New Local Businesses Highlight 2011

The past year saw the openings of several new businesses in West Bloomfield, as 2011 proved a fruitful year for the township. Among the highlights, which Patch was in a unique position to write about, were two new businesses at the Shoppes at Old Orchard and several others. Here are some of our favorites, along with the complete list:

"It's a dream to have your name up in lights," said Olga Lampcov, who with husband Marc Lampcov from Berkley to West Bloomfield in September. "That's when you feel like you have your own business — it's finally yours."

The Lampcovs' brand of sweets, their bagels and Great Lakes-brand coffee has drawn a growing clientele to their new location at 2065 Walnut Lake Rd., just west of Inkster Road. In addition, they still see plenty of their old friends from Berkley and Huntington Woods.

"Some people don't want to fight Orchard Lake Road traffic just to get a bagel, so they come to us," Marc said. "... On the wholesale side, if we do one bar mitzvah for a family, we'll usually do their younger brother when it comes up."

The popular burger chain expanded into Michigan for the first time with its . The unique method of "smashing" burgers on the grill ensured a delicious taste, while a far-reaching menu including fried pickles and Haagen-Dazs milkshakes have also proven popular.

"Our party of four all enjoyed the food. Not your typical hamburger eaters, we all felt that we should try a burger. Each of us thought they were juicy and delicious. The milk shakes could become a guilty pleasure," commented Linda Lee.

"I haven't been yet, but when I heard about the Haagen-Dazs milkshakes, I immediately put Smashburger on my "must go soon" list! And fried pickles? Very intriguing!" added Ronelle Grier.

The opening of cupcake specialty shop and bakery Just Baked in West Bloomfield Dec. 19 represented a homecoming of sorts for Franklin resident and owner Pam Turkin, who started the Livonia-headquartered chain at home.

"This store is special," said Turkin, who opened her first shop in 2008 with her husband, Todd. "We koshered our kitchen here through Kosher Michigan and , a first for us. We plan to eventually have a baklava cupcake flavor, which we've never done before.

"I just think we're the neighborhood bake shop, and we're always evolving and innovating."

Other area businesses which received a change of occupancy from the township in the past year, courtesy of senior planner Sara Roediger, include:

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• Celebrity Placement Services
• Jos. A Banks
• Mathnasium 
• Michigan Orthopaedic Institute 
• Oakland Women’s Health
• Opulent Apparel
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• Lumiere
• Hydro Giant
• Key Bank
• International Watch Group