Visit Fine Clawson Businesses
Check here often for highlights of Clawson shopping, dining and many other great businesses. Every couple of weeks or so we will talk a little about Clawson establishments that may interest you. Some of these businesses are those you have visited for years but there are sure to be a few you never heard of!
Local Dentists Make Clawson Smile
Craig and Marcy Goldin of
Cosmetic Dentistry Institute in Clawson received the
Cosmetic Practice of the Year award from the Scientific Session of the American Academy of Comestic Dentistry in San Diego.
Clawson Prepares to Welcome Brewery and Asian Restaurant
By Elizabeth A. Katz
Daily Tribune Staff Writer
CLAWSON—Work on the downtown's newest dining spots is continuing at a good clip, with both slated to open in the next few months.
Black Lotus Brewery, co-owned by husband and wife Mike and Jodi Allan of Rochester, and Mark Harper of Clawson, is slated for a "soft" opening Sept. 30.
Royal Kubo, an Asian restaurant and karaoke bar, should be open in October, according to owner Armand Santos.
Black Lotus Brewery recently was awarded two grants by the Clawson Downtown Development Authority for a total of $3,000 for their sign and awnings. Mike Allan said the money will "without question" help defray the cost of the exterior features, which cost $10,000. The sign already has been put up. The owners will hang black awnings over the large picture windows installed in the original Sid's Drugs storefront.
Allan said he and his partners are excited that the opening is at hand and they intend to take advantage of the pleasant fall weather with outdoor seating.
"It's been a long road," Allan said. "I can't say it's been easy, but in the last couple of weeks, we've been feeling some really good vibes. We are excited about turning things over from a project to an operation."
Black Lotus is holding an Oktoberfest celebration at its opening Sept. 30 and will offer five different microbrews created on the premises. Those include Lotus Light, the Oktoberfest, the Detroit Hip Hops, the Black Bottom Stout and Red Tao. Black Lotus also is partnering with Bel Cibo in Clawson to provide food for patrons.
Allan said that since work on the brewery has neared its completion, young people new to the community and those who have been in Clawson for many years have equally been interested in the business.
"Every day we get phone calls from people who want to know if we are open," he said. "It actually makes you feel really good that both sides of the community are interested."
Karen Seaman, head of the DDA, said members have been impressed with how Black Lotus has shaped up. Through it Design Grant Program, the DDA provided the owners with 10 hours of free architectural services to help them take the building back to its historic character.
"The DDA just loved what the owners of Black Lotus Brewery have done with the building," Seaman said. "It was really amazing to watch the restoration process ... and now, it's a wonderful sight to see on one of our four corners with its fantastic detail and inviting feel."
Movement also has been happening with Royal Kubo, just a few doors down on 14 Mile Road. Earlier this week, city council members unanimously approved the transfer of a Class C Liquor License with a Dance-Entertainment Permit to owner Santos.
The liquor license had been held in escrow and was transferred from Oak Park, where Royal Kubo was previously located. The popular karaoke bar lost its license and had to close shop last year when the property it originally sat on in Royal Oak Township was annexed to Oak Park. Voters in Oak Park voted to uphold a ban on restaurants serving liquor in 2005.
Santos expects work to begin soon on the exterior. Right now, crews are working on major electrical rewiring and plumbing.
"The city just gave us a conditional approval of working outside," Santos said. "You might see us getting some work done on the outside. It seems like barring any delays, things are coming along fine."
Updated
Monday, September 18, 2006
