READERS'CHOICES
ucts designed to enhance beauty while promoting
healthy skin.
Other Choices: L'Aryola, Fringe
MEN'S CLOTHING
Nordstrom
The Somerset Collection-North, Troy
(248) 816-5100
GYM/HEALTH CLUB (TIE)
"I especially like the men's shoe
department. The salesmen are helpful,
the prices are reasonable, and they
have a great selection."
— John Male, West Bloomfield
Franklin Athletic Club
Southfield
(248) 352-8000
Mark Ridley's
Comedy Castle
Nordstrom is a nationwide full-service department
store carrying clothing, shoes and accessories for
men, women and children, plus a large selection
of jewelry and gift items. There is an extensive
cosmetic and fragrance department as well as an
on-premises beauty salon and restaurant.
Claim To Fame: Nordstrom is known for its con-
summate customer service, from special orders to
personalized sales assistance.
Other Choices: L'uomo Vogue, Shirt Box, Freeds,
Saks, Neiman-Marcus
WOMEN'S CLOTHING
Chico's
Nationwide chain with local stores in
West Bloomfield, Troy, Novi,
Birmingham, Livonia
"The salespeople are very helpful, I
always find something. I like the way
you can mix and match the clothes,
and they send discount coupons to
frequent shoppers, which is always a
plus."
Marge Robbins, West Bloomfield
Chico's is a national chain specializing in its own
private label designs and accessories.
Comfortable, easy-care, mix-and-match clothes
come in a variety of colors, prints and styles,
ranging from casual to dressy. Chico's has recently
expanded its 0 through 3 sizing system to include
half-sizes. Trained salespeople help customers
coordinate their own custom wardrobes.
Claim To Fame: Chico's corporate motto is
MAPS: Most Amazing Personal Service.
Other Choices: Tender, Guys 'n' Gals
CHILDREN'S/TEEN CLOTHING
Guys 'n' Gals
West Bloomfield
(248) 851-1260
"I have shopped at Guys 'n' Gals
since my children were young
because it's such a wonderful store
for clothing, gifts and accessories.
Lois, Julie and the whole staff are
always helpful and very attentive to
their customers' needs."
— Laura Gould, Farmington Hills
Guys 'n' Gals in the Orchard Mall specializes in
high-fashion clothing and accessories for children
and teens, in sizes ranging from 4 through 20 for
boys, and 4 through 14, including pre-teens and
juniors for girls. The store, co-owned by mother-
daughter team Lois Levenson and Julie Feldman,
also features a personalized gift gallery with cus-
tom-painted accessories for all ages.
Claim To Fame: Guys 'n' Gals is known as the
place to go for the trendiest, one-step-ahead
fashions.
Other Choices: Koochie Koo, The Gap, Rear
Ends, Target
2 4 • soURCE
13 0 K 2 0 0 3 - 2 0 0 4
Met Ball and
Colours
"While it is important to [profession-
als at Franklin] that players have a
good time, they also challenge you to
be the best tennis player you can be."
Dr. Karen Colby Weiner, West
Bloomfield
Sept. 18 marked the re-opening of Rick and
Seymour Brode's Franklin Athletic Club, including a
new double-squash court. Instruction is available
in tennis, racquetball, squash, Pilates, aerobics,
spin and yoga. The club also has a fitness area
with weights and machines, indoor and outdoor
pools and a public restaurant. The Kids Club fea-
tures an open gym, classes and party packages.
Claim To Fame: Full-service health and fitness
club
Jewish Community Center Fitness Club
West Bloomfield: (248) 432-5483
Oak Park: (248) 967-4030
JEWELER
Tapper's
West Bloomfield
(248) 932-7700
"I buy all of my jewelry and gifts at
Tapper's; they always stand behind
their merchandise and I trust them.
Plus, they have beautiful things."
Roberta Hirsch, West Bloomfield
Since 1977, Tapper's, located in the Orchard Vall,
has provided metro Detroit shoppers with a large
selection of jewelry, fine diamonds, quality watch-
es, and personal and corporate gift items, from
traditional to the utmost in contemporary designs.
Co-owners and brothers, Steven and Howard
Tapper, participate in many charitable community
projects, such as Kids Kicking Cancer and an
annual coat drive for underprivileged families.
Claim To Fame: Diamonds. Customers have con-
fidence that not only are they are getting the best
price, but they are buying from a jeweler they can
trust.
Other Choices: Emery's
HEALTHY LIVING
DAY SPA
Tamara Institut de Beaute
Farmington Hills
(248) 855-0474 (cq)
"Everyone there is so nice, and the
atmosphere is very soothing. It's a
great way to relax after a hectic
week."
Judie Dubin, Bloomfield Hills
Founded and operated by Tamara Friedman, this
full-service day spa offers the latest in skin care,
massage therapy, cosmetics, permanent make-up,
hydrotherapy, manicures and pedicures and a vari-
ety of other services in a relaxed and luxurious
atmosphere. Gift certificates are available as well
as packages for men, women, couples and bridal
parties.
Claim To Fame: Tamara's professional facialists
and estheticians use proven techniques and prod-
"It is the only place in the world
where if you don't show up, people
notice and inquire after you. I walk
out feeling healthier and fitter and
happier."
Cheri Victor, Bloomfield Hills
The Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan
Detroit operates a Fitness Club at its West
Bloomfield and Oak Park locations. Features
include stationary and recumbent bikes,
Stairmaster, treadmills, cross-training equipment,
strength-training circuit, aerobic and fitness class-
es, indoor and outdoor pools, track and gym.
Personal trainers can provide Fitness Club mem-
bers with a targeted exercise program, review
their fitness history and discuss goals.
Claim To Fame: The West Bloomfield location
was extensively renovated this year and outfitted
with state-of-the-art equipment.
Other Choices: Powerhouse Gym, The Sports
Club, Curves
HAIR SALON
Mariomax
West Bloomfield
248-5055
"The shop is very chic and all of the
operators are courteous and very tal-
ented. You always know you'll get the
latest styles done in a very profession-
al way."
Shirley Green, Commerce Twp.
Mariomax, located in the Crosswinds Plaza, has
been providing clients with trendy hairstyles for
the past 25 years. The salon, which serves both
men and women, is open seven days a week. It
also features an on-site make-up artist and a staff
of manicurists. Owned and operated by Max
Reiger and Michael Mauro, the shop got its name
from Reiger and his former partner, Mario Bitonti.
Claim To Fame: Mariomax is known for its
expertise in hair coloring, using the latest prod-
ucts and techniques.
Other Choices: Fringe, Freddy and Daniel's,
Bashar