Diane Hudzik Washtenaw/Livingston/WesternWayne

Whitmore Lake Michigan's best coffee shop is the

Peaberry Bean Coffee and Tea Company at 152 Barker Rd. (Phone (734) 449-9409)

If you want a cozy home away from home plus a great cup of coffee, tea or a smoothie

this is your destination. This Shop came from the vision of Erin Turri who moved into

Northfield Township from Westland with her husband Vince, and decided that, she

needed a coffee shop, their new home town needed a coffee shop.

So in July of 2007, when others saw economic down turns Erin saw opportunities, and

Peaberry Bean was born.

The shop is open:

M-Th

The make a quick detour off of US23 easy for commuters who want to a warm drink and

a slice of freshly baked fruit bread. Bread can be bought by the slice or by the loaf, the

expanding list of choices include banana peanut butter, pumpkin, pineapple coconut,

orange cranberry and strawberry cheese cake bread. Soup and sandwiches are also made

fresh daily.

This is a destination; this shop is a place of gathering. On the first and third Fridays after

Whitmore Lake football season ends there is open mike night from 7:30 to whenever the

last performer has performed. Come sing or just come and listen. The shop is smoke and

alcohol free so all ages are welcome!

Need to hold a private function for up to 30 people? Erin will reserve the shop for you

and even cater your gathering. Having a wedding or baby shower? Want to have one of

those home based parties but not at home? Want a great location for a birthday party?

Call Erin and she will reserve a time just for your gathering.

Want to have an impromptu tea party, or a gather with your book club? Just tell your

friends you will meet them at Peaberry.

Erin's vision has created a true place of welcome.

I am no different than any other Realtor in that I enjoy a nice thank you letter or testimonial letter. Whoa, I thought, do I give the service providers in my life this same consideration?

My auto mechanic, Steve Steeb Service, in Ann Arbor, is one such provider deserving my thanks.

Steve and his son-in-law Tim give consistent quality attention to our vehicles. They are even willing to say if something does not need to be dealt but can wait for the next time something is being looked at.

My daughter, a grad student, had her car stolen. My new part time job was to find a replacement vehicle. This task would have been impossible if Steve and Tim weren't willing to let me stop by so they could take a quick drive around the block and a give the vehicle a quick once over. They did this four times for me! Which reminds me I need to bring them cheese cake.

Kudos also go out to my chiropractor, Dr. Michael Meath also of Ann Arbor. I have not been to see any chiropractor for myself for five years. Although my husband claims I never throw anything out, I did throw my back out. Dr. Meath put me back into good order and the relief was profound. He does his work with great care, skill and competency.

Another thank you goes out to Justin Medeiros at Discount Auto in Ann Arbor on Stadium. The fellow went above and beyond to get the tires I wanted for my vehicle. He beat other competitors' prices and he must have liked the tires because now I see they carry them in the store.

Wow, I keep thinking of more folks to thank but this is probably enough for now. If you are in the area look any of them up. You deserve to be as well cared for as I have been.