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Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair

A successful first fair helped the Detroit artist launch a full-time ceramics business.

News

For <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit artist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/26/beginner-guide-collecting-local-art" data-vars-content-id="11b295f9-e490-429e-9b0b-f55381b25304" data-vars-headline="Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/26/beginner-guide-collecting-local-art" target="_self">Detroit artist</a> Genevieve VanZandt, the Ann Arbor Art Fair proved she could make a living as a full-time artist.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="VanZandt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.genevievevanzandt.com/" data-vars-content-id="11b295f9-e490-429e-9b0b-f55381b25304" data-vars-headline="Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.genevievevanzandt.com/" target="_blank">VanZandt</a> is among dozens of Detroit-area artists at this month&#x27;s fair — one of the country&#x27;s largest and among <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="several upcoming fairs across the region" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/01/summer-art-fairs-guide-2026-michigan" data-vars-content-id="11b295f9-e490-429e-9b0b-f55381b25304" data-vars-headline="Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/01/summer-art-fairs-guide-2026-michigan" target="_self">several upcoming fairs across the region</a>.

7 Detroit restaurant openings in the works

From Waka to Hamlin Pub, here's the latest on upcoming restaurant openings.

Food and Drink

It&#x27;s a universal truth that restaurants come and go — and we&#x27;ve seen some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big closures recently" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2026/06/30/these-michigan-restaurants-closed-doors-reorganized-in-june/90710548007/" data-vars-content-id="57d33438-6df0-4d06-9976-a6ac80ca86a2" data-vars-headline="7 Detroit restaurant openings in the works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2026/06/30/these-michigan-restaurants-closed-doors-reorganized-in-june/90710548007/" target="_blank">big closures recently</a>.On the flip side, we&#x27;re also waiting (im)patiently on exciting openings.Why it matters: Delays in some restaurants&#x27; opening timelines reflect the various <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="challenges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bridgedetroit.com/licensing-will-be-easier-for-detroit-businesses-under-new-rules/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="57d33438-6df0-4d06-9976-a6ac80ca86a2" data-vars-headline="7 Detroit restaurant openings in the works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bridgedetroit.com/licensing-will-be-easier-for-detroit-businesses-under-new-rules/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">challenges</a> many small businesses face, from financing to permitting, construction and staffing difficulties.

Michigan has eighth highest liquor taxes in nation

Michigan has the eighth highest tax on distilled spirits in the country.

Michiganders pay more in taxes for their liquor than in most other states, a tax research group finds.Why it matters: Alcohol taxes vary dramatically from state to state, meaning the same can of beer, glass of wine or fancy cocktail can cost significantly more depending on where you order it.

Where to find a trendy Hugo spritz in Metro Detroit

Where to find the Hugo spritz in Metro Detroit.

The spritz is looking a little less orange these days.The big picture: Although Aperol spritz remains a warm-weather staple, the pale green Hugo spritz — typically made with Prosecco, elderflower liqueur and soda water with mint and lime for garnish — is emerging as a major summer cocktail.

First Sip: Coffee on the lake in Commerce

Grab an espresso, breakfast and a lakeside seat at this Oakland County café.

I spent a recent morning soaking up the lake vibes at an Italian cafe in Commerce Township.Dig in: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="July 4 holiday week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/30/michigan-road-work-pauses-july-4-metro-detroit-projects" data-vars-content-id="6c77c381-654c-468c-b2cf-c7d9251c99a2" data-vars-headline="First Sip: Coffee on the lake in Commerce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/30/michigan-road-work-pauses-july-4-metro-detroit-projects" target="_self">July 4 holiday week</a> seemed like the perfect time to venture out to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Café Aurora" data-vars-click-url="https://www.auroraitaliana.com/cafe-aurora" data-vars-content-id="6c77c381-654c-468c-b2cf-c7d9251c99a2" data-vars-headline="First Sip: Coffee on the lake in Commerce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.auroraitaliana.com/cafe-aurora" target="_blank">Café Aurora</a> on the docks of Union Lake.

Miller's Bar crowned Metro Detroit burger bracket champ

Readers picked the longtime Dearborn spot as the region's best for burgers.

