DDA welcomes new By Jennifer S. McDonald ROCHESTER — Despite Michigan’s sluggish economy, downtown Rochester is booming, and plans to make the most of it. The area is welcoming several new storeowners to town, and a new event will keep businesses open later during the summer months. Heather Matteson, owner of the Dragonfly Boutique, 307 Main, said she relocated her store from Ferndale because she liked what Rochester had to offer. Matteson offers women’s clothing, accessories, and bath and body products. “I spent time in several cities and felt for what I do, Rochester was the best fit,” Matteson said. “I found this beautiful building and I couldn’t say no. “I spent a lot of time researching and trying to find things that are fashionable at a reasonable price,” Matteson added. “I’m not trying to insult anyone with a price tag.” Amy Fonville, owner of Talulah Belle Boutique at 114 W. Third St., agreed. “Rochester really popped out to me,” Fonville said. “I wanted a quaint little place where when you came in, you feel special, and that’s exactly how it is.” Kristi Trevarrow, executive director of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority, said that despite housing foreclosures, job losses and businesses in other cities closing up shop, Rochester is seeing only a 5 percent vacancy rate. The average for Rochester, and other cities of comparable size, is 6-7 percent, she added. “I think what we’re most proud of is that these are all independently owned and operated (businesses),” Trevarrow added. “That really is what Rochester has been about for so many years. You can’t get these stores anywhere else. They really respond to Rochester’s niche.” Other stores making their debut recently include Froggy’s Toy Shop, a unique children’s toy store; and Beyond Juice, which offers specialty formula juice designed to provide a well-balanced meal, along with salads, sandwiches, desserts and breakfast selections. Businesses that have relocated to downtown include Design Works Flowers, which was formerly at Rochester and Tienken roads in Rochester Hills, and A Place to Clay, now named Firebrick, which will feature a Michigan artists gallery. The DDA’s Late Night Thursdays will take place from June 19 to Aug. 28. Customers can shop later, and visitors will be entertained by street performers and vendors beginning at 6 p.m., DDA Event Coordinator Stacey Keast said. “Basically, this is our way of putting our merchants in the spotlight. Really it’s all about them being open and people coming to see what they have to offer,” Keast added. “It’s a great opportunity for people to get outside and shop and not be stuck inside a mall during the summertime.” While businesses can choose whether they want to participate, Keast said, among the businesses already planning to join in are Lucido Fine Jewelry, Twinsite Optical LLC, Shoetique, The Silkworm and Antiques by Pam. Rachel Dropps, store manager for The Silkworm, said they currently remain open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, but they welcome the chance to see other businesses in the district take part. “I think if more people start seeing (businesses) are open and inviting people in during later hours, more people will come here,” Dropps said. “I think, right now, they think nothing is here and they go to the mall.” Dropps said people come in to The Silkworm and say how they’d like other Rochester stores to be open later in the evening. “I wish more people were open, especially at this time. People are waiting for a table at a restaurant or finishing up dinner and they walk around,” Dropps added. “Even if people aren’t buying, at least they’ll see what you have and be in the stores, as opposed to just looking in the windows.” For more information, contact the DDA at (248) 656-0060 or visit www.downtownrochestermi.org. You can reach Staff Writer Jennifer S. McDonald at jmcdonald@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1112. |
