When a group of people resolve to find a way to improve circumstances for children, the possibilities for change has few limits. That’s how it’s been for the Northville Education Foundation, which has made possible capital improvements, the purchase of new textbooks, the funding of unique education projects and provided additional support for educators since its inception in 2000. And according to Jennifer Pearson, the foundation manager, the opportunities for the foundation to impact Northville’s students will likely grow. "Our mission at the foundation is to support excellence,” she said. “…

With a background in ceramics and a creative gene in her family, Lori Dow has always enjoyed designing beautiful art. After raising a family, she wanted to do something on her own. “My children were no longer in school and I was looking for something to do,” Dow said. “For many years, my interest was in pottery and ceramics. I had taken many classes and became certified in many techniques and my husband said, 'what about a paint-your-own-pottery studio?'” At the time, she knew the owner of The Bee’s Knees in downtown Northville, Linda Langston. She decided to talk to her about opening a …

If you’ve never been to the Red Pepper Deli in downtown Northville, you might be surprised at the menu when you walk in. You won’t find any pastrami or roast beef. Instead, you’ll see the Deli’s owner, Carolyn Simon and her staff, preparing dishes like veggie rolls and raw tacos. That’s because the Red Pepper Deli is a raw food restaurant that caters to the vegan lifestyle. “We’re a completely vegan deli, mostly raw, which means nothing cooked over 115 degrees in order to keep the enzymes and nutrition in the food,” Simon said. Vegan meals are prepared without any animal ingredients. Raw and …

Shopping malls have not traditionally been known as havens of creativity, but Northville Square is about to change that. The shopping area, which is co-owned by Margene Buckhave, is opening its first-ever artists’ market tonight as part of the monthly First Friday Experience event. Called LimeLight Emporium, the juried market will initially feature the work of 15 area artists, with plans to eventually add many more, said Buckhave. “Though we’re starting out with 15 artists, we’d like to see 40 or 50,” she said. “It’s something we’re committed to seeing grow.” The space will take up about 2,…

You might say Mary Starring, owner of Starring the Gallery, has an eye for art. Or at least an eye for inventory. “I’m not an artist and I don’t profess to be. I just know how to buy it, I guess,” Starring says with a laugh. As Executive Vice President of a successful packaging company for 15 years, inventory control comes easy for Starring. So when she decided to open her own business, something she had always wanted to do, she took her talent in a whole new direction, opening Starring the Gallery in downtown Northville in 2005. “I’ve always wanted to do something in downtown. I’ve lived …

After working in different salons over the years, Jessie Simcheck finally did what she always dreamed of doing – opening her own salon. “It was just time. It has always been a desire to open my own place and I knew that one day, when the time was right, I would do it,” Simcheck said. Living in South Lyon, but with most of her clientele in this area, she thought about opening closer to home, or ever further west, in Brighton, but soon realized Northville was where she needed to be. Shortly after, Salon Tre Bella V was open downtown. “To leave that and go more west toward where I live, to me, …

Bikram Yoga studio owners and Northville residents, Ernie and Melissa Curnett describe the practice, of the same name, as “life changing” for them both. It is not just a relatively new studio in downtown Northville, but a way of life, experienced by millions all over the world. The Bikram style was created by yoga guru, Bikram Choudhury. His series of 26 specific poses, practiced in a room temperature of 105 degrees, claims to have the ability to cure chronic physical ailments and heal the body. “I did teacher training with Bikram in Los Angeles in 1997,” Melissa said. “I didn’t know if I was…

Personal fitness has always been a big part of Lynn Tokoph’s life. Her passion to keep fit and help others with their personal goals was one reason for opening Uptown Body Fitness Studio just over two years ago. For her, it was a dream turned reality. “I was doing interior design and training [others] on the side,” Tokoph said. “When the economy started to fall, the home business took a dive so that’s when I decided I needed to get into something different. Everyone was telling me you should open your own studio.” Her daughter works at the salon on the floor below, so she was aware the space …

While back pain is most commonly associated with chiropractors, some might not realize chiropractic care goes far beyond the back, even the head and neck. Dr. Kenneth S. Stopa, Jr. doctor of chiropractic and Board Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician opened his practice, Main Street Family Chiropractic Center, in downtown Northville in 2000. “I was a doctor at a high volume clinic in Canton, which was a great experience, but I wasn’t getting paid very well for being so busy,” Stopa said. While wanting to open his own practice, his contract with the clinic read that he couldn’t open within …

If you’ve never been to the Northville Swim Club, you might get a little lost along the way. Hidden in a field of trees, you’d be surprised to know it actually opens up to a wonderful family resort-like private getaway. Jennie Patterson, a member who’s on the all volunteer board and in charge of communications, describes it as one of the cheapest vacations you can take. Beyond its charm though you'll find professionals whose focus is on swimming.   “The main objective is to promote swimming for Northville and to get kids to learn how to swim,” Patterson said. “We have a very strong lessons …

