The Woodward
March 2010
     Doing Business on the Byway
In This Issue
Business Rebounds on Woodward
Get in Gear
WA3 Goes to Washington
Five Reasons to Join the WA3
Save the Date!
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Join the WA3 for the 2010 Woodward Avenue Action Association Annual Meeting & Awards on Thursday, April 22. The event will be held at the historic Lafayette Grande in Pontiac, MI from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Join us to hear what's happening along Woodward and in recognizing who's involved in transforming and shaping positive change along the state's only "All-American Road"
 
This year's honorees are Atanas Ilitch, President, Olympia Development, Cal Rapson, Vice President, UAW, L. Brooks Patterson, County Executive, Oakland County, State. Representative Marie Donigan (D) Royal Oak and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan. Tickets start at $45 dollars. For more information please call 248-288-2004 or visit the WA3 website. This year's event is made possible through the support of Genysis Credit Union, Giffels-Webster Engineers, Hamilton-Anderson and Harmon Signs.   
 
 
 
Join Us on Facebook & Win a Night Out on the Town
 
Become a member of the WA3's Facebook Fan Page now through March 30 and be entered in to win a night out on the town to discover some of the greatest places along the byway. Click here to enter: WA3 Facebook Fanpage 
 
 

Woodward Becoming Small Biz Hub

ferndale collegeOver the last eight months, Woodward has started to see the road to economic recovery start with the first steps of area entrepreneurs hanging their shingles along the corridor. In Ferndale alone there have been half a dozen businesses to either relocate or open in corridor. Among those to open have been Rainy Day Hobbies, Green Thumb Garden Center, Inya Restaurant, Revolution Signs, Designer Resale Boutique and more. For more information on the new businesses listed and current leasing opportunities please contact the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce and the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority.

 

In Birmingham while there a number of vacant spaces in the Principal Shopping District, there are signs that economic recovery is on the way. Even with the opening of Biggby Coffee, Quattro,Tallulah, the posh suburb is not resting on its laurels. To continue the growth of business investment in the downtown area, the PSD recently hired retail leasing consultant, Julie M. Fielder.  For more information on all of the new businesses and available properties please contact the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce and the Birmingham Principal Shopping District.

 

gggtpIn Detroit's Midtown, businesses are bucking the trend and are opening up in record numbers.  The corner of Kirby & Woodward is the home to not just some of the greatest cultural institutions, but business that are not just sustaining, but growing, such as Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes, Wassabi, Leopold's Books, and a yoga studio coming to the Park Shelton later this summer.  For more information about these developments, and available properties please contact the , University Cultural Center Association or the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.

 
 
 
 
Get Your Authentic Woodward Gear Here! 
 
Woodward Store
 
Show your Woodward pride with authentic WA3 Woodward merchandise . Visit the Woodward Store at
www.woodwardstore.org to view the full collection of merchandise that will fit all of your gift giving needs. With a full line of gear from golf shirts to tee's in women's and men's sizes S - 3XXl,  hats, totes and more.  100% of the proceeds from the sale of merchandise go to support the ongoing maintenance of Woodward Avenue. For more information please contact the WA3 at 248-288-2004
 

A Night of Music in the Woods:

 

Middle Eastern Musical Magic with the Masters of Flute, Oud & Tablas 

 
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On Saturday, March 27 at 8 pm, some of the best traditional Middle Eastern music in the world can be heard at the Palmer Woods Music in Homes concert. Lebanese-born flutist
Nadim Dlaikan and oud player Abdu Karim Bader, National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellows, have performed worldwide, including on the stage of the prestigious Kennedy Center. These international masters join with superb tabla player Mustapha Atat to share the beautiful melodies and engaging rhythms of their ancestors. Enjoy this rare opportunity in the aura of an elegant, spacious  Palmer Woods manor. 
 
Concert tickets, $35 each, are available on palmerwoods.org or by calling 313-891-2514 for mail-in information. All tickets must be purchased in advance. The address of the concert home in Palmer Woods is provided when tickets are purchased
.

 

 
 Quick Links 
 
Want to know how to grow your business along the byway? Need to have your voice heard regarding governmental issues that affect your business? Just want to help Woodward Avenue grow? Then become a member of the WA3. For more information please visit www.woodwardavenue.org.
wa3 logo Greetings!

Welcome to the March eNewsletter of the Woodward Avenue Action Association! It's a great time to be in Michigan and on Woodward Avenue!
   
  
 
New & Renewing Members
The WA3 would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for the support of the organization and dedication to the byway:
 
Computer Services of Michigan, 3125 Rochester Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, 248-585-6166 
 

Core 3 Solutions, 801 S. Adams, Birmingham, MI, 48009, 248-530-1000, www.core3solutions.com 

 

Galloway & Collens PLLC,  20675 Woodward Avenue, Ste 200, Huntington Woods, MI 48070, 248-545-2500, www.gallowaycollens.com

 

Entrepreneurial Spotlight: Lisa Gleeson, Lisa's Gift Wrappers

lisa gleason head shotWhat's your definition of having it all? For Lisa Gleeson, owner of Lisa's Gift Wrappers it was having time with her growing family, while turning a hobby into a thriving business.  A pioneer in the world of telecommunications and computer sciences, Gleeson left corporate America at the top of her game as a Chief Operating Officer to live her life her own terms with a new venture called motherhood.

