metromode - Videos

Spur Studios

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Spur Studios is yet another example of Ypsilanti's DIY philosophy of collective innovation and artistic community building. Attracting a confederation of artists, designers, and musicians, James Marks of VG Kids has turned an empty building into a successful hive of inspiration and creativity.

Welcome To Automation Alley

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

If building a knowledge-based economy is Michigan's only hope then, much like the force, Automation Alley is what binds the region's technological companies together, finding ways for them to succeed in the global marketplace.

Making Movies In Michigan: Unity Studios

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

From tiny acorns mighty oaks grow. Still in its infancy, Allen Park's Unity Studios has visions of cinematic greatness. They've already attracted a fledgling film school, landed their first production tenant, and have announced their first feature film project.

Jacobsen Daniels: Planning Airports and the Aerotropolis

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In eight years this airport planning firm has grown more than ten fold, bought a building in downtown Ypsilanti and count many of the nation's biggest airports as their clients. From internships to aerotropolis development, Jacobsen Daniels is not only the kind of new economy business Michigan needs more of, they are passionately invested in their community's future.

Welcome To The Hill District

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Located on a small bluff is Grosse Pointe's Hill District, a welcome slice of walkable pie, where you can find everything from boutiques to bistros, espresso to jazz. Why not take a three minute tour with Metromode's ace videographer Tom Hendrickson.

B Nektar

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Mead, it's not just for renaissance fest geeks anymore. Proof? B. Nektar in hipper-than-thou Ferndale, where honey, apples and all sorts of fermentable goodness are crafted into a damn fine brew.

Solidica

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We have officially entered the realm of sci-fi style technology. Ann Arbor's Solidica makes wireless sensors that can not only communicate the status of distant vehicles and machinery, but also predict where systems might fail. It's a brave new world after all.

A2 Mech Shop

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's all about playing nice together. Concentrate has reported on everything from food co-ops, to co-living communities to co-working facilities. It only seems fair to throw a little love to the A2Mech Shop, a shared technical space for entrepreneurial engineers and innovative mech heads.

Ann Arbor's Veggie Fueled Party Bus

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ann Arbor's B2B Party Bus is everything sustainable new urbanist hipsters ever dreamed of: An entrepreneurial enterprise that runs small scale private transit on secondhand cooking oil in order to transport young party-goers around downtown.

Accuri Cytometers

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

From co-founder Collin Rich's kitchen table to the offices of U-M's Tech Transfer office to shipping high tech cytometers to labs all over the world, Accuri Cytometers is the model for Ann Arbor startup know-how.

Wyandotte Gets The Arts

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Funding for the arts is taking a beating all around, but especially in Michigan. Wyandotte, however, sees a real value in having a resource for local creatives. Exit an old rundown Masonic Hall, enter the new Wynandotte Arts Center.

ARKITEKTURA

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Birmingham's Rail District is quickly becoming ground zero for designers and consumer creatives, bringing SoHo-style aesthetics to Metro Detroit. Case in point: Arkitektura, a Cranbrook-born, SF-partnered showroom that boasts the latest in uban design and furnishings.

Ann Arbor's Robot Repair Superstore (and Really Cool Non-profit)

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Robots. Creative writing. Dave Eggers. Kids. 826Michigan is the hippest non-profit organization in Ann Arbor. Offering writing workshops and tutoring to kids for free, and channeling the energy and enthusiasm of nearly 200 voluteers, author Dave Egger's brainchild changes both minds and lives.

Toast

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

From Ferndale to Birmingham the Toast empire expands. If you haven't been to this one-of-a-kind... well, now two-of-a-kind eatery you really should. Who'd imagine that a place with Taco Tuesdays could be tres chic? That's the delicious conundrum that is Toast. Cool decor, surprising accoutrements and, always, yummy food.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Palmer House

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Built in the early 1950s, the Palmer House in Ann Arbor has been referred to as the "Michelangelo" of Frank Lloyd Wright's residential masterpieces. And now you can spend a night, a week, or even a month in this home with no right angles.

