



Positive Detroit Original - Erin Rose





Disclaimer: I am on the executive board.





For those of you interested in starting a business in Detroit and need some cold, hard cash to get started, you have one week left to submit to the Comerica Hatch Detroit 2012 contest for a chance to win $50K along with a matching value in business services (marketing, accounting, legal, web, photo ops with Joe Posch, etc).





So without further adieu......

with a slew of amenities like seating, restrooms, wifi, bike racks, stroller valet, atm, live music stage, kid-friendly play area, gardens featuring local art and water displays, etc. Not to mention a host of events like beer gardens, tailgates, themed parities, concerts, movie nights, private rentals. The list goes on and on. I think there may be a parcel or two of land available for development, maybe squeeze in next to the area of Brush Park that backs up to Eastern Market. Just a thought......

Jimmy John's on Monroe and Griswald, I would really appreciate it if you extend your hours past the national AARP bedtime. Same goes for you CVS.

Take a look at the below picture. Where was this taken? Florida Keys? No. El Lay. Err, wrong again. Belle Isle Beach. Yeah, the one here in Detroit.





This beauty opens opportunities for kayak, canoe, paddle boat, and stand up paddle board (SUP) sales, rentals, and lessons. Bike rentals to cruise around the island? Yes please.





Photo taken 7/23/2012 by the lovely Michelle Srbinovich





Personally, I would like to go back in time about a hundred years when Belle Isle looked like the below photos. Of course in full color, 25 mega pixel, smart phone captured, HD Videoed, with more photos than Instragram can handle.





Just think: it could be our very own Central Park, but way cooler because it is an actual island, not just on one.





5. Roof Top Bars. Here is one example, Here is one example, The Empire Hotel in NYC, that was recently graced with a runway show by our very own Fotoula Lambros Design . A pool would be a nice addition as well.









Good News: Michelle at

will deliver dog food to my apartment. Bad news: Who else delivers besides Michelle,

,

, and a few chains

after 4 pm?





Actually, I think we should start with beer and then move onto food. My neighbor's friend brings over growlers of beer on his skateboard. Seems easy enough.





P.S. If you do want delivery between 11 am - 4pm, Hot Spokes can help you with a myriad of choices.

7. Art Boutique Hotels . Each room is designed by a different artist, catering to people who need a last minute room because they will be having way too much fun in Detroit and do not want to leave before sunrise.

Since we are already on the topic of art, Detroit has a very talented artistic community. I would love to see the day that an area of Detroit was designated for people to display, sell, and create their art right on the city streets!

.

Yes ladies, this one is for you. A "blow-out" bar is a salon that specializes in two things: blow-outs and cocktails. So picture this scenario: It's been a long day at work and the last thing you want to do is your hair for a night out in the city especially since it's 91 degrees with humility of 300%. Blah. So how nice would it be to waltz on over to a salon after work, greeted by a friendly receptionist who hands you a cocktail, and quickly get your hair done by a talented hair-stylist? Pretty nice, right? You are now relaxed (Calgon who?), looking great, and do not have to worry about mother nature tampering your 'do. Bonus, you get to leave all the baggage at home and no clean-up time.

Nothing beats a night out on the town where you have the confidence in the way you look and can freely enjoy the company around you.

10. Mae's. Real shocker here, right folks?

Mae's serves up delicious breakfast and lunch in one of the most stylish locations in Metro Detroit. They are located in the 48069 and really, need to be in the proximity of 48226. Not only does Mae's serve up yummy meals, but they clearly know how to run a successful business with a 300% growth in sales from 2010-2011. As a new restaurant, beating the odds is an understatement. Exactly what Detroit needs, a business that has longevity and prides itself on buying local. How many other restaurants do you know of that refuse to sell Coke or Pepsi and stick with Faygo?





Jess's latest creation: Salted Carmel Cream Filled Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I'm sure they will be even more delicious in the 313.

You cannot mention food without following it up with fitness. Dear "Best of Hour" Five-Years-Running Nth Degree Fitness : Get your fine, well sculpted behinds down here already and give Charles Pugh a run for his money with your 6-pack abs! You too

and

12. Somerset CityLoft opens up full time on Woodward, maybe on the former J.L Hudson site .........

13. Film Tours. Let's start highlighting all the Hollywood that Detroit has to offer!









The weather has not been the only thing hot here this summer. Check out all the action that's been going on in Detroit over the past few months.

Midtown

Great Lakes Coffee , aka Institute for Advanced Drinking (iFad) opened on Alexandrine and Woodward. Tell James I sent you.

Yoga Shelter opened its doors to give us our daily dose of Zen

The Bottomline Coffee Shop opened for business on July 23rd

Bottomline Coffee Shop Whole Foods broke ground on Mack Ave

Downtown

Highland Park

AJ's Cafe is relocating from Ferndale

City News

As much as people talk about the things theyin Detroit (I will refrain from giving examples for the sake of this article and your sanity), I would like to provide you with a list of things. I fully admit that this is a selfish list, though I have a sneaking suspicion I am not alone in my desires and could quite possibly inspire some new ones (crossing fingers).This post just so happens to coincide with the final week to submit your business idea to the Comerica Hatch Detroit contest (watch above video). Coincidence? Not really, just a little push to see some possible traction on the below list coming to life.Above is an example, the Soma Street Food Park in San Francisco that opened this year, which was inspired by Portland's Pods *To help reopen the FIRST aquarium in the whole US of A that resides on Belle Isle, click HERE to donate (time and money, people).*, ie The Natural Food Patch in Fab Ferndale (I would like a piece of my former life in the burbs to follow me here to Detroit).My favorite example is the Drybar . Drybar hails from sunny California and has locations up and down the West Coast, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and The Big Apple. I think its time to venture to the Midwest and open shop in Detroit, hint hint :).Now, due to a "secret informant" (apparently Curbed Detroit has......one), the owner's of Mae's aim higher and in addition to serving tasty breakfast and lunch, they would love to supply you with bottomless mimosas, McClure's Bloody Mary's , and their own tasty concoctions on Saturday & Sunday. Rumor has it thanks to the new law signed by Governor Snyder, it's way easier to get a liquor license in Detroit than the burbs.........Corktown: