REPORT: Detroit businesses lining up to court Fiat execs with... $1,600 sandals?!
It is estimated that up to 200 Fiat executives would relocate to Michigan if Fiat ends up owning Chrysler, and the city of Birmingham, Michigan wants them. It's gearing up for something like an Olympic bid to attract prosperous Continental types, and is joined in the effort by nearby city Bloomfield Hills. The two cities are regular landing spots for top level execs -- Zetsche, Wagoner, Henderson and Nardelli, among others -- with beautiful real estate, high property values, and a high school founded to serve transplanted kids.
A Birmingham real estate agent is planning to present its relocation services to the local Italian consulate. and the Bloomfield Hills International Academy is considering an Italian extracurricular program. To sweeten the deal, the owner of a boutique shoe store pitches the fact that only she and the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas sell $1,595 Chrissie Morris high heeled sandals. No, it's not Turin and the surroundings are the Piedmont -- but a fresh million in Birmingham will get you 3,000 square feet more living space and a yard, and if you're going to be in Michigan anyway...
[Source: Bloomberg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sk 8:05AM (6/10/2009)
Great news for the SE-Michigan real estate market.
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SSS 3:14PM (6/10/2009)
but unfortunately you still have people from Detroit that can drive down Woodward and pollute your neighborhood with their presence...
alej469 8:10AM (6/10/2009)
There are too many Birminghams in the world. That's three I know of now!
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Avinash machado 8:20AM (6/10/2009)
The ones in Alabama,Michigan and UK?
alej469 8:23AM (6/10/2009)
Those are the ones
Kiiks 8:33AM (6/10/2009)
There's at least 10 Birminghams, just in the States! Two in Ohio, I think?
RamblinReck89 8:33AM (6/10/2009)
Don't forget the ones in Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Protzenegger 9:23AM (6/10/2009)
Better than 34 (!) Springfields nationwide, including one not far from where I live.
Coolio 10:10AM (6/10/2009)
Protzenegger - Yeah, just across from Shelbyville.
(obvious gag, I know...)
jim 8:12AM (6/10/2009)
The quality of Italian restaurants in SE-Michigan will be going up.
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RamblinReck89 8:36AM (6/10/2009)
So will the quality of a good box of wine.
300C 9:13AM (6/10/2009)
There is already an amazing Italian restaurant in Detroit, by Eastern Market, called Roma's Cafe....the best Italian food in the area.
But you are correct, I think there will be more popping up.
Erik 10:32AM (6/10/2009)
Awesome. I love Italians. And their food.
Chris 11:11AM (6/10/2009)
Roma's. Ick. If you like a bucket of red sauce dumped on a few noodles this is the place to go. I would recommend Giovanni's in Detroit over Roma's any day.
Jake 8:37AM (6/10/2009)
They're from Italy, they probably already have nice shoes.
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Trent 9:05AM (6/10/2009)
I am petty sure the Italians have nice winw too.
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Chris 9:15AM (6/10/2009)
I have lived in Birmingham, MI for twelve years. The execs will have plenty of opportunities to choose from in the foreclosure market - at all price levels. We have about 12 homes for sale, 4 of them foreclosures, just on my street alone (less than a mile long.) I love the community and the stores and no I don't buy $1,600 sandals, nor does my wife. Tender, the store that sells the sandals, is a great place and there are some nice high-end boutiques in the community but there are more modest things too like an Anthropology and Roots across from Tender. So, there is some balance. We used to own a store in town in the late 1990s, art and antiques. Unfortunately, we rarely broke even because there is so little foot traffic and the large Somerset Mall with Saks, Nordstrom, Neimen Marcus, etc. has taken most of the business away from Birmingham. Hopefully, we do see some people move into the town but so many are leaving the State that those coming in are far less than those going out.
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Redeemed 10:33AM (6/10/2009)
I agree, every little bit helps.
I am among the estimated 500K+ that have left Michigan since 2000. With the economic meltdown there, there is so little opportunity left and I never see myself returning.
Noidor 12:18PM (6/10/2009)
Interesting about Somerset. I remember Birmingham flourishing back in mid to late 90s, but then yes I did notice how an increasing number of stores were relocating elsewhere, or just simply shutting down. I loved the summer walk sale, when city shut down traffic and you could just walk around and purchase stuff at 50% off! Now all that's left is Caruso Caruso, and doesn't seem to be doing all at all.
At any rate, bringing Italians to Birmingham and/or Bloomfield would definitely help. And I guarantee you'd meet many of them on Square Lake and Woodward Starbucks on their drive to Auburn Hills!!!
mfwil 10:32AM (6/10/2009)
same old game of greed and averice. Michigan has not learned one G-D thing. Same immoral rules, just different actors. Only this time on the taxpayers' dime. SHAME ON YOU MICHIGAN.
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