business news

Celebrate the New Port Huron Theater District This Weekend

Port Huron is home to three theater companies within a two block area of downtown. This weekend, the city will celebrate the inauguration of the official Port Huron Theatre District with an opening ceremony and weekend-long festival.

The Port Huron Theatre District opening ceremony is Friday, June 3rd at 5 PM at the McMorran Plaza. The ceremony will celebrate Port Huron Civic Theatre, St. Clair County Community College Fine Arts Theatre, and Enter Stage Right and their contributions to the arts and culture scene in Port Huron.

The ceremony kicks off the Port Huron Theatre District Festival which runs through Sunday at McMorran Place Plaza and in McMorran’s north parking lot and will be filled with art vendors and live entertainment. The festival will also include indoor theatre performances on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM.

The Theatre District Festival coincides with First Friday which features various special events around the downtown Port Huron business district. Check PHTD.org for more information about the Theatre District Festival and Downtownph.com for special events happening at your favorite downtown businesses.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Salon PiZazz Closing Its Doors

Correction 4/5/22 @ 11:12 AM: An earlier version of this story said that Salon PiZazz owner, Kelly Strilcov, will be retiring, which is not correct. Kelly Strilcov issued a statement saying she is “absolutely not retiring”. I apologize for the misunderstanding. – Jessie Wiegand

Salon PiZazz, a downtown Port Huron hair salon, is closing its doors after almost 20 years in business. The salon’s stylists will be transitioning to other local salons.

The salon had been awaiting a move while the owner of its building, Harrison Investment Properties, has been renovating the entire block. In a press release, Strilcov said the “renovations are taking significantly longer than initially projected, resulting in the decision by both parties to permanently close the doors of Salon PiZazz by the end of April.”

Harrison Investment Properties is the owner of the entire block on Quay Street which includes Wings Etc. They originally planned for Salon PiZazz to relocate from their storefront on the northwest corner of the building to a space overlooking the Black River.

Kelly Strilcov said closing the salon is bittersweet. “The daily behind the scenes responsibilities of ownership have never been my strong suit. Not having those will be a relief. However, what’s being lost brings much sadness.”

Strilcov will continue to coordinate Mannequins Making a Difference, the artistic hair, makeup, and modeling competition for charity that takes place during Blue Water Fest.

“With Salon PiZazz closing, the annual fundraiser will now provide opportunities for other area salon teams and stylists to design a mannequin to showcase their own talents and to Make a Difference for one of our local nonprofits,” said Strilcov.

To find out where Salon PiZazz’s stylists transition to, check salonpizazz.com or the Salon PiZazz Facebook page.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Diane Bedore Receives Award from Woman’s Life Insurance Society

St. Clair, Michigan resident, Diane Bedore, was recognized at Woman’s Life Insurance Society’s 2021 Individual Producer of the Year.

Bedore has won the award several years in a row due to her success as an Individual Producer, or sales person of Woman’s Life Insurance Society life insurance plans and annuities.

Woman’s Life Insurance Society was founded in Port Huron in 1892 by Bina M. West, a school teacher from Capac who wanted to help women achieve financial security for themselves and their families. Woman’s Life was one of the first organizations in the U.S. to offer life insurance to women.

After receiving the award, Bedore said, “When I began working for Woman’s Life, I believed strongly in Bina’s vision, and have promoted her beliefs throughout my career. I also believe in continued education in order to present current knowledge in an ever-changing environment. I am committed to providing Woman’s Life members the very best service – because our members deserve the very best.”

Woman’s Life National President Christopher J. Martin said, “I congratulate Diane Bedore on this well-deserved award. Throughout her long-term relationship with Woman’s Life, Diane has consistently achieved high production levels because she is committed to helping Woman’s Life members build and enjoy financial security.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michelle Sheffer Massage 325

Massage 325 Offers a Relaxing Touch

Port Huron, MI — Michelle Sheffer has been caring for people with her massage therapy skills for years. Her business, Massage 325, has been steadily growing which enabled her to move into her own space on Huron Avenue, and she’s anticipating another move in the near future.

Sheffer started doing massage therapy as a side job while caring for patients as a visiting nurse. She worked out of Lakeview Chiropractic until she was able to rent her current location at 325 Huron Avenue.

While she loves her current space, she is looking forward to a move to a street-level building just a block away when she transitions to the space currently occupied by MI Gardener. MI Gardener will be moving their Port Huron store to a larger building in St. Clair in the next year.

Sheffer specializes in upper body work in the neck and shoulder area, and she is gifted in helping her clients relax and using just the right amount of pressure without pain. “I get in there are take care of what needs to be taken care of, but I don’t like you to hurt when you leave,” said Sheffer.

While Massage 325 is her primary business, Michelle Sheffer also owns and operates Be Joyful Goods, a soap and body care line that she handcrafts in honor of her mother, Joy.

Be Joyful Goods are inspired by Sheffer’s mom. “When I craft each one of my products, I do it with feelings of happiness which is also how I feel when I reflect on the fond memories together with my mom. Although she was taken suddenly and unexpectedly, her JOY lives on,” said Sheffer.

Be Joyful Goods includes sugar scrubs, handmade soaps, lip balms, pure essential oils, and neck wraps & eye pillows.

Massage 325 offers appointments for deep tissue, Swedish, and therapeutic massages in 30 – 90 minute blocks. They are open Monday – Friday from 10 AM – 5 PM.

From now until December 20, 2021, you can receive $10 off services when you bring a toy or non-perishable food item to your appointment. Items will be donated to families in need.

Learn more at https://www.massage325.com/

Waiting room at Massage 325

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Local Entrepreneurs to Get Help from Michigan Women Forward

Women who are looking for help in starting new businesses have an advocate right here in St. Clair County. The Community Foundation of St. Clair County has announced Maggie Toole as the new business development officer with Michigan Women Forward.

Michigan Women Forward is a community development organization in which the Community Foundation of St. Clair County has invested $250,000. The money will go toward supporting and connecting business owners with financial resources.

With her new job, Maggie Toole will be providing technical assistance for loan programs for entrepreneurs in St. Clair County.

Michigan Women Forward has a long list of projects, all with the goal of removing obstacles to success for women entrepreneurs. Toole will be helping to navigate any obstacles and also reaching out to local minority-owned businesses, according to the announcement from the Community Foundation.

Toole, a Port Huron resident, is an SC4 graduate and has experience in the financial and real estate sectors.

More information can be found at miwf.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Kristi’s Kloset Consignment Shop Moves to Fort Gratiot

Fort Gratiot has gained a new business with the relocation of Kristi’s Kloset. The consignment shop had been located on Pine Grove Avenue in Port Huron for 14 and a half years, but now has a new storefront in Fort Gratiot in the plaza that is home to Buffalo Wild Wings, Munger Physical Therapy, and other businesses. It is in the former home of “Catherine’s” women’s wear.

Owner Julie Cook is thrilled about the new location. Cook raved about the five available dressing rooms, the high ceilings, and the ample parking.

Kristi’s Kloset no longer sells furniture, but they do offer a large selection of clothing, shoes, and accessories for Men and Women and children sized 5-18.

Cook said she never dreamed she would have such a great place for her store. She said the reception has been “awesome” and that she is looking forward to serving the community.

Dropping off items for consignment is by appointment only.  Kristi’s Kloset has over 4550 consignors.

Cook said she is planning on more days and longer hours open at the new location at 4355 24th Avenue in Fort Gratiot.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland