Irish Dance Studio, Self-Serve Yogurt, More to Open on Mack Avenue

Following a string of business closures along Mack Avenue in comes a string new businesses--some are already becoming obvious to passersby.

Gone are Grosse Pointe Collection, Thai Cafe, Quiznos and Cueter Brothers Service garage--the last two of which closed and vacated the properties seemingly overnight. 

The business landscape is ever-changing and already a variety of new businesses are moving in, Woods Building Inspector Gene Tutag said. Some have already obtained licenses while others have only talked briefly with him, he said.

Among the new and upcoming businesses:

• Avia Salon, 20527 Mack Ave.
• Yogo Hut, 19605 Mack Ave.
• Ardan Academy of Irish Dance, 20647 Mack Ave.
• Flashpoint Photography, on Mack Avenue near Roslyn Road

Additionally, there is a sign adorning the former Dippin Dots declaring its new tennant, Just Baked--a bakery specializing in cupcakes with locations throughout metro Detroit. Tutag said an official from the company had only recently spoken to him about this possible new business but had yet to apply for any licensing.

Among the changes, a locally-owned chain of quick oil change stores took over the former Jiffy Lube after the national chain pulled out of the Woods. Tutag said the transition was seamless and did not even call for the store to be closed for any period of time. The new owners have made many aesthetically pleasing changes to the building, including painting it, he said.

The Woods has a low business district vacancy rate at the moment of about seven percent, Tutag said, and there is a lot of interest in most of the vacant buildings.

It's unknown what may happen with the most prominent of the empty spaces--the former Bank of America, the and the former Shelby Paint Store, Tutag said. The former branch of Talmer Bank at Mack and Roslyn, he said, would make a great cafe or small dining establishment, noting its great condition and location at the end of a residential street.

At least one tenant had been interested in the former Shelby Paint Store-- by the council to allow the second-hand shop to relocate there. The .

While it may seem like progress is slow from a passersby perspective, Tutag said it is anything but slow. There have been several people looking at the vacant properties on the market and there will likely be more change in the coming months.