Mark, a veteran English and journalism teacher in an Oakland County school district, has just about had it. In his 18 years of teaching, he has witnessed the ever-increasing reliance on curriculum delivered digitally and its impact on teaching in classrooms where every student has their own device. Technology has become a barrier between his lessons on writing, literature, grammar, and sentence structure and the students who need to learn them.

Detroit Guitar, formerly located at 243 W. Maple Road in Birmingham, closed its doors on May 1 after serving the community for 15 years. Owned by Charlie Lorenzi and Eric Wolfe, the business has relocated to a new, significantly larger space—three times the size of its previous location—at 32302 Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak. The new location will continue to offer a wide selection of new and used guitars, along with guitar lessons and repair services. Business Matters for the

Fruition Açai & Coffee Café, located at 856 N. Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, has closed. The health-focused café, owned by Lindsey Sayles, specialized in açaí bowls, smoothies, and coffee. Fruition Açai & Coffee continues to operate additional Michigan locations in Ada, Grandville, Grand Rapids, and Wyoming. Business Matters for the Birmingham - Bloomfield area are reported by Gigi Nichols. Send items for consideration to GigiNichols@downtownpublications.com. Items shoul

Max Surnow, founder and CEO of Cooper Street Snacks, has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US). Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur of the Year program recognizes leaders who drive innovation, economic growth and long-term business impact. An independent panel selected Surnow among 34 finalists representing 31 companies, evaluating candidates on entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company gro

An iconic bridal boutique in Birmingham is celebrating a milestone. Roma Sposa Bridal Atelier, located at 708 N. Old Woodward Avenue, was founded three decades ago by Anna Castaldi. Inspired by her upbringing in Rome, Castaldi brought a distinctive European sensibility and refined fashion expertise to the metro Detroit area. She quickly became known for her passion and her unique ability to reveal each bride’s inner radiance and personality through the perfect gown. Roma Spos

Bloomfield Hills High School students and award-winning fencing champions Lucas Senic and Luao Yang began their journey as young boys at the Renaissance Fencing Club. “I started at (Renaissance Fencing Club) when I was eight-years-old,” said Yang. “I thought (fencing) was interesting. It was like a puzzle or a game to see who would make the next right decision.” Senic, a 15-year-old sophomore at Bloomfield Hills, was a sports enthusiast from an early age. “I was six-years-

In early 2025, after nearly 30 years in the auction house business, Birmingham native Bonnie Brennan became the CEO of Christie’s, a worldwide leader in the global art and luxury business including auctions, art appraisal and international real estate. Growing up in Michigan, Brennan attended Academy of the Sacred Heart for 12 years and currently serves on the school’s board of trustees. Brennan shared that from a young age she was interested in art and still enjoys paintin

Her former career as a premier climate scientist enabled Dr. Petra Huck to travel and explore all around the world. But it is her current role as the inaugural Jennifer Caldwell and John Fisher Cranbrook Climate Science Fellow that keeps her where she wants to be and doing what she enjoys. While earning her PhD in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, as well as an MS/BS in Meteorology and Climate Research from the University of Karlsruhe i

What began in 2023 as a vision for our senior community has finally found its footing. When the YMCA decided to sell their Birmingham branch at 400 East Lincoln, the City of Birmingham committed $1.5 million toward the purchase. Next contributed an additional $500,000, with both entities providing additional funding for professional services. After thoroughly exploring an expanded partnership with the YMCA that ultimately proved too large and too costly to bring to voters, in

We may well be in the minority when it comes to the news that the city of Birmingham has decided to ante up $5.2 million to purchase The Community House building on Bates Street in downtown Birmingham. But then again, we know we are not alone in our concerns about this purchase, based on phone calls and conversations we have had with members of the community who recently reached out to us. On the one hand, we wish we could be celebrating like some of the small but vocal grou