Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Watson’s Opens Five Outdoor Furnishing Stores in Southeast Michigan
Cincinnati-based Watson’s, one of the nation’s largest retailers of home recreation products and home furnishings, has opened five retail locations in southeast Michigan. Each were formerly known as Allstate Home Leisure.
The new Watson’s stores are located in:
- Ann Arbor (3336 Washtenaw Ave.)
- Novi (26159 Novi Road)
- Livonia (30650 Plymouth Road)
- Rochester (828 N. Main St.)
- Sterling Heights (44605 Schoenherr Road)
In operation and family-owned and operated for more than 50 years, Watson’s features outdoor furniture, spas, above-ground pools, and home recreation products.
Watson’s acquisition of Allstate Home Leisure was announced last May. In addition to the five greater Detroit retail locations, the acquisition also added one distribution center to the company’s current corporate and franchise footprint of 29 full-line and accessory locations.
“Whether it’s making memories with family or having fun with friends, we promise to help all our new customers in Detroit make home entertaining more enjoyable,” says Erik Mueller, CEO of Watson’s. “We will continue to invest in our stores and in our amazing employees along with every aspect of our customer experience.”
Chevrolet Donates Two 2024 Trax to Military Charities at MLB All-Star Game
To honor Chevrolet’s 19-year history of collaborating with the MLB All-Star Game, the General Motor Co. brand donated two all-new 2024 Trax RS to military charities – Operation Homefront and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) – who identified deserving recipients of the vehicles.
Operation Homefront recommended Army veteran Abreante Jones, who is a single mother to her 8-year-old son, as its recipient. Jones served seven years in the military before being honorably discharged to pursue her education and is now a paralegal. She lost her vehicle due to engine failure and no longer has a reliable form of transportation.
Amanda Tinsley, the surviving spouse of Sgt. Tyler Tinsley, was selected by TAPS as its recipient. Tinsley currently is raising her 8-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter. The Tinsley family recently faced issues with their current vehicle, which prevented them from attending important activities.
“The Jones and Tinsley families exemplify the service and sacrifice of the military community,” says Steve Majoros, chief marketing officer, Chevrolet. “Chevrolet is honored to provide them with an all-new 2024 Trax and remains committed to recognizing the bravery and dedication of those who have served and their families.”
Sola Salons Reports Expansion with New Michigan Locations
Denver-based Sola Salons, one of the fastest-growing salon studios franchises, announced the signing of nine franchise owner development agreements that will expand its presence in key markets across the United States, including Michigan.
There are currently 20 Sola Salons in Michigan, 16 in metro Detroit. Locations of the new Michigan stores were not released.
The new agreements will bring 26 additional Sola locations in the U.S. over the next several years. Since the start of 2023, Sola has opened 29 new locations and has more than 19,000 independent beauty professionals across the United States and Canada.
“The rapid growth of Sola Salons throughout the first half of 2023 is a testament to our unwavering commitment to revolutionizing the beauty industry,” says Christina Russell, CEO os Sola Salons. “With 680 locations across the nation, we have demonstrated the immense power of our innovative business model and the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our industry. We are enthusiastic to welcome our new franchise owners to the Sola Salons family and continue our growth in 2023 and beyond by continuously setting new standards of excellence.”
Henry Ford Health Doses First Patient in Combination Immunotherapy Trial
Physicians in the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford Health in Detroit recently administered the first dose of IGV-001, a combination immunotherapy developed by Imvax, as part of a Phase 2b clinical trial studying this medication for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM), a deadly form of brain cancer.
A multi-center, randomized trial that aims to enroll 93 patients with newly diagnosed GBM brain tumors, this study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of IGV-001, a novel immunotherapy designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, in combination with standard of care treatment for GBM.
“We are proud to be the first health system in the world to have administered IGV-001 as part of this important study,” says Dr. Ian Lee, a neurosurgeon and principal investigator of the Henry Ford Health site for this study. “Glioblastoma is a devastating disease that has continued to elude effective treatment for many years. We believe IGV-001 has the potential to improve outcomes for patients battling this aggressive form of brain cancer.”
The most common and aggressive type of primary brain cancer, GBM has a five-year survival rate of only 6.8 percent, according to the National Brain Tumor Society. Survival rates and mortality statistics for GBM have been virtually unchanged for decades.
“This is a significant milestone for the study and follows promising safety outcomes data from Imvax’s Phase 1 clinical trials,” says Dr. John A. Boockvar, lead investigator of this Phase 2b trial and vice chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. “We look forward to working with Henry Ford Health, as well as the other study sites, to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of this combination immunotherapy that we believe could make a meaningful difference in the lives of many affected by this disease.”
For more information about the Phase 2b trial of IGV-001, visit clinicaltrials.gov.
