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THERE’S A NEW BIRD IN TOWN. IT DOESN’T FLY, IT DOESN’T HAVE FEATHERS AND IT DOESN’T CHIRP. IT DOES MOVE SWIFTLY THOUGH.

This Bird comes in the form of an e-scooter.

In July, the City of Oak Park approved a 12-18 month pilot program for shared electrical scooters (e-scooters) with Bird Rides, Inc. The pilot program was initiated to ensure e-scooters fit the needs of the Oak Park community, including mobility, equity and safety priorities.

Bird aims to make cities more livable by reducing car trips, traffic and carbon emissions. The company’s scooters, developed by an in-house team of leading engineering and vehicle design experts, also provide a naturally socially distanced way to get around and offer residents without cars another transportation option.

FEW COMPLAINTS REGARDING E- SCOOTERS HAVE BEEN LODGED WITH BIRD and the City thus far, but there is a certainly a learning curve on the do’s and don’ts of riding an e-scooter with Oak Park.

Some of these DO’s and DON’Ts are:

  • DO only have one rider on an e-scooter at a time;
  • DO wear a helmet;
  • DON’T ride if you are under the age of 18;
  • DO ride a Bird e-scooter ride on the sidewalk, unless there is a bike lane. Bike lanes always take precedence for use;
  • DON’T park a Bird in someone’s front lawn or anywhere where they are blocking sidewalks, walk paths, driveways or roadways.
  • DO use the Bird App to report issues with the e-scooters, such as they are parked in the wrong spot or not working (not the City website, GOVQA, or calling City staff).

Other means to report issues with Bird e- scooters is by emailing hello@bird.co, oakpark311@bird.co for parking issues or by calling the Bird 24/7 support line at (866) 205-2442.

IN ADDITION TO BIRD PLACING E- SCOOTERS in the Oak Park community, the company also offers the following features to riders.

  • COMMUNITY PRICING: Bird’s inclusive Community Pricing Program offers a 50 percent discount to low-income riders, Pell grant recipients, select local nonprofit and community organizations, veterans and senior citizens. Those who qualify can sign up by downloading the Bird app, creating an account and emailing proof of eligibility to access@bird.co.
  • Free Rides for Healthcare Workers and Emergency Personnel: Bird offers free rides to healthcare workers and emergency personnel. Those who qualify can sign up by emailing a copy of their medical identification card, name and phone number to together@bird.co. Eligible riders receive two free 30-minute rides per day.

Those who are interested in providing feedback on the E-scooter Pilot Program are encouraged to take a quick online survey at https://forms.office.com/r/WZB2vvRXNt. The feedback from the survey
will help the City of Oak Park understand the impact of e-scooters on the community.

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By Kim Marrone
Director of Economic Development & Planning, City of Oak Park

THE CITY OF OAK PARK’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN BUSY OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. WHILE MANY PEOPLE WERE STILL WORKING FROM HOME, SOME MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS WERE HAPPENING HERE IN OAK PARK.

The Eight Mile Corridor has received a lot of attention the past few years with the final vacant parcel of the Armory Site currently being developed. The new development is a 295,000 square-foot industrial warehouse building. The majority is already leased to Tire Wholesalers but the remaining 92,000 is still available.

Photo by Bennie White ©2022

The new Forgotten Harvest headquarters was constructed and had their grand opening. This is a great organization we were thrilled to have remain in Oak Park after considering several possible other cities. Some other projects along 8 Mile are underway and should be moving forward soon.

A FEW OTHER HIGHLIGHTS IN 2020-2022 are the new Savvy Sliders development currently under construction on Greenfield Road near 8 Mile.

On the 11 Mile corridor from the Water Tower to Coolidge we created a Social District. This new district was allowed during COVID and has now been added permanently by the State of Michigan Liquor Control. The social district allows people to get a beverage in one of the establishments in the Social District and drink it outdoors anywhere within the district.

The City is currently gathering public input on creating a new pocket park there as well paving the parking lot, adding green space and other amenities for the public to enjoy. The District now has Unexpected Craft Brewing Company, Dog & Pony Show Brewing Company, Oak Park Social, Berkley Coffee, TRV/FIT, and soon to come are The Oakparker and Salud Eleven.

