With Court Fight Past, Dearborn’s Westborn Market Plans 8,000 Sq.-Ft. Expansion to Move Flower Shop
Les Stanford Chevy Dealership to Expand, Occupy Flower Market Site
After nearly 47 years of doing business at the northeast corner of Michigan and Oakwood, Westborn Flower is moving across the street into the Westborn Market following a failed court fight to purchase the building and stay in its current location.
The flower shop will then be torn down to make way for the expansion of the Les Standford Chevy dealership for one whole city block of new cars and trucks.
Westborn owner Mark Anusbigian and his family were forced to incorporate the flower shop directly into his Westborn Market after failing to land a deal with the Koustas family, which owned the building and apparently didn’t want to sell to Anusbigian.
The Westborn Flower Market will relocate into a new addition being built onto the Westborn Market, located directly across the street.
Anusbigian had hoped to purchase the building of the current flower shop and remodel it for a more modern-looking flower store. While we are sad to see the old store go, we are very happy to see that the flower shop will at least remain, moving under the same roof as the Westborn Market.
Longtime Dearbornites will recall that the Westborn Market once occupied the site of what is now the Westborn Flower Market before moving to its current location. The Anusbigian family opened the market in 1963 and for the first 20 years leased from Tony Koustas on a — believe it or not — month-to-month basis. The last lease deal Anusbigian had – a 25-year one – expired in June 2007.
In that lease deal was a clause that essentially said Anusbigian had the first right of purchase if Koustas ever decided to sell. Apparently when the lease ended, Koustas felt all bets were off and decided to sell to Stanford. That landed the Anusbigian and Koustas families in court.
In the end, Stanford purchased the building from the Koustas family. But Koustas didn’t own the entire piece of land used for parking. That belonged to the Anusbigian family, who also owned the property to the east of the flower shop where the former Powers Hamburgers used to be on Michigan Avenue.
So Stanford and Anusbigian worked out a deal where a portion of Stanford’s property behind the Westborn Market will go over to Anusbigian and the market.
Westborn Market will need the land for additional parking as the new 8,000 foot expansion for the flower shop will require taking several parking spaces along the eastside face of the store. The expansion is expected to be completed by year’s end.
Designing such a floor plan shouldn’t be an issue for the Anusbigian family. They have successfully done this in their Berkley and Livonia Westborn Market locations.
“This will provide much greater convenience for our customers who are seeking a ‘one-stop shop’,” Anusbigian said in a company issued press release. “We’ll have a full-service florist with wedding design services, ready made and custom made floral arrangements, bouquets, giftware, fresh cut flowers, gift baskets, delivery service and more.”
Anusbigian says the architecture for the expansion will be a sleek design of glass and steel with a clean industrial feel. Customers will still have the same easy access to parking from both Michigan Avenue and Oakwood Boulevard.
“There’s never been a better opportunity to demonstrate our confidence in Dearborn and in Michigan than during these difficult times,” Anusbigian said. “We are decidedly optimistic.”
We are, too. We wish the best to the new Westborn Market and Flower Shop.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Nice to see two businesses be able to expand in west dearborn- westborn and les stanford are one of the few anchors left in west dearborn-
now lets do something about all the empty buildings from oakwood to outer drive- Newman and Fakoury take notes- pony up
kudos to all-
November 5th, 2009 at 9:27 am
So sad to see the flower shop close. nothing against the Stanfords but having a full block of cars for sale as you roll into west dearborn is pretty depressing. just wish the Stanfords could have worked a deal or built some type of retail on that corner. how about a new breakfast place?. plenty of free parking and a great location for folks who visit the Henry Ford.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I will go into the flower shop more often as it is combined with Westborn Market. So I’m glad for the move. But it will cost lots of money — so, understandably, this isn’t a joyous change.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Jr— there are empty/abandon resturants/storefronts from end to end on Michigan- how does that look to visitors to the Henry Ford? Westborn and stanfords at least aren’t in foreclosure and pay their taxes- unlike a lot of other west dearborn businesses/developers—-
November 5th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
JR is right, a car dealership that long isn’t very attractive in a downtown environment. It’s an unattractive entrance to a downtown. I’d argue it can be as bad as the abandoned storefronts. It’ll just make the area look more like a strip mall and add to the emptiness of downtown west Dearborn.
