Dining out this weekend? Hamtramck has a special deal for couples

By Ian Perrotta

Looking for a new way to explore Hamtramck? If so, then the Downtown Development Authority has a deal for you.

This Saturday (March 2) the DDA is sponsoring the first annual “Hamtramck For Two” event throughout the city. The all-day affair seeks to attract couples to the city so they can shop, drink and dine.

Though the final details and participating businesses were not available at press time, it’s safe to say that there should be a decent turnout. Essentially, participating businesses will display the “Hamtramck For Two” poster in their window and will offer special discounts to couples.

One restaurant that is definitely participating is Polonia, which will offer a bottle of wine for just $5 to any couple that buys two dinners. Another participating business is Srodek’s Campau Quality Sausage Co. For just $29.99 a couple can get a feast of one pound of smoked kielbasa, one pound of fresh kielbasa, one dozen pierogis of any variety, a pack of golabki and one bottle of wine ($9.99 or under).

In other DDA news, next Thursday’s (March 7) DDA Board meeting at 9 a.m. at City Hall will feature a very important presentation concerning the organization’s future.

For the past two years, the Hamtramck DDA has been a member of the Michigan Main Street Program – a grassroots, four-point approach to economic development and historical preservation in historic downtowns – at the Associate Level, but this year it intends to apply for Select Level membership.

Acceptance into the Select Level of membership will provide thousands of dollars in training and services to the Hamtramck DDA and its businesses. But in order for the DDA to succeed, it will require a partnership with various community members and organizations.  To that end, the DDA invites anyone interested in participating to attend the meeting.

“While the DDA will do most of the heavy lifting, the success of the Main Street program and its communities is contingent on partnerships between the people and groups that make up the community,” says Darren Grow, director of the DDA. “We hope to partner with elected officials, city employees, residents, business owners, the library, block clubs, and any other civic, cultural or religious organizations willing to do so.”