Photo by Bennie White ©2022

THE CITY WAS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE FIRST TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT in the City of Oak Park. The Development is on Nine Mile with a bus stop directly in front. The developer is the Ferlito Group who recently broke ground. The City is hoping to do future mixed use developments along Nine Mile Road.

We are also very excited for the Jax Car Wash on Greenfield Road near 11 Mile. This project is on the site of the old McDonalds. Construction has just begun there. With so many exciting things happening in Oak Park we have also seen our home prices increase year over year with many young families moving in. We welcome all the new residents and businesses as they are what make Oak Park the great diverse community it is.

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Photo by Bennie White ©2022

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: WE HAVE IT, BUT WE NEED MORE OF IT.

In Metro Detroit we have the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), the Detroit Department of Transportation, the Q-Line and other, more hyper-local transit authorities. These all aim to help individuals go from Point A to Point B with ease. However, as we know, transportation in Metro Detroit does not always come with ease.

I am, and have long-been, a strong advocate for public transportation because of the
benefits it provides to the communities it supports. A robust public transportation system allows citizens greater opportunities to travel to jobs, educational institutions and health care providers. It encourages economic growth, and most importantly, breaks down barriers that could otherwise inhibit community and personal successes.

Photo by Bennie White ©2022

IN OAK PARK WE HAVE DILIGENTLY WORKED TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION through our own programs and policies. Earlier this year, myself and City officials welcomed a new Transit-Oriented Development, The Nine. We also allowed for a pilot micro-mobility program that provides individuals the chance to easily go from a bus stop to their home or their home to the store, and so on. The focus of this program is giving individuals the resources to connect the last mile of their trip.

How does the program support this?
E-Scooters.

We also have five MOGO stations in Oak Park, which provide easy access to bicycles for those interested in utilizing non-motorized transportation. Oak Park has also invested in bike lanes over the years to further encourage use of non-motorized transportation and to provide safe ways to ride.

In terms of the more general idea of public transpiration, Oak Park residents have long “opted-in” to the SMART system. There are four SMART routes that go through Oak Park and the City utilizes the connector system too, which provides curb-to-curb, advance reservation service within a ten-mile radius of the beginning destination.

SUCH SERVICES CERTAINLY BOLSTER OPPORTUNITIES for individuals to traverse through daily life without a vehicle, but is what we – as a region – offer enough?

I don’t think so.

Look at cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and more. Their interconnected transit systems allow for personal and economic successes. In Metro Detroit, we have come a long way, but I am certain a better-connected transit system – one that even allows us to get to-and-from the airport – will only push us even farther in the right direction. A dedicated public transportation route to the airport, guaranteed and regular routes into our inner-ring suburbs, transit lines to some of our most popular destinations (think sports arenas, universities, shopping districts) are fixed routes that we need. These are the same of type routes the cities with successful transportation systems have in place.

We are always looking for ways to exemplify our culture of excellence here in Oak Park and by creating an intentional, well-developed and expansive public transportation system we all can thrive, in Oak Park and beyond.

City Manager Erik Tungate
City of Oak Park

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THIS YEAR HAS BEEN SPECTACULAR IN OAK PARK WITH THE OPENING OF THE BEAUTIFUL NINE MILE LINEAR PARK. CLIMBING AMENITIES CALLED THE NINJA CHALLENGE DRAW YOUNG
COMPETITORS TO TRY THEIR SKILLS, SENIORS TO ENJOY A SWING IN THE SHADE, AND EVERYONE WHO WANTS A PICTURE WITH OUR JOYFUL SCULPTURES HOOPS GUY AND EARTH GIRL.

Photo by Bennie White ©2022

Just east down Nine Mile Road, the Ferlito Group broke ground on a $4.9 million transit-oriented housing project to be called The Nine. This 30-unit apartment, with studio and one-bedroom units, is located right by a bus stop, a MOGO station, and our newest electric scooters. These units will appeal to those looking for a live-work space that doesn’t require the expense of owning a car.

Owner Mike Ferlito raved about the ease of building in Oak Park because the staff works hard to facilitate and speed the development along. He said if we hadn’t taken the former five-lane street down to three with bike lanes he wouldn’t have considered the location, but the City has been pro-active in adding value to the area so we can expect more exciting development.

