Detroit Development News

The Southwest Detroit restaurant scene will welcome a concept new-to-the-area, nuevo Latino, when Inferno Rotisseria & Chargrille opens in early June.

Owner Mike Cortez is a native of Chicago with almost a decade of experience in the restaurant industry. His menu will feature food culled from the cuisines of Cuba, Spain, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Chile and Argentina. "It will be an alternative to what you are accustomed to in Mexicantown," he says. "I'm trying to bring a change of pace to the area."

Cortez decided to open a restaurant on W. Vernor in the Springwells Village neighborhood because of its heavy automobile and pedestrian traffic and the fact that many buildings in the area have been or are currently being rehabbed.

Cortez has been working on his building since he bought it in 2006. After much preparation of the space, he aims to open the doors by early June. "It's just a matter of getting a few things buttoned up," he says.

Inferno is located at 8626 W. Vernor just east of Lawndale. It will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant will offer dine-in for approximately 45, carry-out and delivery. Call 313-551-2788 or email Cortez at inferno.rotisseria_chargrille@yahoo.com.

Source: Mike Cortez, Inferno
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Visitors to Detroit's riverfront will now have the opportunity to enjoy a meal at the RiverWalk Cafe.

Detroit-based Diamond Hospitality has been contracted by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to operate concessions at Rivard Plaza, including the cafe as well as the carousel.

Daily, RiverWalk Cafe will offer snacks such as popcorn, peanuts, ice cream and fountain soda, smoothies, slushies and coffee drinks. Even more enticing are the items that will be rotated weekly, which includes a variety of sandwiches and salads as well as regional and ethnic specialties such as pierogi, pasties, spinach pies, samosas, and chicken and waffles.

The cafe will be open Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. After Memorial Day weekend, it will also open be Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Great Lakes-themed carousel will be open the same hours and will cost $1 per ride.

Diamond will also operate food concessions at Gabriel Richard Park on weekends and for special events.

Source: Caroline Marks, DRFC
Writer: Keli B. Kavanaugh

Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance has created a new position dedicated to furthering a network of trails in Detroit.

The new Detroit greenways coordinator, Todd Scott, will coordinate maintenance, fundraising, security, programming, promotions and development for the eight greenways under various stages of planning and development within the city.

Scott comes to the position with a great deal of experience in cycling advocacy. He is the former director of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association and has been involved with numerous other initiatives, including the citizen’s committee for Michigan State Parks, MDOT Metro Region Nonmotorized Advisory Committee, City of Ferndale Bicycle Committee and the League of Michigan Bicyclists.

"Todd’s skilled advocacy, wealth of knowledge about nonmotorized transportation and recreation, and understanding of and enthusiasm for the revitalization of Detroit are key ingredients that he brings to this project," stated Nancy Krupiarz, Executive Director of MTGA.

Scott is currently acclimating himself to the various greenways projects on the table, including the Midtown Loop, Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink and Connor Creek Greenway. "The greenways in Detroit have so much variety in terms of where groups are at," says Scott. "I'm finding that there are similar challenges and different challenges."

Finding affordable liability insurance for the nonprofits sponsoring the various greenways was Scott's first task. He also hopes to work on integrating Detroit's burgeoning trails network with the larger regional one and has some ideas about encouraging on-road cycling. "One thing that I really bring to the table because I ride so much is that I know how to get around," he says. "We can make connections between these trail networks."

Source: Todd Scott, MTGA
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

In this era of Home Depot and Lowe's, it is refreshing to find a store that focuses on one thing and one thing only and makes sure it does that well. The Sherwin Williams store on Woodward in Highland Park specializes in paint -- and friendly customer service. That emphasis on service is how the store continues to draw customers says assistant manager Sam McClain. "We can't probably sell them on price, but we can sell them on service," he says. "If you come in and you get what you need and we give you a good vibe, good service and your needs are fulfilled, you'll come back."

The store has been in its current location for almost 40 years and it draws customer from all over the Detroit area. "We're just doing what we've always been doing, but word of mouth travels," says McClain.

Sherwin Williams is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at 11840 Woodward Avenue. Call 313-868-3060. The shop carries the popular Duration, Resilience and Cashmere lines as well as all the painting accessories anyone would need to complete a job.

Source: Sam McClain, Sherwin Williams
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Harry's Detroit Bar, on Clifford at Henry just north of I-75, already had a lot going for it: walking distance to sports venues, a popular menu and shuttle service. Now it has added an expansive second-floor outdoor bar to its repertoire.

The new bar has room for 150 and a view of the downtown skyline. It is covered by a permanent roof and is heated and cooled, making its usable for about three-quarters of the year, estimates owner Harry Kefalonitis. "People hear the word deck, but when they walk up, they say, 'This is lot more than a deck!' " he says. "There is a full menu, a full bar, TV's -- everything going on downstairs, we have upstairs."

Kefalonitis is a third-generation bar owner in the lower Midtown area. He bought the building in 1994 and opened it in 2003, counting on the area's resurgence. It was named Harry's by a previous owner, Harry Shearer, so re-naming the bar was rendered unnecessary.

