Spotted Around Town: Awesome Awnings

In the past week, awnings have shed a little light (pun intended) on two Royal Oak buildings.

Arthur Murray Dance Studios

To keep up with the pace of the popularity of ballroom dancing, Candace McKenzie, the owner of Royal Oak’s , choreographed the move of her studio to Woodward Avenue after 25 years on Main Street.

The in the former Blockbuster building at 30532 Woodward Ave. in May but the new awnings, which feature the names of the dances, were installed last week.

Buiding Detail

Whether you thought of the on Main Street as unique – or an eyesore – doesn't matter. The one-time destination for teenagers with clunkers got a makeover.

Brandon Becker, the owner of 1603 N. Main St., received unanimous support from neighbors and the Royal Oak Planning Commission last September to construct a second-story addition and convert the former auto parts building into the new home of Building Detail, a custom residential design/build company.

While construction crews finish the interior, the exterior walls received a fresh coat of paint, except for the signage - the words "Shorty's Auto Parts" remain intact, though covered with new fabric awnings last week.