Flat Rock Christmas Passport Program Card for 2022.

October 31, 2022 By Joe Pagano

Flat Rock Our Hometown along with the Flat Rock DDA are once again presenting the Flat Rock Christmas Passport Program.

We are once again using the Passport Punch Cards system.

Program Information.

You will get a passport business card from any participating Flat Rock Businesses. Each card has 6 places in which to punch.
All Flat Rock participating businesses will have a card display near the cashier where you can take a card and receive a card punch.
Each Passport card is be coated so you can easily clean them.
The card will remain in your hand while the business punches it with their unique punch.
The program has started for 2022 and end on December 16, 2022.

Note; many stores already have their kits and may ask you if you would like to participate.

Flat Rock Passport Customer Rules and information.

Look for the Flat Rock Our Hometown clock decal at local businesses.
A full list of participating businesses is available on the Flat Rock Our Hometown Facebook page and on this site soon.
Visit local participating Flat Rock businesses and complete the punches on the passport card.
You must have punches from at least three (3) different businesses punches on each passport card (i.e. you can get up to three (3) stamps from one business, but the other three (3) must be different participating businesses.
Remember that 6 different punches will get you into the SPECIAL Grand Prize drawing for a basket filled with gifts from ALL participating businesses!
You get bonus stamps on Small Business Saturday weekend and Winterfest weekend.
Fill out your name, address and phone number on the passport card and drop in the box at City Hall for a chance to win your prize.
Passports Cards MUST be submitted to City Hall by December 16, 2022, by 12 NOON.
Customers can start another passport card for more chances to win. You can fill out more than one card but can only ONE prize per person.
The new passport cards can be picked up at any participating store or at city hall, the community center or the local library.
The drawings will be held on December 16, 2022 and awarded at the City Council meeting on December 19, 2022.

NOTE; You are NOT required to be present for the drawing, but we ask that you plan to attend the City Council meeting if you are a winner. The City Council meeting for the drawing will be at 7:30p.m. on December 19, 2022

Prizes;

First – $500, – Second $250, Third – $100 in Flat Rock Dollars.

**The Grand Prize is a Basket with something from every participating business.**

Check back soon for the updated participating business listing.

Abby’s Mutt Hut – 26464 W. Huron River Drive

Adolph’s Auto Repair and Towing – 28299 Telegraph Rd.

Atwater Street Taco – 26425 Atwater St.

Bashar’s Cuisine – 27103 Telegraph Rd.

Biggby Coffee Flat Rock – 26614 Telegraph Rd.

Blue Heron Trading Company – 26217 E. Huron River Drive

Convenient auto care – 28810 Telegraph Rd

Expo Nails – 26606 Telegraph Rd.

Fellows and Co. Auto Repair – 27512 Telegraph

Flat Rock Community Center – 1 Maguire St.

Flat Rock Animal Clinic – 27116 Telegraph

Flat Rock Krzyske Brothers Hardware – 26329 E. Huron River Drive

Hair Classics – 26664 Telegraph Rd.

Instinct Salon – 27250 Telegraph Rd.

Jim’s Butcher Shop – 28418 Telegraph

Lather Barbershop – 26854 Telegraph

Lefty’s Cheesesteaks – 27026 Telegraph

Marlo’s Cutting Crew – 25658 E. Huron River Dr.

Masserant’s Feed & Grain – 27550 Telegraph

Michaels on the River – 28828 Telegraph

Mimi’s Pizza – 26902 Telegraph

My Salon – 26080 E. Huron River Drive

Pet Needs, Etc. – 28325 Telegraph

Public Service Credit Union – 26121 Vreeland Rd.

Royal Shirtery – 23981 Vreeland Rd.

Sherry’s Academy of Dance, 27369 Telegraph

Shagg’s Salon – 26317 Gibraltar Rd.

S & J’s CupCakery – 26314 E. Huron River Drive

Southern Scentsations – 27419 Telegraph Rd.

Station 24 – 28801 Telegraph Rd.

Strands of Hair – 26318 E. Huron River Dr.

Sugar Island Baking Company – 28773 Telegraph Rd.

Tom’s Collision – 26813 Telegraph Rd.

Wize Guys Bistro – 26123 E. Huron River Drive

If your Flat Rock Business is interested in participating in the Flat Rock Christmas Passport Program – Click Here.

Strands of Hair Salon Celebrates 25 Years

March 3, 2022 By Joe Pagano

Happy 25th Birthday to Flat Rock’s Strands of Hair Salon!

Ginny Sims opened her first location on Grosse Ile in 1979. After a few years, she moved Strands to Riverview where her daughter, Shayla Hopper, joined her. March 1, 1997 marks the day that Ginny opened the current location in one of the oldest buildings in Flat Rock at 26318 E Huron River Drive. Ginny fell in love with the historic building as well as the friendly community.

