By Becky Hammond

GENTRIFICATION SEEMS AN OVERUSED WORD THESE DAYS, AND IT NOW HAS SUCH MULTIPLE MEANINGS THAT IT’S MAYBE BEEN LEFT WITH NONE. But it’s a constant topic, a current running throughout news stories that seem to be about other subjects. If you’re reading the Free Press or People or listening to NPR, whether the topic is Ford buying the historic depot in SW Detroit or the Brady Bunch house selling, the accompanying multiple meanings that its maybe left with none. But it’s a constant topic, a current running throughout news stories that seem to be about other subjects. If you’re reading the Free Press or People or listening to NPR, whether the topic is Ford buying the historic depot in SW Detroit or the Brady Bunch house selling, the accompanying changes in the communities are an automatic and expected part of the story.

Ferndale was once called “the new Royal Oak,” with some excitement. Our downtown seemed empty. Royal Oak’s new popularity and higher rents were our gain. Now, “Don’t Royal Oak My Ferndale” is a new catchphrase. It was probably inevitable that Berkley and Clawson’s business districts were doomed to be called ‘New Ferndales,’ and it’s probably just as inevitable that Oak Park’s and Hazel Park’s residential districts seeing home prices shoot up as Ferndale out of reach for many. The changes any city goes through are constant. They have ripple effects.

When is enough enough? How much is too much? And who decides? Peter Werbe, a long-time Oak Park resident, told me, “Most of the Ferndal-ization of Oak Park is occurring on the city’s East Side. Young families and hipsters are taking advantage of the real estate prices that are lower than those in Ferndale and Royal Oak, but it also means that home prices are skyrocketing. Which is good; except the down side, like in all gentrification, is what happens to the poorer people who get displaced?”

Cities and neighborhoods nationwide face these challenges. The Highlands is a funky neighborhood in Louisville, KY, which shouts its indie character. After a visit, I contacted Carmichael’s Bookstore to find out if, given the appeal of what independent people achieved there, developers were in the wings. But the Highlands have been organized and prepared for a long time. “There is an association for businesses called
the Highland Commerce Guild and several neighborhood associations in the area that are very active about growth. There is also a committee one must apply to about any changes to zoning, signage, parking, etc., and most importantly we have a very active Buy Local organization in Louisville.”

There always seems to be a connection between bookstores and neighborhoods with character. Ferndale and Oak Park boast Book Beat, King Books, and The Library Bookstore on 9 Mile. Regarding a feared influx of chains in Ferndale, longtime Library Books owner Martha Sempliner said that chains “. . .destroy every bit of individualism. We get that effort in Ferndale. We have people that will provide it. That gumption, that stick-to-it-iveness impresses me. I don’t want chains that take over individual effort. You can get that anywhere. I want a walkable city where people can go to a number of kinds of businesses that are useful to them. We don’t need a zillion bars.”

Ferndale resident Jeannie Davis echoed Martha: “In the ‘70s, Ferndale’s downtown was filled with retail, and moms shopping for kids. The kids moved away, retail dried up, and our downtown was desolate. Because of innovative thinking, we reinvented ourselves, and became a destination for people looking to eat and drink. Suddenly Ferndale was cool, and property prices went up. Now, with the guidance of different innovative leaders, we are changing again. We are greatly expanding our number of places to live. Lots more rentals, and condos. I don’t know if that’s good or bad.

CERTAIN RESIDENTS WANT SOME OF THE CHANGES, not others.

John Hardy said, “Yes, Royal Oak my Ferndale. The East side has no problem with it. Just spend some of the taxes on this side like they should be doing, and not putting new houses and apartments where they absolutely and positively do not belong!