The votes are in — Miller&#x27;s Bar in Dearborn triumphed as the best Metro Detroit burger in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/23/millers-vs-mercury-best-burger-final" data-vars-content-id="8d211ec7-a6d7-4a0f-9ed2-261ca7987e51" data-vars-headline="Miller&#x27;s Bar crowned Metro Detroit burger bracket champ" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/23/millers-vs-mercury-best-burger-final" target="_self">our bracket</a>.<ul><li>Thank you to everyone who weighed in!</li></ul>

Miller's and Mercury advance to burger bracket finals

The final showdown is here. Vote before 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The finals are set for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Metro Detroit&#x27;s best burger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/22/vote-in-the-axios-detroit-burger-brackets-final-four" data-vars-content-id="28011680-a63d-47fa-8353-f6f8fae1d6c0" data-vars-headline="Miller&#x27;s and Mercury advance to burger bracket finals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/22/vote-in-the-axios-detroit-burger-brackets-final-four" target="_self">Metro Detroit&#x27;s best burger</a> — it&#x27;s Miller&#x27;s vs. Mercury.Between the lines: The final two caught us a little by surprise, but the storylines write themselves: an old-school suburban mainstay in Dearborn against a Corktown neighborhood favorite.

Vote in the Axios Detroit burger bracket's Final Four

Sliders got far in the early rounds, and some of them continue toward victory.

We&#x27;re down to the Final Four in our Metro Detroit burger battle.

Vote for Metro Detroit's best burger: Round 2

All four slider joints advanced as voting moves to the Elite Eight.

Detroit really is a slider city.State of play: With a nail-biting victory by Telway over Nemo&#x27;s, all four slider joints advanced to the second round of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our burger bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/17/best-burger-metro-detroit-bracket-vote" data-vars-content-id="f7010a4b-e9f8-4e7c-9699-258d5e3c443c" data-vars-headline="Vote for Metro Detroit&#x27;s best burger: Round 2" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/17/best-burger-metro-detroit-bracket-vote" target="_self">our burger bracket</a>.

Vote for Metro Detroit's best burger: Round 1

Choose among sliders, suburban favorites and city institutions to decide burger bragging rights.

Local burger bragging rights are up for grabs this month at Eastern Market&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10th anniversary burger battle" data-vars-click-url="https://burgerbattle.info/" data-vars-content-id="24257dd4-36c5-486b-b588-f713ec18a2ce" data-vars-headline="Vote for Metro Detroit&#x27;s best burger: Round 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://burgerbattle.info/" target="_blank">10th anniversary burger battle</a>.Why it matters: Before Detroit&#x27;s burger chefs duke it out, we want Axios readers to crown a winner in our own NCAA Tournament-style bracket.

First Sip: Two Dudes serves up protein-packed lattes

A new walk-up cafe is blending caffeine and protein.

👋 Hey bro, Annalise here, in need of about 105 more grams of protein before the day&#x27;s over in order to maximize my gains.State of play: In my quest to maximize said gains, I tried a new protein-focused coffee shop in Grosse Pointe Park, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Two Dudes Coffee Bar" data-vars-click-url="https://twodudescoffeebar.com/" data-vars-content-id="6fd392c0-a08b-4379-998a-27235b1f6e3c" data-vars-headline="First Sip: Two Dudes serves up protein-packed lattes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twodudescoffeebar.com/" target="_blank">Two Dudes Coffee Bar</a> at 15200 Charlevoix St.

Choropleth map showing state alcohol tax rates (distilled spirits tax per gallon) across the U.S. States are shaded in varying purple tones, indicating tax rates ranging from $7 to more than $36 per gallon. Darker shades represent higher tax rates, with states like Washington, Oregon and Virginia reflecting the highest rates.

State taxes on distilled spirits

Note: Rates are those on the sale of 40% alcohol by volume distilled spirits sold in 750mL containers. Federal taxes not included. As control states, Wyoming and New Hampshire effectively do not tax. Data: taxfoundation.org; Chart: Brad Jennings/Axios

Food and Drink 🍽

7 Detroit restaurant openings in the works

Michigan has eighth highest liquor taxes in nation

Where to find a trendy Hugo spritz in Metro Detroit

First Sip: Coffee on the lake in Commerce

Miller's Bar crowned Metro Detroit burger bracket champ