UMAISE to Bring Inclusive Family-friendly Activities to the Monroe Street Midway
The University of Michigan Adaptive & Inclusive Sports Experience (UMAISE) in partnership with Detroit Disability Power and the Monroe Street will be bringing a series of adaptive sports and recreational programs to Detroit starting today.
UMAISE is staging a slalom obstacle course, yoga, pickle ball, martial arts lessons, 2v2 basketball tournaments, and knockout baseball to the midway starting today from 2-7 p.m.
Other dates, at the same time, are July 28 and Aug. 24.
Detroit Disability Power also will be on-site to provide free resources to the community, and UMAISE will provide adaptive sports equipment for children and adults on-site.
Western Michigan University Buys 32 Airplanes for Training Fleet
Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo has purchased 32 Cirrus Aircraft TRAC SR Series airplanes as it prepares to expand its College of Aviation.
Designed as the ultimate ab-initio flight training platform, the technologically advanced TRAC SR Series boasts a list of features and capabilities that complement the SR20 aircraft’s stable flight characteristics.
The integrated Garmin flight deck includes two large flight displays, a Flight Management System (FMS) keypad controller, an Electronic Stability and Protection system as well as integrated engine indication and crew alerting/warning systems — all features found on today’s advanced airliners.
“As we expand our College of Aviation, the TRAC SR aircraft becomes an invaluable asset for our students to obtain the transferable skills necessary as a pilot,” says Raymond Thompson of Western Michigan. “The TRAC aircraft offers a technologically advanced training platform that ultimately provides them with a competitive advantage in the workforce.”
The interior of the aircraft was designed to meet the unique needs of a high-utilization training environment, replacing the luxury materials found in the SR Series with a durable all-weather floor liner and easy to clean wear-resistant seats. The cabin provides an optimal workspace to learn and train, with more space than typical training aircraft, rear seats for additional students or observers, and optional air conditioning for comfort in all seasons. The TRAC Series includes the TRAC20, TRAC22, and TRAC22T.
“We are honored to support one of the largest collegiate aviation schools in the United States with a new fleet of TRAC SR Series aircraft,” says David Moser, vice president of fleet and special mission sales for Cirrus Aircraft. “The TRAC SR Series features an advanced safety and technology suite that continues to optimize how students learn to fly. We look forward to supporting our collegiate partners by providing a platform to train world-class pilots as they become the next generation of aviators.”
Roush CleanTech Powers Michigan School District’s Propane Bus Fleet
Kingston Community School District, east of Saginaw in Michigan’s thumb, will be moving to an all-propane bus fleet, powered by engines from Roush CleanTech in Livonia, when school starts this fall.
The district has leased six new Blue Bird propane buses and locked in a two-year cost for propane at $1.50 per gallon, which is a 62 percent savings over its diesel price.
“What a great way to start the new school year with our students and drivers breathing easier with low-emission buses fueled with propane,” says Shona Vennevy, superintendent of the Kingston Community School District. “Our entire school district and our taxpayers benefit with lower fuel and maintenance expenses, too.”
Propane school buses reduce harmful nitrogen oxides by 96 percent, according to a study by West Virginia University. The Environmental Protection Agency says exposure to nitrogen oxide exhaust can have negative health effects on children and is a leading cause of asthma.
“Kingston Community School District is dedicated to providing students with a safe and healthy ride to school while ensuring that their budget stays healthy, too,” says Todd Mouw, executive vice president of Roush CleanTech.
According to the district, diesel buses have become more challenging to troubleshoot and repair as the legal requirements to make them run cleaner have expanded. Propane removes the complexity and cost of after-treatment measures since the clean fuel doesn’t require additional fluids or filters.
Shapeways in Charlotte Announces Key Investments in Software Offering
New York-based Shapeways Inc., a leader in the digital manufacturing industry with a manufacturing operation in Charlotte (near Lansing), announced the launch of a 3D Model Viewer for its software offering deployed via its MFG brand.
This feature is now live for manufacturers on the MFG.com platform, accelerating and improving the quoting experience resulting in more qualified leads, an enhanced customer experience, and an enriched sales cycle. In tandem with this new feature, Shapeways also has introduced a modern spin on the MFG brand.
In the two months since the brand refresh, MFG has seen a 33 percent increase in demand for premium subscriptions when compared to the previous period. This update not only showcases MFG’s transformation into a more advanced software offering, but also aligns the logo and colors with an emphasis on advanced technology, according to the company.
“Building features that drive success for manufacturers and their customers is our main focus,” says Greg Rothman, general manager of software for Shapeways. “The enthusiastic response to the 3D Model Viewer reinforces our strategy as we continue to help our users provide quotes with speed and accuracy—and enable them to find even more business opportunities.”