Cheerful Under the Radar Michigan star Tom Daldin visited BookBeat, one of the nation’s few successful independent book sellers. Led by Colleen Kammer and Carey Loren, BookBeat offers amazing personal service and an art gallery of african masks and other collectibles. Tom wrote the latest in his series, Under the Radar Michigan: Yet Another 50: Why Stop Now and his book-signing drew a great crowd.

REZONING A STRETCH OF ELEVEN MILE ROAD FROM LIGHT INDUSTRIAL TO MIXED USE allowed the City to birth a restaurant district with two delightful breweries: Unexpected Craft Brewing Company and Dog & Pony Show Brewery. Kenny Showler opened Berkley Coffee (in Oak Park), a one-of-a-kind coffee house with craft coffee, non-alcoholic drinks, sandwiches, sweets, and amazing entertainment. Come on down, this place is hopping.

Oak Parker, a friendly neighborhood gathering place in the white building at 13621 W. Eleven Mile. He likes to serve items that evoke memories so there will be burgers and schnitzel varieties.

Photo by Bernie LaFramboise ©2017

Mr. Bongiovanni was so impressed with the passion of the staff; he said there’s a real positive feeling in this city and he’s delighted to grow his business in the Oak Park market. Also on this active strip is a bistro called Oak Park Social, and soon owner Alex Bishai will add Salud Eleven, an up-scale Mexican restaurant.

BECAUSE OUR STAFF HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL WINNING GRANTS, the City is looking to turn the run-down parking lot behind the restaurants into an active gathering place for the neighborhood that will attract friends from the region. Landscaping, lighting, tables, chairs and recreation amenities will be added to make this a showplace.

The staff put up a pop-pup mini park on Gardner just south of Eleven and held eight fun events there in October. Pumpkin Painting drew such a huge happy crowd, staff had to run out to get more pumpkins. Response to the pop-up park has been mostly positive and community engagement around the potential permanent park continues to determine its future.

We are delighted that economic development is now gaining momentum, attracting interested developers with growth ideas. Great things are yet to come.

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ON SEPT. 7, 2022 THE FERLITO GROUP BROKE GROUND ON A NEW 30-UNIT APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT, NAMED THE NINE, IN THE CITY OF OAK PARK.

The Nine will be a three story, transit-oriented housing development located at 8775 Nine Mile Rd., which is directly behind a bus station. This is a welcomed development to the City as it builds on Oak Park’s mission to provide diverse housing options that promote access to various resources.

“The Nine housing development amplifies our commitment to actively encouraging residential and business growth while providing the highest quality of life here in Oak Park,” said City Manager Erik Tungate. “The intentional location of The Nine near a bus stop and bike lanes, coupled with its work-live concept is exactly what Oak Park needs.”

IN ADDITION TO THE NINE BEING LOCATED NEAR A BUS STOP AND BIKE LANES, it is just down the street from the Nine Mile Linear Park, which has a multi-purpose path and various recreation amenities that span over several blocks. There are also two pocket parks, Sherman and Seneca, a future connector park and a MoGo bike station, all within walking distance of the development.

“We are excited that the Ferlito Group chose Oak Park to make the $4.9 million investment in the community,” said Economic Development & Planning Director Kimberly Marrone. “The project will help spur additional investment along the corridor as we try to attract mixed use developments within the City as we continue to grow. Increasing density with housing will allow our community to continue to grow even though we are almost entirely built out.”

The Nine is the first transit-oriented development in the City of Oak Park. Transit-oriented developments support sustainability, community health and strengthen the local economy. As more people choose to utilize public transportation and bikes the demand for transit-oriented developments is anticipated to increase.

ABOUT THE FERLITO GROUP: The Ferlito Group is one of the Southeast Michigan’s premier sources for real estate development and investment, having brought spearheading a wide range of successful commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, and retail and food service throughout Metro Detroit.

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By Jeff Milosevich

THERE ARE SO MANY EVENTS COMING UP AT THE FERNDALE LIBRARY this Summer I’m not sure it can be contained in one column!

But let’s start with some music! Our ever-popular Summer Concert Series is coming back: These free musical performances for all ages are hosted outdoors in our courtyard, made possible by the Friends of the Ferndale Library. This year’s lineup brings a mix of jazz and world music sweetened by an array of eclectic instrumentation.

