Business & Tech

Business Briefs: Olga's to Close in March

Also, a Birmingham optician visited Peru as part of humanitarian mission, and a local construction company was recognized for work on a downtown Detroit building.

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 , which recently opened on Woodward Avenue.

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Olga Loizon, the founder of Olga's, had her start in Birmingham, first selling her Original Olga sandwich at the former Continental Market on South Old Woodward Avenue in 1970. There are now more than 30 Olga's locations, most of which are in Michigan.

Birmingham Patch readers mourned the upcoming loss of Olga's in notes and comments on the Birmingham Patch Facebook page:

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  • Hartland Smith: "I was sorry to learn that OLGA'S will be closing their Old Woodward location. It is sad when any business leaves Birmingham, especially one that's been operating for some 40 years."
  • Lisa Clark: "One of the few places in town that hasn't changed since I was in high school in the late 80's. Sad to see it go."
  • Kenneth Zufelt: "Birmingham with out Olga's is going to be like Birmingham with the Birmingham Bowl. Change never favors fond memories but makes way for the new ones to come."

Local optician travels to Peru with volunteer group

Nancy Rife, an optician at Birmingham's , recently traveled to Coya, Peru, with VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity), helping to provide eye care and surgery to impoverished communities throughout the Coya area.

Rife's peer chose her for the trip, which comprised an ophthalmologist, seven optometrists, three opticians and additional volunteers.

The group also brought hundreds of donated frames and lens, courtesy of local Lions Clubs. The volunteers set up a clinic and were able to see 900 patients during the course of four days, issuing 753 pairs of prescription glasses.

"I was so moved to be a part of this mission," Rife said. "I would jump at the chance to go again if the opportunity arises."

Birmingham construction firm recognized for Quicken Loans project

, a Birmingham-based commercial construction company, is one of 12 Construction Association of Michigan's (CAM) 2011 Project of the Year finalists for its renovation of the Quicken Loans world headquarters in Detroit's Compuware Building.

The finalists were honored at CAM's 126th annual meeting Feb. 8 at MotorCity Casino Hotel.

Sachse Construction managed the 250,000-square-foot interior build-out at the Compuware building, finishing in just three months in 2010. The building is in the process of obtaining LEED certification, the standard for measuring how well a building uses environmentally friendly practices.

The work space was designed by , also based in Birmingham.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for our work on such an important Detroit project,” said Todd Sachse, president of Sachse Construction, in a recent press release. “Quicken Loans’ decision to move its headquarters downtown was a historic moment for the city and it’s a key part of Detroit’s ongoing revitalization. We are proud to be a part of the city’s new beginning.”

Sachse Construction was also featured in CAM’s October 2011 special issue for the Quicken Loans headquarters project.

Upcoming events

  • A Place to Be ribbon-cutting: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, 725 S. Adams Rd., Suite 185
  • : 7:30-9:30 a.m. Friday,
  • Synergy Wellness and Advanced Bodywork ribbon-cutting: 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, 1775 E. 14 Mile Rd.
  • Member coffee: 8-9 a.m. Feb. 23, A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 32515 Woodward Ave. in Royal Oak
  • : 5:30-7 p.m. March 7,
  • Healthcare Forecast breakfast: 7:30-9:30 a.m. March 15, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital atrium, 6777 W. Maple Rd. in West Bloomfield
  • Economic Forecast lunch: 11:30-1:30 p.m. April 12, .


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