Lots has changed in the business landscape across metro Detroit the past few months.
Numerous stores have opened, closed or moved, all as they prepared for the end of the calendar year. Here’s the list of what’s happened this fall in the Hometown Life area, which includes the northwest suburbs of Detroit.
Did we miss one? Have a business opening or closing soon? Let us know by emailing dveselenak@hometownlife.com.
Livonia
A longtime staple of the city closed its doors earlier this fall.
Wright’s Hardware, formerly owned by former Livonia mayor Dennis Wright, closed its doors earlier this fall after its most recent owners, the Dorrs, decided to retire and could not find a buyer for the shop. Known for its long run serving the hardware needs of the community at Five Mile and Middlebelt, it was also a spot for repairs to snow blowers and other tools.
Another closure also took place in the city, albeit for a business that lasted much less than Wright’s Hardware. Falafel and Company, a Middle Eastern restaurant that opened in spring on Eight Mile west of Farmington Road, closed its doors earlier this year after just a few months of operation. The restaurant served up plenty of Mediterranean dishes and even coffee. It’s not been open for several months, and its sign has been taken down and a new business, Pita Way, appears to be taking over.
While one Middle Eastern restaurant closed, another opened. Hanadi’s Kitchen and Grill launched in the Stamford Plaza, located on the south side of Seven Mile between Farmington and Gill roads. The takeout spot features many traditional dishes, including stuffed grape leaves, pita bread, shawarma and plenty more.
Also in the city’s restaurant scene is Broasted Brothers, a new place to grab some chicken. The second restaurant to open in the brand, it serves up broasted chicken, wings, tenders and sides, along with milkshakes and other sweets. It can be found at 30983 Five Mile, east of Merriman.
Also open is a restaurant many have waited a long time for: Bad Brads BBQ finally opened its doors at the former Leather Bottle space on Farmington Road south of Eight Mile. A concept first proposed in 2020, the restaurant with locations elsewhere in the metro Detroit area appears to have much of its renovations done for months, only to sit vacant. The restaurant serves up ribs, chicken, pizza, salads and more.
On the retail side of things, a few new openings have popped up in the city, including Gotham Night Comics at Five Mile and Newburgh. The shop’s owner said earlier he aims to make it a “nerd haven,” with plenty of goodies unique to the store.
Also popping up recently is The Honey Bin Company, a concept open on Plymouth Road just west of Levan. The liquidation store has bins throughout, offering deep discounts on products collected from other retailers and sold at a fraction of the price. The shop is open Friday through Monday, and closes during the week to restock.
Novi
A longtime place of entertainment has shuttered its doors after years of fun.
Novi Bowl closed after serving as a community bowling center for years. Located on Novi Road between Eight Mile and Nine Mile, the space was used as the home for the Novi and Northville high schools’ bowling teams, as well as served as the home for the bowling event for Seedlings Braille Books for Children fundraiser as well. Storage facilities will take its place.
On the opening front, a new place to grab brunch has popped up in Novi. First Watch, which also has locations in Livonia, Canton and Northville Township, opened in the Novi Town Center. A spot dedicated to breakfast, brunch and lunch, it serves up dishes to cater to anyone’s needs. But you’ll need to get there earlier in the day: it closes at 2:30 p.m.
For those looking for a luxury vehicle this Christmas, you’ll need to head from Farmington Hills to Novi, as that’s where the Jaguar Land Rover dealership has relocated. Fox Motors moved the dealership across Haggerty Road to the intersection of Meadowbrook and Grand River in a brand new building.
Canton
It’s hard not to miss one of Canton’s newest businesses that opened.
Amazon opened its delivery station along Michigan Avenue, giving the massive online retailer a new presence in the region to help deliver all those packages that get ordered through its website. The center serves as the “last mile” for deliveries happening in the area, including in Canton, Belleville, Ypsilanti and more. Delivery trucks frequent the center before heading out to their final destination.
For those heading to Ford Road this holiday season seeking gifts, there’s a new spot if you’re looking to find that gift for someone you perhaps may not know as well. Buff City Soap opened in November in the space next to Planet Fitness on Ford Road west of Morton Taylor. With the majority of products made in the store, including some scents mixed specifically for that shop, it’s the perfect place to grab a gift if you’re looking for an idea.
Bloomfield Township
There’s a few new spots to grab something to eat along Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Township.
Playa Bowls, which serves up bowls made with a variety of ingredients including fruit and other healthy options, opened earlier this year at 4087 Maple, just east of Telegraph. Originally launched in New Jersey, the Bloomfield Township location is the fourth to open in Michigan. In addition to bowls made with fresh ingredients, the spot also serves smoothies, coffee and juices.
If you’re looking for something a little more indulgent, head north on Telegraph to Long Lake, where a new Crumbl Cookies franchise recently opened. The Utah-based company, which also has stores in Novi and Livonia, is known for their cookies, which can be bought individually or in boxes like doughnuts. The store is located at 4036 Telegraph.
Milford
A longtime restaurant that closed its doors last year has returned to downtown Milford. And it’s brought games.
