Looking Local

Foxy Nails has been part of the Sterling Heights community for more than a decade, originally opening under a previous owner. Truc Nguyen purchased the salon in September 2021 and immediately recognized that some updates were needed.

Enter her daughters: Duyen Le, 25, and Thanh “Belle” Le, 21. Both were excited to help their mom represent and run the family business.

“We’ve always been in the nail industry — we grew up with it,” Thanh said. “We always knew this was the path we were going to take.”

The sisters both attended the Michigan College of Beauty in Troy, gaining experience at other salons and practicing their craft on family members before Truc acquired Foxy Nails.

“I’ve always had a passion for nails, especially because they’re so innovative,” Duyen said. “Artistically, it’s always evolving. We keep up with a lot of the trends.”

With appointments sometimes lasting up to 90 minutes, the Le sisters have developed close, personal relationships with their clients — often swapping stories both lighthearted and deeply personal.

“Nothing is more valuable than a relationship. It makes life better,” Duyen said. “We should just change this into a therapy office, and then a nail service on the side,” she joked.

From being invited to a client’s wedding reception to surprising another with donuts on their birthday, the sisters say they’ve found a true sense of community in their work.

“Because we’ve had the business for three or four years now, people go through major changes in their lives,” Thanh said. “We always try to make it a special moment here.”

While much of their clientele comes through word-of-mouth, Foxy Nails also connects with the community through social media. Thanh manages the salon’s social channels, combining her background in content creation with her role at the salon.

“I’m constantly on social media, making sure I respond to messages and keep up with trends,” she said. “People know we’re here and that we’re a small business, so we’re just hoping to continue growing our community.”

In addition to offering standard services like manicures and pedicures, Foxy Nails specializes in using organic and non-toxic ingredients whenever possible.

“We’re very accommodating to our clients if they have specific requests,” Duyen said. “If we don’t offer a certain service or ingredient, we ask them to message us on Instagram and send inspiration ahead of their appointment.”

No matter the request, the Le sisters aim to make Foxy Nails a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone.

“Sterling Heights is a very diverse and growing community. We want this to be a place where people feel comfortable sharing their achievements, their hardships — whatever the scenario,” Duyen said. “Our clients are like our friends. It just feels like family.”

Foxy Nails is located at 13741 19 Mile Road, near Schoenherr Road. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Evan Patto always envisioned owning a coffee shop. For his family, coffee has always been more than a drink — it’s a reason to gather and connect over warm cups of java. But when he noticed a void in the area and came across a retail space already equipped with frozen yogurt equipment, he jumped at the chance to combine hot and cold.

“We had a coffee shop in mind a long time ago, but when this opportunity showed up, we said, ‘Let’s take it, add some coffee to it, some extra items,’” Patto said. “Thank God we did. I love it.”

Patto quietly opened Blueline Sweets in August 2024 in the former Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt location, transforming it into the cozy, inviting atmosphere he had always imagined for his first business. He runs the shop alongside Avil William, who doesn’t take on an official title but says he’s there to support Patto however he can.

“We’re trying to make sure everyone’s comfortable when they come here,” William said. “That’s the most important thing. We’re grateful for everyone that comes in, because they come back by choice.”

Patto prides himself on developing a flexible, customer-driven menu. Every new item is tested in-house before making its debut, including the recently released customizable waffle crepe. One of the most popular versions, the “Everything Dubai,” features chocolate, pistachio, and kataifi — a nod to the trending Dubai chocolate flavor profile.

“Before we serve it, we try it,” Patto said. “Our family, our kids eat here in the shop. So we always try to make everything 100% from the heart.”

Though the shop offers a wide variety of warm and cold treats, Blueline Sweets takes the most pride in its frozen yogurt. Patto and William selected a high-quality brand made with fruit sugar for its health benefits, while also being kosher, halal, and gluten-free — without compromising on flavor.

Whether frozen yogurt is your go-to or you prefer something else, Patto is confident you’ll find something you love.

“If you’re a first-time visitor, Evan will give you so many samples,” William said with a smile. “We’ll practically force you to try them. We always try to be as hospitable as we possibly can. We want to make sure you leave here happy.”

One challenge they’ve faced is shifting public perception from “ice cream shop” to “coffeehouse vibe,” William said, noting that frozen yogurt often attracts grab-and-go customers. To encourage longer visits, they experiment with new offerings and ambiance.

