Lafayette Creamery

This week’s episode of FOODIE FRIDAY is giving us some serious summer vibes. Who doesn’t love great ice cream on a hot day? Nathan and Rachel sit down with Andrew and Spencer, the GM and Production manager of Lafayette Creamery.

With a long history of dairy farmers, Lafayette Creamery came to be a wonderful addition to the family business. Lafayette Creamery was started in 2016, and their production facility is located in Texas Corners off of 8th Street. In addition to producing over 50 ice cream varieties, Lafayette Creamery operates a dipping cabinet with sixteen seasonally-rotating flavors along with pre-packaged pints, quarts, and half-gallon containers available for purchase.

The NEWEST location is located in Paw Paw at 101 W. Michigan Ave, formerly known as The Sugar Bear. They have revamped the interior and they will now be offering breakfast and lunch. We got the very first bites of their new menu and we were beyond impressed. Everything from breakfast hash with a fried egg, cheesy pimento grits, smoked chicken N’ waffles tacos, berry sorbert with St Julian non-alcoholic wine, right down to the best ‘banana split’ with caramelized bananas. Lafayette creamery also boasts the highest milk fat content in ice cream anywhere in the area- making it super creamy and delicious. Rachel also makes a bold statement about our so-called “state” ice cream and pop (soda).

Tune in to see what those flavors are, and learn more about Lafayette Creamery by visiting their website and follow them on Social Media!

Shawarma King on Drake

Welcome back to Foodie Friday! This week Nathan and Rachel sit down with Nidal Awad, owner and chef at Shawarma King on Drake Road in Kalamazoo.

Nidal greeted us as if we were family with an amazing spread of food to try. If you have ever been, then you know what a treat this was. We tried everything from their amazing spicy hummus, their famous garlic sauce, and the salad named after Nidal himself. Tune in to hear everything that we tried and how the Nidal Salad came about. Oh, and Nathan tried his first ever pickle pizza! Don’t miss out on the collab with Roma’s Pizza and Shawarma King.

In this episode we talk about how long Nidal has owned Shawarma King, how things have been the past few months, what new and exciting plans he has for the future and so much more. This is one episode you don’t want to miss!

To find more on Shawarma King, visit the links below!

Welcome back to another Foodie Friday episode - entertainment edition! This week Nathan and Rachel sit down with the Founder and CEO, Adam Mcfarlin.

The Kalamazoo Candle journey began back in October of 2013 with one man, a box of wax and google. With a bit of hard work, time, and a dedicated team Kalamazoo Candle Company has expanded across the country to over 400 wholesale partners, launched its own retail store in downtown Kalamazoo, and established a production factory for its growth for years to come.

We discuss popular candle scents, where you can find Kalamazoo Candles, how they are made, the ideas behind the label and so much more! Looking for something more unique? You can walk in (or schedule a visit) with a group of friends to make your very own candle. They offer custom labels as well.

Rachel is working on a special project with Kalamazoo Candle Company and local restaurants called: Candles & Cocktails. Pairing up a locally made cocktail and Kalamazoo Candle Scent to enjoy at home, including the recipe card!

Tune in to find out more about this amazing local Candle Company!

Welcome back to another episode of Foodie Friday! This week Nathan and Rachel are recording at Treat Street with Erin Shultz, Owner of Mrs. Schultz’s Sweets…and soon to be the NEW owners of Treat Street! We are super excited that we are one of the first to break the exciting news.

Treat Street offers many different treats. From gourmet hot dogs such as Chicago Style Dogs, Coney Island Dogs, WMU Dog, and many more. Nathan tried the Kalamazoo Dog- topped with bacon, grilled onion and peppers, shredded cheese and secret sauce. Rachel tried the Chicago Dog with tomatoes, onion, relish, sport peppers & celery salt on a poppy seed bun. What makes the hot dogs so great? They come in a regular or large size and are served up on homemade buns from McKenzie’s Bakery downtown Kalamazoo.

Treat Street also offers Sleeping Bear Ice Cream, various caramels and sweets made by Mrs. Shultz’s Sweets herself, Erin! She makes some of THE best turtles in town and some amazing syrups are also made in house for ice cream floats. You can also use the pick-up window and bring your furry friends over for a Pup-Cup- Vanilla Ice Cream with doggy treats!

Tune in to see what Erin has planned for Treat Street – and follow them on social media here or to make an online order at Treat Street

600 Kitchen & Bar

Welcome back to another episode of Foodie Friday! This week Nathan and Rachel sit down with Chef Jason Mcclellan, Assistant GM Michael Olinger, and Vicky Thinnes Director of Sales & Marketing at Millennium Restaurant Group to discuss ‘all the things’ about 600 Kitchen & Bar, downtown Kalamazoo.