For more information, visit MFG.com.
Greektown Heritage Festival to be Held in Downtown Detroit on July 29
The Greektown Neighborhood Partnership, along with the Downtown Detroit Partnership, Hollywood Casino at Greektown, and Bedrock, have announced the return of the Greektown Heritage Festival in historic Greektown in downtown Detroit from noon-9 p.m. July 29.
The free, family-friendly event will take place between Beaubien and St. Antoine streets.
Launched in 2018, the Greektown Heritage Festival celebrates the rich, ethnic Greek heritage of the downtown neighborhood. Monroe Street will be filled with live Greek music, traditional Greek dancers, Greek food and drink, and games and entertainment.
The highlight of the festival is the street-side lamb roast with eight rotating open-pit spits. The menu focuses on a classic lamb gyro, alongside a beverage list highlighting specialty cocktails and beer (cash and credit cards accepted). Organizers expect to serve more than 500 pounds of lamb.
For more information, visit greektowndetroit.org.
Venture For America Rise Retreat Meets at Wayne State on July 17
Venture for America, a national nonprofit designed to create entrepreneurial opportunities for early-career professionals, is conducting its Rise Retreat at 4 p.m. at Wayne State University on July 17.
The retreat, which will take place in WSU’s McGregor Room BC (495 Gilmour Mall) in Detroit, is for second year VFA fellows and alumni who are leaders of nine identity-based affinity groups.
Rise groups will hear from Tess Cardoza-Hawk, director of learning programs at VFA, and Kevin Terrell Heard, founder and board president of the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Detroit manager of inclusion and engagement programs for Gannett, a USA Today Network.
VFA’s Rise groups exist to empower, provide opportunities, and create a formal community space for fellows and alumni who identify with underrepresented groups in entrepreneurial and innovation communities. Attendees will learn how to best use empathy and intersectionality to help better inform their approach to leadership.
For more information, visit here.
Forgotten Harvest Announces Return of Annual Women’s Harvest Lunch Fundraiser
Oak Park-based food rescue nonprofit Forgotten Harvest has announced the return of its annual fall fundraising event, Women’s Harvest Lunch, presented by the Kroger Co. of Michigan, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market (316 E. 11 Mile Road).
The event aims to bring together women, businesses, and community leaders who are committed to alleviating hunger and reducing food waste.
It will feature a coursed luncheon highlighting the seasonal, nutritious produce Forgotten Harvest distributes through its pantry partners. The event also will feature a networking hour, an all-women panel which will discuss how they have strengthened our community and the importance of fighting food insecurity.
An online auction will take place in conjunction with this event Oct. 9-19. For questions regarding the auction or information on how to donate an item, contact Taylor Seifert at tseifert@forgottenharvest.org.
Sponsors will have the opportunity to create themed tables for the luncheon, a creative and fun activity for friends and colleagues alike.
Sponsorship packages range from $1,500 – $10,000 and include multiple event perks and promotional benefits. Full sponsorship package descriptions can be found at the above link. For questions regarding sponsorship opportunities, contact Seifert at tseifert@forgottenharvest.org.
Proceeds from the event benefit Forgotten Harvest’s efforts to provide fresh, healthy produce that is too often unavailable or unaffordable to those in need through the organization’s farm, pantry partners, and grocery rescue efforts. Tickets begin at $100 and are on sale now.
Visit here for more information and tickets.
SamRose Entertainment Presenting Four Comedy Shows at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle
SamRose Entertainment, a Michigan-based producer and booker of comedy festivals, shows, and events, is staging four comedy shows on consecutive Wednesdays at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Royal Oak in August.
The series kicks off with the “Dad Jokes Comedy Show” on Aug. 2, which features five male comics. They’re all Dad’s but there’s nothing corny about their jokes, according to the promoter. The group includes Josh Adams, Andy Beningo, Nick Leydorf, Mic Larry, and host Andrew Yang.
Week two features the “Eyes Up Here Comedy Show” on Aug. 9. It features Camila Ballario, T. Barb, Kara Coraci, Ann Duke, and Melanie Hearn. With an age range of more than 30 years between the youngest and the oldest, “these ladies have five uniquely hilarious perspectives on life, love, and being a woman in 2023,” says the promoter. The evening will be hosted by Greg Sharp.
The “Grey Matters Comedy Show” takes the stage Aug. 16. This show features Norm Stulz, Bob Phillips, Mike Bonner, Coco, and is hosted by Connie Ettinger.
The series concludes Aug. 23 with “The Joke’s On You,” which features Mike Geeter, Robert Jenkins, Kevin Johnson, Cam Rowe, and Ricarlo Williams. The evening’s host is Detroit’s Tam White.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. for all shows. All tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and can be purchased here.