Dearborn's Arab-American Festival

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How do you fit quarter of a million people onto 14 blocks of Warren Avenue? Ask the organizers of Dearborn's Arab American Festival, the nation's largest Middle Eastern gathering... and a shining reflection of the city's unique and growing diversity.

The Crofoot

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Cool events. World class sound. Redeveloped historic downtown building. Hip crowd. In a better world every city would have their own Crofoot. Check out this one-of-kind Pontiac music venue.

Flexsys Knows Which Way The Wind Blows

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's all about efficiency - lighter, stronger, more flexible. Flexsys is taking U-M born innovations into the marketplace (that's called tech transfer for you newbies) to improve wind turbine and aerospace technologies... and, of course, grow our high tech economy.

Millenials Matter

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Communities work hard to accomodate the needs of seniors and children. But what about young professionals? If Metro Detroit wants to combat the loss of young talent to other states it needs to rethink its approach to this vital demographic. The Millenial Mayors Congress hopes to help bridge that gap, paving the way for tomorrow's leaders.

Incognito In Royal Oak

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If it's good enough for George Clinton, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The White Stripes, it's good enough for you. Incognito is a longtime local fave known for its funky footwear, clothing and accessories

Oak Street Fair

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Oak Street program aims to put some pride back in these neighborhoods by offering educational and staff resources to help communities preserve historic character while moving forward with sustainable growth and investment.

House Of Chants

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

House Of Chants could care less about the masses. They want you to look fabulous. Upscale urban, locally minded and absolutely authentic, this 20s era storefront is SoHo meets Motown. Yup, just another example of downtown Ferndale's renaissance.

The Commuter Challenge

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

You know, sometimes it's good to try something new. Change your view, widen your horizons. SEMCOG and Metro Detroit communities are encouraging local commuters to rethink the one person-one car strategy and commit to a month of alternative transportation. Meet some people who'll do just that.

Mizudo Academy: Community, Diveristy, Martial Arts

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There are plenty of martial arts schools in Metro Detroit and no doubt many of them are excellent. Mizudo Academy in Dearborn, however, really takes diversity and their involvement with the community seriously.

LLamasoft

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How does a company efficiently get its stuff from the manufacturer to the warehouse to store shelves? What if the store is in Berlin? Or Singapore? What if it's hurricane season? These are just a few of the questions companies ask themselves when it comes to supply chain logistics. And Ann Arbor's LLamasoft helps them figure it all out.

Naka, Naka (Who's There?)

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Buy local doesn't just mean food, dontcha know. Naka boutique in Ferndale features hand-crafted clothing, soaps and gifts from Metro Detroit creatives and designers. And owner Kelly Pettibone Lapointe doesn't just sell local, she moved back from New York City to be local.

The Flute House

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's residential. It's commercial. It's two very cool tastes in one. Proving that Royal Oak's urban development has still got it going ah-on, the Flute House will be an innovative addition to Main Street. No ordinary live/work space is this. Instead it's a cherry red gateway to downtown's new economy identity.

PALAZZO di BOCCE

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Where's the best Boccedrome in the world? If you said Italy you're only off by about 4000 miles. Palazzo di Bocce in SE Michigan is mecca for all things lawn bowling. Yeah, it's a bit outside the metro area but we'd be remiss not to point to you toward this one-of-a-kind sports venue. Drink, bocce and be merry.

Can You say "Pecha Kucha"?

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

From Istanbul to Indianapolis, Dresden to Detroit, Pecha Kucha is spreading. No, it's not a fungus. It's Show n' Tell for smart people. Designers, artists, architects, filmmakers and all species of creatives get roughly 7 minutes and 20 slides to strut their stuff. Innovation is a must. Mileage may vary.

The Loving Touch

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's a pool hall. It's a philosophy. Chris Johnston has helped shape downtown Ferndale's renaissance with The Emory, Woodward Avenue Brewers and now, The Loving Touch, a former massage parlor turned billiard nirvana.