Arts + Culture

The Ear Behind the Music

Legendary Motown musical architect McKinley Jackson reflects on music Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie Before he arranged Marvin Gaye's hit Sexual Healing. Before he sat in the control room with The Four Tops, The Temptations and Aretha Franklin. Before he became the quiet power behind some of soul's most beloved records… McKinley Jackson was a teenager with a talent for trombone and an ear nobody could explain. “I didn’t know the rules,” he says. “But I already...

Arts + Culture

The Shape of Memory

Inside Axiom Glass: fire becomes form and form becomes memory Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie Before Andrew Madvin ever picked up a blowpipe, he was melting action figures in the backyard. “They all died in flames in an epic battle,” he said with a laugh. That early fascination with fire would eventually find its calling. In college, Andrew discovered hot glass—and with it, a lifelong collaboration with heat. What began as a metal and jewelry focus in high school...

Arts + Culture

The Psychology of a Good Time

The Sights & Sounds Concert series curates music—and local joy Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie When the clouds part and the smell of sizzling mac and cheese drifts across the west lot of the Royal Oak Farmers Market, Christie Siegel doesn’t just see a crowd. She sees a moment. A rhythm. A possibility. Music, in her hands, becomes something more than sound. It becomes a living formula for joy. “I always put myself in the shoes of the attendee,” says Siegel, who has...

Arts + Culture

Mr. Glass

Habitat Gallery has been creating glass collectors for a half-century Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie There’s a massive, luminous, and quietly mysterious crystal egg in the center of Habitat Gallery. Crafted by glass artist Christopher Ries, it weighs nearly a thousand pounds, and houses something you don’t notice at first.  Step closer. Shift your angle. Suddenly, inside the clear mass, a tiny earth shimmers into view, refracted and floating—waiting to be discovered...

Finance + Legal Services

The Power of Fintech

In today's fast-paced business world, staying competitive means having the right financial tools at your fingertips. Fintech solutions are transforming how businesses manage their money, offering smarter, faster, and more secure ways to handle everyday operations. From optimizing cash flow to reducing manual tasks, our fintech solutions empower you to better manage your finances and operations. And with dedicated support from a team that understands your goals, making the switch has never been...

Finance + Legal Services

The Smart Investor’s Guide to Managing Commercial Property Cash Flow

Whether you're leasing office space, managing retail properties, or running a multi-unit complex, keeping a steady stream of income while minimizing expenses ensures your investment stays profitable.At Citizens State Bank, we specialize in helping commercial property investors maximize their financial potential. From preparing for unexpected expenses to optimizing rent collection and cutting unnecessary costs, here’s how you can take control of your property’s cash flow like a pro. Building...

Home + Design

Supply in Demand

Inside Royal Oak’s warmest—and coolest—minimalist boutique, where design gets uniquely and invitingly personal Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie Some stories start with spreadsheets. Others begin with birthday money and a toy cash register. For Amy Lalich and Tara de Boer, co-founders of Royal Oak’s beloved Modern Supply, the story started in both places—and somewhere in between. “I think I’ve always wanted to be part of opening a small shop,” says Amy, who moved back...

Life + Culture

Downtown's Fresh Coats

Downtown’s new murals are turning your favorite Royal Oak corners into reasons to point. Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie If you haven't walked through downtown Royal Oak in a while, you might want to look up. Then down. Then all around. Because while the charm of Royal Oak has always been its walkable, livable pulse—mom-and-pop shops by day, nightlife by dusk—there's something new catching eyes and shifting the vibe: murals. Bold ones. Bright ones. The kind that stop...

Finance + Legal Services

Growing Wealth with Confidence

Building wealth isn’t just about making more money—it’s about having the right financial tools and strategies to grow with confidence. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to scale or an individual planning for long-term security, your financial needs will evolve over time. That’s why having scalable financial solutions is key to making sure your money keeps working for you at every stage.At Citizens State Bank, we believe in providing financial solutions that adapt, inform, and guide...

Finance + Legal Services

Personalized Service Meets Powerful Tech: A Winning Combo

Technology is amazing. It streamlines tasks, speeds up processes, and makes managing your business finances easier than ever. But what happens when something goes wrong? Or when you need advice on how to make the most of your banking tools? That’s where having dedicated support makes all the difference. Let’s dive into why having real people by your side can turn a good banking experience into a great one.When Questions Arise, People Provide SolutionsEven the most intuitive apps and platforms...