On the Storefront

Business Briefs: New Gym, Boxing Facility Moving to Birmingham

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham's business community: Jay Towers is the latest to participate in Chen Chow's celebrity sushi program and the PSD supports a main street fairness bill.

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham's business community: 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," said George. "It's within 10 miles of the original location, but we are still hitting a completely new demographic. We're really excited about working, not only with Birmingham residents, but with people …

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Talking About Safety in Birmingham: Reader Says Club Scene Doesn't Fit in Birmingham

Reader notes that some of Birmingham's nightclubs and certain bars are "square pegs in a round hole"; wonders how Royal Oak and Ferndale handle problems.

This story is part of a series on downtown Birmingham that explores issues raised by recent incidents, as well as the city's response to them. All week, Birmingham Patch has been discussing the issue of public safety in downtown Birmingham, a hot topic of conversation across dinner tables and keyboards due to several recent incidents: Knowing conversations involved many voices, Patch asked for readers' opinions on public safety on Twitter, Facebook and on the site. Several readers responded and this is what one had to say Dorset, 29, is a lifelong resident of Birmingham. After graduating from Seaholm High School in 2001, he now owns a home in Sheffield Estates with his wife and is the social media manager for Entertainment Productions in …

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Blog Post

9:47 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2012

If government officials commonly obfuscate and manipulate data - then it follows that the government officials in Berkley (1), Warren (6), Birmingham (4), Royal Oak (5) , Ferndale (2), Clawson(1), Sterling Heights (3). Bloomfield Hills (1) etc quite possibly obfuscated and manipulated the data as well. It then follows that all such data should be ignored, as perhaps Royal Oak had 9 such incidents…   more ›

Talking About Safety in Birmingham: Phoenicia Owner Supports Teen Curfew

Oil executive Lily Epstein Stotland, a curfew and valet cutoff opponent, says: 'We need to have a few late-night venues.'

This story is part of a series on downtown Birmingham  that explores issues raised by recent incidents, as well as the city's response to them. Business owners who live in Birmingham are among those talking about the balance between development that creates vibrancy and situations that may bring violence. "What kind of destination should we be?" asks Samy Eid, an owner of Phoenicia Restaurant, a three-decade local landmark. "I want people to feel safe shopping, dining and walking." The community-wide conversation, which didn't begin this spring, has gained urgency after these events : Some people also are disturbed by knots of teens and young adults near theaters, coffeehouses and ice cream shops in the Principal Shopping District. But …

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Talking About Safety in Birmingham: Bars With Bouncers May Not Belong in Birmingham

Another resident is 'surprised there is not a teen curfew.'

This story is part of a series on downtown Birmingham that explores issues raised by recent incidents, as well as the city's response to them. The street scene in Birmingham on weekend nights is a provocative topic these days. "Downtown is not looked upon as family friendly by many of the residents in my neighborhood," retired educator Ken Ciszewski said. Police calls and city reactions spark conversations about community tone, being an entertainment destination and regulating nightlife. These spring events are behind the buzz: Concerns also focus on gatherings of young people near theaters, coffeehouses and ice cream shops, a sign of spring. Patch asked dozens of people in Birmingham to express views for this weeklong series on safety in …

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Cultural Mix in Downtown Tests Birmingham's Tolerance, Some Feel

'This situation is layered with many teachable moments,' MSU sociologist says of recent police incidents that have spurred outrage among some residents.

This story is part of a series on downtown Birmingham that explores issues raised by recent incidents, as well as the city's response to them. It doesn't take a code-breaker to see barely hidden meanings in some comments about Birmingham nightclubs and the safety concerns surrounding them. References to "outsiders" at South, The Hamilton Room and Chen Chow Brasserie arose in comments at Birmingham Patch and at least two other media sites amid coverage of fights among patrons and late-night gunfire around the corner from South.   "What we don't need are large clubs or party places that draw a certain element," a local parent said this week in a comment for this series; it wasn't published because of its apparent racial reference. "South and…

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Flair Detroit

6:31 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012

I'm glad you used ghetto instead of black because black is not the problem...ghetto is. However, you are making assumptions when you say Detroit promoters. Black people don't just live in Detroit. They live all over the tri-county area. There are numerous black parties everyday of the year where none of the undesired behavior occurs. There have been numerous incidents in Bham where whites are the…   more ›

Police Tell South, Chen Chow, Hamilton Room to Shut Down Valet at Midnight

Ending parking service early for the Birmingham hotspots comes on the heels of a shooting outside South 2 weeks ago. Some believe the move might endanger guests walking to their cars late at night.

The Birmingham Police Department said it would be stepping up public safety measures following a shooting outside South Bar on April 2, and now downtown bar owners are feeling the impact. The owners of South, the Hamilton Room and Chen Chow Brasserie received notice Thursday that valet service must shut down at midnight beginning this weekend, two hours earlier than the bars' 2 a.m. closing times. The move follows an April 2 shooting outside South Bar, in which a 29-year-old Redford woman allegedly fired a handgun into the air during a fight after closing time. After the shooting, Birmingham Police Chief Don Studt said police would be increasing enforcement downtown, noting, "This type of dangerous behavior is unacceptable by any standard …

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Stephanie P. SOUTH supporter!

10:13 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012

Great post David Olsen! I wonder the same thing myself. I posted this on a recent article on the Downtown Publication's website but no reply... what do you think? I wonder why you aren't printing the facts? I find it odd that as journalists you would start a petition and misrepresent the actual events that have taken place at South. Read your list of public safety issues in Birmingham posted …   more ›

Woman Reports Sexual Assault; Police Break Up Several Late-Night Fights

The following information was supplied by the Birmingham Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

The following is a roundup of recent Birmingham Police reports: Police are investigating after a 26-year-old woman said a man sexually assaulted her in her apartment. According to police reports, the woman lives on the 1600 block of Graefield with several roommates. The group was returning home around 3:15 a.m. on Saturday, after which the woman went to bed. Her roommates and a few friends who were with them left for about 30 minutes, according to the report. However, police reports state the woman discovered a man in the bedroom who began to sexually assault her. The report indicated the woman fought back, and the man fled the room. One of the woman's friends also returned to the apartment after hearing the woman's cries for help, and saw…

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On the Storefront

Business Briefs: Biggby Coffee Celebrates 17th Birthday Thursday with 99 Cent Drinks

Also going on in the Birmingham business community, an eco-friendly furniture store moves into East Maple and Chen Chow offers fashionable sushi roll for charity.

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham's business community: 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. "Some of them have been with us since the beginning and we want to say thank you, as well as welcome those who have just recently discovered Biggby. Biggby opened its first location in …

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Business Briefs: Chen Chow Teams Up With Red Wing In Celebrity Sushi Program

Also in Birmingham business news, Tender will host a special party Wednesday evening to raise money for Humble.

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in Birmingham business community this week: Chen Chow Brasserie will be teaming up with Detroit Red Wing Dan Cleary as part of the restaurant's Celebrity Sushi Program. The $14 Cleary crab roll will be Chen Chow's special sushi roll for February and will be available throughout the month. Proceeds will be donated to the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, which assists a wide variety of charitable activities and programs throughout Michigan and Metro Detroit. Past grant recipients include: the Salvation Army STRIVE Hockey Program, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association One Goal Program and the Far Conservatory of Therapeutic Arts in Birmingham. Since November 2011, Chen Chow has partnered with a local, …

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