It was a celebration of the holiday season earlier this week when Oakland County Executive David Coulter presented this year’s Local Gems Sweepstakes winners with their cash prizes at Apothecary Espresso and Coffee in Farmington.
“Apothecary is a wonderful example of the thousands and thousands of small businesses we have across Oakland County that really do make our communities what they are. They are the backbone and the lifeblood of our communities, so as a county, we are dedicated to supporting them,” said County Executive David Coulter.
“Truly, I cannot state how fortunate we feel, how much gratitude we feel for the Farmington DDA [Downtown Development Authority] and the people of Farmington,” said Miguel Williams, owner-operator of Apothecary Espresso & Coffee.
Rachelle Hoover of Farmington Hills won the grand prize of $1,000 for submitting Apothecary Coffee as her local gem. Garo Danayan of Huntington Woods won second place and $500 for submitting Noorjahan Indian Cuisine in Royal Oak. Christie Rigoulot of Waterford won third place and $250 for submitting Crave Nutrition in Waterford.
“I just love this place because it’s so cozy. There’s great coffee and great service,” Hoover said.
The sweepstakes winners were randomly selected from a pool of 984 photo entries. Nearly 500 different businesses were submitted as a Local Gem. Genisys Credit Union partnered with Oakland County and provided the cash prizes.
| Place | MOST |
|---|---|
| 1 | HobbyTown, Southfield |
| 2 | (Tie) AM2PM Barbershop, Southfield | It’s the Little Things, Ortonville |
| 3 | (Tie) Designed Mindfully, Pontiac | Vibrant Vizionz, Oak Park |
| 4 | Impact North, Ortonville |
| 5 | (Tie) Bizzy Buzz Artisan Market, Rochester | Monarch Home Design, Holly |
| 6 | (Tie) Hamilton’s Feed & Fuel, Ortonville | Marcia Hovland Studio Gallery, Royal Oak | Road Less Traveled Book Store, Farmington |
| 7 | (Tie) Altered Designs, Holly | Bijou Salon and Spa, Farmington |
| 8 | (Tie) Bittersweet Café, Holly | Catching Fireflies, Berkley | My New Favorite Thing, Waterford | Unexpected Craft Brewing Company, Oak Park |
| 9 | (Tie) Design to Shine Salon, Madison Heights | Noelle the Stylist Studio, Madison Heights | Uncle Joe’s Chicken Fingers, Southfield |
| 10 | (Tie) Salinair Salt Room Spa, Rochester Hills | Crave Nutrition, Waterford |
| LEAST |
Apothecary Espresso & Coffee 
Dom Holmes, Deputy Director of Economic Development 
Kate Knight, Executive Director Main Street Farmington / Downtown Development Authority 
LEFT: Apothecary Owner Miguel Williams, Executive David Coulter, Commissioner William Miller, and Ground Control Coffee Roasters Owner James McLaughlan 
LEFT: Rachelle Hoover, Executive Dave Coulter and Garo Danayan
About Local Gems Sweepstakes
Oakland County’s Economic Development Department organizes the Local Gems Sweepstakes with assistance from Main Street Oakland County and Oakland Thrive. Genysis Credit Union is the financial sponsor.
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