Milford House reopened under new ownership, bringing a new menu and a new experience for visitors. The outdoor patio at the restaurant at Main Street and Commerce Road has been enclosed, with that space becoming an arcade. A new chef has arrived, bringing some new flavors of Italian and even Latin-American cuisine. More work continues on the building, which originally opened for carryout earlier this summer before opening its dining rooms.
For those looking to find that perfect piece for their home, a new Main Street shop has just the answer. Art of Plants opened at 204 S. Main St., selling rare plants and artwork. It’s the perfect spot to find something small for a desk, or a signature Asian plant or piece of art to hang on the wall.
Those who loved cheesesteaks will have to head somewhere else to grab a sandwich after a recent closure. Lefty’s Cheesesteaks, which had opened a few years ago at Milford and General Motors Road, recently closed. A local chain known for its unique sandwiches and other comfort food, the restaurant appears to also be converting to a Pita Way, according to new signage hanging outside the building.
South Lyon/New Hudson
After months of closure, a pottery studio has returned to South Lyon.
The Painted Croc Pottery and Art Studio opened in the former Glazy Days space on Pontiac Trail, offering many of the same experiences as the longtime business. Guests can sit down and paint a unique piece of pottery, from plates to decorations and more. The business can also be rented out for parties as well.
In New Hudson, a restaurant that made international headlines has left after beginning its tenure along Grand River. Novella’s Pizza, which opened in 2018 east of Milford Road, closed its original location. The pizzeria is known for its pies, including the Fig and Pig, which won international awards a few years back. Pizza lovers who crave a slice from Novella’s don’t have to travel too far to get one now, though: the business operates another joint in downtown Milford.
Also closing in New Hudson was the Kensington Grill, which closed in September. The restaurant on Lyon Center Drive had operated there for roughly 10 years, serving up dishes such as barbecue, burgers and more.
On the flip side, a new business opened up in New Hudson earlier this fall. Clean Juice opened its doors at 30785 Milford Road, serving up healthy food such as juices, wraps, salads and more.
Farmington/Farmington Hills
Downtown Farmington’s a bit more caffeinated these days.
Two new coffee shops have opened: Apothecary Espresso and Coffee at 23366 Farmington Road, and Ground Control Coffee Roasters at 33319 Grand River. They join several others in the Farmington area offering up coffee, lattes and more.
If gas station coffee is more your thing, you’ve got a new option in town as well. The Amoco station on the northwest corner of Nine Mile and Farmington has also opened after months of construction. In addition to gas pumps, it has some electric vehicle charging stations and a full convenience full of snacks and other items.
Looking for a sweet pastry to go with all this coffee? Check out Sweet Timez, a new Indian bakery that opened Labor Day weekend at 34767 Grand River. The shop sells a variety of goodies infused with Indian flavor.
One place that has halted serving coffee, as well as other food dishes, is the Farmington Grill. The restaurant originally opened earlier this spring in the former Panera Bread building on Grand River, but was only open a few months before closing. A sign on the building advertises a new Greek restaurant is planned for the building.
Finally, on Orchard Lake in northern Farmington Hills are new homes for a pair of big-name stores. Marshalls and Home Goods relocated across the street from their previous homes and are now open at 30830 Orchard Lake, in a revamped building where Best Buy was formerly located.
Plymouth
Get a sense of global travel at one of downtown Plymouth’s newest boutiques.
Vida Voyager opened this summer along Ann Arbor Trail near Forest, selling a variety of clothing, jewelry, coffee table books and more. It’s an homage to the world its owner, Nasha Vida, has seen since moving back home from the west coast to be closer to family.
Just in time for getting the house clean for the holidays, another new shop will help get the supplies needed to make the mantle shine. BYOC Co., sells cleaning supplies in containers brought in by customers. It cuts down on new containers and allows customers to get as much or as little product as they need. It includes laundry detergent, hand soap and more.
Northville Township
After years of being a destination, Knightsbridge Antique Mall called it quits earlier this year.
The longtime antique center shuttered its doors after an inspection found many issues with the building, which became too costly to remedy. The center was open 27 years at its location on Seven Mile east of Northville Road.
Birmingham
Looking for a new piece for the living room? The newest shop in downtown Birmingham has you covered.
Serena & Lily opened in November at 299 W. Maple, bringing a showroom full of items made for the home. Customers can order upholstery in a variety of patterns, as well as furniture and other pieces that can be shipped. It marks the company’s first location in Michigan.
Westland
Put that game controller down and suit up to really experience firsthand combat in Westland’s newest attraction.
Battlefield CQB opened in the Westland Shopping Center at Wayne and Warren roads, inside the former Ulta. Allowing guests to suit up using laser tag weapons that feel like the real thing, players can take to the map and play a multitude of games with friends or strangers and rank up based on their abilities.
Another “bin store” has also opened up in the region: Good Deal Bins. The store, which sells wholesale items from other retailers, opened in late November at 31505 Joy on the southwest corner of Merriman Road.
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Contact reporter David Veselenak at dveselenak@hometownlife.com or 734-678-6728. Follow him on Twitter @davidveselenak.