Services // Food // People // Shopping // Media // Leisure // Etc. // Credits
Each year, readers crown their “Most Likely to Succeed.” See who made the list.
Photographs by Roy Ritchie
Wardrobe styling by Rebecca Voigt
Prop Styling by Stephanie Potts
Services // Food // People // Shopping // Media // Leisure // Etc. // Credits
Wedding Photographer
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Wedding Planner (Tie)
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Dressmaker
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Custom Framing
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Portrait Photographer
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Shoe Repair
// Frank’s Shoe Service, Birmingham; 248-647-3530
ղǰ/ٱپDzԲ
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䲹ٱ
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Salon For A Makeover (Tie)
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Divorce Lawyer
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Pet Grooming (Tie)
//
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Florist
//Multiple Locations:
//Single Location:
Dry Cleaner
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Veterinarian (Tie)
//
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Salon For A Blowout
//Multiple Locations:
//Single Location:
貹
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Massage (Tie)
//
// Wizard of Ahhhs Massageand Bodywork,Harrison Township; 810-599-1767
Ҳ⳾
// Multiple Locations:
// Single Location (Tie)://
Yoga Studio
// Multiple Locations:
// Single Location:
Salon For A Makeup Artist
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Salon/Spa For A Manicure
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Salon/Spa For A Pedicure
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Salon/Spa For A Facial
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Hair Salon
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Barber — Independent
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հԲǰٲپDz/
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Doggie Day Care
// Single Location:
// Multiple Locations: and
Place To Dock Your Boat
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ٴǰ
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Auto Detailing
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Material Girl
We’re “living in a material world,” but Janna Coumoundouros is Detroit’s latest Material Girl. The Ferndale-based artist and photographer captured Detroit readers’ hearts as Best Dressmaker. Her one-of-a-kind creations incorporate materials such as car seatbelts, and were displayed at the NAIAS Detroit Charity Preview. She also won the Detroit Institute of Arts Samurai Design Competition … and don’t forget that Detroit dress made of paper a few years ago. She also takes things apart and reworks the materials into jewelry (think typewriter key earrings). Maybe the next time Madonna is looking to be in “Vogue” again, she’ll ask Coumoundouros to put some outfits together.
Freeze Frame
The J. Geils Band’s 1981 “Freeze Frame” hit was not the inspiration for Monni Must to start a photography business. She had no idea that what she started in the wing of her house in 2001 would take her creative eye around the globe. Voted Best Photographer for two straight years, Must’s work has been showcased in four Living Witnesses books, where she photographed 400 Holocaust survivors. While she spent most of her days learning “dark room sweet-talk” with a 4×5 film camera, at age 62, she’s conquering the digital world. As her business name might suggest, she doesn’t ask subjects to strike fake poses. “Nothing screams ’80s more than the ‘head tilt resting in the palm of your hand’ pose,” Must says.
Services // Food // People // Shopping // Media // Leisure // Etc. // Credits
Restaurant for General Excellence
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Restaurant Ambience
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Place to Have Dinner Before a Show
Place for Nightcaps After the Show
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Restaurant Dessert (Tie)
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View From a Restaurant
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Sunday Brunch
// City (Tie)://
// Suburb (Tie):// , and
Appetizers
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Attentive Service
//City:
//Suburb(Tie)://
Beer Selection
//City:
//Suburb:
Late-Night Dining
// City:Lafayette Coney Island, downtown Detroit; 313-964-8198
//Suburb:
Street-Level Window Seat
// City:
//Suburb:
Fish Market
// Multiple Locations:
//Single Location:
Independent Coffeehouse(Tie)
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Romantic Restaurant
// City:
// Suburb:
Locally Produced Food Brand
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Ice Cream Parlor
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Chinese