Having been home to various beauty salons and barbershops since the early 1900s, this charming building was a natural fit for Ginny, who cherished both the beauty and history of the structure. Ginny has always trained her staff to treat every customer with respect and make sure they feel and look great when they leave. Satisfied customers are the keystone of Strands. The standards and traditions that Ginny established are continued today under the ownership of her daughter, Shayla. While admittedly biased, Shayla said “ I have never met anyone who has cared more about her staff and clients than my mom. I have been in this business for 28 years and know she is unique.”

Ginny has been active in the community and, seeing a need for more activities for children in the town, started the Spooktacular, a neighborhood Halloween party opened to the community. It has grown to include more local businesses over the years and is now one of Flat Rock Our Hometown’s signature events. Shayla has continued that commitment to the community as a co-leader of Flat Rock Our Hometown, creating and presenting events in the downtown to promote and highlight local businesses.

The building was recently restored to its original historic design from the late 1800s. Shayla said “The building’s history has influenced us and we hope to live up to that history while maintaining our own originality”

Currently, Strands of Hair has a team of very talented hairstylists with individual specialties. Shayla, the owner and stylist, specializes in color, specialty cuts, and precision cuts. Renae, who has been with Strands for 12 years, specializes in clipper cuts and razor cuts. Melanie, who started as an apprentice 5 years ago, is talented and has a wealth of knowledge on cosmetics, as she is pursuing a degree in Pharmaceutical Cosmetic Formulation. She can answer questions about hair related chemistry and helps with strong product knowledge. June has been part of our team since 2019 and is exceptional with balayage and all blonding color. She strives to achieve exactly what her clients want.

For all who have been customers over the past 25 years, we thank you and look forward to our next 25 years.

Sugar Island Baking Company opens November 11th

November 8, 2021 By Joe Pagano

Sugar Island Baking Company opens November 11th in Downtown Flat Rock

Sugar Island Baking Company, 28773 Telegraph Road Flat Rock, Michigan 48134, will do a soft opening on Thursday November 11^th. Owners Christy and Michelle started their business as a home style bakery in their Gibraltar home. Looking to start a brick and mortar store front business they heard that there may be a space in Flat Rock that may fit their business model. After visiting the store they knew this was the place for their small family business. Both Christy and Michelle are married with families and say that their families support them in their new business.

Michelle (left) and Christie (right) Owners of Sugar Island Baking Company in Flat Rock, Mi.

Sugar Island Baking Company is located next to 5/3^rd Bank on the corner of Telegraph and E. Huron River Drive along with Grace’s Wood Company, BARE Aesthetics and Not Your Average Shoppe. Sugar Island will be selling baked goods like cookies, cakes and pies but also specialty items like sausage roll pastries. Fresh bread is also on their baking list. They will also have coffee and even coffee beans.

We’ll have a free cookie for every veteran while supplies last! Thank you for your service and sacrifice!

With Veterans Day coming up on their opening day, they will be giving all Veterans a FREE cookie to thank them for their service.

Keep an eye on their facebook for current cookies.

Sugar Island Baking Company

28773 Telegraph Road
Flat Rock, Michigan 48134

Ph. 734-552-1194

Click here for their Website

Email: sugarislandbaking@gmail.com

Support Local Flat Rock Drawing 2020

May 25, 2020 By Joe Pagano

Support Local

Shop Local Flat Rock Drawing 2020

You can win a gift card in the Support Local Flat Rock Program, created by the Flat Rock Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and supported by Flat Rock Our Hometown. This is an incentive program is for customers of Flat Rock businesses. You can win one of 10 $25 gift cards every week during the months of June and July.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

When you make a purchase at one of the Downtown Flat Rock stores of $10 or more, you will be eligible to enter the drawing by printing your name and phone number on the back of your receipt. Your receipt will become the drawing ticket. You can then place your receipt into the drawing pail near the register or give them to the cashier who will enter your receipt into the drawing.

If a Flat Rock business is not listed or isn’t participating, you can still enter the drawing by dropping your receipt with your name and phone number at the Biggby Coffee on Telegraph Road in Flat Rock.

You have to purchase your item the week of the drawing and all receipts will be destroyed after the drawing. The drawing is open to anyone 18 and older. You can only win one prize per month.

Eleven winners will be announced every Friday (the 11th prize will be a car wash from Cobra One in Flat Rock) and posted on the Flat Rock DDA and Flat Rock Our Hometown Facebook pages.

Winners can pick up their gift cards at Flat Rock City Hall during normal business hours. A MASK IS REQUIRED TO ENTER CITY HALL

Winners must pick up their prize within a week of the drawing. Those not picked up will be re-entered into the contest.

