Here's the snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Studio Bridesmaid replaces Miss Kate's Maids The former Miss Kate's Maids has been re-envisioned as Studio Bridesmaid, co-owners Crystal Watkins and Colleen Galacz announced last week. The bridesmaid dress boutique is located in the same spot as Miss Kate's Maids, at 2121 Cole St., but has been completely remodeled and refinished. The shop was purchased by Watkins and Galacz in January 2011. Miss Kate's Maids, which also sold bridesmaid dresses, was the 2011 recipient of the "Best of the Knot: Detroit — Best Dress …

Here's a snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: New sports store aims for January opening Level Multisport, a store catering to triathlon enthusiasts, is working toward an opening sometime in January. The store, which is moving into 528 N. Old Woodward Avenue — the former Greenstone's location — will be owned by husband and wife team Adams and Christine Rosender and will offer clothing, accessories and equipment for runners, bicyclists and swimmers. Christine Rosender told Downtown Publications that the space will be very eco-friendly and they would like to host …

Here's a snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Five appointed to chamber board of directors The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce has appointed Sunny Connolly, Gail Evo, Monica Haider, Donald Lee and Chris McLogan to its 2012 board of directors for three-year terms. Connolly is a senior partner with the Bingham Farms-based Patterson Bryant Group and has been a chamber member since 2008. Evo is corporate director of integrative medicine for Beaumont Health Systems, and has been a chamber member since 2007. Haider is vice president of the Birmingham-based …

Here's a snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Staff from Birmingham restaurant helps 'feed the need' in Detroit Brian Henson, executive chef at the Big Rock Chop House, as well as the restaurant's general manager, Vera Day Rizer, and wait staff gave back to Metro Detroit last week by preparing 450 meals at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. The staff visited the Detroit soup kitchen Nov. 30 as part of the Feed the Need project, a 52-week project in which a different Metro Detriot restaurant or catering company serves lunch at five soup kitchens in Detroit and Pontiac. …

Here's a snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Frank Street Bakery opens Thursday A new bakery is getting ready to open its doors in Birmingham. The Frank Street Bakery, located in the former Cinderella's Attic location at 420 E. Frank St., will officially open Thursday. The bakery is owned by husband-and-wife team Matt and Grace Dersa, who have lived in Birmingham for three years now and whose son attends Pierce Elementary. The couple formerly owned a small delicatessen in Florida, where they picked up skills and recipes they've brought to Birmingham. Grace said …

Here's a snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Chen Chow launches celebrity sushi program Chen Chow Brasserie has launched a celebrity sushi program this November to raise funds for, and awareness of, local nonprofit organizations. Each month, the restaurant will partner with a local, regional or national figure to feature a signature sushi roll in support of his or her charity of choice. To kick off the program, executive chef Benjamin Meyer created a maki roll inspired by WDIV-TV, Channel 4, anchorwoman Rhonda Walker. The Rhonda Walker Roll — prepared with …

Here's a snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Margot European Day Spa celebrates 30 years In honor of its 30-year anniversary, Margot European Day Spa is celebrating with a client appreciation open house 6-9 p.m. Thursday. Along with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, the spa will be introducing new product lines and treatments and offering demonstrations of services. Prepaid service packages and products will be 20 percent off and complimentary mini Venus Freeze treatments will be available. There will be raffles of a variety of prizes, too. Call (248) 642-3770 or…

Here's a snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Birmingham mom launches vegan shoe line Local TV host, blogger and mom Elizabeth Katzman is launching a vegan shoe line called Elizabeth's. Handmade in the United States of recycled materials, Elizabeth's features the season's must-have footwear including peep-toe booties, side-zip faux leather boots and jelly flip-flops. All shoes are biodegradeable and emit no volatile compounds. "This collection was born from my love for animals and fashion," said Katzman. "Although the two are often mutually exclusive, I don't …

Here's a snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Bella Piatti opens Thursday Birmingham's newest bistro, Bella Piatti, officially opens Thursday. Located at 167 Townsend St., the approximately 90-seat bistro (combining indoor and seasonal outdoor seating) will feature a menu from northern Italy, with rustic Tuscan accents. The restaurant is owned by Mindy Vanhellemont, also the owner of Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro, and was approved for one of 2011's two bistro licenses in late 2010. To make a reservation, call 248-494-7110. Hyde Park Steakhouse reported to be …

