11 communities respond to massive Belleville blaze

Fire departments from Belleville, Wayne, Canton Township and Huron Township were among 11 area first responders helping to battle a massive fire at National RV Detroit in Belleville last Saturday.

The blaze sent black smoke and flames into the air visible for several miles, witnesses said.

The fire at the recreational vehicle dealership, located at 44700 North Interstate 94 Service Drive, was reported at about 4:30 p.m. Nov. 29. Police and fire officials reported no injuries in the blaze which was eventually extinguished. The cause of the blaze remains unknown, officials said.

In a social media post Sunday, representatives from National RV Detroit asked clients to delay bringing vehicles in for service and asked for patience as damage is assessed.

"As many of you are aware, we experienced a major fire at our dealership facility on Saturday evening. Everyone got out safe, and we are left to pick up the pieces and get things reorganized so that we can rebuild and move on. In the meantime, please do not bring any service units to our facility if you had an appointment. We will be contacting you in the next few days to make alternative arrangements. We're also determining which vehicles were affected by the fire and will contact you when we have more information. Please bear with us and be patient as we go through this process. We will be back to serving you soon."

Seven motorhomes inside the building were likely destroyed and others outside damaged, according to reports from fire officials.

Van Buren Township Fire Chief David McInally said firefighters brought the blaze under control in about two hours.

“Seven motorhomes were inside the building, and a few others outside were damaged,” McInally said. “Some had propane tanks that exploded, but those were minor and handled quickly.”

The business plans to resume complete operations, according to a spokesman.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation but is currently unknown, officials said.

Enduring memory

Renovated ARC playhouse dedicated to lifelong supporter, family

The Arc of Northwest Wayne County (The Arc NW) in Canton Township unveiled the newly renovated Carol Zago and  Family Playhouse at an official dedication last week. The newly renovated space supports the Lekotek Play Program, a program that provides guided play and toy lending to enhance development and growth for children, along with inclusion within their families, schools and communities.

A bequest by the late Carol Zago upon her passing and additional fundraising led by her family has provided more than $35,000 to support the Lekotek Play Program which has assisted in funding improvements to the space and providing programming to Lekotek Play Program participants. The organization has named the space the “Carol Zago and Family Playhouse” in her honor, a spokesperson noted in a prepared release.

Renovations to the space included new carpet, paint, double doors for accessibility, a sensory wall, climbing equipment, a wall mural, furnishings, lighting, curtains and wall decor. These improvements support the Lekotek Play Program by creating a welcoming, sensory-friendly and accessible space in which children can interact and play, officials said. 

“The Carol Zago and Family Playhouse has created a beautiful and welcoming home for our Lekotek Play Program, a program that helps families to imagine a real, included life for their child that looks like the life of anyone else,” said Gretchen Sanewsky, executive director of The Arc NW. “We are extremely grateful to the Zago family for their generous financial support which serves as an investment into our organization's sustainability and ability to serve the community for generations to come. We are honored to dedicate this space to Carol and the Zago family as a show of appreciation for all of the ways they’ve supported The Arc NW for decades.”

Carol Zago and her family were connected to The Arc NW in the 1970s as a resource for her son, Christian, who was born with multiple disabilities and medical issues. Christian passed away in 2002 at the age of 30, Sanewsky said. 

“The Arc of Northwest Wayne County’s programs, advocacy and support was transformative for my family and helped shape the life my brother got to experience,” said Michael Zago. “There are many other families like ours that The Arc NW impacts, so it was important to my family that, even after Christian passed, we find ways to support The Arc NW so they can continue their impact and provide families the support they need.”

The Carol Zago and Family Playhouse supports families in Wayne County who have a child with disabilities of any kind from birth to 12 years old. Additionally, it supports local schools, teachers, therapists, other organizations that serve people with disabilities and local communities that can take part in inclusive activities in the space.

More information about The Arc NW is available at www.thearcnw.org.

Landmark Plymouth restaurant forced to close after 66 years

A landmark in the City of Plymouth will close this month after six decades of serving residents from throughout the area.