“When we have a crowd sitting in here, we’ll let them try new items we’re working on so they can stay a little longer and enjoy the experience,” William said. “Sometimes we even bring in musicians playing Turkish, Arabic, old Chaldean music, and English.”

As summer peaks, Patto believes that perception will evolve with the seasons.

“Our frozen yogurt is the best, but we’re also starting a classic Turkish coffee cart soon,” Patto said. “We sell a lot more cake slices, dessert pancakes, and hot chocolate in the winter.”

Whether you’re cooling down or warming up, Blueline Sweets has what you’re craving — and if they don’t, they’ll make sure they do next time.

“We go after what people want, not what we want,” William said. “If you say you want a certain flavor, we’ll have it for you in a couple of weeks.”

The team is already planning for the shop’s one-year anniversary, with a block party-style celebration featuring games and music in front of the store. In conjunction with the celebration, customers will receive 10% off their order for the entire month of July, with proof of Sterling Heights residency.

“We’re not materialistic,” William added. “We like to invest and build. We do our best to please everyone — and if people are happy, that’s all that matters.”

Blueline Sweets is located at 13379 15 Mile Road, near Schoenherr Road, and is open 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Walk through the doors of Deer Camp Coffee Roasting Company & Outfitters and you’re greeted by the rich scent of freshly roasted beans, handcrafted wooden countertops, shelves lined with camping essentials, and a smiling face inviting you inside. It feels less like a café and more like a cozy lodge in northern Michigan — one that just happens to sit in the middle of Sterling Heights.

If one word sums up Deer Camp, it’s passion. Since opening in 2015, owner Julie Majewski, 46, and her husband, Anthony, 49, have poured their energy into more than just coffee — they’ve become proud ambassadors for Michigan-made products.

“What’s unique about us as a business is we found a way to connect Macomb County and Sterling Heights to the community,” Anthony said. “Most of our customers aren’t hunters. It’s the most diverse community, and everyone is welcome here to experience that ‘Up North’ feel without judgment.”

While Deer Camp’s name resonates with hunters across Michigan and beyond, the Majewskis have carved a niche in showcasing small local makers — everything from gourmet meats and wines to handmade deodorants.

Their commitment goes beyond simply stocking shelves. During the pandemic, when they opened their brick-and-mortar shop, they stepped in to help a struggling partner. “We had a local beekeeper who lost his hives during COVID,” Anthony recalled. “He wanted to partner with us but didn’t have enough hives. We wound up buying seven so he could get back up and running.”

Even as they expand into new avenues, coffee remains the heart of Deer Camp. Known for its low-acid blends with flavors inspired by the outdoors, their coffee has fueled partnerships with organizations from Selfridge Air National Guard Base to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“The DNR’s Hunters Feeding Michigan program pays for deer processing so hunters can donate venison to families in need,” Anthony said. “We’re proud to be the first company in the state chosen to support it.”

Deer Camp’s community spirit shows up in countless ways: The kitchen trains adults with special needs in food handling, the shop serves as a Toys for Tots drop-off every winter, and for first responders in uniform, a cup of coffee is always free.

The recognition has followed. Deer Camp was recently voted Best Coffee in metro Detroit by ClickOnDetroit for the fourth consecutive year.

 “It’s surreal,” Julie said. “Humbling, really, that our community continues to vote for us.”

 Anthony added: “When we won the Macomb Hidden Gem last year, it wasn’t our award — it was the community’s. That’s how Julie and I have always run our business.”

 One customer captured that spirit perfectly. After hearing about their latest win, he arrived with a celebratory cake, lit a few candles at the shop’s communal picnic table, and invited the Majewskis over.

 “This is the stuff you don’t expect in a coffee shop,” Anthony said with a smile after blowing out the candles. “That’s what makes this a true community.”

 As for the future, the Majewskis plan to expand thoughtfully, adding more mobile cafés to their fleet and eventually a secondary location farther north in Macomb County — but never at the cost of being stretched too thin.

 “One of the challenges when you grow too fast is you underperform,” Anthony said. “We’re known for quality and consistency, and we want to ensure that for our customers.”

 For now, Deer Camp’s mission is simple: getting more Sterling Heights residents through its doors.

 “We know there’s a whole group out there that has no clue who we are,” Anthony said with a laugh. “But we have a touch of everything for everyone. It’s not just about hunting or the idea only hunters come here. We’re known for traditions, family and get-togethers. That’s what Deer Camp’s about.”

 Visit Deer Camp Coffee Roasting Company & Outfitters at 35279 Dodge Park Road, north of 15 Mile Road, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.