Here's a snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Junior League hosts fall shopping event The Junior League of Birmingham will host an exclusive fall shopping event from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the Somerset Collection. Shoppers may purchase a $20 shopping pass and enjoy cocktails and appetizers at participating stores all evening long. Those with a pass will also receive discounts and a gift with purchase and will be entered to win one of many drawing prizes. Healing, health specialist to speak at yoga center Will Tuttle, author of The World Peace Diet: Eating for …

Here's a snapshot of activity in Birmingham's business community this week: Restyle Child to raise money for FAR Conservatory Beginning Oct. 1, Restyle Child, the children's consignment shop in Birmingham's Rail District, will launch a three-month fundraising campaign for the FAR Conservatory of Therapeutic and Performing Arts, a nonprofit organization that provides creative arts therapy and other services for children and adults with physical, mental or emotional disabilities. Diane Crawford, owner of Restyle Child, said she was inspired to raise funds for FAR after her 8-year-old son, Billy…

Music lovers and guitar aficionados alike may soon find themselves making their way to downtown Birmingham because Detroit Guitar has just made its home at 243 W. Maple Rd., opening its doors to the public Friday. The shop features a broad range of individually selected brand-name electric and acoustic guitars, including Fender, Taylor and Gretsch brands, as well as a variety of amps, such as Orange and Carr, and related accessories. Private and group guitar lessons are also being taught on site by local instructors. Detroit Guitar is managed and operated by Metro Detroit music enthusiasts …

From designing and producing special events for the Hollywood elite, to creating crepes with flair in Royal Oak, Paul Jenkins will now bring his impresario talents to Birmingham with the opening of his second what crêpe? restaurant on Old Woodward Avenue. Voted as having the best French cuisine by Hour Magazine in 2010, what crêpe? is far from stuffy, Jenkins said. “We are a casual gourmet Euro-intimate destination,”  Jenkins said. “All of our foods are made from scratch. That puts us in the gourmet category. But by making it casual, we lose the pretentiousness.” what crêpe? will open in the …

“People light up when they taste a good wine,” said Ed Bosse, owner of World of Wine. “It’s fun; it makes it for me.” Located at 230 Willits Alley, World of Wine is a boutique wine store offering around 100 varieties of wine from around the world. Bosse, who used to own Simply Wine on Pierce Street, said his new store specializes in what he terms "green" wines from small, family-owned vineyards. “’Green wines’ are wines that don’t have as many sulfates or other chemicals in them,” said Bosse. “Many are made from unique grapes.” One example of such grapes, according to Bosse, is a wine from …

Mills Pharmacy, the locally owned pharmacy that has been operating in Birmingham for 65 years, has a new location and expanded services. “The neighborhood pharmacy that caters to the neighbors with a variety of products that you can’t find at the typical pharmacy,” is the mantra owners Pierre and Hany Boutros are espousing as they prepare for the final steps of the renovation and moving process. Almost everything has been moved next door to Mills Pharmacy's new home, a 12,000-square-foot, renovated space at 1740 W. Maple Rd. It is more than twice the size of the former location, a difference …

Amici’s Pizza & Living Room, a Berkley favorite known for its fresh gourmet pies and hip martini lounge, has added a location in Birmingham. Owners Jennifer Stark and Maureen McNamara opened Amici’s Gourmet Pizza To-Go on May 16.  The new restaurant has the same menu, fresh ingredients, friendly service and even the same type of oven, driven all the way from Florida. The biggest difference is an added convenience for customers. The Birmingham location is a take-out or delivery location only, with extended hours for lunchtime patrons. The Berkley location is only open for dinner. “Our idea (…

Got a sweet tooth? Don't get turned around this fall, as Schakolad Chocolate Factory and Sanders Candy — two of Birmingham's sweet staples — continues to prepare to relocate within the next few months. The two shops are in the process of moving to new locations within the city, with Schakolad moving out of downtown to a new space on West Maple Road near the soon-to-be renovated Mills Pharmacy. Sanders, meanwhile, will be moving away from its strip mall spot near Kroger and into Schakolad's former downtown home on Old Woodward. Bigger parking lots, moving closer to 'dessert crowd' When …

Birmingham is bringing in new business. A storefront that had been vacant for almost two years will become the new home this fall of the first Michigan location for the Paper Source, a national retailer that  offers a broad selection of fine and artisanal papers, stationery, custom envelopes and cards and quirky gifts. “We knew we had many customers from Michigan purchasing items from our website," said Paper Source spokesperson Emily Senk. "As such, we visited Birmingham to see if the city might be an attractive location to open a store." “The vibrant streets there have a great deal of charm…