 

CONCERT SERIES

OUR SUMMER CONCERTS ARE SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY EVENINGS, June 18, July 19, and August 9, each performance beginning at 6:30 P.M. Nessa (June 18) performs original world music that is Celtic-inspired but also infuses sound and rhythmic elements from the Caribbean, Africa, and India, as well as a mix of genres, from classical and jazz to folk and funk. Djangophonique (July 19) is a virtuosic, instrumentally driven acoustic jazz quartet bringing to life the rich musical language of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche. Klezundheit (August 9) is a 10-piece ensemble group performing traditional and modern klezmer, gypsy, Balkan, and jazz music, featuring a mix of accordion, trombone, tuba, flute, and soprano saxophone.

SUMMER READING

THIS YEAR’S THEME FOR OUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE is An Ocean of Possibilities, so you can anticipate a range of water-themed events (and prizes) for all ages. When you sign up for Summer Reading, you (and your family) can create an account with the Beanstack app to track your reading throughout the season. Starting as early as June 11 and continuing until August 31, adults will be challenged to read four books, teens will be challenged to read three books, and kids will be challenged to read for five full hours. As you read, you can earn digital badges and raffle tickets through Beanstack: the more tickets you earn, the more you can submit for our range of prizes.

Some of the events we have planned include a watercolor class (June 9), a look at lake monsters (June 23), a history of sea shanties (July 7), and an instructional presentation on rain barrels (July 14). Sign up for our Summer Reading Challenge opens on June 11; for more info, visit: www.fadl.org/summer-reading. And remember, if you take our Summer Reading Challenge and are ever in need of recommendations, visit www.fadl.org/readerscorner, where you can request book bundles and receive personalized recommendations.

LIBRARY OF THINGS & OTHER UPDATES

WHILE WE’RE HIGHLY ENCOURAGING EVERYONE TO TAKE our summer reading challenge, you can certainly use your library card for more than just reading. We were particularly excited, at the start of spring, to unveil our “Library of Things.” This special collection features tools, gadgets, instruments, and more, anything from a thermal leak detector to a sewing machine or even a ukulele. Ferndale Library cardholders can check out items from the collection of “Things” for up to two weeks. For a full list of these unique items, visit: www.fadl.org/things.

The Library of Things is just one facet of some of our recent updates. You might have already noticed our new signage facing along the north, west, and south-facing sides of our building, but there are a few updates inside that you should check out! We’ve added an accessible laptop bar that stretches across the windows of our atrium, along with several new (and rather comfy) chairs along the windows and near our quiet reading room. Parents/caregivers will also find new furniture, new carpeting, and many new shelves inside our Kids Corner. We’ve also added new resources and materials, including a restocked seed library, an Adobe Suite computer station, and a set of telescopes available in our Kids Corner.

IN OTHER NEWS:

• Our Youth Librarians will be hosting walk-in/drop-in sessions for Reading With Dogs (ages 4-17), starting Monday June 6, and continuing every Monday evening from 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. (except July 4). Meanwhile, there are plans for a Reading With Dogs for Adults to begin on Wednesday,  June 29, hosted monthly on the last Wednesday of each month. There is no registration available for the kids’ drop-in sessions, but you can sign-up for our adult sessions online (space is limited!)

• We’ve partnered with the Ferndale Project to host a monthly book club, and our librarians will be there on Tues., June 28, partnering with Ferndale Pride for a special Pride-themed event discussing Let’s Go Back to the Party by Zak Salih.

• Local artist Loralee Grace will be showing some of her amazing artwork here throughout the summer, with dazzling paintings celebrating our rich environmental and cultural diversity. Check our website for information on a Reception and Artist Talk (set for June 30).

Finally: don’t forget to try out our online resources! We have databases, craft tutorials, streaming movies, and an odyssey of eBooks and audiobooks, all of which you can access with your Ferndale Library card.

Visit www.fadl.org for more information.

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By Jenn Goeddeke

AVER SIGN COMPANY WAS FOUNDED IN 1998 BY THE ULCH FAMILY: Terry Sr., Diane, and their two sons: Terry Jr., and Vance.

They started with a great idea by Terry Jr., an older truck, and lots of hard work. Now in their 24th year of success, they humbly describe themselves as a “work in progress, with a lot of team effort – where we have learned to handle each situation as it comes up!”

Currently, they own a fleet of 20 trucks and manage 26 employees. They purchased the building at 359 Livernois (which they originally rented) 20 years ago. Additionally, they own another site across Hilton (at 1280 Wordsworth) which is about the same size, but with more yard space for storing signs.

