Business Briefs: Bank of Birmingham Earns 5-Star Rating

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in the Birmingham business community this week:

Bank of Birmingham named a 5-Star bank

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 BauerFinancial.

"Bank of Birmingham is responsive to customers' needs, responsible in its underwriting and investments and respected by the nation's premier bank rating and research firm as well as its customers," she added.

Bank of Birmingham was foundedd in 2006 and is located at 33583 Woodward Ave.

Churchill's cigar bar and bistro opens on South Old Woodward

Churchill's Bistro, the long-awaited cigar bar and bistro located at 118 S. Old Woodward, has officially opened.

The new bistro is headed by the same owners of the , located just down the road, Nash Zaitouna and his daughter Amy as well as executive chef Jade York.

The bistro was designed by architect Ron Rea to feel like a "combination of an English men's club and Ralph Lauren," and has a Cuban flair, cozy booths, warm wood tones and a cigar humidor. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

World of Wines products now available at Old World Olive Press

has shut down their Willits Alley location and will be selling their products at Birmingham's , located at 282 W. Maple Rd. World of Wine owner Ed Bosse — who used to own Simply Wine on Pierce Street — said a limited selection of wines will be available at Old World Olive Press, which specializes in olive oil and basalmic vinegars. The wines will also be available at the Old World Olive Press in Grand Rapids.

Sherwin-Williams moving to South Old Woodward

The paint store Sherwin-Williams will soon be moving into 820 S. Old Woodward after signing at 10-year lease for the 5,200 square-foot space. The space used to house the Design Center and Hudson Hornet auto dealership.

Leasing agent and CORE Partners partner and co-founder, Eric Banks, told Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield that the space will become a concept store for paint and interior design.

"It will be a design store for the high-end Birmingham market, so the look of the store will be as upscale as possible," he said. The shop is expected to open in October or early November.

New hair salon opens on Commerce Street

Script Salon has opend at 1064 Commerce St., located in Birmingham's Rail District. The salon is owned by Kathryn Kales as well as cut-and-color specialist Norman Kemp, both of whom worked at other Birmingham salons before launching their oown business.

New restaurant from Birmingham restauranteur approved for Bloomfield Township

The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees approved plans Monday for a at the corner of Maple and Lahser.

The new ML Restaurant will occupy the former Blockbuster Video spot at the north end of the Bloomfield Commons complex. The restaurant will have an outdoor cafe-style patio and be open seven days a week.

Roberts is the owner of Birmingham's and several other restaurants in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area.

Upcoming Events:

• Ribbon-cutting: 4-5 p.m. July 11, Touch of India (297 E. Maple Rd.)
• Member Golf Outing: July 16, Plum Hollow Country Club
• Ribbon-cutting: 4-5 p.m. July 24, Birmingham Gallery (33772 Woodward Ave.)
• Member Coffee: 8-9 a.m. July 26,
• Community Shred Day: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. July 31, South Adams Square parking lot
• Chamber 411: 8-9:30 a.m. Aug. 3,
• Ribbon-cutting: 4-5 p.m. Aug. 9,