Bode’s Corned Beef House, located on Main Street next to the railroad crossing, has been an institution in the community and surrounding area since 1959. The closure came as an unpleasant surprise to owner David Mueller who received an eviction notice from new owners of the property demanding the business vacate the building by Dec. 19.

Mueller said the increased monthly rent on the building proposed by the new owners was unsustainable for his business. He said two weeks after the notification of the rent increase, he received an eviction notice. He said he was “shocked and stunned” and admitted he had a “good cry” over the loss of his landmark business. Mueller has owned the business since 2019 after working in the kitchen for the previous owners.

Mueller said he was told the new owners plan to bring in a different restaurant concept to the historic building.

The house was built in 1868 at 280 North Main St. and was initially a boarding house and hotel for railroad workers. As years passed, the building served as a church and a music studio before becoming the famous corned beef house.

Mueller said news of the impending closure has swept through the community. He said the Chamber of Commerce, other business owners and long-time customers have contacted him offering support. He said, overall, the reaction from the public has been one of sadness to see such a longtime landmark business close.

To help the staff, who were also surprised by the impending loss of their jobs just prior to the holidays, a fundraiser has been planned at the restaurant from 4 until 8 p.m. Dec. 15. Mueller announced the effort in a social media post.

“It is with the deepest sadness and heaviest of hearts that we announce that Bode's Corned Beef House will be closing its doors on December 19th, 2025,” he said in the message. “As I’m sure you realize, being forced to close right before the Christmas holiday is a tough blow, but we hope you’ll join us on December 15th for a Christmas party fundraiser for our staff.”

Mueller said he was grateful for the years of support from the community.

“Once again, thank you for contributing to the memories we’ve made… It has been an honor serving you,” he ended the Facebook post.

Mueller said he and his wife are hoping to reopen nearby with a smaller operation and perhaps a bakery. “We may call it Bode’s Corned Beef House II,” he said.

Christmas in the Village returns to Canton Saturday

Christmas in the Village will return to Cherry Hill Village in Canton Township with new additions and holiday cheer this Saturday.

The family-friendly event will feature a curated holiday artisan market with unique merchandise along with carolers and live musicians, a petting zoo, a variety of food trucks and seasonal treats, as well as free kids’ crafts and an opportunity to take pictures with Santa Claus and decorate holiday cookies.

Christmas in the Village activities will take place on the campus of the Village Arts Factory, from 3 until 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The arts factory is located at 50755 Cherry Hill Road and the event will also take place at the Cherry Hill Village fountain area, Maraschinos Pub, Indigo Salon, Greenland Market and Saj Canton.

Additional event highlights include: horse and carriage rides; holiday ornament-making at Cold Stone Creamery; cookies and cocoa at the Village Grocery; kids’ hair tinsel and holiday boutique at Indigo Salon; as well as a tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. at the Village Arts Factory. The Cherry Hill Potters Guild will also be on hand, joining over 25 craft and artisan vendors selling unique crafts.

A special IKEA Uppvärmning Lodge will be erected on the event grounds, featuring complimentary warm cinnamon rolls and Swedish Glögg - while supplies last. Additional tasty food options will be available for purchase, including hot chocolate provided by Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea. The festivities continue with a pizza and pop buffet, which is available for purchase at Maraschinos Pub, who will also provide visits with “Frozen” characters Elsa and Anna, as well as holiday karaoke. Greenland Market and Saj Canton will feature a snowman-making activity and build-a-snowman scavenger hunt, plus visits with the “Frozen” character Olaf.

The event is organized by the Village Arts Factory, and Canton Township and is free and open to the entire Canton community, as well as surrounding communities. Event sponsors include Schoolcraft College, Edward Jones of Cherry Hill Village, Expressions Music Academy, Jacob Matthew Jewelers, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, Kumon Math and Reading Center of Canton, IKEA, Go Grow, Alphagraphics, Blink Eye Care, Story Point, Village Church, and Primrose Academy.

