By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
Where else would stacks of fine meats and gourmet cheeses be found on a slab of stone other than Motor City Granite’s official grand opening last Wednesday, November 18.
Owners Charlie Thiede and Todd Garris snipped the official ribbon in their now finished show room, amongst stacks of granite, marble, silestone, color quartz, and zodiaq, just a few of their palatable stones.
The company, which officially opened in March, has already completed over 350 projects, most of which are in the local area.
Many of their projects have been refinishing and updating kitchens for houses on Lake Orion, as well as designing for local builders Moceri and Hillan Homes in residential developments.
According to Thiede, it’s hard not to get giddy when installing a new countertop.
‘You can use high gloss stone in one area, and maybe a leather stone on an island with a chiseled edge, there are a lot of fun things you can do with the different textures,? he said. ‘It’s a fun business because people are excited about replacing their counter tops. It’s a big purchase and they want to work with someone they can trust, and someone who really knows what they’re doing. And that’s one thing we bring.?
His favorite stone of the month’because they change quite frequently’is not the stone itself, but the finish.
‘Now the original colors are available with a brushed or a leather like finish, where you can actually feel the finish, or some are honed so it’s a matte finish as opposed to a high gloss.?
Just bring a mock drawing of your kitchen and a couple ideas to Thiede or Garris, and they can help design from there. From color selection, project management, fabrication and installation, their company tries to offer the full experience. Motor City Granite can remove existing countertops, install, reconnect plumbing and also grants warrantees for stain protection.
Their showroom is located at 33 North Broadway, and all the manufacturing and fabrication is completed at a manufacturing facility in Oxford.
Stop by the shop in downtown Lake Orion between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays for a quote, a chat, or just to take in the beauty of the stone display.