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Place for a Business Lunch
// City:
//Suburb (Tie)://
French
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Wine List
// City:
// Suburb:
Place to Take Out-of-Towners
// City:
// Suburb:
Business Breakfast
// City:
// Suburb:
Japanese (Tie)
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//
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Indian
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Mexican
// City (Tie)://Xochimilco Restaurant, Southwest Detroit; facebook.com/XochimilcoDetroit
//Suburb (Tie)://Sagebrush Cantina, Lake Orion; mysagebrushcantina.com
Greek
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Italian
// City (Tie)://
// Suburb (Tie)://
Middle Eastern
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Korean
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Thai
// Multiple Locations:
// Single LocationKhom Fai, Shelby Township;586-247-7773
Vietnamese
// Multiple Locations:
//Single Location:
Gourmet Market
// Multiple Locations:
// Single Location:
Steakhouse
// City:
//Suburb:
24- Restaurant
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Michigan Winery (Tie)
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Deli
Burger
//Macomb County:
//Oakland County: Redcoat Tavern, Royal Oak, 248-549-0300; and West Bloomfield Township, 248-865-0500
// Wayne County:
Vegan
// City (Tie:)//
//Suburb:
Fish ’n’ Chips
// City:
// Suburb:
Creative Breakfast
// Multiple Locations:, and
//Single Location (Tie)://
Vegetarian
//City:
// Suburb:
Gluten-Free Menu
//Ferndale
Cheap Eats
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Sandwich
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Ribs
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Coney Island
// Lafayette Coney Island,downtown Detroit; 313-964-8198
Sushi
Seafood
// City:
// Suburb:
Locally Owned Bakery
//City:Avalon
//Suburb:
Pancakes
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Classic Artisan Cocktails
// City:
//Suburb:
Soul Food
//City (Tie)://Motor City Soul Food, Detroit;313-863-7685
//Suburb:
Soup
//Independent:
// Zoup
Pizza
//Multiple Location:
// Single Location:
Barbeque
// Multiple Locations:
//City:
French Fries
//Independent:
Bagels
//Multiple Locations:
// Single Location:
Cupcakes
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Cookies
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Doughnuts
//City:Dutch Girl Donuts, 313-368-3020
// Suburb:Donut Bar, Southfield,248-595-8212
Bloody Mary
Pop-up Experience
//Single Location:
//Moving Target(Tie)://
Locally Made Beer
// City (Tie)://
//Suburb:
// State:
Michigan-Made Wine
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Chicken Wings
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Deck/Outdoor Seating
// City (Tie)://
//Suburb:
Carry Out
//City:
//Suburb:
Food Truck
Raw Juice or Smoothie
Locally Made Spirit
// City:
//Suburb:
Love Shack
“I got me a car, it’s asbig as a whale, and we’re headin’ on down to the Mac Shack.”With apologies to the B-52s, whose “Love Shack” was all over the 1989 airwaves, metro Detroit fans take their jukebox money down to wherever this Best Food Truck is parked. Owner Chris Damon bought the business from the El Guapo folks (they shared “Best Food Truck” honors in 2015). Mac Shack may not be from the 1980s, but their beef-brisket-based dish is called the “I-80.” And they might not “Walk Like an Egyptian,” but their spicy chicken dish is called “Cluck Like a Buffalo.” Another trivia note: Detroit native Don Was produced “Love Shack.”
Hungry Like the Wolf
For the third consecutive year, the venerable Clawson Steak House has Detroit readers feeling “Hungry Like the Wolf” of Duran Duran’s 1982 hit. The Best SteakHouse (Suburb) kudos testify to the restaurant’s longevity: It was founded 58 years ago by Gregory Alex, who passed the business on to son Jim in 1986. It’s also certainly thanks to executive chef Jim Polk, who for 23 years has ensured quality, such as making sure all steaks are hand-cut each morning. Another blast from the past comes from the Mark James Band, who perform at the steakhouse Wednesday through Saturday, offering an atmosphere reminiscent of an old-time supper club.
Sweet Dreams are Made of This
The Whitney is one of Detroit’s oldest institutions, but its Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor is new. Their treats were already a hit with Detroit readers, who gave The Whitney the nod for Best Desserts (and a few other awards, too). Highlights include the Maple-Raspberry Croissant Bread Pudding and the Classic Carrot Cake, a Whitney tradition since the ’80s. They also serve a pine nut-flavored “White Pine” ice cream, an homage to the mansion’s eponymous lumber baron David Whitney Jr. Speaking of homages, the parlor is named after Whitney’s philanthropist daughter, and in her honor they have a “Pie It Forward” program that donates $1 from pie sales to Cass Community Social Services Center.
