(CBS DETROIT) – A brand that was born in Detroit is climbing its way to the top shelf in bars across the mitten.
“It’s not about literally being born in Detroit. It’s about Detroit being born in you,” said Anthony Tomey, co-owner of 8 Mile Vodka and Born in Detroit apparel.
Tomey has spent his life in Michigan.
“Been a Detroit-area guy my whole life. I went to Detroit Catholic Central, Eastern Michigan, and then I played with the Tigers organization for six years. I was drafted in ’03, which was the worst team of all time. Literally the worst thing of all time the Major League history,” he said.
He decided to transfer his pride and passion for the city into two products. That’s when 8 Mile Vodka, the winner of the 2023 Vodka Masters top prize, and Born in Detroit apparel line came to life.
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“That was just a tough thing. I mean to start a business and take it all the way as much harder for me than it was throwing a baseball,” he said.
“It’s not about being born in Detroit, it’s about Detroit being born in you. So, you had that grit, that hard work ethic that, you know, bring your lunch pail kind of attitude. The city Detroit itself has really made a great comeback, and we want everyone to understand that that’s what we’re all about as well.”
While making a comeback, Tomey is finding ways to give back.
“We started doing collaborations with local high schools, colleges, foundations. We also give a piece back to the organization and to the school or to whomever,” he said.
To suggest a business for future “Michigan Made” segments, e-mail Amyre Makupson at amyre.makupson@cbs.com.
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Amyre Makupson
Amyre Makupson is a proud native of Detroit, Michigan. She is a graduate of Mercy High School in Farmington Hills.
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Temperatures stay above average well into next week
DETROIT – Sweet summertime! The days are numbered, but we are ending the season at or above average. Highs will be around 80 degrees today and tomorrow with plenty of sunshine. However, areas of fog appear likely tonight, so take that into consideration ahead of your Friday morning commute.
Weekend and Beyond
There is a slight chance of showers and non-severe thunderstorms late Saturday into Saturday night. At this point, those rain chances look to not be very impactful for outdoor activities during the daylight hours. Warm and dry Sunday through Wednesday as temperatures will be on either side of 80.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
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About the Author
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Ashlee Baracy
Ashlee Baracy is an Emmy award-winning meteorologist who was born and raised in Metro Detroit. You can catch her 4Warn Weather forecasts weekday mornings, at noon and streaming on Local4+.
The fast-casual restaurant next to Yale’s campus will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages, the Board of Zoning Appeals decided unanimously on Tuesday evening.
Nicolas Ciminiello
3:14 am, Sep 10, 2025
Staff Reporter
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Rachel Mak, Photography Editor
Bobbi’s, a new pizza place opening soon on Broadway, was granted special permission to sell alcohol from New Haven’s zoning board at its monthly meeting on Tuesday evening.
The decision for the Yale property occupant clears another hurdle in the path to opening the restaurant for its owner, Ankit Chellani. Chellani also owns and operates the Indian restaurant Sherkaan, a few hundred yards north on Broadway.
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“There’s a new square coming to New Haven,” Bobbi’s website says. The restaurant bills itself as selling “Detroit-ish” style pizzas.
Bobbi’s will seek to distinguish itself as a thick-crust, rectangular-style pizza restaurant in a city well known for its thin, wood-fired “apizza.”
Bobbi’s was represented at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting by land use attorney Ben Trachten, who formerly served as the board’s chair. Trachten handled six different cases before the board Tuesday evening, speaking via Zoom to the group at City Hall. Chellani was not present at the meeting.
Even though his client was applying for a full liquor license, the restaurant would only sell certain types of alcoholic beverages, Trachten said.
“It would just be bottled cocktails,” Trachten said. “The applicant will not sell any hard alcohol above an ABV of 10 percent,” he added, referring to alcohol by volume.
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The storefront at 51 Broadway had previously been inhabited by Salsa Fresca and Broadway Kitchen. It was acquired by Yale in 2023.
Trachten also provided more details on both the business’s timeline and specific nature.
“It’s already built up, ready to go,” Trachten stated. “The business will primarily be focused on takeout pizza.”
As a part of its exception to the standard zoning rules, Bobbi’s agreed to stay open no later than 11 p.m. and to host no live entertainment.
There was no public opposition to the exception, which the Board of Zoning Appeals granted unanimously.
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NICOLAS CIMINIELLO
Nicolas Ciminiello covers businesses, unions and the economy. From Easton, CT, he is a junior in Murray College majoring in ethics, politics and economics.
Make the city brighter! The BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival is back for its third annual celebration in Detroit, Michigan, running Monday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 14.
This year, the event will unveil 10 new large-scale murals by local and national artists, transforming spaces across the area.Lamar Landers
“Attendees will experience a different landscape of the city,” BLKOUT Walls founder Sydney G. James tells ET.
“The featured artists are painting on walls located in the Woodbridge and Franklin neighborhoods and on East Jefferson Avenue.”
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Beyond enjoying the art itself, guests can attend talks to hear the inspirations behind the installations, each designed to amplify BIPOC voices. Lamar Landers
“We prioritize small business-owned properties to adorn. The owners of the property and the surrounding neighbors get beautification revitalization,” James explains.
The 2025 theme, A Beautiful Resistance, challenges selected participants to reshape the atmosphere of their environments through vibrant, joy-filled work.
“A mural, sculpture, and/or art installation is meant to create and/or change a mood of a space,” James says.
For James and her fellow artists, it’s also about supporting the community.
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Lamar Landers
“Art itself — or better yet, the sharing of art — is giving back, especially when referring to public art,” she notes.
Before wrapping up the festival, there will be a BLKOUT Walls Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 1–5 p.m. at Spirit Plaza (2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226).