MANY OF THE COMMERCIAL SIGNS THEY MANUFACTURE CAN BE TECHNICALLY COMPLEX; for example, the Toledo Mud Hen’s scoreboard, or a high-rise building sign, like Citizens Bank in Southfield.

“Everything is certified. It is imperative to get permits, and then there aren’t any problems. We have key people around us and we think of them all as family. These people are vital and they’re the reason we are still here,” said Terry.

Some signs, especially for corporate clients, are pre-manufactured, and then Aver Sign handles the details. Signs weigh up to 700-800 lbs, and often enormous machinery is needed. Sometimes, substantial holes are dug – 24 feet or even deeper!

The biggest challenges they have faced have been financial. For example, newer trucks cost around $150k each. “We started from dirt! Every dollar we made was reinvested for quite a while because it takes three-four years to get established for financing. The years 2008-2010 were particularly hard-going. Banks kept a tight cap on funds, and we had many fixed costs to pay. It was a tough two years.”

BUSINESS HAS FORTUNATELY FLOWED THEIR WAY since those difficult times. “We have since bought out three other smaller sign companies, and we have steadily grown. We have been blessed.”

“Our two sons are workhorses!” Terry emphasized. “There are no Saturdays and Sundays with them. For example, they have just been to Grand Rapids for a trade show. They had to prepare, set up, tear down and stay the night. The next day, they were right back to their regular work. We were very strict in raising the boys and it seems to have paid off!”

Overall, the business has brought huge rewards for the Ulchs and their loyal staff: “The upside to our business is growing from a tiny thought process and entity into a beautiful organization, with a great group of people! We frequently see our signs as we are driving in Michigan or Ohio, and story-telling within our social gatherings is always entertaining.”

Diane and Terry Ulch are also in the fitness industry together. They own the award-winning gym 359 Fit above Aver Sign. They have competed together in 11 bodybuilding shows for 11 years in a row! Terry’s last show was in Las Vegas at age 71. Their boys were introduced to the gym at 12 years old and both keep active in their home gyms.

I ASKED THE ULCHS FOR ANY SECRETS TO THEIR SUCCESS STORY. Firstly, Terry stated, is to treat others with respect. “I usually reflect on what I’m getting and I set firm boundaries. Overall I emphasize politeness.” Secondly, Diane mentioned joining forces with a good accountant and lawyer, as there can be some tough lessons to learn and a few growing pains along the way.

The Aver Sign Company is located at 359 Livernois St in Ferndale. Contact them at 248.542.0678 or visit their website at: www.aversign.com. For inquiries, email: info@aversign.com.
Check out their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AverSignCompany.

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By Lisa Howard

IF YOU THINK THE FERNDALE SENIORS DON’T GET OUT MUCH, YOU’VE GOT ANOTHER THINK COMING.

“When I took over, we were a sleepy little group that played bingo and knitted. One of my goals was to make us more visible to the community, so among other things, now we participate in the Dream Cruise and the DIY Street Fair, we volunteer for the Chamber of Commerce gala, and we march in the Memorial Day Parade,” says Jeannie Davis, president of the Ferndale Seniors.

She’s held that role for over 13 years and says she’s still busy all the time — she attends umpteen community and city events and is forever advocating on behalf of Ferndale’s seniors, schmoozing her way through meetings, soirées and fundraisers.

ONE OF THE GROUP’S MOST POPULAR GATHERINGS IS THEIR POTLUCKS, which tends to bring otherwise-absent members out of the woodwork. The Ferndale Seniors provide the meat portion and members each bring a side dish to share (or chip in five dollars). Each potluck has a different theme that’s often seasonally-driven with the next being a barbecue on July 13. Regular group meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. and anyone is welcome to join – you don’t have to be a Ferndale resident to become a member of the Ferndale Seniors.

Currently, members gather at the Hazel Park Community Center on Woodward Heights but, as soon as Ferndale’s community center is ready to be re-occupied, the Ferndale Seniors will be back. “That’s home for us,” Jeannie says. In the meantime, she’s exploring the idea of inviting the Hazel Park senior groups to work in tandem with Ferndale Seniors. She’s also talking to the Ferndale Library about starting a book club and trying to get a card group up and running.

