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An outdoor RECESS on July 28!

Join us for a special outdoor version of our 'Recess' after-work party on July 28 at Elmbrook Golf Course on Hammond Road in Traverse City. Come mix and mingle with the business community, enjoy food and drink, and more – for just five bucks! Lots of fantastic prizes!

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June 2010 • Vol. 16 • Number 10

Entrepreneur

Backyard Inventions Get Ready for the Big Time

Technology

With Converged Solutions dead, its former rivals battle for its remains

Construction/Real Estate/Development

Law/Insurance/Accounting

Attention, Merchants: Your PCI Compliance is Required by July 1

Environment

Education

British Invasion: NMC's aviation program launches partnership venture to entice overseas pilots to train in TC.

Transportation

Start-Up of the Month

Start-up of the Month: Divine Designs

Black Star Farms Coming to Commons

Black Star Farms will open a new tasting room on the grounds of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City, according to Michigan Grapevine.

Black Star already has its flagship winery and inn in Leelanau County, and a second winery underway on Old Mission. The new tasting room, Tastes of Black Star Farms, in the redeveloped Building 50, aims at a new niche: showcasing Black Star’s dozen or so brandies and dessert wines.

Managing Partner Don Coe says the current tasting room’s 6 p.m. closing time means most customers don’t think to taste the after-dinner drinks. With hours from 3 to 10 p.m., that will change in the new location.

Black Star’s neighbors in the Village's Mercato section will also play a role in the business model; the tasting room will sell food from fellow Commons retailers Underground Cheesecake, Pleasanton Bakeries, Silvertree Deli and Trattoria Stella.

“We have been looking for an opportunity to more effectively serve dessert wines and brandies,” Coe said. “It allows us to form a working, promotional partnership.”

Black Star will be the second winery to open on the grounds of the old Traverse City State Hospital. Winemaker Bryan Ulbrich opened Left Foot Charley there in July.