them," she said. Azar's Oriental Rugs has won the National Rug Retailer of the Year award from …

Launched in late 2011, Alex & Jane Shapemakers is an inspirational and educational clothing line launched by area resident and Birmingham-based psychologist, Marcie Zoref. The clothing line provides high quality clothes designed by children with an intent to educate and promote harmony, empathy, a sense of self and diversity awareness. Alex & Jane sells clothes for infants, toddlers and youth, with sizes ranging from newborn to youth size 12-14. Zoref, 40, named her clothing line after her children, Alex and Madison Jane. Birmingham Patch: At what moment did you decide to start Alex & Jane …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in the Birmingham's business community this week: Opening: Social Kitchen and Bar set for June 21 opening Birmingham's newest bistro — Social Kitchen and Bar — will be opening their doors on June 21 at 225 E. Maple Rd. With a rooftop dining deck and tables in the adjoining alleyway, the 150-seat restaurant will feature a menu that takes an upscale twist on classic American cuisine. "I wanted a value-driven menu that's affordable for anyone, without making any sacrifices in the quality of the food," said chef and owner Zack Sklar. "It's called Social …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham's business community: Car rental agency expands, photography studio officially opens Several new Birmingham businesses officially opened their doors with ribbon-cuttings sponsored by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber. Avis Budget Car & Truck Rental is now open at 1000 E. Maple Rd. after a May 9 ribbon-cutting. "The merger of Avis and Budget allows us to better serve our customers with a full line-up of cars and trucks available to rent," said Ken Klussman, agency operator for the Birmingham location. Klussman said the business is a family …

Interior upgrades are in the final stages at Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, opening in two weeks on South Old Woodward. The bar and dining areas feature wood paneling, colorful upholstery and framed prints. Retro-style black and white striped awnings and an entry canopy overhang a redesigned façade, which has French doors that will be open on warm days. The debut is set for Thursday, June 7, co-owner Joe Saccone told Patch. He and partner Richard Hauck, in consultation with corporate chef Michael LaMarca, hired Allan Ayer of Novi as executive chef. The 32-year-old got the job because of "his …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham's business community: Art of Strength to move into Webster Avenue in late May Birmingham will have another gym to add to its roster of places to stay in shape this summer, as West Bloomfield's Art of Strength plans to move into a 5,000 square-foot facility at 1025 Webster Ave. The center is led by personal trainer Mike Knight and co-owner Scott George. The Birmingham center will feature many of the same equipment and training classes as the West Bloomfield location, in addition to a boxing facility. "We thought Birmingham would suit us best…

There is an old saying that timing is everything. That certainly was the case in 2010 when Bryan Frank decided to take over his grandfather’s rare coin business and expand into the gold and silver bullion market. Bryan began working with his grandfather, John Frank, the year before at Birmingham-based John Frank Rare Coins, with an eye toward closing the business. John Frank had started the business in 1982, turning a hobby into a second career that endured for nearly 30 years. “I have always been around coins and was looking for a new opportunity when I offered to help my grandpa with the …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham's business community: 'Dancing With the Stars' dancer to cut ribbon at Birmingham dance studio Dancer Corky Ballas of Dancing With the Stars fame will be cutting the ribbon at the Birmingham Ballroom's grand opening, scheduled for June 1. The Birmingham Ballroom, which had its official opening in Feburary at 33680 Woodward Ave., is run by retired professional competitive dancer Blake Kish. "I came here to retire," Kish, who used to run dance studios in Arizona, told The Detroit News. "But it's amazing what Michigan has to offer." Ballas, a …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham's business community: Former funeral home to be turned into senior living complex The former William R. Hamilton Funeral Home at 820 E. Maple Rd. will soon be transformed into a 135-unit senior housing complex. According to Crains Detroit, the deal was closed by the Southfield-based Etkin Equities LLC and the Farmington-based Beztak Properties. The asking price for the building was $2.4 million. Doug Etkin, of Etkin Equities, told Crains the cost to develop the property is expected to be more than $23 million and construction will soon be …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham's business community: Biggby celebrates 17 years Thursday Biggby Coffee, which has a store in downtown Birmingham, is celebrating its 17th birthday Thursday with special reward: any tall, hot or iced, sweet orcreamy latte for 99 cents. Coupons for the 99 cent drinks will be sent through e-wards, Biggby's free, weekly email coupon program. To sign up, visit www.e-wards.com. "We love celebrating our birthday by honoring our customers and thanking them for their loyalty and support over the years," said Bob Fish, CEO and co-founder of Biggby. "…

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham's business community: Last day for Birmingham Olga's scheduled for March 25 Better get your fill of Olga's while you can. Birmingham's Olga's Kitchen location at 138 S. Old Woodward Ave. will close March 25. Chad Oliver, vice president for marketing for Troy-based Olga's Kitchen, told Downtown Publications late last week that the chain will focus its attention on its Royal Oak location, which recently opened on Woodward Avenue. Olga Loizon, the founder of Olga's, had her start in Birmingham, first selling her Original Olga sandwich at the …

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham business community this week: Children's boutique to host annual Communion dress trunk show Looking for a Communion dress this year? Bec and Sam's, the children's retailer in downtown Birmingham, will hold its ninth annual Communion Dress Trunk Show on Saturday and Sunday. The show will feature more than 100 different dresses from several designers and more than 50 different veils. Bec and Sam's will not sell the same dress to any two girls in the same Communion class, ensuring "every girl feels as special and unique as she should on her very…

Discover the newest way to unwind and relax in Birmingham: Elements Therapeutic Massage will be opening at 755 E. Maple Rd. in the Kroger shopping plaza on Feb. 4. Unlike other massage services that primarily offer Swedish massages (meant for gentle stress relief and relaxation), massage therapists at Elements — a company based in Highlands Ranch, CO with studios across the country — will specialize in deep-tissue massages, prenatal massages, hot stone massages and sports massages. "There is huge growth potential for Elements in the health and wellness industry," said Adam Wilensky, the …

Here's the snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Schakolad announces partnership with area nonprofits as part of grand reopening With a new year, comes a new location and new initiatives for Schakolad Birmingham Chocolate, which recently reopened at a new location at 1728 W. Maple Rd. The chocolate shop will be partnering with a different nonprofit organization every month in 2012, as well as creating a signature chocolate to match that organization. Every month, then, proceeds from the sale of the chocolate will go back toward the nonprofit. The initiative begins…