Of course the abandoned, crumbling storefronts, the crumbling littered sidewalks and the blank walls and dark reflective glass also look horrible. I guess, like sm1968 said, we should be glad that Les Stanford is succeeding, even if it will add to the abandoned and hostile look of downtown west Dearborn.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Honestly, it makes sense for the flower shop to be incorporated into the market. I think its a great idea and one that should actually grow Westborn’s business.
As for having a car dealership along Michigan Avenue, why is there any negativity to this? Its a long-term business that has been here for many, many years and long may it live on!
I see this as a win-win in the end.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Darren hit it 100%. This is one of the more sensible adjustments in Dearborn’s commercial real estate mess. Westborn is getting more parking. Stanford is getting more show space. It’s a welcome move.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Oh, and please SM1968. Let’s call out all commercial real estate moguls other than Fakoury & Newman…Signature Associates, Nigosian, ReMax, Century 21 and the handful of other, smaller groups that lease or own property along Michigan Ave. They all are contributing to this retail space stalemate.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I agree that we need the business and I think it’ll be good for Westborn to be under one roof. The problem with the dealership is it produces next to no pedestrian traffic. It also isolates people on either side of it. If there ever is pedestrian traffic down there that whole block will be empty and any development where the hotel was would be isolated from the rest of the business district.
I think with the attitude of most in Dearborn the best hope for a successful west Dearborn might be to tear down everything between Brady, Military, the train tracks and Garrison and redevelop the whole area as a giant strip mall with acres of free parking out front.
November 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Paul: How about mowing over that vacant Wendy’s, Showcase Cinema, Baskin-Dunkin, Chuckee Cheese, Pep Boys, Toys R Us (leaving the Big Boy) and putting in a Costco center?
November 7th, 2009 at 7:30 am
What happened to the rumor that the property had been sold and they were going to build a hotel? I am sure I read it here or on DNO.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Costco have an option to purchase on the Wendy’s and movie theatre. They now have to fight with the City to let it be built.
November 7th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Paul & Anthony,
Speaking of the southwest Michigan & Telegraph corner–I heard on the news the other night that Wonderstruck Studios had decided not to move into the old MGM buillding downtown (it was too big) but was still looking for a Michigan location. I e-mailed my thoughts to the Mayor–never heard back.
Also wouldn’t the Little Cafe location be the perfect spot for a breakfast/coney joint that was open until 2:00 or 3:00 am to feed all the barfly crowd.
How about a Home Goods in one the vacant or soon to be vacant spaces in the KroJack’s center?
Could go on and on but have to get off to work.,
Mary
November 7th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Mary, wouldn’t it be nice if the city and Chamber would share with us just what the hell they are doing or trying to do to bring new business into our area. I hear ‘we are working on it’ – what is it that they are working on? Give us some names of the businesses that they have contacted and if they have turned down an offer to come into Dearborn – why they turned it down. At least we could have some hope that they are trying.
Confused, Costco would be a big plus, if this is true maybe its time for the people who think this is a good idea to start bugging city hall.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:33 am
So “Confused” says Costco has an option to purchase. “Bilbo Baggins” reports that Ciao is moving into the old post office. On http://www.thecounterproject.com, “FordsonAli” reports that Ciao is moving in to the old Pancho Villa spot. Who the heck knows.
What I do know is that Aldi’s is set to open on December 1st on Telegraph north of Joy Road. There is currently a location on Telegraph & Van Born.
So I would guess that the rumors of Aldi’s moving into the Pier One spot are just that–rumors.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I mean to add that with all these rumors flying, I would totally put my faith in both the Stanford brothers and the Anusbigian brothers ventures.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Mary, guess the only sure thing is when they open the doors and of course when the mayor and council attend the grand opening.
