The Flat Rock Downtown Development Authority has approved two grant applications from business and property owners for façade improvements.
Applications for the grant funds have been received from the proposed Sugar Island Baking Co. at 28773 Telegraph Rd. and for improvements to a parcel at 27500 Telegraph Rd. that formerly housed a sign shop for many years. The baking company is from Gibraltar and will move in to a site located behind Fifth Third Bank.
Under the façade program, the DDA provides financial assistance to property or business owners wanting to renovate commercial buildings and structures within the DDA district. The assistance is in the form of grants or loans.
Click Here to see how this program can help your downtown business.
Façade Grant Work
Spooktacular 2021
Also, Flat Rock Our Hometown organization in planning the seventh annual Haunted Fall Spooktacular and Trunk-or Treat pre-Halloween celebration set for 3-6 p.m. Oct. 23 in the downtown area. The DDA is providing tables, chairs and tents for visitors to take part in the celebration.
Holiday Lighting downtown.
Holiday Lighting Downtown
The DDA has hired Grosse Ile Lawn and Sprinkler Company to help illuminate the downtown at night for Christmas. They have also purchased new decorations from Bronner’s in Frankenmuth to hang on utility poles downtown.
Completion of Telegraph Street Lighting
DTE has finalized a project to adding 44 new street light poles along Telegraph Rd. (US-24) from Ypsilanti to the Railroad Viaduct. Now all of Telegraph Road in Flat Rock has the newer style LED lighting making downtown a safer place to be.
Masserant’s Feed & Grain is a family owned and has been operating since 1982. Masserant’s is the best place to find unbeatable prices and friendly service in the area. Masserant’s was started by Gerald Masserant and his three sons: Dave, Ken and Rollin Masserant. The original mill located on Mill St. in Newport, MI was purchased from the Kahlbaum Brothers of Carleton, MI. . Masserant’s Feed & Grain is currently owned by Dave and Catherine Masserant, Rollin and Brenda Masserant, Pete and Laura Burkhardt, and Kerry and Cheryl Burkey. They have expanded to serve customers at four convenient locations in Newport, Flat Rock, Monroe and Lambertville.
The Flat Rock location at 27550 Telegraph Rd. and was added in 1993 to serve the downriver area. The location boasts many of the services found at our flagship store in Newport including: propane refills, brick pavers, wall stone, topsoil, and mulch. Masserant’s Feed & Grain also specializes in pool supplies and chlorine. We have an excellent selection of pet supplies, treats, wild bird seed, and livestock feed.
Rite On Auto Sales on Telegraph Road, Downtown Flat Rock, Mi.
When you walk into Rite On Auto Sales you quickly realize you are not in your typical dealership – they truly have a vast array of cars. Their selection varies from everyday cars, trucks and SUVs to classic cars and exotics. In addition to some of the most unique cars, you can meet a one-of-a-kind staff at Rite On Auto sales. Nicole, the manager, met with me with a firm handshake and bright smile – very excited to tell me all about the business. She emphasized on how they really work with everyone, from limited income to extravagant taste, seniors who only have social security as their income, and buyers with bad credit. Nicole is proud that they work with local credit unions to help people get an affordable rate and a vehicle that works within their budget. The atmosphere is one of true kindness, as well as excitement for what is offered and how they can work with the customer. Nicole introduced Steve, the owner. Steve opened Rite On Auto Sales in 2014. This was in addition to his already established car dealership in Ecorse that he has owned since 2001. Steve has been a car enthusiast for as long as he can remember.
When he was looking to expand, he found the perfect location – Flat Rock. It was spacious and close to his home. Once in the store, Steve soon found out that the building was a dealership in the 1950s. Steve began the process of restoring the building to its original look. To see businesses, like Rite On Auto Sales, who take pride in the glory and history of Flat Rock, as well as an appreciation for its sense of community, was so great to witness. Steve expressed how he has never experienced such community support. He boasted how the FR Police always responded quickly with any issue, the police found his stolen Jeep 20 minutes after he reported it as stolen. Steve said, “We feel safe here.” To listen to Nicole and Steve talk about Flat Rock was nothing short of heartwarming. Steve said it best, “I love Flat Rock!”
We hope you’ll check out Rite On Auto Sales for your next car or just stop by to view what a cool selection they have in the store.
We hope you will visit to see the progress they have made in restoring the building. Steve, Nicole, and Umar will be happy to show you around!
Here is a schedule of summer and fall events in Flat Rock sponsored by Flat Rock Our Hometown and supported by the Flat Rock DDA and local businesses.
If by chance you missed the first Shop Hop’s on West Huron River Drive you are in luck, there are more but don’t miss the next one it will be bigger than the last. NOTE: the Mercantile Market scheduled of July has been cancelled. Don’t forget to check out what’s happening in Flat Rock over the summer. You don’t have to go far for things to do.
Vintage Blossoms opened in July of 2019 during Taste of Flat Rock street fair. A highlight for two sisters long Journey. Through Ashlee and Alexis’s hard work their dream of having a place of their own came true. Ashlee started painting furniture when she was eighteen, selling at local pop up markets, quickly Ashlee couldn’t keep up with the demand, her sister Alexis at fifteen started to help. Their parents also pitched in to help the girls. Ashlee fondly remembers her dad towing the trailer to shows; until she learned how navigate the trailer.
When the girls found out that Darlene’s Flower Shop a downtown Flat Rock favorite was for sale, they quickly made an offer. As part of purchasing the building and business, Ashlee and Alexis wanted to keep the flower tradition, as it had been a flower shop for eighty years. Ashlee and Alexis worked for free and under Darlene’s tutelage until the purchase was complete. They also took classes and learned everything they could about the art of flower arranging. Once they had ownership they remodeled the store, brought in local vendors, they finally had a permanent location to display their custom and vintage furniture.
If you haven’t been in Vintage Blossoms, please stop by. Ashlee and Alexis are delightful. Their store is incredibly cute. They have twelve local vendors that carry, signs, candles, and gifts. The girls display their furniture, plants and flowers throughout the store. They rearrange the store every two weeks with different items. There is always something new to discover. The florist part of the business is near and dear to them, they have house plants, beautiful arrangements, a large array of beautiful flowers. Ashlee spoke about how she loves to take time with people specializing in boutiques, to make them exactly what they want, from the type, the color of flowers or maybe a sentimental item added to the arrangement.
Vintage Blossom is located at: