ANN ARBOR BUSINESS

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Downtown Ann Arbor has long been known as the place to shop when you're looking for a unique gift: a one-of-a-kind necklace, funky wall clock, a rare book or a colorful scarf.

With the annual "Midnight Madness" event planned on Main Street Friday night, I decided to stroll through some shops to see what they had to offer. Some of my favorite items come from those stores - a pewter clock I received as a gift, earrings I've worn countless times and a decorative vase that stands in my dining room.

During Friday's annual event, which includes entertainment, most stores will be open until 11 p.m. or midnight. Many are advertising discounts of 10 percent to 40 percent off.

In each store I visited, I asked the same question: "Can you show me something unique in your store that would make a great gift this year?"

Continue reading "Get ready for downtown Ann Arbor's 'Midnight Madness'" »

The film "I.O.U.S.A." will be screened free from 6:30 to 9 p.m. tonight in the Palmer Commons' Forum Hall on the campus of the University of Michigan.

A panel discussion will be held after the movie. It includes economist Joel Slemrod from the U-M Stephen M. Ross School of Business; Diane Lim Rogers, chief economist at the Concord Coalition; and Yoni Gruskin, executive director of Concerned Youth of America.

The film discusses the country's long-term fiscal challenges, including the national debt.

Flagship Private Air, a new private charter airline, will officially open its hangar door at the Ann Arbor Airport today.

The company, started by Tim Patton, touts itself as a welcome alternative to commercial airlines. It currently has three airplanes, the largest capable of holding eight passengers.

Continue reading "New charter airline opens at Ann Arbor Airport as a way to avoid the big ones" »

Online sales and promotions met shoppers expectations on Thanksgiving weekend and Cyber Monday, according to a release Tuesday by Ann Arbor-based Foresee Results.

But in surveys of 250,000 people by the online customer satisfaction measurement company, shoppers said they were less satisfied with online shopping during the weekend leading up to Cyber Monday this year compared to last.

Continue reading "Online shoppers report satisfaction with recent sales" »

As an architect, you're rarely doing exactly the same thing twice.

But although David Osler went to the same office every day and worked with many of the same people, in the same industry, his job was different each time.

Continue reading "Ann Arbor architect surveys a 50-year career" »

If Borders' stock continues to trade at record lows under $1 a share, the company might consider a reverse stock split to buoy its share price and avoid possible delisting from the powerful New York Stock Exchange, says a University of Michigan professor.

Continue reading "Reverse stock split for Borders?" »

The union chairman at Ford's Automotive Components Holdings LLC plant in Milan died at home last week on Thanksgiving at the age of 53.

Saline resident Steven Stamper was serving his third three-year term as chairman in Milan for the United Auto Workers union Local 600. He had worked at the plant for more than 30 years. According to his obituary, Stamper was the longest-serving chairman at the plant, which makes plastic bumpers and related components. About 600 people work there.

Continue reading "Union chairman at ACH plant in Milan dies" »

Wireless telephone carrier Verizon Wireless recently activated a new cell site to strengthen coverage in an eastern portion of Washtenaw County.

The new site is meant to improve its coverage for Verizon Wireless customers in Dixboro and Superior Township, and along M-14 between Dixboro and Prospect Roads.

The Ann Arbor region was one of four in the state to experience a slight drop in its unemployment rate in October, according to the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

Ann Arbor's unemployment rate fell to 6.1 percent in October, down from 6.5 percent in September - but it was higher than a 4.4 percent unemployment rate in October 2007. The city has the lowest unemployment rate in the state, while the Flint region had the highest rate at 10.9 percent.

Continue reading "Ann Arbor's unemployment rate lowest in the state" »

Regional unemployment rates in October were little changed in most of the state's labor markets compared with September, with rates rising in eight, dropping in five and unchanged in four.

The highest rate last month was in the Flint region at 10.9 percent. The lowest rate was the Ann Arbor region's 6.1 percent.

Continue reading "Michigan October regional unemployment mostly unchanged" »

The Steve & Barry's store in downtown Ann Arbor will likely close by the end of the month, but its prime South State Street storefront shouldn't be vacant for long.

Building owner Ed Davidson, who owns and operates nearby Bivouac, said he's signed a tenant to take the roughly 13,000-square-foot space that discount clothing retailer Steve & Barry's now occupies.

Continue reading "New tenant already lined up for soon-to-go Steve & Barry's" »

Two local companies working on alternative energy for vehicles are getting an extra boost from the state.

A123Systems Inc., a Massachusetts-based company that bought Ann Arbor lithium ion battery maker T/J Technologies in 2006, is expected to receive $10 million from the state after it was chosen last week as a state Center for Energy Excellence. The funds will be used for research and development.

Continue reading "Alternative energy firms to get aid" »

Chelsea Inn LLC was recently approved for a liquor license transfer by the Chelsea City Council.

Continue reading "Chelsea Inn seeking license transfer" »

K-Dow is considering Ann Arbor - among other cities along the I-275, I-96 and I-94 corridors in metro Detroit - as a potential site for its headquarters. The company is expected to employ 800 and will market plastics and other related products.

An announcement about its headquarters is expected sometime this month, as the company aims to open by Jan. 1. The Michigan Economic Growth Authority board is expected to award K-Dow tax incentives. That board is only set to meet once more this month on Dec. 16.

Continue reading "Dow finalizes K-Dow venture with Kuwait company" »

The Steve & Barry's store in Ann Arbor will likely close by the end of the month, but its prime South State Street storefront shouldn't be vacant for long.

Building owner Ed Davidson, who owns nearby Bivouac, said he has signed a tenant to take the roughly 13,000-square-foot space that Steve & Barry's is in now.

Continue reading "Downtown Steve & Barry's to close, items on sale" »