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.
Local Business News talked with Phil and Maryanne Munroe, proud owners of The Spice & Tea Exchange in downtown Rochester. They invite you to step into their specialty tea and spice store and enjoy the rich aromas of more than 80 custom spice blends and 80-plus loose teas. Take home an iced or hot tea of your choice made at the tea bar, or just enjoy it as you shop. You might come across some surprising finds, like Bourbon-flavored honey and other unique culinary delights. The couple is looking forward to Spice & Tea’s one-year anniversary celebration on Oct. 6.
Boris Jovanoski, executive chef for Park 600, located inside the Royal Park Hotel in downtown Rochester, told us about the upscale restaurant’s offerings. There you can get anything from a great brunch to a steak or salmon dinner to oven-fired pizzas. Park 600 focuses on locally sourced food and changes its menu seasonally. Visit the eatery for upcoming events like the Maker’s Mark bourbon dinner, or stop by for drink and appetizer specials during happy hour.
Local Business News talked with Doug Busch, owner and community development director for this family business, which goes back to 1975. With 16 locations, including one in Rochester and other metro Detroit and Ann Arbor area stores, Busch’s prides itself on supporting local farmers and food manufacturers. A central kitchen in Clinton ensures consistency in Busch’s baked goods and other fresh foods. The company also supports local charities through food and milk drives, and stays involved in community charities like Forgotten Harvest.
Home Improvement Center Still Going Strong at 110
Rochester
Dillman & Upton near downtown Rochester — now 110 and still family-owned and -operated — provides customers with an array of home improvement services, including kitchen and bath design and remodeling, decking, doors and entry systems, interior trim, rough lumber products and windows and window installation. Patrons can also shop in a separate hardware section.
CEO, DILLMAN & UPTON
Window, decking and door displays (including touch-activated electric doors) are arranged in a separate part of the building.
Curt Belaney of Rochester Hills was pleased with his new door. “Brandan Luther (an employee) was a true professional throughout the search, choice and delivery. (Installation) was perfectly done. Thanks to Dillman & Upton for improving our home,” Belaney said.
The business — founded around 1910 by Brad and Todd’s grandfather’s uncle, C.W. Upton — began as a place to buy lumber and coal. (Coal was phased out in 1960.)
Ownership has passed down through the Uptons; Brad and Todd’s father, Terry, worked in the business in the 1990s. Brad and Todd Upton now control the company, and Ryan Upton, Todd’s son, is on the staff, representing the next generation.
The showrooms have a fresh appeal, all updated in 2019, said Brad Upton. Customers include home-builders, remodelers, deck-builders and homeowners.
Homeowners thinking of a redo should take note: “One of the biggest returns on remodeling is the kitchen and bath,” he said.
Before diving into a new remodeling job, “interview a couple (of contractors) and get comfortable. The right architect and builder can make the experience a good one,” he said.
The Uptons keep a list of preferred skilled contractors — and they recommend getting the right people before any project is undertaken.
“We can provide a good referral for contractors, architects and engineers,” Brad Upton said.
Dillman & Upton also has experienced kitchen designers on staff. These professionals work with customers to design the room on a computer. A full kitchen redo can run between $25,000 and $100,000.
A separate window and door showroom is also available. The Uptons work with many manufacturers, including Andersen and Jeld-Wen. In 2020, watch for the addition of a display of new high-end pocket doors, a type of sliding door that, when open, is kept inside the adjoining wall.
Dillman & Upton staff offer knowledge and service, Brad Upton said.
“We can assist you with rough lumber, trim lumber, kitchens, baths, doors and windows,” he said.
“We’d love to sell everything, we’re happy to sell anything,” he added. “We try to sell the things we are good at.”
Dillman & Uton is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday.
Chief Financial Credit Union, a Perfect Corporate Citizen
“Life has a way of working out,” she said. “I started at credit unions at 18, but I was immersed in the medical community at Oakland University. Something in the credit union sparked and this felt natural.”
She found a business relationship specialist job online with Chief Financial and applied. When she came in for the interview, the CEO remembered her.
“I was welcomed back with open arms. They said this was perfect—Go out in the community and make people ambassadors of Chief,” Chambers said.
Advancing quickly to manager, her job still takes her into the community to educate people on financial literacy and health.
In 2015, the corporate headquarters moved to Rochester with branches in Pontiac and Dearborn.
“We really wanted to become a part of this community, so we became the official credit union for Rochester University and Leader Dogs,” said Chambers. “And we make sure our employees volunteer there. The more or community thrives, we thrive. We hit the floor with roller blades.”
As business development manager, she looks for opportunities within the community, specifically related to health and finances.
Chief Financial sponsors the Bark and Brew as well as the Hometown Hustle.
“It’s important to make sure that what we’re delivering in the community is what they feel when they walk in a branch,” she said.
One of her favorite aspects of her job is educating young people on financial literacy.
Chambers continued, “For high school and college kids, it’s important for them to understand the importance for financial literacy and to build trust. You can’t have a good working membership relationship with trust.”
When she’s in the community, she uses stories from real people, and even herself, to help deliver the message.
“I feel life experiences really drive points home. It’s easy for me to pull up a member story and tell them how they came through. The big thing is to not make it scary. We’re laying the foundation now. Nobody deserves to live paycheck to paycheck. It’s our relationship that we have built with them that sets them up for the long haul.”
Chambers is as dedicated to the community as her employer.
“Our pride is never going to go away in our community. We’re here and we’re never going away. I love what I do, I love interacting with individuals and educating them and empowering somebody in a financial sense,” she said. “They’re loyal to us, we’re loyal to them. We want long standing relationships. We want them to know we are there for them.”
Rochester Branch (Main Office)
800-844-5440
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