Farmington, Farmington Hills See Business Changes in 2011

From the arrival of buybuy Baby at Hunter's Square shopping center, to the loss of Big Apple Bagels in downtown Farmington, 2011 was an up-and-down year for the Farmington-Farmington Hills business community. 

Here are some of the highs and lows:

The popular superstore, offering infant and toddler merchandise, moved into the former Borders Books & Cafe space at Hunters Square shopping center. The store opened in late September. 

Downtown Farmington Center

After the closures of sub shop and in 2010, the downtown strip mall also saw the loss of and women's clothing store in 2011. New additions included (in the former Quizno's space) and , which moved from the Village Mall at Grand River and Farmington Rd. 

The chamber marked its second year with an increase in membership and a number of ribbon cuttings, member events and other celebrations throughout the year. In October, the organization issued its annual awards:

• Make a Difference: Ginger Wiechers, owner of , who also runs S.O.U.L., a charity and re-sale shop that helps people in need
• Community Citizen, recognizing a community-minded Chamber member: Beth Cooke, marketing specialist with 
• Outstanding Chamber Ambassador: Ray Randolph
• Economic Leadership: Hino Motors
• Entrepreneur of the Year: Living Essentials (makers of 5 Hour Energy)

JR3's Party Store

After , the Grand River business . The store struggled when it opened because it didn't have a liquor license, and even a number of special promotions over the next seven months didn't generate enough business to keep the doors open, owners said. 

When the signs went up last spring at the newly remodeled McNutt building in downtown Farmington, some may have been scratching their heads. But coffee shop partners Kim Chapman, Dave Epps and Jackie Mulvihill say they chose the name because so much of what they experienced while planning the shop seemed "meant to be". They . 

Opened in June, this new business is located in a historic Farmington Hills building. The Orchard Lake Rd. location was once Krist Port, the brainchild of Chris Kristian, who purchased the property in 1936. The airport serviced small airplanes up until shortly after World War II ended.

Novi Music

Business owner Kurt Zimmermann showed us this year that a decision to close a store isn't always based on finances. for good and flew to South Korea, to reunite with his wife and children. The family move was planned, but came about sooner than expected when Zimmerman received a job offer. 

Roosevelt's

Customers arrived at the Farmington Hills restaurant in late July to find a sign on the door announcing . Calls to the business seeking more information were not returned. 

Owners Ron Elkus and Rod Brown held charity events throughout the year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their men's clothing stores. In May, they for the Neighborhood Service Organization’s Gentlemen’s Clothing Closet and held a and , with proceeds going to prostate cancer awareness and education.