An anonymous semi-newcomer told me, “There are a lot of people my age and younger (20s-to-mid 30s), and probably newer residents and homeowners, who see large building initiatives – which will turn Ferndale into more of an urban area – as ‘progress’ because they want to live in a cool, hip city without living in Detroit. They’re also people who might live here for five or so years before they move to a different suburb for a larger house in an area they perceive as having better schools. They kind of champion investment in a ‘good time’ instead of a ‘long time’, because they want to live in a cool, fun place while they’re young and move their families someplace they perceive as being more family-friendly later on. This seems to be in direct conflict with some people who have lived here longer and raised a family here when it was a sleepier suburb, and want to keep it that way.”

Does Royal Oak enjoy its reputation as the thing to imitate and yet not be? Comparisons abound no matter the city. Oak Park resident Ann-Marie Young said, “I don’t know about this ‘Royal-Oak-my-Oak-Park’ idea. An important distinction between the two cities is this: Oak Park is a community. We know our neighbors. We look out for each other. We celebrate birthdays and create meal trains during difficult times. If a driveway or sidewalk needs shoveling we keep going clearing the path across property lines.”

Vittoria Valenti is just as enthusiastic. “We moved to Oak Park almost a year ago and love it! We lived in Royal Oak previously, and were looking to buy in a city with more of a neighbor-hood vibe. We’re extremely happy with the city services offered and compared to neighboring cities they are exceptional. That said, I’d love to see the vacant store fronts on 9 Mile filled with a diversity of tenants. I’d prefer to spend my money within the city of Oak Park, but right now it’s hard. Royal Oak, Ferndale, or Berkley offer more variety and higher quality options. I’m not particularly interested in a nightlife scene in Oak Park, but affordable, quality restaurants would be a great addition. We don’t need to become mirrors of our neighboring cities, but we should find our niche to remain competitive and relevant. The last thing I think anyone wants to see is people moving into Oak Park for proximity to these other cities and not becoming part of our community.”

John Vavrek: “Oak Park needs a vibrant and attractive downtown area. Connecting to the Ferndale 9 Mile corridor with businesses and restaurants is also not a bad idea.”

SOME CITIES SUCCESSFULLY FOUGHT DEVELOPMENT DECADES AGO, and now are correcting their previous course. Yellow Springs, Ohio is a charming town near Dayton that took warnings about a potentially exploding population in the 1960s seriously. Executive Director Karen Wintrow’s descriptions of no-growth and no-sprawl policies make Yellow Springs sound like a small Vermont. But now a need for more housing density has resulted in a revamping of zoning laws. And successes like a thriving tourist industry give rise to fears that the walkable downtown with businesses residents actually need is leading to too many galleries and gift shops. Experiments like turning an old high school into community space worked until the private owner neglected the building to the point where now it can’t be sold.

Cities like Ferndale have similar concerns and successes. Lakewood, Ohio, is a suburb of Cleveland with a reputation like Ferndale’s. Resident Todd Flenner told me about “…all of the luxury condos going up in our city and who the hell is going to live there? Lakewood has always been a city with funky, cool, old buildings and local businesses. We try to fight the corporate chains opening up, sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. I think the city is still going in a good direction with a few speed bumps along the way. We still remain one of the most diverse cities.”

Diversity is a source of pride in Ferndale, too.

By: Jessica L. Misch, Former Como’s Patron

FERNDALE, MICHIGAN COMPRISES PERHAPS THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community members in the state of Michigan. And yet, in 1961, it was a young, heterosexual single mother who had the gumption to scratch out a safe space in Ferndale for Michigan’s social undesirables to dine over pizza, drink spirits and find love in the company of friends: Como’s Restaurant.

In the early days of the gay right’s movement, Como’s stood in stark contrast to other gay spaces in Michigan. Como’s wasn’t a hole-in-the-wall bar that required a secret knock on an obscure door in shadow-filled alleys. Gay patrons brought an extra pair of shoes to those cryptic locations — running shoes — in the event of a police raid or a bomb thrown. No, Como’s was different. The large, outdoor patio and spacious indoor setting exuded an ambiance of safety, even normality. GLBT patrons weren’t considered sinners or diseased lepers at Como’s. Patrons were out in the open on the corner of 9 Mile and Woodward, protected by a bright red canopy, while fresh air flowed through multiple entrances.