November 7th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
FYI, the dunkin donuts/Baskin Robbins near Big Boy and the old Showcase Cinema is re-opening soon. The old signs have been uncovered and signs are up saying they are hiring.
November 7th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
The Costco story is true. I spoke with Costco representatives at Henry Ford West Bloomfield when they were trying to sell memberships. It is only an option pending fighting with City Hall. They were NOT very optimist. Kind of like the rest of us.
The reason you have not heard from the Chamber is the President, Jennifer Gering was to busy trying to get Sayed elected to City Council. Even hosting a bash at her home.
November 7th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Corner Store: bad info on Ciao. Not sure where you or the website you list are getting this either. I have spoken to the owers and they have been approached by Newman for his post office building but after the nightmare they had dealing with him when they leased La Pita’s first location, they said no way. So can that rumor.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I think we need a Chamber President that only has the city’s interests in mind and not her own agenda. I also heard that Jennifer Giering used her position as a member of the Dearborn Education Foundation to promote Sayed. Something is just not right.
Why can’t City Hall tighten up some ordinances to make it harder for Mr. Newman to keep his buildings vacant. Maybe more pressure to keep up the maintenance on his buildings, higher fines for not complying or an ordinance with high penalties attached for having a building empty for a certain length of time.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Saw that dees hallmark is for sale………
November 9th, 2009 at 10:22 am
On the Showcase property:
The company that owned Showcase Cinema, National Amusements, sold the theater, Wendy’s and surrounding parking spaces to Investico Development Co. back in May. As you may remember, Investico is the company owned by Nadim Hakim — the developer who wanted to put a Hampton Inn between the city parking decks in DTWD and is also responsible for the Holiday Inn Express currently under construction on Michigan Avenue. Word has it that Hakim wants to put the Hampton Inn on the Showcase property.
MyTwoSenseToo, Wanting Better for Dearborn:
It is not the chamber president’s job to worry about the city, at least in a civic “greater good” sense. Her job is to be an advocate for the business community and political action is an integral part of that. If Chamber members have a problem with the political action, they should say so. But Ms. Giering should be considering the opinions of dues-paying members only.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
There is a council meeting tonight at 7. Why not show up and ask some of these questions?
November 9th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Johnny Cakes: Please correct me if I am wrong but I am unaware of a Dearborn Chamber of Commerce (PAC) which may help to elect state and local candidates who support a competitive business and economic climate.
“But Ms. Giering should be considering the opinions of dues-paying members only.” Hence: “HER OWN AGENDA”
November 11th, 2009 at 10:16 am
MyTwoSenseToo,
You may be wrong or right – I’m not really sure. But what’s your point? In your original post you made it seem like you had a problem with the political action in general, not because the Chamber doesn’t (or does) have a properly registered PAC.
Also, I don’t really know what to make of this:
“But Ms. Giering should be considering the opinions of dues-paying members only.” Hence: “HER OWN AGENDA”
Are you implying that because Ms. Giering is doing the consideration of members’ opinions (and ostensibly deciding what direction the Chamber takes after said consideration) that she is therefore ultimately pushing her own agenda? I suppose it could be framed that way.
But she was appointed by the Chamber’s directors (i.e. “members”) to formulate an agenda and act on it, was she not? So although you could call it “her own agenda” I am of the belief that her own agenda is, by default, the Chamber’s agenda. If the members don’t like it they should invite her to seek employment elsewhere.
November 12th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I have wondered for years what the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce does. In most cities, they promote the businesses and the City in General. They work with small businesses to help them succeed.
If you look at the Dearborn chamber’s functions, they include a golf outing, an auction, etc. I have always wondered where the profits from these activities go. Members pay dues. If the function of the activities is to promote the chamber, it is backwards. Businesses are not there to suport the Chamber, it is supposed to be the other way around.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Looks like City Hall missed the boat again. The former Chrysler Beats & Eats is leaving Pontiac and headed to Royal Oak. Too bad the city didn’t have the foresight to approach Ford about a partnership here…..