At the meetings, members explore a plethora of topics, ranging from works of art at the DIA to the fine-point details of reverse mortgages and absentee voting. As Jeannie puts it, “You can’t be always feeding people – you gotta’ give them time to digest.” She attributes that nugget of wisdom to her grandmother and carries it over into the mix of fun and serious events she books for her members.

SOMETIMES THE GROUP GOES ON EXCURSIONS, like when members tour the Pewabic Pottery studios in Detroit or spend the day on the RiverWalk, strolling along its expanse and enjoying lunch amidst binational skylines.

Although the Ferndale Seniors get a modest budget from the City to help defray the costs of running the organization and the yearly membership dues of $15 pay for its events, Jeannie is always on the lookout for grant money and fundraising opportunities. The latter is why members are often found at city festivals and community events selling cookies they’ve baked. As a former real estate appraiser for 20 years – and also a veteran of successful campaigns for municipal leaders – Jeannie is always conscious of making sure the group has enough funds to not just stay afloat but to thrive.

And she’s also always aware of how important the social aspects of the Ferndale Seniors gatherings are for her members and herself.

“When I first started volunteering 20 years ago after I retired, I very rapidly became aware that I was socializing with the best people in the city,” Jeannie says. “The best people are the ones out there volunteering, not sitting at home watching Gilligan’s Island.” Because why settle for a fictional crew when you can join the Ferndale Seniors and have an IRL crew to call your own?

Ferndale Seniors Group on Facebook
www.ferndalemi.gov/resources/senior-programs
Ferndale Parks & Recreation 248-544-6767, ext. 503
jeannie1111@comcast.net

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By Lisa Howard

DURING HER 25 YEARS REHABBING PROPERTIES, Timika Keathley has transformed a lot of ugly ducklings into swans.

“The before-and-after is what drives me,” Timika says. “When I walk into a place that’s unattractive, in my mind, I can picture what I’m going to do with it—I can see what it will look like when my work is done.” Her passion for decorating and seeing possibilities has led her to rehab over 100 homes in Detroit, Southfield, and Inkster, and now she’s added a commercial property in Ferndale to that list. The Ivy Salon opened in October of last year and the elegant space offers a full menu of hairstyling, lash and makeup services.

Timika first got into real estate after a conversation with a broker who was the parent of one of her daughter’s schoolmates. The other parent suggested Timika get into real estate, telling her she thought she’d have a knack for it.

SHE RAN WITH THAT IDEA AND BOUGHT SIX HOUSES SIGHT UNSEEN but found they were in horrible shape. “I thought, ‘Okay, let me make them beautiful,” she says. “I believe that any property you buy, you should rehab it to the point where you’d want to live there yourself.”

Her commitment to high-level renovating led to an award from the Land Bank in Rosedale Park about four years ago, for increasing home values in Rosedale Park with her flips.

Last summer, she was only halfway through an intense rehab of a completely gutted home when a realtor insisted on showing the home to a prospective buyer. The realtor was so impressed with Timika’s vision for the house that she bought it for herself.

THAT KIND OF POSITIVE FORESIGHT IS WHAT PROMPTED TIMIKA to acquire the Ferndale property that she turned into The Ivy Salon. Timika used to frequent as a customer, when it had a different owner. Whenever she was having her hair done, she’d think, “Wow, this place could really use a makeover!”

Then opportunity knocked in March 2020. She threw herself into the role of designing and decorating, alongside her husband, Michael Green. Green has his own construction company and has done quite a bit of the remodeling for Timika’s projects. Together, they made the salon more state-of-the-art and updated it for the new generation.

AS IVY NEARS ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY, Timika continues to grow the salon’s services and staff organically, approaching local cosmetology and esthetician schools to recruit licensed hair stylists, estheticians, makeup artists, and massage therapists. Although some stylists are looking for individual suites, Timika hopes her well-appointed, bright space will attract beauty industry professionals who prefer to work in a collegial atmosphere. In June, the salon will host a pop-up shop featuring a smorgasbord of beauty and haircare products, with more events to come in the future.

Timika would also like to expand her overall presence in Ferndale, both in terms of residential and commercial properties. “I want to make our state more beautiful,” she says. “It’s already a beautiful place, so why not take places that need some extra care and rehab them to make them even more beautiful locations where people can gather and visit?”

The Ivy Salon / 22446 Woodward Ave, Ferndale
https://theivysalon.business.site

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