Gorman’s Home Furnishings & Interior Design
Gorman’s –with three showrooms in Troy, Novi and Southfield and a warehouse at the Three-Day Clearance Center in Farmington Hills—is hosting “Michigan’s Largest Housewarming Party” and needs your help. This is the first year that Gorman’s is holding this event to help families and children in need at the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, Habitat ReStores of Oakland County and Humble Design Detroit. If you have gently used furniture and new, unused household items that you wish to donate, you can go online and schedule a FREE pickup. The last day of the drive is Feb. 27, but spots are filling quickly. Go online to https://www.gormans.com/housewarming.inc to schedule a pickup or call one of the Gorman’s stores. For more information about Gorman’s home furnishings and interior design services, go to www.gormans.com.
Valentine Distilling Co.
Rifino Valentine, founder and owner of Valentine Distilling Co. in downtown Ferndale, shared his passion for small-batch, handcrafted spirits, which he’s been making and selling for 20 years. The spirits are distilled in a 20,000-square-foot facility in Ferndale, and the nearby lounge crafts and sells cocktails made with it. You may know Valentine for its vodka, but it also makes bourbon, rye whisky and gin. Book a tour of the distillery, enjoy a cocktail in the lounge or sign up for a cocktail class to get in on the fun.
Farmington Independence Week Celebration
Lindsay Kennedy, owner of Dolcetto Cheese & Specialty Goods, loves to “get weird,” she says, so she decided to host a celebration of Dolcetto’s anniversary of becoming a shop independent of the former franchise it was part of, Cheese Lady. From Feb. 6 through 10, stop by the shop in downtown Farmington for wine and food tastings, music, giveaways from local businesses and more. Participating Farmington businesses include Never Forgotten Bakery, Massage Luxe, Dearborn Music, Bodhi Yoga and more. Also, you can try your hand at the “art of the wheel” contest and decorate a cheese container for display in the shop.
Sydney Bogg’s Sweet Essentials
X marks the spot—literally—at Sydney Bogg’s Sweet Essentials in Berkley. If you see an X on the top of a Sydney Bogg’s chocolate, you know it’s the confectioner’s signature homemade caramel. For over 19 years in their Berkley location, Lisa Peasley and her brother-in-law, Gary Schlicker, have been chief cooks, bottle washers and hand-dippers of their award-winning artisan chocolates including #1 seller turtles. Premium chocolates include truffles, creams, barks, toffees, nonpareils and their best-selling nutty butter corn. With a variety of specialty or novelty gifts for Valentine’s Day, take home hand-decorated chocolate Oreos or turtle hearts starting in individual sizes to 3-pound boxes. You can even skip the recycling of the box and opt for an edible chocolate box instead.
https://www.sydneyboggs.com/
Joe’s Army Navy
Joe’s Army Navy’s got you covered from head to toe. With two locations in Clawson and Waterford, the family-owned business has been providing customers with personalized service and expertise for over 50 years. President Jeff Goldsmith and his knowledgeable team specializes in keeping you warm and dry all year long with clothing, footwear, accessories and everything in between. Joe’s extensive product line includes premium labels such as Carhartt and every contingency for work, leisure, military, camping and school. Browse through the fully stocked aisles or online at https://www.joesarmynavyonline.com/
Coeur
Jordan Smith, owner and chef for Coer restaurant in downtown Ferndale, described his vision for upscale food served in a casual setting. The French-inspired restaurant opened late summer and is in full swing, offering meals like black cod with seasonal vegetables, as well as five-course dinners, a sommelier-selected wine list and a full bar. Reserve your spot for an upcoming wine class and tasting, held monthly on Sunday afternoons, or just reserve your table for dinner or brunch online.
Taques Bar and Grill
Miguel Arzate, general manager of Taques Bar and Grill in downtown Farmington, spoke passionately about this new restaurant. Designed with some “pizzazz” for date nights and celebrations, as well as casual nights out, the authentic Mexican eatery features enchiladas, street tacos and more unusual dishes like the al ambres, Taques’s version of fajitas; and the tampiquena, a combination plate with steak, an enchilada and a taco. Don’t forget to try the house margarita and signature drinks like the lemon drop martini and Oaxaca old fashioned.
Elwin & Co.
