STN I Community Profile

WESTWARD 110!

Commerce and Walled Lake considered the new Jewish frontier.

STORIES BY DON COHEN, SPECIAL WRITER
STAFF PHOTOS BY BRETT MOUNTAIN

Blumberg, director of planning and agency relations
Walled Lake roads.
ur Jewish community seems to load up the
for
the
Jewish
Federation
of
Metropolitan
Detroit,
"There are so many new subdivisions coming up,
wagons every couple decades and move west
confirms
the
belief
that
the
Jewish
presence
is
grow-
so
many people I know, and so many young families
or northwest. From the original turn-of-the-
ing
in
Commerce
and
Walled
Lake.
in
the
area," Friedman says.
20th-century core on Detroit's lower east side to the
"We are hoping that Federation's upcoming Jewish
She finds it appealing because while it's not far
northwest neighborhoods, through Oak Park and
population study will provide good informa-
from her family in Farmington Hills, "it's far
Southfield, northern Farmington Hills and
tion
on
the
Jewish
community
in
these
areas
enough away." She says she started her business
West Bloomfield, we seem to be perpetu-
and
what
services
are
needed,"
she
said.
there because of the growth and because she found
ally on the move.
A
major
catalyst
to
the
growth
of
the
area
"incredible space."
Today, the movement is toward
A 1997 graduate of Farmington's Harrison High
was
the
opening
of
the
northernmost
portion
Commerce Township and Walled Lake.
of
Michigan
Route
5
(M-5)
in
November
School
grad, Friedman started the studio after grad-
All the requirements are there: a welcom-
2002. Running north from the massive I-96/I-27511-
uating from the University of Michigan in Ann
ing community, good schools, business opportuni-
696 interchange up to Pontiac Trial in Commerce
Arbor in 2001. The studio has close to 500 students
ties, a new library, easy access to the "old neighbor-
Township, it runs just west of Haggerty Road and pro-
and is about to start its fourth season of classes and
hoods" as well as religious and communal services,
vides
quick
access
to
Commerce
and
Walled
Lake
from
competitive dance.
quality medical care, a growing Jewish identity,
the
most
heavily
populated
directions.
"Since M-5 was built, people can gethere easily even
restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
The
completion
of
M-5,
known
by
some
as
the
from
across town," she says. "Parents find it really con-
But it wasn't always so. While some Jewish fami-
venient
because they have places they can go while
"Haggerty
Connector,"
has
spurred
major
business
lies have lived in the area for a long time, most
their kids are at the studio. Costco was a brilliant addi-
wouldn't have considered Commerce or Walled Lake and housing development.
tion to the area. Everything you can find on Orchard
Amy Friedman, owner and creative director for
until recently.
the Studio A Center for Performing Arts in
Lake Road, you can find at 14 and Haggerty."
"When I first came here for a job interview, I had
Boris Izrailov has been in the deli business almost
Commerce,
recently
moved
to
Walled
Lake
from
no idea where I was going. I thought it was in the
Royal
Oak
and
lives
in
new
condos
at
14
Mile
and
since
he arrived in the Detroit area from Russia 14
middle of nowhere," says Kelley Berger of West
years ago. Since purchasing Siegel's
Bloomfield.
Deli on Maple, west of Haggerty, in
She has worked at Home Accessory
Commerce 10 months ago, he says
Warehouse in Walled Lake for 10
business has increased — because of
years. "Now, we are surrounded by
the Jewish community.
new businesses, condos and homes. It
"I have mostly Jewish customers
has been pretty amazing," she says.
Commerce got its name because it was too far to travel to Milford or Pontiac
from
Commerce and West
When Jackie Schwartz opened
townships to get flour processed or grind feed, so in 1837, a gristmill, the
Bloomfield,"
said Izrailov. "It's a
Home Accessory Warehouse 14 years
Commerce Roller Mill, was set up on the Huron River. The fertile farmland
growing
area
and a lot of my cus-
ago, it was a wholesaler of silk flower
in the area made the mill a success; the center of commerce in the area. The
tomers
are
regulars."
arrangements for furniture stores.
Indian trail that connected the three cities with gristmills later became known
While only a few of his items are
Today, the business has grown from
as Pontiac Trail.
actually kosher (hot dogs, chopped
3,000 to 17,000 square feet with 12
Walled Lake was named after the lake in its center; the lake looked like it
liver and salami), he says it's a Jewish
employees. They sell home furnishings
was "walled" due to drift deposits or the action of water and ice.
and accessories as well as offer a com-
- -- •
WESTWARD Ho on page 62
plete interior design service.
Commerce Township
"We came to the area because it was
Population: 34,764
Clockwise, from top left:
an up-and-coming area with lots of
Square miles: 29.84
Dr.
Brandon West relaxing in his
growth potential — that and the fact
Housing Units: 12,924
Commerce
podiatry office.
that we came in at a good price and
Chartered: 1978
had room to grow," Berger says.
Claim to fame: 1,704 acres
Kelley Berger works with KZava
"Many people are moving here
of lakes
Tsalenko, both of West Bloomfield, at
because it is a safe community, has great
Home
Accessory Warehouse, Commerce.
parks and lakes, good schools, and it is
Walled Lake
still close enough to the synagogues,"
Population: 6,713
Amy Friedman, owner of Studio A
Berger says. "I have a girlfriend who just
Square miles: 2.47
Center for Performing Arts in
moved near here, and there are more
Housing units: 3,390
Commerce, with some of her campers.
young Jewish families all the time. It's
Became a city: 1954
becoming more of a place to live."
Claim to fame: Downtown
Teymur Mordechai of Farmington
There aren't yet the numbers to doc-
area is on the lakefront
Hills
works with Boris Izrailov of West
ument the growth of the Jewish com-
Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
Bloomfield, owner of Siegel's Deli,
munity in the area, but everyone seems
2000
Commerce.
to know it is taking place. Linda

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SPE CIAL
REP ORT

What's In A Name?

7/28
2005

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