Source: Harry Kefalonitis, Harry's
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

On May 9, the eighth incarnation of Illuminate will offer attendees the first-ever opportunity to check out units at Studio One Apartments on Woodward between Canfield and Forest.

Studio One's first-floor retail space will be set up as a dining, drinking and dancing lounge with cocktails from Pulse and food from Slow's Bar BQ and Vincente's, along with other area restaurants. One- and two-bedroom apartments on the second floor will be fully furnished and art presented by Detroit Artists Market will be on display.

Illuminate runs from 8 p.m. to midnight and is $10 at the door. All proceeds from the event benefit StandUp for Kids, a non-profit organization that helps rescue homeless and at-risk youth.

Source: Peter Van Dyke, Illuminate
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Construction begins today on a $2.9 million renovation of Wayne State University's Manoogian Hall. General contractor DeMaria Building Company will wrap up work in time for the start of the fall semester.

The work, which is only the first phase of planned upgrades to the building, will include improved energy efficiency, new electrical and lighting systems, tile and classroom furniture replacement, installation of wood accent paneling in the main lobby and ADA provisions.

Frances Ahern, assistant director, Design and Construction Services at WSU, asks students, faculty and staff for patience during construction. The first floor will be closed to public access, meaning Journalism is moving to the fourth and fifth floors of Manoogian and Anthropology is moving to the Faculty Administration Building.

Manoogian Hall was constructed in 1970. The renovations are being funded by a $1 million gift from the Alex and Marie Manoogian Foundation; the remainder comes from deferred maintenance reserves and a technology enhancements line item in the university's budget for the 2007 fiscal year.

Source: DeMaria, WSU
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Taste of Java Cafe will open May 3 at 2630 Charlevoix, near the intersection of Chene and Gratiot. The coffee shop is 4,000 square feet and will seat 50. It offers free wi-fi, flat screen televisions and a surround sound system; the menu includes a full array of espresso drinks, gourmet coffees, juices, soft drinks, and pastries.

New Yorker Erkan Chase caught a glimpse of the five-story building in 1999 and, despite its vacant state, saw potential in its facade. He purchased it with a local, Coral Watt, and, after lots of sweat equity and family workdays, Chase and partners Marcus McDermott and Gregory Worrell are ready to open their doors.

More than $2 million dollars has been invested into the building, as is evident by the iron-gated parking lot, ceramic-tiled lobby, marble counter tops, leather chairs and other such details. The second level of the building has also been renovated, as an open floor plan loft.

Taste of Java's grand opening will run from noon to 2 a.m. and will feature live entertainment, hors d' oeuvres and an art showcase. A full array of coffee and espresso drinks, fruit smoothies and pastries will be available for purchase.

Source: Javay Johnson, manager, Taste of Java
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Detroit vinyl addicts can breathe easy. After the disastrous fire at the Forest Arms Apartments forced People's Records to close its doors, the shop will reopen in a bigger, more visible space on Woodward at Peterboro.

Owner Brad Hales looked at several locations before settling on his 1,100-square foot, two-story space. His decision was based on the fact that he "clicked" with his landlord, Joel Landy of Cass Ave. Development Corp., and that that the space offers the potential of ownership.

Hales is certainly making lemonade out of lemons with his perspective on what he has gone through, pointing out that his new space is larger and has parking. "This is going to be a good place to be," he says. "It's bustling over here."

Hales was able to save many of the 45s and 78s from his old location, but most of the shop's 12-inch albums were lost. He says, although his insurance did not pay him enough to replace everything, he has enough to reopen. "That's the important thing right there."

People's will be at 3161 Woodward, near Atlas Global Bistro and Zaccaro's. Call 313-831-0864. Hales hopes to open his doors in one month's time. A new web site, PeoplesDetroit.com, will launch soon.

Source: Brad Hales, People's Records
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

An 8,000-square foot full-service spa and fitness center called "D"Tour has opened at the MotorCity Casino Hotel.

The luxuriously-appointed facility is located on the floor below the hotel lobby and is intended to provide hotel guests and casino visitors a respite from the hustle and bustle up above.

The facility includes separate men's and women's areas, each with a lounge, whirlpool, rain bench, steam room and sauna. "D"Tour also features 10 individual treatment rooms for manicures and pedicures, massage, waxing and facials, among other custom services.

A two-room couples suite is intended for a 2 1/2 hour package that includes massage, a milk bath and exfoliation. The rain room provides space for up to four people in a group to receive mud wraps at a time.

A couple of signature "D"Tour offerings are its music massage and CACI International Ultra technology, which provides non-surgical facelift procedures. The spa uses Sampar and Nickel skin products as well as its own line of lotions, soaps and body scrubs.

Hours are Sunday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight. The fitness center is available 24 hours to hotel guests. To reserve a treatment, call 313-309-4595.

Source: Jennifer Kulczycki, MotorCity Casino Hotel
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh