Around Town

Find Steak, Seafood, Salads and Friendly Service at Lucky's Prime Time

It opened earlier this month in the former Sero's on Walton in Rochester Hills.

For me it was the homemade roll that sealed the deal. I was at Lucky's Prime Time for the first time this week and there was plenty to impress me. First off: the service. Lucky's is clearly a restaurant filled with regulars, but the great thing about the staff is that they make everyone feel like a regular, even if it's their first time there.  The redecorated space, in navy and brick with dark wood, has been opened up, with booths around the edges and tables in the middle. A glass divider etched with "Lucky's Prime Time" separates the cozy new full-service bar from the dining area. Four flatscreen televisions hang in the corners of the restaurant. And then, of course, there was the food. In the booth behind me, a regular customer was …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (6)

Around Town

'Resort' for Pets Now Open in Rochester Hills

The 24-hour dog care facility has a play area, webcams — and it passes Gordie's test.

If you wanted to open your own business, where would you start? Chris Masson, owner of All American Pet Resort, started by looking around at businesses that impressed him. One such business was where he took his boxer, Gordie, for doggie day care and boarding. "Even though I live in Rochester, I would make the drive down to Royal Oak so my dog could go to All American Pet Resort," Masson said. "Gordie is like a family member to us so it was important that he was somewhere we could trust." As a dog owner Masson was impressed with total transparency of the operation and the cleanliness. As a potential franchise owner Masson liked that it was a business both locally and family owned. It was a winning combination: he had found his business. …

•  12 Comments
• Photos (3)

Around Town

At Downtown's Newest Restaurant, a Happy Hour Is Born

Here's what else is going on at The Meeting House.

What kind of town is Rochester? After two months of doing business at the corner of Main and Third streets, owner Jason Mood from The Meeting House thinks it's "kind of a Happy Hour town." Today at 4 p.m. The Meeting House puts Mood's theory to the test with the restaurant's first Happy Hour. The Meeting House Happy Hour will be held daily from Tuesdays through Fridays, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Happy Hour specials include the Burger Plate for $5 and the Truffle Chicken Wings for 50 cents each.  "We'll also have deals on house wines, draught beers and other food and beverage features," Mood said. Downtown's newest restaurant opened Dec. 4. Owners Chris Johnson and Jason Mood spent nine years working together as chef and manager at the Beverly …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (3)

Around Town

Downtown Rochester's Firebrick Gallery Saying Goodbye

'We had planned for the construction, but the loss of business was more than double what we had prepared for,' owner Christine Laikind said.

In the end, Firebrick Gallery and Pottery Studio owner Christine Laikind wants to focus on the fun. But that's not to say it won't be through tears. After more than two and a half years, Laikind will close shop for the final time on Dec. 29. "It was not an easy decision to make," Laikind said. "There were a lot of tears on my part. I love this place. I love the people. I want to thank everyone for their friendship." For months Laikind had been personally funding the shop as business took a significant hit from the Main Street Makeover, she said. "We had planned for the construction, but the loss of business was more than double what we had prepared for," Laikind said. Still, she held on, hoping her historically best months — November and …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (2)

You Can Still Get Your Tower Pizza at Downtown's Blackbird Bistro

The name has changed, the decor is new but the pizza has remained the same; a new menu debuts today at the former Tower Pizza.

A lot has changed at 334 North Main.  The storage room has become a beautiful dining room. The dining room has become a hip bar. The name has changed, twice. And today, a brand new menu is being introduced. But there is one thing that will never change, according to owner Shelly Anderson. "We still serve, and will always serve, the one and only Tower pizza." Blackbird Bistro spent nearly 50 years doing business as Tower Pizza. When Anderson took ownership she wanted to make sure the restaurant did at least 50 more. She applied for a bistro license, which would allow her to serve liquor.  "Everyone was asking me for a beer with their pizza," Anderson said, "I'm happy that people can now have their favorite beer with their favorite pizza." …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (9)

Around Town

After 7 Years, Downtown Rochester Shop Closing Its Doors

'It's an awesome town and I wish I could stay,' the owner of Cristina's Quilt Shoppe told Patch through tears.