Beyond the inclusiveness, open layout and hot plates of Italian food, Como’s was a family business. However, most people knew there was a strong matriarch orchestrating things. This strong and focused woman was the engine behind Como’s life, growth and stability. She and her multi-service gay bar were the community saviors when there were few alternatives, when society wanted to erase people who didn’t conform to heterosexual gender norms.

Being an entrepreneur is challenging. Being a young-single woman with a child, while building a gay bar in bigot Michigan during the 1960s can only be described as monumental. Como’s stood the test of time in socially unfavorable environments. Decade after decade, Como’s helped give birth to an LGBTQ service industry, carving out paths, streets and sidewalks with an overflowing traffic of patrons for the trendy bars and restaurants bustling in Ferndale today.

Time passed. The landscape changed. Music drummed out a new rhythm. Como’s, like our very own grandmothers, aged; her energy slowed. And, still, the younger generation demanded more. Como’s struggled to keep the pulse, much like our own frail and beloved grandmothers. When our grandparents lose their ability to remain independent and are unable to meet the demands of society, they become frustrated, perhaps even cantankerous. But we should never abandon or forget those who have cared for us for so long when they are unable to carry on.

COMO’S IS CLOSED. THERE ARE NO SIZZLING PIZZAS BEING PULLED from its once steaming ovens. But, regardless of its successor, the spirit of Como’s will forever imbue Michigan’s LGBTQ history. Walk by Como’s, and ready your cameras to appreciate the six decades of rich history, a business that broke obstinate homophobic molds in the state of Michigan with a proverbial sledgehammer.

The closing of Como’s presents a historic opportunity for the community of Ferndale to define its values. For me, as a child of Michigan who witnessed Como’s thrive in its younger years, I contemplate my duty to this aged pillar in Michigan’s LGBTQ history, an establishment that gave me reason to believe in my own value in the 1980s when society offered me few.

Thank you, Como’s. Your spirit lives on, dear friend

By Mary Meldrum

THE RED AWNINGS, THE ICONIC SIGN WITH THE STAR ON THE TOP. . . SIGH. It closed last year and left a void in the heart of Ferndale and the hearts of many patrons and families. We all miss Como’s!

Opened in 1961 and family-owned for six decades, Como’s had never been publically listed for sale before. Suddenly, the once-popular and always busy Ferndale restaurant and bar was listed on the market for $4 million by the Grego family, after being forced to close in late 2017.

Michigan Restaurant Liquidations and Auctions posted sales of Como’s equipment online in early January 2018. Even the “Como’s Restaurant” sign was up for grabs with booths, pizza ovens, lighting fixtures and other items and decorations.

Closed for good in December of 2017 following a series of closings and health code violations, Como’s now has a new owner. The Peas & Carrots Hospitality group acquired the famed Como’s location in Ferndale at the corner of Woodward and Nine Mile for an undisclosed amount.

Details are few, but good news – the new restaurant group, consisting of Chef Zack Sklar, Jim Bellinson and Josh Humphrey, plan to retain the formerly family-owned Italian restaurant’s “Como’s” name and well-known pizza-centric cuisine.

Como’s will mark Peas & Carrots’ 13th restaurant opening in six years. You might recognize some of their other restaurants, such as Social Kitchen & Bar in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, and Mex in Bloomfield Hills and Great Lakes Crossing. Peas & Carrots Regional Manager Michael Gray is a Ferndale resident, and is looking forward to taking the lead in the newest venture for the busy restaurant group.

With an eye on Ferndale’s unique downtown profile, Peas & Carrots Hospitality is looking to create an upbeat restaurant with a lively bar crowd and thoughtful Italian comfort food. With the unrelenting crowds pulsing past the Woodward and Nine Mile corner, the new Como’s has a lot to look forward to when it opens its doors, and Ferndale visitors and residents will fill the restaurant once again.

Owner and Chef, Zack Sklar, who graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, says “Ferndale is socially liberal, inviting, and aligns with our company’s mission of acting as a melting pot for an eclectic group of people. We love that Ferndale wants to remain Ferndale and values those family-owned style restaurants. Even as we have grown, we’ve managed to retain that sense of belonging, and we know that Peas & Carrots Hospitality is a great fit for the Ferndale neighborhood.”

Como’s 8,000 square foot location is slated to undergo a full renovation before its big debut sometime in 2019. Known for their large covered outdoor patio, they plan to preserve the ample indoor and outdoor seating space for the restaurant. The upper level of the building will serve as the Peas & Carrots Hospitality home office.

The new owners promise that when Como’s reopens, alongside the traditional Italian cuisine will be a generous offering of beers on tap. That sounds like a warm invitation to visit Como’s!

Nancy Mae Lennon,
September 15, 1936-May 24, 2018

STORY BY MARY MELDRUM

THERE IS NO TRIBUTE THAT CAN COMPLETELY CAPTURE THE LIFE OF Nancy Mae Lennon … who passed away on May 24, 2018 at the age of 81. She was the mother of seven children and grandmother to twelve. Nancy leaves behind a big family and many friends and Ferndale neighbors who feel fortunate to have had Mer in their lives.

She was the driving force behind her late husband, Bernard Lennon, who was mayor of Ferndale and then deputy director of the State Department of Labor under Governor Jim Blanchard. A master at running campaigns, she was also the quiet power behind two of her sons who were. on the Ferndale City Council.

Over the course of her professional life, Nancy worked at various positions, including judicial secretary, congressional staffer, secretary to a governor, and finally, the position from which she retired, Court Administrator at the 43rd District Court in Madison Heights. She also served as campaign treasurer for a number of political campaigns, and was a long-time member of the Ferndale Library Board.

“I have what I consider to be one of the best – if not the best – court staffs  in the state of Michigan. I think that is due in no small part to Nancy’s supervision,” said 43rd District Court Judge, Robert Turner Jr., of Nancy Lennon as she retired in 1998 after working nine years as his court administrator.

With two court officers and six clerks under her leadership, Nancy Lennon oversaw all operations outside the courtroom that handled an astounding 14,000 cases in 1997.

She was renowned for her ability to successfully multi-task- a skill honed while juggling the lives of her seven busy children, the logistical demands of a large household, and supporting the professional life of a husband who spent some years in political headlights.

With no formal education after high school, Nancy soon demonstrated her natural ability for a great grasp of numbers. This talent made her exceptionally good at being responsible for all the fines and costs collected by the 43rd District Court, which amounted to $1.5 million in 1997. Her mastery of account­ing also showed up every time Nancy would send her children to Farmer Jack’s with exact change for the groceries she requested. She always knew the prices of her selections. She expertly managed the family finances, and even Bernie was not allowed to possess the check book.

ENDOWED WITH A STRONG WORK ETHIC AND APTITUDE, one could  see how it was a gift as well as a curse for Nancy. The downside of her driving work ethic and competence was her legendary impatience. Probably every one of her children suffered trauma induced by Nancy not so politely instructing a retail employee that there was a better way for him or her to do the task they were attempting to accomplish under Nancys critical glare.

“More than once, one of us came home and told the others, Mom took down a salesperson at Hudson’s today,” shares her son, Michael Lennon. As she aged, this impatience haunted her. Michael reports that if she called and asked you to do something that you couldn’t do immediately, she would simply attempt to do it herself. “In the last few years and on two separate occasions, this impatience resulted in a TV and then a window air conditioner falling on this woman in her late ’70s who didn’t weigh 100 pounds.”

