Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Detroit Wing Co. Opens Shop in Waterford Township
Detroit Wing Co., the Eastpointe-based restaurant offering all-natural chicken wings and 20 house-made signature sauces, opened of its newest location at 5385 Highland Road, Suite 200, in Waterford Township.
The new store is operated by first-time franchisee owners Matt Milliken and Miles Gatland, and is the first location in northwest Oakland County, joining Troy and Southfield as the third location in the county.
On May 21, the new location will host a grand opening event by offering 40 pecent off boneless wings all day for orders placed via the DWC website or by phone.
Waterford is the seventh Detroit Wing Co. location to open this year and is part of DWC’s expansion plan across Michigan and other states. Since opening its first location in Eastpointe in 2015, DWC now has nearly 20 new restaurants across Michigan, with more than 20 additional stores in development in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida.
“There is a growing demand for additional Detroit Wing Co. locations to open in every corner of Michigan, and now in other states,” says Gus Malliaras, founder of Detroit Wing Co. “Our first two locations in Oakland County have enjoyed tremendous success thanks to the support of the community, and we look forward to a long-lasting relationship with those in and around Waterford for years to come.”
For more information, visit www.detroitwingco.com.
Sunvera Group Forms Partnership with Laser Eye Care Center in Shelby Township
Sunvera Group, a Bingham Farms-based management services organization providing support services to ophthalmology practices, has formed a new partnership with Dr. William S. Goldstein’s Laser Eye Care Center in Shelby Township.
The partnership further expands Sunvera’s network of ophthalmology and surgical centers across Michigan and Ohio.
Goldstein has practiced ophthalmology since 1994 and was among the first doctors to perform LASIK eye surgery in the state of Michigan. He also is one of a small number of select and highly skilled surgeons in the country who offers the most modern form of cataract surgery with a “no-stitch” incision.
“Our team of eye care specialists create positive patient experiences and outcomes with every interaction,” Goldstein says. “We’re looking forward to partnering with Sunvera Group and will continue our commitment to service and our strong reputation as leaders in ophthalmology.”
Sunvera Group CEO Greg Nodland says: “By growing our network with experienced eye care specialists like Dr. Goldstein and his team, we further solidify our commitment to expanding patient access to quality eye care in the communities we serve. We’re excited about this partnership and the tremendous dedication and passion for patient care that Dr. Goldstein shares with us.”
U.S. Great Lakes Shipping Reports Mixed Results; Signs for Optimism
U.S. Great Lakes ports reported mixed results for the start of the spring shipping season, with gains and losses heavily tied to global trading conditions and Lake Superior ice-breaking resources. U.S. grain exports, steel imports, road salt, and containerized goods were strong performers.
“Inadequate ice-breaking resources in Lake Superior had a major impact on cargo shipments out of the port of Duluth-Superior, which underlines how much we need new and improved capacity for the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking fleet,” says Bruce Burrows, president and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “On a more positive note, grain exports from U.S. ports were in strong demand along with shipments of salt, steel, and containers. We expect that the demand for different cargo segments will continue to be impacted by fluctuating prices and trade flows related to global supply chain issues and the Russia/Ukraine conflict.”
Overall cargo shipments (from March 22 to April 30) via the St. Lawrence Seaway totaled 3.5 million metric tons, down by 18 percent compared to the same period in 2021. Iron ore volumes were down 23 percent. Year-to-date U.S. grain shipments via the seaway totaled 176,000 metric tons, up 175 percent compared to 2021. Road salt shipments also were up 21 percent, as Canadian mines delivered to cities throughout the bi-national region.
Chick-fil-A Searching for Operators in Detroit Area
As Chick-fil-A expands into the Detroit area, the company is starting to search for the next group of franchise owner/operators.
Chick-fil-A will be hosting an information session May 18 from 9-10 a.m. via webinar for individuals who would like to apply. The event requires pre-registration. For more information, visit here.