(Any business within the City Limits of Flat Rock and registered with the city of Flat Rock can collect receipts from customers to submit into the contest. If you are interested please contact Diane at Biggby Coffee.)

Participating Flat Rock Businesses

You can find the list of Current Shop Local – Shop Flat Rock Promotion Winners and other stats on the DDA facebook page.

Notice; Due to COVID-19 and state regulations, some businesses may be closed until restrictions are lifted.

COVID-19 Vital funding for the State of Michigan small businesses

March 19, 2020 By Joe Pagano

Michigan Small Business Relief Program will provide up to $20 million in grants and loans to Michigan’s small businesses impacted by COVID-19 outbreak

LANSING, Mich. – Economic assistance for small businesses around Michigan that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus gained approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

“We understand small businesses across our state are facing unprecedented challenges as we take every step possible to mitigate the spread of coronavirus,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Through decisive actions like those taken today by the MSF Board to authorize relief for small businesses throughout Michigan, we are leveraging every resource available to support our businesses, communities and entrepreneurs around the state impacted by this outbreak.”

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program approved today authorizes the MEDC provide up to $20 million in support for small businesses. The funding is divided between $10 million in small business grants and $10 million in small business loans to support businesses facing drastic reductions in cash flow and the continued support of their workforce. Click Here for that site.

The $10 million in grant funding will be provided to local or nonprofit economic development organizations throughout the state to provide grants up to $10,000 each to support certain small businesses that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 virus. CLICK HERE for this info.

In order to qualify for grant support, businesses must meet the following criteria:

* The company is in an industry outlined in Executive Order 2020-9, or any subsequent Executive Order of similar intent (“EO”), or demonstrates it is otherwise affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as meeting additional criteria;
* The company has 50 employees or fewer;
* The company needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business; and
* The company is able to demonstrate an income loss as a result of the EO, or the COVID-19 outbreak.

For State of Michigan information on this CLICK HERE.

Additionally, the program will authorize the MEDC to provide up to $10 million for small business loans to one or more Community Development Financial Institutions (“CDFI”) or a licensed SBA not-for-profit institutions (“Eligible SBA Non-Profit”), or directly from the MSF to eligible borrowers to be used to provide low-interest loans with flexible repayment terms to support certain small businesses statewide that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Loans to eligible borrowers must be $50,000 or more and are capped at $200,000. For State of Michigan non-profit loans CLICK HERE.

In order to qualify for loan support, businesses must meet the following criteria:

* The company is in an industry outlined in Executive Order 2020-9 (“EO”), or demonstrates it is otherwise affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, or is a company that provides goods and services to companies to the aforementioned;

* The company has fewer than 100 employees;
* The company needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business;
* The company can demonstrate that it is unable to access credit through alternative sources;
* The company can demonstrate an income loss of as a result of Executive Order 2020-9.

The MEDC anticipates that at least 1,100 businesses across the state will benefit from this program.

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program will be a top priority for the MEDC, with funds being available no later than April 1, 2020. Loan and grant proceeds under the Michigan Small Business Relief Program may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business. Through this program, in combination with other programs and services, the state will ensure economic support is available to Michigan’s small businesses to overcome anticipated loss of revenue as a result of the COVID-19 virus through both grant and loan opportunities.

“With the outbreak of COVID-19, many small businesses are faced with significant economic impacts, including challenges with cash flow and resources to support their workforce,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “The Michigan Small Business Relief program will provide immediate assistance to the small businesses around the state who are facing revenue loss as a result of tough, but necessary steps that have been taken to mitigate the spread of the virus.”

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program (CLICK HERE) is the latest effort of MEDC to support Michigan businesses as they are impacted by COVID-19. MEDC has just launched a new free, statewide online procurement platform

for buyers and suppliers of critical health and human services across a broad range of categories to minimize the impact of the virus in the state. The platform will allow health and human service providers in need of critical supplies to connect with suppliers of vital goods and services. (Procedure Platform information CLICK HERE)

It also builds Governor Whitmer’s application for a U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration to ensure federal economic support is available to Michigan businesses. Earlier this month, Congress passed legislation making $1 billion available to the SBA to provide low-interest loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and nonprofits that have suffered substantial economic losses due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These loans offer up to $2 million in assistance to support businesses with any temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing due to the outbreak, and will have a significant regional impact for communities across the state as the COVID-19 situation evolves. (Small Business Disaster Loan information CLICK HERE)

For more resources for small businesses in Michigan impacted by COVID-19 (CLICK HERE)

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, CLICK HERE . For Pure Michigan® tourism information

Join the conversation on: MEDC Facebook

Join on Instagram at MEDC Instagram

Join on Twitter MDEC

And on LinkedIn

Michigan Economic Development Corporation,

300 N. Washington Sq.,

Lansing, Michigan 48913