Joe Pagano, Author at Downtown Flat Rock

Biggby Coffee is the Our Hometown February 2019 Featured Business

February 5, 2019 By Joe Pagano

Biggby Coffee is Flat Rock’s Featured Business.

Biggby Coffee in Flat Rock has only been in Flat Rock since 2016 but most everyone knows the owner, Diane Parker. Diane is either behind the counter helping customers, organizing a local event or at an event serving up Biggby Coffee. Diane has a large community presence and most people have noticed, Flat Rock Our Hometown sure has!
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Diane decided to open Biggby Coffee because she wanted to make people happy. She had a long career as a Paralegal. People don’t come to see a lawyer when they are happy, so she shifted career directions and opened a Biggby franchise. Its fair to say, Diane fulfilled her goal and then some.

Diane said her decision to open in Flat Rock has been nothing but successful. Fellow business owners never treated her as a new kid but as an equal, embraced by the City, and of course the community patronage is huge. You can see the results of all this success with Biggby’s recent addition of their drive thru.

Biggby Coffee is a wonderful place to visit, get some great coffee, enjoy a warm, super friendly staff and Diane seems to know everybody. Diane credits her success to growing up with a father and brother who own businesses. She watched all the hard work, dedication and work ethic and it’s obvious it must run in the family because Diane’s work ethic is something to envy.

Most anytime you go to an event, Biggby Coffee is there. The Taste of Flat Rock and the Easter Egg Hunt were both Flat Rock Our Hometown events organized by Diane. We asked Diane why, and she replied that she gets great joy from “putting an event together and everyone is having fun…celebrating community” is what it’s all about. Biggby Coffee and Diane are such a welcome addition to businesses in Flat Rock, she truly has brought the community together, and has made our town a “happier place”!

As if that’s not enough, she has become a member of the Flat Rock Downtown Authority.

So, if you haven’t been to Biggby Coffee, stop in, you’ll be happier for it!

Biggby Coffee is located at, 26614 Telegraph Rd, Flat Rock, MI 48134

Hours:
Monday-Friday 5 am- 9 pm
Saturday 6 am – 9 pm
Sunday 7 am – 9 pm

https://www.facebook.com/biggbycoffeeflatrockmichigan/

SHOP LOCAL – SHOP PLAT ROCK

Adkins Insurance is January 2019 Business of the Month

January 2, 2019 By Joe Pagano

Adkins Insurance at 26263 Gibraltar Rd, Flat Rock, MI

Doug Adkins started Adkins insurance in November of 1990. Just on the edge of the city limit, Doug began his small insurance business after working for some time at MET insurance. His drive to create his own mark lead Doug to opening his insurance agency with the intention of offering many options with many other companies. In offering more, Doug Adkins has created a unique insurance agency for the people of Flat Rock as we know it today. In 2011, Doug made the official move to Flat Rock by opening the new Adkins Insurance at the old Flat Rock theater. His presence within the Flat Rock community is visible in devoted involvement to the Flat Rock train depot and a member of Flat Rock Our Hometown Design Committee. Speaking further to his character, you’ll often see Doug plowing the sidewalks for neighboring businesses.

Doug and the Adkins Insurance Company also are a sponsor of the spring Cruzin’ Flat Rock Car Show.

Kristi is the face you will see walking into Adkins Insurance today. Kristi has been working with Doug since 2013, originally as a secretary. She then decided she would also obtain her insurance agent license in 2014, and later continued her education to obtain her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation in 2018. Kristi also obtained a business degree from Henry Ford College in 2016. Kristi provides outstanding customer service, only adding to the profoundly helpful and personal nature of this Flat Rock business. This very nature is truly what defines Adkins Insurance. In working with Doug and Kristi, Adkins provides policies that feel as though they work for you and your budget. In acknowledging the importance of strong and successful small businesses in Flat Rock, it is important to consider the way Doug Adkins brings a personal feel to something so impersonal as insurance policy.

Adkins Insurance is located in the former Flat Roc Theater.

Adkins Insurance offers a wide variety of insurance;

Home
Auto
Commercial
Health, plus Medicare plans along with advantage plans
Bonds
Annuity’s
Life insurance

Adkins insurance is located at 26263 Gibraltar Rd #800, Flat Rock, MI 48134
www.adkins-ins.com or https://www.facebook.com/adkinsins/
734-783-1717

Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

SHOP LOCAL – SHOP FLAT ROCK

Strands Of Hair is the December 2018 Business of the Month

December 4, 2018 By Joe Pagano

Flat Rock Our Hometown’s Decembers Featured Business is Strands Salon and Barbershop

Strands Salon & Barber Shop has a long history of influence with hair. The building has been a beauty or a barber shop in Flat Rock since the early 1900s. Many Flat Rock residents remember it as Club Barber Shop. Continuing this history of hair care in Flat Rock, Strands Hair Salon and Barber Shop opened in 1997 at 26318 E. Huron River Dr. Flat Rock.

