Downtown Rochester Jewelry Store Owner Vows to Put Robbery Behind Her

Three weeks after armed robbery, Pamela's opens with a party today.

Three weeks after closing her much-loved downtown Rochester jewelry store to recover from an armed robbery, Pamela Krampf is feeling positive — and ready for a party. The experience was "horrible ... bad ... awful," Krampf said. It was proof that bad things happen to good people. But she's determined to move forward. In fact, it's part of Krampf's mantra: if you get knocked down, you get right back up again. "I want to put behind us all of the ugliness," said Krampf, owner of Antiques and Fine Jewerly by Pamela. She was busy this week putting the finishing touches on her store's holiday decor, which features an elaborate window display with a "Santa's Workshop" theme. "I am ready to celebrate life." Pamela's will reopen today — Small …

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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 …

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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 ›

Around Town

Downtown's New Mamma Mia Offers Pure Italian Comfort

The restaurant opened last week at University and Main.

A search for warm comfort food took us to Mamma Mia Tuscan Grille on a cold autumn night this week. Their soft opening last Thursday was so soft you may have missed it altogether, but the town's newest Italian restaurant is officially open for business in the location formerly occupied by Fortesa.  The space has been remodeled and brightened up from its last occupants. The wine room with the capacity to eventually hold 1,000 bottles of wine remains; there's also executive chef Derek Murray, formerly of Fortesa. Mamma Mia is owned by the same corporation that owns Paint Creek Tavern. Having a sister restaurant right next door comes in handy while working out the kinks of a new business, like how to fill that order for chocolate milk. …

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Around Town

Downtown Shop Owner Returns to Rochester With a 'Refined' Focus on Design

His family once owned the Chapman House, and now Jonathan McGowen is the creative mind at Refined.

It was once the brightest building in downtown Rochester, but now Refined Home is a little more, well, refined. And it's not just a paint job—turning the hot pink house on Fourth Street to taupe—that has changed about the home decor business. The shop has a new owner, though he's not new to town. Jonathan McGowen may have spent the past 10 years in California but he's home now and he says "there's no place like it." McGowen's family once owned The Chapman House; he ran the retail side of it from 1993 to 2002. Work took him to the West Coast, but it was family that brought him back. "I came home to take care of my sick dad," McGowen said. "He was so pleased to know that The Chapman House will be enjoyed by the public and continue to be used…

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In Downtown Rochester, 'People Are Shopping Again'

Stores and restaurants reported busiest Saturday ever. 'The economy is picking up,' Rochester DDA director says.

Downtown Rochester shop owner Christine Laikind didn't sit down Saturday. Her feet and hips ached at the end of the day. But she's not complaining. Laikind, owner of Firebrick Gallery and Pottery Studio, said she didn't take a break from the time her shop opened at 10 a.m. Saturday until it closed at 9 that night. In fact, she ran out of sales receipts and had to send her husband out for more. Was it the Big, Bright Lights that brought people downtown? "I think so," she said. Laikind was among the downtown merchants who have reported this has been their busiest season to date. Kristi Trevarrow, executive director of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority, has heard their stories — and seen for herself. "People are shopping again," …

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Christmas Tree Farm Business Offers Big Benefit to Owners

Small Business Saturday was a busy day at the Addison-Oaks Christmas Tree Farm.

When you think of small businesses, the first thing that comes to mind usually isn't 20 acres of pines and spruces begging for you to chop them down and take them home. Frank Rimi planted the first Christmas trees in his backyard at what is now known as the Addison-Oaks Christmas Tree Farm in 1988.  If Small Business Saturday was around back then, it would have just turned legal drinking age. Frank's wife, Cathy, and three sons have helped maintain the family business and witnessed it grow. “I like this kind of farming because it’s not dirty, other than the sap you get on your hands, and I get to work closely with the customers,” Rimi said. The farm on Lake George Road in Oakland Township is open on weekends from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for families…

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Around Town

For the Holidays, Shop Local, Support the Small Biz, Buy Michigan

This summer Around Town Laura explored the many made-in-Michigan options available around Rochester. They look pretty good for the holidays too.

While Around Town Laura is recovering from massive turkey consumption, we're re-running this favorite column about buying Michigan — feel free to take notes to take with you when shopping in Rochester tomorrow for Small Business Saturday. The holiday season is the perfect time to support our local economy by "Buying Michigan." And downtown Rochester has something Michigan-made for every member of your family, from dad to dog and everyone in between.  I shopped around town for Michigan-made items, and here's what I found. It's chilled and frosty and brewed right here in Rochester. Show Dad and Michigan some love with a six-pack of Rochester Mills Beer Co.'s Cornerstone India Pale Ale. Manager Heidi Wahl told me the IPA is its No. 1 seller …

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50+ Places to Party Tonight in Oakland County

Wednesday, the night before Thanksgiving, is traditionally the biggest bar night of the year. Here's our list of your best bets.

Thanksgiving Eve is traditionally the busiest bar night of the year and Oakland County business owners are gearing up for a fun night and holiday weekend. Here's a roundup of places to go this evening. We invite you to add your favorite to the list. The Emory's general manager, Emily Husband, said the night is a busy one for bars because "most people come home for Thanksgiving and want to get together with the friends and family they haven't seen all year. ... We're tapping a firkin this year, not necessarily in order to increase business, but to do something fun and different." What's a firkin, you ask? "It is a keg of the Livery Brewery Action Jackson IPA that will be on the bar top all evening until it runs out. Really, though, the …

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David Gifford

8:35 pm on Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I'm walking up to Penny Black to meet up with Friends. Its cold out tonight! Glad to live within walking distance.   more ›

5 Places to Spend the Biggest Bar Night of the Year

From trolleys to DJs to beer specials, here's what's going on Wednesday night.

The night before Thanksgiving is notoriously a big night for reuniting with friends out on the town. Here is what's on tap for Wednesday night: 1. O'Connors Public House does not play games on what has become its second busiest night of the year (guess which night is No. 1 for the Irish pub?) Extra bars will be added, and the music will be spinning with DJ John Knapper. Drink specials will be running all night: Stoli Vodka drinks ($4.50), Stoli and Red Bull ($6.50), Red Bull Bombs ($5) and Domestic Pints ($2.50). Also, a trolley will run between O'Connors and The Hills from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. if you're in the mood to bar hop. There is no cover at O'Connor's. The trolley costs $5 for unlimited rides back and forth. 2. The Hills Bar and …

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