Elwin Greenwald, owner and chef for Elwin & Co. in Berkley, told us about his long-time business, which opened in 1991. Located in Berkley since 1991, Elwin & Co. started out offering scones – the business’s claim to fame – but has branched out to include soups, lasagna and more. Try the popular raspberry white chocolate scone or savory scones like onion poppyseed, or grab meatloaf or chicken soup to heat up at home. You can find Elwin’s items at Nino Salvaggio and Westborn Markets, plus small Meijer stores and many other retailers.
North End Taproom
We spoke with Katheryn and Jon Stoia, co-owners of a new type of self-serve bar and eatery in Royal Oak called North End Taproom. Stop in and enjoy the casual atmosphere as you get your wrist band, which unlocks and tracks the 40 taps on the wall. Choose from unusual brews like Splcy Pickle Monster, IPAs, wines, ciders, non-alcoholic beers and even cold brew coffee. If you’re hungry, use your phone to order the Royal Oak burger with cheese, fish tacos, tachos, chicken wings or other items. There’s no tipping at North End, so the checkout process is simple.
Chive Kitchen
Suzy Silvestre, owner and chef for Chive Kitchen in Farmington, described her journey from a vegan restaurant to a large-scale, off-premises caterer that specializes in vegan and gluten-free food but offers a wide range of dishes. Silverstre and her pastry chef, Sarah, cater weddings, corporate events and more, and offer specialties like vegan lasagna, meatball sliders, mushroom gnocchi, bake-at-home cinnamon rolls and more. Order online to pick up in Chive’s downtown Farmington location, or contact Chive for full-service event planning and catering.
Barb’s Pizza and Pasties
Kevin Sell, one of six sibling co-owners of Barb’s Pasties & Pizza in Clawson, described how his parents’ legacy came about. The carryout restaurant offers Upper Peninsula-style pasties: original beef, ground chicken and veggie. Over the years, Barb’s added pizza, stuffed cabbage, stuffed pepper, salads and desserts, all homemade with Barb’s recipes. Now celebrating 40 years in business, the eatery also enjoys giving back to the community and beyond through charities like Barb’s scholarship fund for catering students in Kenya. Order online or call; you can get pasties hot, cold or frozen for your convenience.
Silver Dairy
Jason Smith has owned Silver Dairy, an ice cream stand in Farmington, for 15 years. Last year, he found a way to keep it open year-round. Stop in for sundaes, flurries, ice cream nachos, cones and the company’s nondairy specialty, Dole Whip. Watch social media for upcoming 12 days of Christmas buy one, get one free specials. Stop by on Moolinda Mondays (Moolinda is the large ceramic cow in front of the shop), when Silver Dairy donates a portion of proceeds to local charities. Jason is proud to announce that Silver Dairy has contributed $20,500 so far through Moolinda Mondays.
Cannelle Patisserie
Matt Knio, owner of Cannelle Patisserie in downtown Farmington, with other stores in Ann Arbor, Birmingham and Detroit, told us about his journey to create this unique business, founded on quality ingredients and artisan creations. The Farmington shop, located across from the pavilion, features an array of croissants, tarts, small cakes, macarons, cookies and more. You can also get fresh-made sandwiches, salads, coffee and espresso. Stop in and peruse the glass display of delicious and attractive desserts. Hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with upcoming holiday hours running until 8 p.m., and 10 p.m. on the weekends.
Impreza Catering
The owner of Impreza Catering, Sonia Kobylecki, has always enjoyed cooking and is happy to have made her passion into a career. The 15-year-old business has catered events like Al Kaline’s birthday party, Williams-Sonoma events and more. Kobylecki enjoys doing smaller private chef events as well as catered dinners for 600. Her all-natural turkey brine is available in specialty markets around the country and on her website.
O’Halloran’s Public House
Krystal Robertson, owner/operator of O’Halloran’s in downtown Mount Clemens, told LBN Food about her modern take on the European public house, which also has an attached banquet hall that can seat up to 100 people. Head to the restaurant for a drink and to watch the big game, or for popular menu items like the 12 different sliders, served on pretzel buns, as well as cottage pie and some unusual items like poutine. O’Halloran’s also serves a Sunday brunch with poutine, breakfast sliders. mimosas and more.
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