Strands is a family owned business, run by Ginny Sims and Shayla Hopper. Ginny started Strands in 1979 on Grosse Ile. She moved Strands to Flat Rock in 1997. Ginny fell in love with the history of the building and Flat Rock, believing it was the perfect location. Both the community and the building embodied her beliefs, one of hard work ethic, loyalty, family and a long history.

Shayla Hopper, co-owner of Strand’s of Flat Rock, Mi

Jenny Simms family owned shop, Strands of Flat Rock

Ginny has been in the hair business for fifty–three years, apprenticing five hairdressers and hiring countless new graduates and training them. She has owned a business for thirty–nine years and is semi-retired now. Ginny’s daughter, Shayla, manages most of the day to day. Shayla has been in the salon her whole life and carries on the family business beliefs and values every day at Strands. Recently Celebrating her mom’s 50th anniversary in the hair care business, Shayla said, “personally, I have never met anyone who has cared more about her staff or clients then my mom. Of course, I am biased, she’s my mom. But I have been in this business for twenty–two years and know she is unique. She treats people so kindly, she always told me that everyone’s money is green, never treat the CEO or homeless man any different, they come her to feel and look good. This comes from a woman who started out in Grosse Point styling Mrs. Clay Ford’s hair, now she’s in little Flat Rock. In 50 years, she’s never swayed from that belief.”

Strands recently restored the building to its original historical design from the 1800s. Shayla said, “The building history has influenced us, and we hope to live up to that history while maintain our own originality.”

Strand Hair Salon & Barber shop has very talented hairstylists, Renae who has been with Strands for 8 years she is their top stylist, she offer an array of color, razor cuts, precision cuts, and clipper cuts. Emily is their newest stylist, is exceptional with fantasy color. Strands now has a Barber, Gail, with 41 years of experience who offers men haircuts with straight razor around the ear & neck shaves and straight razor face shaves. They also have an apprentice, Melanie who is extremely talented and can offer hair color and cuts at a discounted price.

Strands Hair Salon & Barber Shop can be reached at 734-782-6590 or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StrandsOfHair/

Hours:

Tuesday 8 am – 7pm

Wednesday 8 am – 5 pm

Thursday 8 am – 8 pm

Friday 8 am – 6 pm

Saturday 10 am -4 pm

Here are a few Historic Pictures from Strands of Hair.

Shop Local – Shop Flat Rock

Family Activities this Holiday Season in Flat Rock 2018

November 11, 2018 By Joe Pagano

Below is a Calendar below of things happening in Flat Rock over the next few weeks.

November 12th starting at 6PM, Turkey Day Fun at the Flat Rock Library for ages 2-14. Registration is required in person or by phone 734.782.2430

November 19th-December 14th ending at 1:30PM Santa’s Mailbox at the Flat Rock Library.

November 27th, Santa comes to Flat Rock City Hall. Starting at 6 PM with a Tree Lighting. Santa Arrives at 6:30PM.

December 1st, Breakfast with Santa Flat Rock Community Center 9-11:30AM. Your child must be registered by November 24th.

December 3rd. Gingerbread House at 6PM at the Library. Registration is required in person or by phone 734.782.2430

December 6th, Christmas Home and Business Decorating Contest will be judged. Prizes presented at Dec. 17th Council Meeting by Beautification Commission.

December 9th, Visit Mrs. Claus at the Munger General Store from 1-4PM.

December 10th, Holiday Fun starting at 6:30PM at the library. Registration is required in person or by phone 734.782.2430

For more on the Christmas Passport Program CLICK HERE

Kate’s Kitchen Flat Rock November 2018’s Featured Business

November 3, 2018 By Joe Pagano

Kate’s Kitchen’s is Our Hometown Flat Rocks Featured Business for November 2018. From its humble beginning Kate’s Kitchen started just a few blocks from the restaurant’s present location, in a basement on Arsenal Road in Flat Rock.

You can get Kate’s Famous Pies during Business Hours.

Word of Catherine Gillespie’s pies traveled fast, and in 1979 she and her husband Aaron opened Kate’s Kitchen at 26558 W. Huron River Drive in Flat Rock. Pies were what got them started, breakfast fare was soon to follow.

Fast forward to 1997, the business was passed down to their daughter, also named Catherine, who is the present owner. Since then, with the help of a group of talented and devoted women including Becky, Gina and Catherine’s daughter, Alexis, have kept the tradition of quality and homemade comfort food alive.

Kate’s Kitchen is open for breakfast and brunch and of course its pies. Business hours are 7am to 2pm Tuesday through Sunday.

Kate’s Kitchen is located at 26558 W. Huron River Drive in Flat Rock and they may be reached by phone at 734-782-3909. Kate’s is also on Facebook, Click Here for their facebook page.

The featured business of the month is presented by Our Hometown Flat Rock.

Remember to SHOP/EAT LOCAL – SHOP FLAT ROCK

Biggby Coffee is the Our Hometown February 2019 Featured Business

Adkins Insurance is January 2019 Business of the Month

Strands Of Hair is the December 2018 Business of the Month

Family Activities this Holiday Season in Flat Rock 2018

Kate’s Kitchen Flat Rock November 2018’s Featured Business

WELCOME TO FLAT ROCK

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