Services // Food // People // Shopping // Media // Leisure // Etc. // Credits
Detroit Tigers Player
//Miguel Cabrera
Detroit Lions Player
//Calvin Johnson(yes, even after retirement)
Detroit Pistons Player
//Andre Drummond
Detroit Red Wings Player
// Dylan Larkin
Local Sports Star
//Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Choice For A LocalCelebrity DinnerCompanion
//Kid Rock
Top Domestic Auto Executive
//Mary Barra, General Motors
Local Loudmouth
//Charlie LeDuff, Fox 2 News, author
Choice For A Local Political Dinner Companion
// Mayor Mike Duggan
Detroit Ambassador (Tie)
//Dan Gilbert //Kid Rock
DJ (Non-Radio)
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Local Comedian
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Local Band — Covers
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Local Band —Originals (Tie)
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Bartender
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Maître D’ (Tie)
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Chef
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Cicerone
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Sommelier
//Retailer:
// Sommelier Restaurant (Tie): //
Personal Trainer
// Female:
//Male:
Local Politician to Recall
// Gov. Rick Snyder
Political Rising Star
// Mayor Mike Duggan
IndependentStore Owner
// Mary Liz Curtin, Leon & Lulu
ColorfulCharacter (Tie)
// Charlie LeDuff,Fox 2 News, author //David C. McKnight,Emerald City Designs
Detroit Filmmaker (Tie)
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Fine Artist
//Tony Roko
Eye of the Tiger
“Yo, Adrian …” If the rock band Queen hadn’t reportedly denied Sylvester Stallone the right to use “Another One Bites the Dust” as the theme for his Rocky III movie, generations of impressionable young ears might not have been delighted (or tortured) by having Survivor’s 1982 smash “Eye of the Tiger” get stuck in their heads. And even though superstar Miguel Cabrera wasn’t even alive then (he was born in 1983), the eye of this Tiger was made for picking up on pitches and giving the ball a ride. Cabrera gets a double-header this year, as Detroit readers’ favorite Detroit Tigers Player and Local Sports Star.
Services // Food // People // Shopping // Media // Leisure // Etc. // Credits
Place To Be Fitted For A Suit
// Independent:
// Chain:
Women’s Clothing
// City:
// Suburb:
// Chain:
Women’s Evening Wear
// Independent (Tie)://
// Chain:
Fine Antiques (Tie)
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Big And Tall
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Place For One-Of-A-Kind Dresses
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Vintage Clothing
// City:
//Suburb:
Men’s Clothing
// Independent:
// Chain:
Athletic Wear
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Luxury Bed And Table Linens
//Cristions Fine Linen & Down,Birmingham; 248-723-3337
Cutting-Edge Fashions
//Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield Township; 248-851-1260
Children’s Clothing (Tie)
// Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield Township; 248-851-1260 //
Place To Buy A Cake
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Lingerie
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Jeans (Tie)
////Rear Ends, West Bloomfield;248-626-4333
Place To Buy AnEngagement Ring
// Multiple Locations:
// Single Location:
Bridal Gown
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Gift Registry
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Place To Order Wedding Invitations (Tie)
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Store For Produce
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Place To BuyBridesmaid Dresses
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Furniture Store
//Multiple Locations:
// Single Location:
Place To Buy Stationery
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Vintage Antiques
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Accessories
// Multiple Locations:
// Single Location:Lace Boutique, Troy; 248-740-5500
Farmers Market
//City:
// Suburb:
Candy Shop
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Personalized Service
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Place To Buy Local Crafts (Tie)
//
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Nursery/Greenhouse
// Multiple Locations:
// Single Location (Tie)://
Gift Shop