After an unfortunate job loss for Cheryl Greig’s husband two years ago, her family needed to re-evaluate. Greig took a job at a local consignment shop. She quickly realized she'd discovered a new passion. She had always wanted to open a business of her own and realized she'd found her niche. “I figured at this time in my life, I’m not getting any younger. So I thought it would be nice to open my own shop,” Greig said. “I really like home décor. I’ve always been into redecorating rooms, which my husband hates because like every six months, I’m like, 'I’m tired of that. I want to do this now.' …

When Tracey Wormsbacher decided to open up a retail shop in downtown Northville, she envisioned more than just a retail store. It took a while for her to come up with what she wanted to offer. Then she determined she didn’t want to just sell, she wanted to inspire. “It took a long time,” Wormsbacher said. “I wanted to be back in retail again because I missed the customer service aspect in talking with people. Her husband suggested she try something different than retail. “So I said 'what if I found something to go with the retail that would fit with it?'” Wormsbacher said. This was all …

When Bruce McKenzie went to an antique auction more than 20 years ago he had no idea it would lead to a successful business, which has thrived in Northville Township for the last 16 years. “I got into the antique business by breaking my knee skiing,” McKenzie said. “I was home and I had nothing to do and I saw an auction in the paper. I said to my girlfriend, Linda, who’s now my wife, why don’t we go to this auction? It looks like it might be fun. We went and I came home with a car full of stuff. After that, we just went to auctions for about three years. All we did was go on the weekends and…

When you travel along Novi Road, you might have noticed that tucked away in the corner of a small strip mall is Donna & Larry’s Flowers.  “We started this business 27 years ago,” said Larry Podpora, who owns the shop with his wife, Donna. “We both work hand in hand, but she’s more of the business part, and I’m more of the design part." Larry Podpora’s mother loved flowers. He found the creativity and beauty of them magical, which planted a seed in him at an early age. He and his wife love nature, and keeping this part of it with them year-round is something they cherish. “We’re nature lovers…

When Ro Lambert, Owner of State of MInd Art Gallery, quit commercial real estate to become a full-time mother, she never dreamed it would lead to a career as an artist, opening her own gallery in downtown Northville. But that’s what happened. “My son got some Fimo, that clay that you can bake, and we were molding and making things, like giraffes and little animals and I thought, this is kind of fun. I wonder if I can make some beads out of this,” Lambert said. “So pretty soon, while they were making clowns and giraffes, I was making earrings and thought, this is fun. Maybe I’ll sell this. …

Center Stage Dance Co.'s owner and director, Lisa Shapiro, moved her studio to Northville in 1992. Since then, she’s seen children grow up before her eyes, dancing — but also learning valuable life lessons that help them down the road. “Kids gain self-esteem through dance,” Shapiro said. “One student was telling her mother that was she selected to speak in front of her class, and her mom said, 'Aren’t you nervous?' She said, 'Mom, I get up and dance in front of 500 people, why would I be nervous about talking to my friends?' It’s that kind of confidence that dance can build.” Moving to …

Editor's note: Main Street and More, our weekly business profile, has moved to Saturdays. After a decade in the downtown Novi area, Tiffany Zendejas, owner of Sincerely Yours, was looking for a change of scenery. Businesses around her, which had provided a lot of foot traffic, were closing. She was forced to make a decision: close or move elsewhere. “I drove through Northville every day heading to Novi thinking I wish I could move here, but at the time, they had other stationary stores,” Zendejas said. “When our lease was up two years ago, I started seriously looking in this area. I happened …

You might not see her business as you drive down Main Street, but it's there. Hidden inside the offices of Main Street Family Chiropractic is Now and Zen. Owned and operated by Jodi Palmer, this massage therapy business was literally born from high tension. “My stress led me to yoga and from there, I thought, 'massage therapy might be complimentary to go along with yoga.'” Palmer said. “It’s all along the same realm of helping other people, and having a rewarding job.” Within months after graduating from Irene’s Myomassology Institute in Southfield, Palmer quickly set up shop in downtown …

Elizabeth Clancy, owner of Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor on South Main Street in Northville, knows what it’s like to be in the right place at the right time. A fortuitous event led her to open the bridal shop in 1989. In the mid-80’s, while dining at what was then the Plymouth Hilton Hotel, Clancy overheard a discussion at the next table: bridal shop owners needed salespeople to work at their bridal sample sale in the hotel’s ballroom. Clancy introduced herself to the group, expressed interest and was asked to come back the next morning. Clancy prepared herself for what she thought would be an …

Maybury Riding Stable, located in Maybury State Park, first opened in the early ‘80s. Over the years it’s been run by several different people. In September of 2007 Kim and LeRoy Hone assumed ownership. Kim grew up with horses. As a child she learned to ride on a pony named Cocoa. At 18 she bought her first horse, a mare named Whisky, and has been riding ever since. “Whisky was a joy,” she said. “She taught all my kids how to ride.” After high school, Kim worked on a thoroughbred farm in White Lake, then at Michigan Horse Auction. Hone, who grew up in Waterford, never liked the city way of …