The festivities are appropriate for all ages. Event participants are reminded to dress for the weather. On-site parking will be limited, so participants are advised to utilize area public lots listed at www.cantonmi.gov/1384, or the shuttle service from Preservation Park and United Methodist Church.

For more information, visit www.cantonfun.org, villageartsfactory.com, or call (734) 394-5460.

Business Flex condo units OK’d

A new four-building flexible use condominium complex has been approved by members of the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees.

Township Supervisor Chuck Curmi noted that the building plan was “somewhat unique. We’ve never had anything quite like this in Plymouth Township,” he noted. The new 41-unit "mini-flex" condominium development will include warehouse-style units that will be for sale and can house a wide variety of businesses. Residential use will be prohibited.

The units will range, developer Mark Roberts said, from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet, with expected sale prices between $300,000 to $500,000, depending on size and build-out. The new construction is planned for a 6-acre site near Schoolcraft Road and Haggerty.

Plymouth Flex Condominiums will fill a vacant 6-acre parcel off Schoolcraft Road east of Haggerty. The units will be small, individual warehouse-style spaces designed for light manufacturing and business storage to personal workshops and offices. The units will have steel doors, masonry walls and high windows. Management is expected to be through a condominium association of owners.

Roberts told the board members that he expects the development to be an active place. After lengthy discussion regarding the acceptable or permitted uses, the brewery designation remained intact with trustees noting that the lack of a storefront would not attract clients looking for a drinking or eating establishment.

 The project was approved by a vote of 5-2, with trustees John Stewart and Sandy Groth opposed to the development. Each expressed concern regarding the wide range of uses allowed at the new project and the inability of the township to make changes to permitted uses in the future.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR 

Romulus to light up official holiday tree

The official holiday tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 5 at Romulus Historical Park, 11147 Hunt St. in Romulus.

Photos with Santa, hayrides, photo ops, activities, and entertainment for the whole family are planned at the free, family event.
For more information call Romulus Recreation at (734) 941-8665

 

Mistletoe Market set

The annual Mistletoe Market in downtown Plymouth is set for Dec. 12, 13 and 14 this year.

The event includes horse and carriage rides, the kids’ candy cane corner, live music and entertainment and free trolley rides around town to meet and greet holiday characters. 

Hours are 2 until 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 with entertainment beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 hours are 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 14, the event will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

More information is available at ChristmasinPlymouth.com

 

Max’s Vault is available

The Northville Township Police Department is once again helping keep “porch pirates” at bay this holiday season with Operation Max’s Vault — named for four-legged police Therapy Dog Max.

Township residents can have packages shipped to the Northville Township Police Department for safe keeping in Max’s Vault through Jan. 1, 2026. Packages should be addressed with the recipient’s name, c/0 Max’s Vault, 40911 Seven Mile Road, Northville, Mi 48167.

Packages should be retrieved within five days of delivery, officials said. This free program has become a community favorite providing safe shipping during the holiday season, officials said.

 

Donations sought to fund wreath for veterans’ ceremony

A wreath-laying ceremony is planned for noon Saturday, Dec. 13 at Romulus Memorial Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America Day event. Donations to fund wreaths for the ceremony are needed.

Wreaths are priced at $17 each and donations to purchase one or more can be made through Romulus VFW #9568's Page at: https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/32596/Overview

Order forms are also available at Romulus Public Library and will be accepted at the Community Development Office in Romulus City Hall, 11111 Wayne Road, Romulus.

More information is available at (734) 955-4539 or jhobbs@romulusgov.com.

 

Farmers Market dates set

The Canton 2026 Off-Season Farmers Markets will take place at the Village Arts Factory, located at 50755 Cherry Hill Road. Markets are set for 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Feb. 15, March 15, and April 19.  For more information, visit www.cantonmi.gov/496 or @Canton Farmers Market on Facebook.

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United Way collecting warm winter clothing

Plymouth Community United Way is collecting new men’s, women’s and children’s items including scarves, gloves, coats, blankets, boots, hats, and socks — to help ensure families and individuals in our community stay warm this winter. Donations can be dropped off at Plymouth Community United Way, 960 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Suite 2 Plymouth, MI 48170