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Place To Buy Appliances
// Local Chain:
// Chain (Tie): //
Fine Spirits Shop
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Jeweler
//Multiple Locations:
//Single Location:
Estate Jewelry
//Multiple Locations:
//Single Location:
Fabric Store
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Shopping District
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Auto Dealership
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Clothing Resale/Consignment Shop (Tie)
////Everything Home Upscale Resale, Royal Oak; 248-629-7010
Independent Hardware
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New Book Selection
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Used Bookstore
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Comic Book Store (Tie)
// //
Place To BuyElectronics — Independent
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Place To Buy Organic Produce
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Wine Store
//Macomb County:
// Oakland County:
// Wayne County (Tie):Cost Plus Eastern Market, Detroit; 313-259-3845 //
Detroit Souvenir
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Place To Buy Musical Instruments
// Independent:
//Chain:
Smoke Shop
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Place To Buy A Bicycle
// City:
//Suburb:
Place To Buy Toys (Tie)
// //
Optical Shop
// Independent:
//Chain:
Place To BuySports Equipment
// Independent:
//Chain:
Gift Wrapping Service
//
SalvageFurnishings
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Beer Store
//Macomb County:
// Oakland County:
// Wayne county (Tie)://
Ethnic Food Market (Tie)
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Pet Supply
//Multiple Locations:
// Single Location:K9 Specialties, Warren;586-939-5960
Place To Buy Original Art
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New Category:
Place to Buy Records
// City:
//Suburb:
Red, Red Wine
Like fine wine, some songs age well. Neil Diamond wrote “Red, Red Wine” in the late ’60s; it got new legs from UB40 in 1983. Eastern Market’s Cost Plus Wine shop has also aged well, and tied for Wayne County’s Best Wine Shop. They’ve given tasteful advice since Tim McCarthy opened it St. Patrick’s Day 1982. McCarthy’s son, Dan,now runs the joint. And red wine “makes me forget,” right? Good thing. We’d rather not be reminded of ’80s trends like wine coolers (Bartles & Jaymes, anyone?) orBlue Nun. 313-259-3845
Services // Food // People // Shopping // Media // Leisure // Etc. // Credits
Local Newspaper
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Local Radio Station
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Local TV Newscast
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Local Radio News
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Radio Voice
//Mojo, Channel 955(WKQI 95.5-FM)
The Best Playlist
//WRCJ-FM 90.9Classical Days Jazzy Nights
Radio Program
// Dave & Chuck The Freak,101 WRIF-FM
Sports Play-By-Play (Tie)
// Dan Dickerson,Tigers Radio Network //Ken Daniels, Detroit RedWings (TV) //Ken Kal, Detroit Red Wings (Radio)
Male Newspaper Columnist
// Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press
Female NewspaperColumnist
//Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press
Local Website
//
Local Radio DJ
//Mojo, Channel 955(WKQI 95.5-FM)
Local Male TV Anchor
//Devin Scillian, WDIV-Channel 4
Traffic Reporter
//Ann Marie LaFlamme,WXYZ-Channel 7
Weathercaster
//Dave Rexroth, WXYZ-Channel 7
Local Talk-Radio Host
//Mike Valenti, WXYT-FM(97.1 The Ticket)
Local Sportscaster
//Bernie Smilovitz, WDIV-Channel 4
Local Female TV Anchor
//Carmen Harlan, WDIV-Channel 4
New Category:
Local TV Talk Show Host
//Dr. Partha Nandi, WXYZ-Channel 7
Boys of Summer
Not that anyone needs reminding, but the last time the Detroit’s “Boys of Summer” won the World Series, it was 1984. And although a little voice in Don Henley’s head once said, “Don’t look back, you can never look back,” the voice of the Detroit Tigers, Dan Dickerson (part of a three-way tie for Best Play By Play), says otherwise. In an April interview with WJR, Dickerson cited the past as inspiration. “The fact that (the Tigers) were predicted to defend their title last year and finished last, there’s just a little extra motivation, a little extra drive in this team this year,” Dickerson said. Here’s hoping he’s right.
Services // Food // People // Shopping // Media // Leisure // Etc. // Credits
Concert Venue
//
Michigan Vacation Spot
//Traverse City
Charity Event
//
Dive Bar
//City:The Old Miami, Detroit;313-831-3830
//Suburb:Gusoline Alley, Royal Oak;248-545-2235
New Bar
//City:
// Suburb:
Sports Bar
// City:
// Suburb:
Wine Bar
//City (Tie)://
// Suburb:
Private Golf Course
//
Jazz Club
// City (Tie): //
// Suburb:
Place To See An Art Film
//City:
// Suburb (Tie)://
Male Gay Bar
//Pronto!, Royal Oak;248-544-7900
Female Gay Bar
//
Neighborhood Bar
// City:Abick’s Bar, 313-894-9329
// Suburb (Tie)://
Bowling Alley
Special Event Venue
//
Community Theater
//
Bar For BusinessDeals (Tie)
////
Pool Hall
//
Place To See AFirst-Run Movie
// Multiple Locations:
//Single Location:
Bike Trail
// City:
// Suburb:
Annual Sporting Event
// Tigers Opening Day
Public Golf Course
//
Place To Hear Bands (Tie)
//City:
// Suburb:
Location For A First Date
//City (Tie)://
// Suburb (Tie)://
Comedy Club
//
Outdoor Festival
// City (Tie)://
// Suburb:
Museum
//
Picnic Spot
//City:
//Suburb:
Happy
//City:
// Suburb:
Place To Learn To Dance
//
Indoor Tennis Court (Tie)
//
//
Casino
//
Running Route
//City:
//Suburb:
Scenic Drive
// City:Lakeshore Drive,Grosse Pointe Shores
// State:M-22
New Category:
Cigar Bar
// Multiple locations:
//Single location (tie)://
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
In every life, we have some trouble, but when you worry, you make it double. Happy in the ’80s alleviated worries with sweet concoctions like the slippery nipple, the piña colada, and that ultimate worry-melter, the Long Island iced tea. But you won’t find those ’80s staples on the happy hour menu at Royal Oak’s Bistro 82. Instead, look for $5 well drinks, draft beers, and wines, along with $3 snacks like the Wagyu Steak Slider and the Parmesan Pomme Frites. If you’re still worried by the time you leave, call Bobby McFerrin. He’ll make you happy.
Let’s Dance
For the fifth consecutive year, our Best Place To Learn To Dance has readers and their kids taking David Bowie’s 1983 advice. Dance City owner Rhona Fidler says, “Let’s Dance” to students of everything from hip-hopto ballet. And if you pine for the days of MC Hammer pants and doing the “running man,” their June 5 spring recital willbe a throwback.
Services // Food // People // Shopping // Media // Leisure // Etc. // Credits
Detroit Car Brand — Automaker
// Ford
Detroit Car Brand — Division
// Chevrolet
Detroit Car Model
// Ford Mustang
Downtown Skyscraper
//
Detroit Cliché To Ban
// Detroit vs. Everybody
Best Loft Building (Tie)
//
//
Private Club
//City:
//Suburb:
Hotel
//City:(soon to be known as “Jack”)
//Suburb:
Best Sign of a DetroitComeback (Tie)
//Midtown Revival //M-1 Rail (now known as the QLine)
Inner-Ring Suburb
//Ferndale
National Chain We WishWe Had Here
//In-N-Out Burger
Building Worth Saving
//Michigan Central Train Station, Corktown Detroit
Little Red Corvette
“…Baby you’re much too fast.” Indeed, every “Little Red Corvette” (and any other color) that Chevrolet built was fast. But for this year’s Best Detroit Car Brand — Division, the ride of the ’80s was the Camaro IROC-Z. With its boxy yet sporty design, it suited the era. As Car and Driver put it in a recent roundup of the coolest cars of the 1980s, “The third-generation Chevrolet Camaro is a wheeled embodiment of the 1980s, the angular styling the perfect complement to that red-leather Michael Jackson jacket in the closet, the removable T-tops ideal for blow-drying that ’do on the go.” As the late legend Prince might say: “Move over baby, come on, give me the keys.”
Services // Food // People // Shopping // Media // Leisure // Etc. // Credits
Teddy Demski//Producer
ChristaMara // Makeup artist
MarcoBertoldi // Hair styling
MichaelMoran //Production assistant
Jennifer Pickering // Styling assistant
LarryLambrecht and Sean Mouton // Photographer’s assistants
Livonia CAPA //Student actors
Shot on location at:
University High School, Ferndale
Props and wardrobe provided by:
Blossoms, Oddfellows Antiques,The Balloon Lady, Lost and Found Vintage, V-MaleDetroit Vintage, The Getup Vintage, Ragstock
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