In late February, Jerry and Heidi Tubbs were waiting on their final state permits to open Saline’s first microbrewery, Stony Lake Brewing Co. Jerry says he was nervous about the location at first–they’re tucked away in the little strip mall behind CVS on E. Michigan Ave.–but his confidence grew as other businesses signed leases in the same mini-mall. “There’s plenty of parking,” he points out. “It’s close to downtown, and the landlord [Farmington Hills-based Jaster Corporation] has been great.”

The couple met at Western Michigan University. Jerry became an electrical engineer, and Heidi, trained in occupational therapy, raised their three children and now works at U-M. Back in 1990, Jerry’s work took the family to Canada. “That’s when we first discovered really good beer. Canadians treated beer like other people treat wine,” he says. They moved back to Saline in 1993 but made frequent trips to Ontario to visit Horseshoe Island, where Heidi’s family owns a century-old vacation cottage.

“It’s a really special place,” says Heidi, a youthful fifty-three. Her bright eyes sparkle as she describes the old family cottage on Stony Lake that provided the brewery’s name.

Eventually the craft beers that Jerry relished in Ontario’s brewpubs made their way across the border. “We liked visiting Michigan’s wineries, but it was the relaxing atmosphere at brewpubs like Bell’s in Kalamazoo and Ypsilanti’s Corner Brewery [now ABC Microbrewery] where we felt most comfortable,” says Jerry. “There’s a low-key, friendly sense of community at these places.” That’s what they hope to replicate at their establishment.

About a year and a half ago, Jerry built a pilot brewery and control panel in his pole barn and began experimenting, eventually developing a portfolio of a couple dozen different recipes. It was Heidi who nudged him to ditch corporate life and make brewing a full-time job. “When she said I could really make a go of this, I knew 90 percent of the battle was in the bag,” says Jerry.

Stony Lake Brewing will offer eight to ten beers on tap at a time, along with hard cider and select sodas. Jerry’s beer recipes focus on American IPAs with a selection of other beers (browns, stouts, porters, and pales). They’ve completely redone the 1,800-square-foot pub with a copper-top bar from an old Chicago speakeasy. In the back is a 1,500-square-foot brewing area, with an impressive all-electric three-barrel brewing system.

Stony Lake will not serve food, but customers are encouraged to bring in takeout or have food delivered. Menus from local eateries will be on hand. “We’re not gonna have televisions,” says Jerry, “But we’ll have games like chess, checkers, and backgammon; maybe darts on a slow night; maybe a trivia night; and acoustic bluegrass music from time to time. What’s certain is that folks can count on a place to spend time with friends and have a really good beer.”

Stony Lake Brewing Co., 447 E. Michigan, Saline, 316-7919. Mon.-Thurs. 4-11 p.m., Fri. 4 p.m.-midnight, Sat. 2 p.m.-midnight, Sun. 2-10 p.m. stonylakebrewing.com

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“We made the name change very slowly,” explains Jeff Tritten about the Downtown Diner’s new name: Smoke BBQ. Tritten and co-owner Megen McCully didn’t want their loyal customers thinking the place had changed hands. “It’s still us,” says Tritten, but the new name reflects better what’s on the menu: Southern comfort food, including smoked chicken, pork, brisket, ribs, sausage, turkey, and salmon.

McCully is always coming up with new recipes. “I call her the chemist,” says Tritten. McCully shrugs and laughs, saying, “I didn’t even know I could cook until I was thirty-five!” That’s when she started managing Mr. Pizza and the Burrito Joint in Ann Arbor for her parents. Now, at forty, she’s not only cooking but designing the entire menu. “She’s a natural,” says Tritten.

One of McCully’s new specials is Porky’s Revenge, a sandwich with pulled pork, smoked chicken, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, and chipotle ranch dressing on a brioche bun. Also new are smoky gourmet burgers that feature a half pound of Angus prime topped with a choice of smoked pork, smoked brisket, or smoked bacon.

Breakfast, now served Friday through Sunday only, also offers a few new options like the spicy chorizo breakfast burrito, smoked salmon benedict, smoked beef brisket hash, and the smoked Polish sausage scrambler. The smoky dinner platters are now available at lunch, too. Another welcome change is that Smoke BBQ now delivers. “We’re looking forward to delivering to Stony Lake Brewing Co. once it opens,” says Tritten.

Smoke BBQ, 131 E. Michigan (behind Dan’s Tavern), Saline, 316-2343. Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri. & Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Breakfast served Fri.-Sun. 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Closed Mondays. salinedowntowndiner.com

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There’s a new flower shop in town, aptly named Lily’s. Owner Lily Kittle previously owned Lily’s Garden in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown area.

She sold that shop about ten years ago. “It just became too much to run the business on my own and help care for the kids,” said Kittle, reached by phone. Her husband Tim helped her with the first business but then opened his own construction company. And back then, their five children ranged in age from two to eighteen.

She never got completely out of the business–she’s worked seasonally for Tom Thompson Flowers in Ann Arbor, and she credits Thompson for much of her current style. Now that her youngest child is twelve, she’s delighted to be back in business for herself. She’s helped part-time by Becky Kleinschmidt, a friend since fifth grade.

Tim Kittle did all the construction for the store and is still working on a salon, soon to open in the other half of the building. Meanwhile, Kittle’s been busy getting to know all her business neighbors. “I brought some flowers over to the owners of the pharmacy down the street, and the guy there said he wondered if my business was a front for a medical marijuana store!” she laughs. Nope. She’s a legitimate florist–though she jokes that she’d probably make more money selling marijuana, her love is flowers. Orchids and calla lilies are a couple of her favorites.

Lily’s is right across the street from Hanna Field, and Kittle has noticed a lot of dog walkers in the area. She’s spreading the work that Lily’s is “dog friendly.” Milk bones are in stock along with rare flowers.

Lily’s, 107 E. Bennett St., Saline. 717-2415. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Closed Sundays. lilysflowersinsaline.com

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When Cadence Cycle closed back in 2011, Dan Kolander, owner of Dan’s Downtown Tavern, knocked out the wall between his tavern and the former bike shop and expanded his bar and grill, nicknaming the new space “Dan’s Pour House.” That expansion allowed him to double in size and add another twenty beers on tap. Then, this past December, after Jamie Wescott relocated her Resale Boutique, Kolander wasted no time growing his tavern yet again. He busted through the wall and took over the former resale shop.

Initially, he thought he might use the extra 900 square feet as a party room that customers could reserve for birthdays, anniversaries, or baptisms. It has been that, but Kolander says that even when it’s not booked for a party, the space has been packed, especially on the weekends. “I haven’t had a lull yet, but I’m not complaining,” says Kolander.

His next plan is to update the entire 3,900-square-foot tavern. He wants to have an industrial theme and decorate with more of his collection of vintage prints, including one of Thomas Edison. He hopes to install new lighting that looks like gaslights as well as an old Chicago-style leather bar. But with things so busy, “all that will have to wait until at least after St. Patrick’s Day,” he says.

In the meantime, the new space has a fresh coat of rich wine-colored paint, seating for about fifty, and standing room for another twenty-five. New tables and chrome stools with leather seats line the addition with five new big-screen televisions mounted on the walls. “It’s another great venue for watching a game,” says Kolander. Folks interested in booking the new room for an event may reserve it for no extra fee apart from the cost of tax and gratuity on food and drink ordered from the tavern. No outside food or drink is permitted. You may bring a cake, but please, no confetti or sprinkles.

Dan’s Downtown Tavern, 103 E. Michigan, 429-3159. Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-midnight, Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Sun. noon-9 p.m. Carryout and catering available.