Life + Culture

Building a Stronger Community Through Giving

Volunteers making the city stronger Article by London Evans | Photography by Derek Cookson “What is really important to us is unrestricted giving, people who support us knowing that we are going to identity needs that maybe they don’t know about,” said Sharlan Douglas, the Royal Oak Civic Foundation Chair.   The foundation was created by the city of Royal Oak and its main purpose is to raise funds for projects and programs in the city. Douglas’ past experience includes serving on the city...

Life + Culture

Inside Royal Oak's Oldest Occupied Building

Royal Oak Women's Club carries tradition into its 125th year Article by London Evans | Photography by Amy Gillespie “If I hadn't joined this club, I wouldn't have met younger or more diverse women,” said Cynthia DeMan, the President of the Royal Oak Women's Club.   The Royal Oak Women's Club was founded in 1902 and has evolved from a study group to a civic and volunteer organization. They operate out of Royal Oak's oldest occupied building. Today, the organization describes itself as a...

Life + Culture

Creating Opportunities

The work behind supporting Royal Oak's downtown Article by London Evans | Photography by Amy Gillespie “I don't view the interests of businesses and residents as being separate. Rather, I think it's the opposite side of the same coin. Everyone wants a vibrant and vital downtown, and in a vibrant downtown, businesses are successful,” said Isaac Kremer, the Downtown Development Authority executive director. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization.   Much of the...

Life + Culture

City Guide

Downtown Restaurants Article and Photography by Amy Gillespie Your City Guide to downtown RO's Restaurants and places to get together for breaking bread, toasting and sharing experiences. Coffee Spots : Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters, Seven Sundays, Rehla Coffee House and The Fern Breakfast Spots: Le Crepe, Cafe Muse, Crispelli's, Pronto! Diner and Fourth Street Restaurant  Smoothie Spots: Cacao Tree Cafe, Prana Juices and Asal Bee Cafe Lunch Spots: Tokyo Sushi and Grill,   Jim...

Arts + Culture

The Community Spot at The Corner Shop

Coffee, Cocktails & Conversations Article by London Evans | Photography by Amy Gillespie In the north end of Ferndale lies The Corner Shop, owned and operated by Mathew Abraham. Focusing on never being just one thing, they perform as a coffee shop, wine bar and bookstore. Abraham wanted a name that stood out. “The name is inspired by a band from the 90s and also our Indian heritage. It is a little bit of everything for everybody. We are a more neighborhood hangout and family-friendly,” said...

Life + Culture

The Spirit of Unity

Bringing people together and creating community Article by London Evans | Photography by Amy Gillespie “The whole idea was, I didn’t want it to be a gimmick. If I was going to do this it had to be a great tequila on its own. That was important. It is a really well made tequila,” said Greg Sobol, the founder of Tekiah Spirits, based in Michigan. Tekiah is a double-gold award-winning tequila brand. Its reposado earned double-gold at the 2025 Agavos Awards. It is distilled and grown in Mexico...

Arts + Culture

Cars, Coffee and Community

MOTO functions as a third space, built to connect its community with a common interest Article by London Evans | Photography by Amy Gillespie “We are primarily a social club. These places were popping up as kind of country clubs for car people. That’s not really representative of all the people who love cars and motorcycles,” said Erdman. The oldest part of MOTO’s building dates back to 1880. The space is a 25,000-square-foot compound. The project took about nine months to complete. Recently...

Home + Design

Two Kinds of Honest

For twenty-two years, Chrome has helped Royal Oak customers see themselves clearly — and dress accordingly. Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie A customer walks into Chrome looking for an outfit, and two men see the customer differently. Tom Ankoo is already sizing them in his head: height, skin tone, what will work and what won't. If what they try on is wrong, he'll say it’s wrong, and he doesn't care if that costs him the sale. Chris Miller has a different approach...

Life + Culture

Long Enough

A clothier too tall to cuff his jeans now sells custom denim that's built to outlast almost everything you own Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie Andrew Schoen tells me he's six foot seven about a minute into the conversation. It isn't a boast; it's an explanation. He's describing why custom clothing meant something to him from the first piece he tried. “It was very difficult for me to find clothes," he says simply. Before Joshua Gold Custom Clothier, Andrew did...

Life + Culture

Her Happy Place

The free-spirited owner of Royal Oak's most bohemian boutique talks about style, discovery, and never selling anyone anything Article by Marshall Zweig | Photography by Amy Gillespie Every morning, before she unlocks the door to Saffron, Marianne Petrus calls her mom. It’s a sweet and traditional act.  But that’s the only thing traditional about Saffron. Walk in and it's color and texture in every direction: bohemian, a little rock and roll, French jewelry beside handmade candles, a rack of...