Mar 1, 2009

Trendz owners open new gift store in BirminghamBy Georgea KovanisFreeP.com

With stores in downtown Birmingham closing at a rapid rate, partly because of the poor economy, here is a bit of good news:

Michael Collins and David Zawicki, owners of Oliver’s Trendz — a super-fun accessories store that does a great job of offering accents at reasonable prices — are opening a new business.

The shop, which takes over space previously occupied by a store called Sock It to Me at 120 W. Maple, will carry household and hostess gifts.

That means candles, note cards, picture frames and the like.

Prices will be similar to those in Oliver’s Trendz, with most items under $30.

Why take the risk of adding a sister store when the economy is in the dumper?

“Seeing the stores close, we had a couple of choices: Hold on or help,” says Collins. “We decided to help.

“Birmingham is a great community.”

It’s one of the few in metro Detroit with an established downtown and a lot of foot traffic.

“I really, really truly want to be part of the solution instead of the problem. People need to support downtown, not just my store, support downtown areas.”

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