Beloved businesses we lost and gained in Livingston County in 2023

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Dozens of new eateries and shops began their stories in Livingston County in 2023. Many shared their hopes, dreams, fears and challenges with The Daily throughout the year.

The Daily also shared in disappointment when beloved businesses closed.

Here are some of the shops and eateries we gained and lost in 2023:

At least two stores with charitable missions launched this year. Hartland coffee shop Thread Creek Coffee is using 100% of its profits, after labor and expenses, to fund border stations that stop thousands of girls and women from being trafficked in other parts of the world. Brighton boutique Forest and Fillies is home to nonprofit The Coddiewomple Fund, a new organization that offers grants to cover co-pays and out-of-pocket costs for mental health therapy.

The historic Rolison Building filled up this year with three tenants. A longtime Northville antique shop owner opened A Gathered Collection to sell antiques, upcycled and repurposed furnishings, and custom signs. Intimate apparel shop Hush moved from elsewhere in downtown Brighton, and Dawn Angelic Photography opened a studio in the back. This year also marked John Kudla's first chance to see the changes to the building, where he operated his multi-generational family hardware store Rolison PRO Hardware before suffering a stroke.

Brighton gained several dining establishments in 2023. The long-awaited Reserve Steakhouse brought an upscale vibe. The Canopy Lounge opened with exotic hunting mounts. Four Circles Brewery offers unique beers on tap. Label Kitchen and Bar revamped Stout's Irish Pub. 120 West opened above Sidecar Slider Bar. The first Everbowl location in the state opened downtown. A new Middle Eastern concept eatery, Hummus Hut, launched inside Poké Fresh. Sahara Middle Eastern Grill opened and was also listed for sale.

Brighton said goodbye to Big Boy, where an MSU Federal Credit Union will soon be constructed, and a Detroit Wing Co. location. Owners of Ginopolis' Bar-BQ Smokehouse, which rebranded briefly to Cowgirls County Bar and Grill, closed in the midst of streetscaping. A location for Lefty’s Cheesesteak also closed, but Brighton gained a Wing Snob chicken restaurant in its place.

Meanwhile, in downtown retail, Rosy's Boutique closed its doors, replaced by nautical clothing shop Coast on Main. The Coral Sash Boutique opened in the former Beverly Rae's storefront after its longtime shopkeeper decided to retire. Pallet-based resale shop Finders Keepers also opened in neighboring Brighton Township.

Howell gained new independently owned shops and eateries this year. Sports card collectors can visit a new card shop, JD's Sports Cards, downtown. If card and board games are your thing, Mom's Basement Games has plenty. Galaxy Records was filled with vinyl records, a wall of Blu-rays and DVDs, and some CDs and video games, after owners pivoted away from operating a virtual reality arcade in the space.

Howell also gained new boutique Betty James Pretty Things, new consignment store The Garment District Resale, and wildly popular artisan bread shop Oh Crumbs! — along with new eateries Griffs Grill, which specializes in sliders, The Crunchy Pickle (not to be confused with the city's once-popular Copper Pickle), an Italian delicatessen and sandwich shop, and Shaka Café, which serves up Hawaiian "super fruit" bowls.

A new Pita Way opened on the north side of town, and a long-awaited Panda Express was completed in neighboring Genoa Township.

Downtown Howell said goodbye to spirituality and gift store Kokopelli's Korner. Black Iron Coffee Roasters recently announced its closure, but ownership plans to sell. At last social media update, the business wrote, a purchase agreement is being developed, and a grand reopening could come as soon as January.

Hartland wasn't without other updates in 2023. One addition in Hartland Township is a former laundromat turned discount retail store: Dealz Dealz. Hartland also gained a Smoothie King and a Planet Fitness. Owners of the Hartland Big Boy decided to retire, shuttering the last Big Boy in the county, after more than 40 years.

Meanwhile, Pinckney said goodbye to two eateries but gained a specialty store. The village welcomed Earth's Energy, which sells specialty coffee, crystals, rocks, fossils and gifts. Go Taco closed its doors, and the owners of Fondness closed their Asian fusion eatery to focus their energy on Hamburg Township eatery Dragon Court.

A local barbecue restauranteur opened a second location in Hell: Smoke Doctor 2, placed in the former Hell Hole Diner and Bar. An historic building in Fowlerville is living a new chapter as Good Deeds Coffee Bar, which filled a vacancy left when Grille in the Ville closed in 2020.

Several stores opened in Tanger Outlet Mall in Howell Township. G&G’s Sweet Treats sells freeze-dried candies and other goods. Tools for Veterans celebrated a grand reopening after significantly expanding operations. The larger shop offers hunting and fishing gear, an expanded antique tool area, and specialty furniture products made by veterans.

The outlet mall also saw the return of Adidas, the addition of an LA7 women's clothing shop, and an All Star Elite sportswear store.

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Green Oak Village Place filled some storefronts in 2023, including a new X-Golf simulator venue and "bubble tea" café Boba Bare Craft Tea, plus a second Sola Salon. A new Texas Roadhouse was constructed on the former site of TGI Fridays, which was razed.

Two discount retailers expanded with new locations in Livingston County this year, including a new Dollar Tree in the former Pier 1 at Green Oak Village Place and a new Dollar General in the former CVS at Latson Road and M-59 in Oceola Township.

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com. 

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Beloved businesses we lost and gained in Livingston County in 2023