Most who knew her well remember Nancy Lennon as a lively, spirited women who, despite her growing brood of small children, found time to join golf and bowling leagues; a person who rode her bike through the streets of Ferndale after dinner for many years; a mother who knew how to keep a box score and was honored several years by the Ferndale Little League for keeping score every Monday through Friday of the baseball season; a tireless advocate for children and schools; a person who enjoyed reading romance novels and trashy magazines; a mother who helped all of her children when they moved into new houses, often serving as the lead painter; a women who enjoyed bingo, lottery tickets and trips to the casinos; a person who actually liked yard work; and a tireless campaign worker who coveted tasks but not a title.

Nancy loved her grandchildren fiercely, and she enjoyed and deserved the privileges that came with being a grandmother. Her life was not without its struggles. When she was still very active and fully and happily employed with the court, she chose to retire to care for her once-strong and imposing husband

When she got older, you could still find Nancy all over the city of Ferndale. She took great interest in her daughters-in-law and grandchildren, attending sporting events and school activities. Her sons are pretty sure that she came to take the sides of each of her daughters-in-law in any disputes with her sons.

In the time of her generation, Nancy Lennon – like so many unsung women heroes of past generations – was a quiet feminist force without declaring herself one. She exercised strength but felt no need to proclaim it. She was the glue that held her family together and ushered in some amazing community endeavors. Ferndale is all the better for her lifelong efforts and legacy.

By Sara Teller

THE CONGREGATION OF DRAYTON AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH RECENTLY RELOCATED from Ferndale to Berkley. The number of attendees had dwindled drastically in recent years. At the time of relocation, the church had less members than when it originally opened in the 1920s. The decision was based on limited funding and an inability to continue meeting in the original structure, a cherished Ferndale landmark for almost a century.

The move has affected the whole neighborhood. “We moved next door to the church four years ago,” said Ferndale resident Tina Towell. “The decision to move here was logical – our family is here, and we wanted to be close to our grandchildren.” Towell described how she and partner Richard Christensen knew they’d be in the neighborhood for many years and immediately started renovating, creating their dream home. “We’ve put a lot into our house, invested a lot,” she said.

They couldn’t believe it when the congregation quickly and quietly vacated the historical building. “We loved having the church next door,” she said. “We loved hearing the chimes that would play. There were actually two congregations, one LGBT, with a daycare, a school, and a catering business that used the kitchen. We got to know the caterer pretty well.” As she peered over at the lot, she added, “Looks like all the furniture and other items are gone now.”

The original church building was eventually purchased by a developer, Designhaus Architecture, and the company drew up plans to put in over three dozen apartments. “About six to eight months ago, the neighbors told us the church was for sale. Then, about two or three months ago, we heard someone was interested in turning it into apartments. The original plans called for 36 apartments, I believe, including a six-townhouse complex in the parking lot,” Towell explained, saying they couldn’t fathom where that many would even go. “The townhouses would be right behind us. And, there just wasn’t adequate parking, absolutely no green space,” she said.

“Parking is already at a premium in Ferndale. Then, you have to consider the additional traffic coming in and out.”

DURING THE TRANSITION, RESIDENTS BEGAN to notice dumpsters close to their homes. “My grandchildren spend a lot of time here,” Towell said. “I don’t want to have to worry about the smell, rats, flies. And what about our property value?

Many in the neighborhood would like to see the space preserved and used for the benefit of the entire community. “We’d like to see an art center, artists’ loft, or community swimming pool go in there,” Towell offered. “The City could buy and convert it.”

The latest planning commission meeting concerning the matter was held on July 11. According to Towell, “[A number of residents] attended…many of us got up to protest the current site plan presented by the Designhaus developers. On Tuesday evening prior…we met as a group to discuss what we wanted and how to present it. So we stood our ground.”

On August 1, Ferndale City Planning Manager Justin Lyons stated, “Regarding the current plans for the site, the applicant applied for a conditional rezoning and site plan to reuse the existing church building with 30 apartment units. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 11th and took no action on the item. The next steps are for the developer to consider if they wish to make revisions to their conditional rezoning agreement and site plan, which would require another public hearing at the Planning Commission.”