600 Kitchen & Bar Has a very beautiful rustic and industrial vibe and we love it! The restaurant is one of many owned under the Millennium Group, but the food they serve here is nothing short of amazing! They offer some amazing craft cocktails, and always source the freshest local ingredients for their dishes. We tried their appetizer Dip and we all agreed that it’s the best pimento cheese out there. Rachel is a big fan of Pimento and this is easily in her top 3! The blackened salmon salad is a huge favorite, Impossible Meatloaf & Impossible Sloppy Joes, and the Lobster BLT are all new to the menu, to name a few. 600 Kitchen & Bar now offers an amazing brunch with some fun items you won’t see anywhere else in Kalamazoo! Mimosa Jug anyone?

We talk about how things have been since COVID19, how things are picking up with their take-out, and what dining looks like now. Most future events have been put on hold, but don’t let that stop you from stopping in for lunch or grabbing dinner to-go.

Find them on social media or their website here:

Nathan and Clayton get to know candidate Amy East and her political insights:

-59th District

-What is the District (geographically)

-Political Newbie

-How archeology and anthropology has prepared her:

laws

leadership

business experience

& more

-Why Politics (Social & Community)

-Local? From Constantine (born & raised), gone 20 years...but recently came back

-Rep for Farmers; things are changing, wants to advocate

-The job is to be a rep...for everyone

Young people "need a home" and good jobs when they come back

revitalize downtown

farming continues to be a viable option

clean air & water

-The BIG 3

Education, Economy, Environment

-How has her experience been:

educational

expensive

time consuming

growing out of being an introvert

family has learned a lot

-LABELS (what are you) mom, wife, daughter of the district, scientist, passionate...with a protective husband

Welcome back to another episode of The Community Connection Podcast – Foodie Friday Edition! We are stoked for this episode and it’s bringing back some childhood nostalgia in the best way. This week we brought out our inner kids and sat down with Amy, the owner of LFG Gaming BAR!

Kalamazoo’s only Gaming Bar is located in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo and we couldn’t be happier about it. You can play video games and enjoy some amazing food and cocktails! The bar it set up as a game- START at the bar and “play” your way back to the gaming rooms. Everything on the menu is named after a video game and we are here for it! Everything from Sonic, Mario Kart, to Pikachu the names are great.

Even if you aren’t into the gaming scene, Amy has a pretty stellar food menu. She sources local ingredients from around Kalamazoo, and it shows. We tried the famous Rice Balls - Fried Sushi Rice balls with a Soy Aioli and the Jalapeno Poppers with Raspberry dipping sauce. Nathan and Rachel both agree that Jalapeno Poppers are a MUST order on any menu!

We had a blast chatting with Amy reminisce about our favorite childhood games like Sonic, to today’s gaming systems and Call of Duty. Let’s hear your favorite video games!

Nathan and Clayton spoke with Brigitte Romanelli an Edward Jones Financial Advisor, to get some insights in our current financial climate:

-Intro

-Local Financial Advisor

-Little about her history, background, choosing Three Rivers, advice

-What are people asking:

Am I still on track?

What do I need to Change?

The Cares Act?

Mandatory withdrawals?

Where do I start?

How do I start?

Am I ready?

What's my risk tolerance?

-Long term, High Quality, Diversity!!!

- "Get an Advisor" "The Market is on Sale" "Diversify" "Look at Tax Options" "Changing Futures of People in the Community"

Welcome back to another episode of Foodie Friday – your Friday entertainment segment. This week Nathan and Rachel sat down with owner and winemaker of Tempo Vino Winery located downtown Kalamazoo.

Located in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo, Tempo Vino Winery is a unique experience for all wine lovers, from the curious novice to the seasoned connoisseur. All of their wines are hand crafted in small batches from grapes grown around the world. You can find any varietal here at Tempo Vino and release new and bring back old favorites for limited time. Their fruit wine series had quite a few amazing flavors ranging from Apple Cider, Pineapple Pear, Blueberry, to even Strawberry Wine. What sets them apart? They use REAL fruit and no artificial flavorings.

Rachel has worked with Alex in the past and continues to do so when they release a new wine. Most recently their Lime Kiss and Ginger Lime Kiss wines. Rachel created a Margarita with the Lime Kiss, a Moscow Mule with the Ginger Lime Kiss, and FROSE’ with their summer rose wines.

Not only can you stop in to sample their wines at the tasting bar, you can even make your own WINE and CUSTOM labels! Perfect for weddings, special occasions, or just grabbing a few friends and making wine together!

Want to learn more about Tempo Vino? Check them out on social media or their website – linked below!

In this episode Nathan & Clayton talk with Chamber President Christy Trammel about the cancellations and disappointment, as well as moving forward and things to look forward to:

-Coming back from COVID 19

-Events that have been cancelled and the backlash (including 64th Annual WaterFest)

-Some of the disappointments

-Election year and education with Candidates

-Political Forums (State Rep, County Positions, Townships) w/ questions for the candidates VOTE Aug 4th & Nov 3rd

-Group travel with the Chamber! Past, Present, & Future (Greece, Vietnam, Canadian Rockies)!!!

-'Discover the Treasures' August 8th at 5PM (Ticket info below) at TR Airport

-Chamber is MOVING...Bigger, Better, & Exciting...this Fall!!!

-MORE GOOD THINGS TO COME!!!