It's the season of miracles and that's exactly what Cristina Riha, owner of Cristina's Quilt Shoppe is hoping for. After seven years in downtown Rochester, including four at her current location on Second Street, Riha will close her doors for good at the end of this month. "It's an awesome town and I wish I could stay," Riha said through tears. "But for too long I was thinking with my heart not my brain. I just let it go too long." The liquidating of inventory started on Monday. Everything in the store is 15 percent off with the exception of the consignment quilt ladders. Riha said November was the worst month they've had in five years and the store has never had so much inventory in stock. Riha explained in her business fabric orders are …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (7)

Around Town

The Meeting House: Contemporary and Cozy in Downtown Rochester

The new restaurant on the corner of Third and Main opened Tuesday, and Patch was there to check it out.

I don't know where you were yesterday at 4 p.m. but there was only one place my "Around Town" duties would allow me to be. The Meeting House. It started when I  first wrote about the new restaurant last July and it has built up to nearly a fevered pitch. No matter where I go — shopping downtown, my childrens' school, Girls Night Out — everyone wants to know about The Meeting House.  So when the doors officially opened for the first time yesterday, I was there.  With all the interest, I wasn't even surprised that I wasn't the first one in the door. A party of four was in front of me, a party of two right behind me and — for a random Tuesday night in December — the stream of new and curious customers was constant. So how was it? The first …

•  41 Comments
• Photos (11)

Around Town

It's Fresh and Has 'The Juice;' Are You Ready for Jersey Mike's?

We had a sneak preview of Jersey Mike's, which opens Wednesday in Rochester Hills.

They say, "don't mess with a good thing." That's why the owners of the new Rochester Hills Jersey Mike's subs want you to try your sub "Mike's Way." Mike's Way has onion, lettuce, tomatoes, spices and "The Juice." "It's a flavor profile second-to-none," said partner/owner Bob Middleton.  "When the flavor is that good, you don't want to dilute it," partner/owner Bill Biga agreed. "You should enjoy the sandwich the way it was created." That's not to say other combinations aren't gladly accepted. Add banana peppers, hold the onions, add extra pickles. Your sub is custom-made in front of you, with meat fresh off the slicer. Fresh is a word you'll hear a lot at Jersey Mike's. The bread is baked fresh in-house every day. The vegetables are fresh…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (4)

Kristin Bull

11:13 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013

2670 Rochester Road - across from Target.   more ›

Rochester Students Give Guatemalan Children 4,573 Reasons to be Thankful

Here's how Musson Elementary School students "raised the roof" with a penny war for Guatemalan students in need.

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving break found 400-plus Musson Elementary School students chanting at the top of their lungs, "Pie! Pie! Pie!" But they weren't talking about the pumpkin kind. The stage curtain slowly raised, bringing the children to a fevered pitch and there in the spotlight stood a man, alone but unfazed. Today is the day we reflect on what we are thankful for, but many things in our life might not even make the list. It's not that we're not grateful; we just expect them to be there. Like a roof on our children's school. When Musson art teacher Amy King heard from a friend about an elementary school in Guatemala that was left with a huge hole in its roof after a storm, she saw an opportunity to take Musson's "Be Kind" school…

•  4 Comments
• Photos (7)

Around Town

Bloomberry Frozen Yogurt Offers a 'Mom Approved' Treat

We tried out the self-serve yogurt shop that opened this summer in the Papa Joe's plaza.

Bloomberry is the cultured frozen yogurt shop in the Papa Joe's plaza. But it's more than that. It's mom approved. Owner Rebecca VanLoon — a mother of two — is that mom. "I say it every day: this is the healthy alternative to ice cream," VanLoon said. "It's fat-free, gluten-free and 29 calories per ounce." Bloomberry Frozen Yogurt offers six flavors of soft-serve, including one dairy-free sorbet. There are more than 30 toppings to select from, including fresh fruit from Papa Joe's. The most popular toppings are peanut butter cups and cookie dough, although the gummy bears get a special nod from VanLoon as being "like no other." It's also all self-serve. A 16-ounce cup is provided to fill at 49 cents an ounce. "We want our customers to …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (8)

Laura Cassar

6:47 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My new masterpiece--Pomegranate and vanilla topped with coconut, almonds and yogurt chips!!!! Yum!   more ›