Chick-fil-A Owner/Operators come from a variety of career backgrounds and are entrepreneurs who live and work in the communities they serve. Those interested can learn more about the Chick-fil-A franchise opportunity here.
Lee Group Continues Small Business Workshop Virtual Series May 18
The Lee Group in Southfield is continuing its eighth annual Small Business Workshop, presented by Fifth Third Bank, at 10 a.m. May 18. This free this event, being conducted virtually, will offer tips for attracting and retaining talent in a tight market.
This week’s session opens with a presentation from Priscilla Archangel, president of Archangel and Associates. She will draw from her 30-year corporate career to help clients with challenges within their organizational culture, mission, vision, values, behavior, engagement, managing change, and alignment.
Helda Saad, assistant vice president, executive project manager, and director of mortgage lending operations at First Independence Bank, will discuss financial wellness starting with credit.
A panel discussion on preparing for the digital age will include Archangel; Pamela Dover, senior director of business development and marketing at Comcast Business; and Dimitrius Hutcherson, executive vice president and chief administrative officer/chief technology officer at First Independence Bank.
To attend, visit here.
Webinar to Help Companies Supercharge Their DEI Efforts
Northwestern University and Kellogg Insights are presenting a virtual webinar titled “The Insightful Leader Live: How to Supercharge Your Company’s DEI Efforts” from noon-1 p.m. CDT May 25.
Since the summer of 2020, countless leaders and organizations have made pledges and promises about the progress they would make to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). While millions of dollars and people-hours have been invested, the results to date in many organizations have been underwhelming. In this complimentary webinar, professor Nicholas Pearce will offer his perspective on how individuals and organizations can push through apathy, frustration, and trepidation to create meaningful, sustainable change.
To register, visit here.
Shelving Inc. Opens Applications for 2022 Business Scholarship
Shelving Inc. in Madison Heights will open applications for its eighth annual Shelving.com Business Scholarship contest on May 18. The scholarships will be awarded to three eligible college students currently pursuing a major in business and/or enrolled in a business-related field of study.
One student will receive a $3,000 first place scholarship with $2,000 going to the runner-up and $1,000 to the second runner-up. Mike Schodowski, president of Shelving Inc., made the announcement.
“As a family-owned business, we understand the importance of preparing America’s youth for the future and aim to do our part in assisting students during their academic journey,” says Schodowski, president of Shelving Inc. “In running this annual scholarship, we’ve seen the positive impact today’s students have made to their communities and economies. We look forward to reviewing the applications of the deserving students that apply this year.”
Eligible students must be a student presently attending an accredited university or college, or a high school senior that is currently enrolled or planning to enroll in college beginning no later than the Fall 2022 semester. Those interested in applying must be pursuing a major in business or a business-related field of study, have a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA, and submit a copy of their transcript, resume, and essay.
The scholarship applications close Aug. 5 at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be announced Aug. 19. To apply, visit here.
Detroit City Distillery Announces Return of Limited-edition Summer Rum
Detroit City Distillery announces the return of its limited-edition Summer Rum, along with its annual kick-off party, taking place at its outdoor patio encompassing an entire city block on Riopelle Street in Eastern Market from noon-8 p.m. May 29.
Guests will enjoy a host of special rum drinks, food from Midnight Temple, and music all day from DJs spinning sounds from Blair French, Eddie Logix, and John Beltran. Additionally, guests will have a chance to receive a free copy of a limited-release vinyl compilation titled “Treasure Your Friends.”
“We’re expecting an epic summer with the return of so many outdoor events, concerts and parties,” says Michael Forsyth, co-owner of Detroit City Distillery. “Everyone loves rum drinks on the beach, and that’s the spirit that we try to capture in the bottle and the party. Every year, the demand for this unique celebratory spirit continues to grow in lakeside bars and vacation homes because everyone wants a taste of Michigan summer. There’s nothing better than soaking in the sun and sipping on rum on the boat, the beach, or the bar.
