May 10, 2007

Berkley’s offbeat stores offer antiques, vintage comics and the world’s coolest flip-flopsBy Georgea KovanisDetroit Free Press

Handmade soaps?

Fabulous toys?

Hip and happening shoes and sandals?

Surprise! You’ll find all those things in once-sleepy downtown Berkley.

Long in the shadow of its glitzier south Oakland County neighbors, downtown Berkley — the portion of 12 Mile between Coolidge and Greenfield — is emerging as a shopping destination.

Several new stores have opened in the past year or so, drawing new shoppers and introducing them to some pretty fabulous longtime businesses, too. Berkley merchants say rents are less expensive than in some neighboring downtowns, which makes up for some shoppers’ lack of familiarity with the city.

Diners are more familiar with Berkley, home to Amici’s gourmet pizza and martinis; Nippon Grille, which has tasty sushi; Mr. Kabob, a Middle Eastern carryout and gas station; and the Berkley Front, a bar that specializes in interesting beers.

Sprucing up the sidewalks — and keeping them clean, which hasn’t always been the case — makes the area look more inviting than ever.

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