Always an having a creative knack for creative basket making and gift wrapping inherited from her mother and a stern work ethic from her father a small business owner, Gleeson developed her hobby into a successful gift wrapping business that quickly outgrew her home.  Celebrating her sixth year in business at the Royal Oak storefront location, she is quick to point out that Lisa's Gift Wrappers didn't become the success it is without hard-work and lots of help from others. So what are her tips for other entrepreneurs?

Do your homework - One of the most important things any business owner can do is know their industry inside and out.

Learn all you can - From the time I started out to now I have always taken classes and attended programs that offer me information on everything from SBA loans to how to use social media effectively

Be passionate - If you don't love your business it will never work. You must love it enough to sacrifice for it

Get Active - By joining groups like the Woodward Avenue Action Association and the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce I got a lot of help and support when I was moving to my current location. With the WA3 I received assistance from the Small Business Tour, funding for my sign design and more. Also these groups can help you network and meet new clients.

Partnerships are essential - Working with other businesses has allowed me to leverage my resources and reach out to new audiences while returning the same value back to other businesses.

lgw storeCurrently LGW is expanding into national territory picking up major clients from all over the world most recently from Paris, France. For more information on LGW and how they can help you with your personal or corporate gift-giving, speciality printing needs and more please visit www.lisasgfitwrappers.com or stop by. They are located at 28834 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, MI.

 
 
VID: Very Important Dates!

clean the D

 
Clean the D
When: Saturday, May 1
Where: Communities along Woodward
Time: 9:00 a.m. to Noon
 
For more information on volunteer opportunities please contact,Outreach & Promotions Coordinator, Nicole Brown at [email protected] or 248-288-2004.
   
April Six to Eight Mile Business District Stakeholder Meeting 
 
684When: Wednesday, April 7 
Where: La Dolce Vita, 17546 Woodward Avenue, Detroit,  MI
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
 For more information on how you can be apart of the change that is taking place in this district contact Program Manager, Nicole Klepadlo at 248-288-2004 or [email protected].
WA3 Invited to Meet with Secretary of Transprotation LaHood & US. Congressman James Oberstar

ncaa basketballWoodward Avenue Action Association (WA3) Executive Director, Heather Carmona was invited to meet with US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and US Congressman James Oberstar (D) Minnesota, Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee regarding the reauthorization of the federal legislation that provides funding for the National Scenic Byways � program. Carmona is a member of a select three person panel including NSB Foundation Chair Teresa Mitchell and Anaise Berry, Illinois River Road Director and Brad McMillan, Chair of the Illinois River Road Commission.  This group will represent the collection of 150 federally designated and distinctive roads where the American story can be told. Among those 150 roads only 31 including Woodward Avenue are designated at All-American Roads.  

This program  has allowed the WA3 to leverage close to $5 million dollars since its designation on a variety of projects including the WA3 Streetscape & Design Engineering Mini-Grant. In 2009 alone the National Scenic Byway's program awarded $40,715.899 million dollars  for 160 projects in 43 states. During Carmona's time in DC she will also meet with Congressmen John Conyers (D) MI and Sander Levin (D) MI.

 

 
Top Five Reasons You Should become a WA3 Member
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1) We are the only organization working to enhance the physical and economic viability of the entire Woodward Corridor.
 
2) The WA3 can provide assistance with facade improvements in certain byway districts via the Detroit ONCR ReFresh program.  
 
3) The  WA3 is making it easier for business owners, property leasing agents/developers to fill vacant parcels along the byway with the new Woodward 3D Virtual Map, launching late February, listing current parcels, incentives programs and much more.
 
4) The WA3 provides your business access to visitors from around the globe through our designation as a National Scenic Byway and All - American Road.
 
5) The WA3 is working with the Michigan Historic Preservation Network to develop guidelines to assist communities in preserving local and state treasures that will also contribute to the economic development of each community.
 
For more information on becoming a member of the WA3 please contact the WA3 at 248-288-2004 or visit www.woodwardavenue.org.


 
Get Connected
 

annual meeting invite 
2010 Woodward Avenue Action Association Annual Meeting & Awards: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Embracing the Future
 
When:  Thursday, April 22
Where: Lafayette Grande, 1 Lafayette, Pontiac, MI 48342
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Tickets starting at $45 dollars 
For more information visit www.woodwardavenue.com or call 248-288-2004.
 
Ferndale Chamber of Commerce Present: Coffee Connection
 
When:Tuesday, April 6 
Where: Green Thumb Garden Center, 22963 Woodward, Ferndale, Mi 48220
Time: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. 
Cost: Free to members
For more information please call 248-542-2160 or visit www.ferndalechamber.com.
  
 
Oakland County Planning & Economic Development Services Presents: Listening to your Business:Venture Forward (Fast Trac Growth Venture)
 
When: Friday, April 9
Where: Oakland County Executive Office Building, 2100 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford,MI 48341
Time:  8a.m. - Noon 
Cost: $95
For more information and to RSVP please call 248-858-0783.

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Woodward Store