Summer Rum is a blend of rums from Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Guyana, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and is distilled from sugar cane. The nose is full of Jamaican aromatics with ripe banana, pineapple, and clove. The light rose gold body has a creamy mouthfeel full of Caribbean fruit notes like papaya, guava, mangos, and coconut. The silky-smooth finish offers hints of lime, toffee, and French Indie spice.
Summer Rum bottles are $24.99 at select liquor stores. Customers also can purchase at DCD’s Tasting Room at 2462 Riopelle St. or order online at for in-person pick up. Summer Rum will be available at liquor stores and the Tasting Room starting the week of May 22.
Detroit’s Orangetheory Fitness Invites City High Schoolers to Work Out Free
Orangetheory Fitness-Detroit has announced the launch of its “More Life for Detroit Youth” summer program to help Detroit teens live a healthier lifestyle.
From June 1-Aug. 31, local students ages 14-18 are invited to take advantage of Orangetheory’s science-based workout, centered on heart-rate-based interval training and led by highly trained and certified coaches, free of charge.
“Orangetheory Fitness-Detroit is thrilled to offer this complimentary fitness program to local teens in our community,” says Tess Hochstein, studio manager of Orangetheory Fitness-Detroit. “This is a great opportunity for young people to work out in a safe, stable and nurturing environment, while learning a holistic approach to health and wellness that can last a lifetime.”
The workouts incorporate endurance, strength, and power to generate the “Orange Effect,” which keeps calories burning for up to 24 hours after a 60-minute workout. Certified fitness coaches will be on-hand to guide the students through an Orangetheory workout and offer options for all levels from beginner to year-round athlete.
Local teens also are invited to attend a nutrition seminar on June 11 at the Orangetheory Fitness-Detroit location (2911 W. Grand Blvd., Suite 128) to learn more about healthy eating and food-related issues for teens.
“Our goal is to introduce long-term fitness and healthy habits under the guidance of experienced group personal training coaches in a fun and positive way,” Hochstein adds.
To register for the “More Life for Detroit Youth” program, teens can call the Orangetheory-Detroit location directly at 313-499-0040 or complete this application. Students can also sign up by scanning a QR code, which can be found on Orangetheory-Detroit’s social media channels including Facebook (Orangetheory Fitness Detroit) and Instagram (@OtfDetroit). Information flyers also will be posted at area schools.
Salvation Army ARC Serves as Resource for Those Fighting Addiction
The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) is a free resource to the metro Detroit community with services available to help those struggling with substance abuse.
According to the CDC, 2021 marked the highest death toll on record with more than 107,600 Americans lost to drug overdose. In fact, overdose deaths increased 15 percent from 2020 to 2021.
To view a video on the Salvation Army ARC, visit here.
Community Invited to Walk for Miracles at Detroit Zoo
Superheroes of all ages are invited to Beaumont Children’s “Walk for Miracles” at the Detroit Zoo, June 11. Onsite ticket distribution to registered walkers opens at 7:30 a.m. The walk begins at 8 a.m., and walkers may stay and enjoy the zoo all day. All proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network programming at Beaumont Children’s.
Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero or fantasy character. Children will meet Super Beau, the Beaumont Children’s mascot bear, and other popular fairytale and comic book heroes. In addition to Zoo exhibits, families will enjoy fresh fruit and breakfast refreshments and each child will receive a superhero cape.
Walkers must register online for the event and make a minimum donation: $5 per person or $20 per family (up to six). Additional fundraising is encouraged on each walker’s own online fundraising page.
For the 2022 walk, Beaumont Children’s is partnering with Royal Oak Schools organizations including Royal Oak High School Student Council, Interact Club, National Honor Society, Band, Dance Team, and Drama Department.
To learn more about Children’s Miracle Network at Beaumont Children’s, visit here.
