DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS COLLABORATE FOR FOLLOW THAT CAB

By Jenni Soetaert

The people of Kalamazoo have a long history of taking pride in their work. Maybe that is why some of the best American-made products have come from this small mid-western town.

In 1923 The Checker Cab Manufacturing Company came to Kalamazoo , and the Checker has since become an American Icon. It represents the great cities of America , New York , Boston , Chicago , L.A. , and it all started here, in our own town!

Everyone is looking forward to seeing these “Checker” cabs around our great community for a long time to come. Thankfully, due to the generosity of community members and the talents of local artists, the existence of the Checker continues.

The wildly successful community art project titled Hail Kalamazoo is now entering its final stages. Local owners of Checkers have been showing their support by donating their cabs to Hail Kalamazoo. Then, local artists take these old vehicles and go to work turning them into artful masterpieces. In turn, the newly mural designed cabs are auctioned off.

The proceeds of Hail Kalamazoo are shared between the The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and The Kalamazoo Chapter of the American Red Cross. They continue to be used to support the thriving local art community’s needs and to help assist the survivors of last years Tsunami.

Most recently, The Downtown Kalamazoo Restaurant Association has initiated a collaboration with Hail Kalamazoo. DKRA’s goal is to create a downtown environment that is sought after, thriving, and successful! To that end, the two have paired up to bring a scavenger hunt named Follow That Cab . Follow That Cab’s purpose is to have everyone (local businesses, retailers, restaurants, and public) join together in order to enhance the growth and vitality of downtown Kalamazoo , as well as admire the work of local artists. Twenty of the Hail Kalamazoo cabs will be located at various downtown restaurants and retail stores during the week of Monday, July 11, through Friday, July 15. Participants in the scavenger hunt will be given clues that require them to examine each cab closely, driving players into, or in front of, each establishment.

Participants will receive prizes for completing the scavenger hunt, refreshments & treats at participating retailers, discounted or featured items at downtown eateries, and just have some plain old fun! Each cab host will remain open until 9pm on Friday evening, July 15, in order to accommodate participants. The scavenger hunt forms can be turned in that same evening, at the Arts Council.

The following are the participating Follow That Cab establishments:

The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo

Athena Book Shop

Bimbo’s Pizza

Blue Dolphin

Bogie’s Café

Dancing Cranes Salon & Apothecary

Epic Bistro

Fervor Art-to-Wear

Francois Moyer

London Grill

Michigan News Agency

Milan Salon & Boutique

Morrison Jewelers

Nature Connection

Oggi

Philosophers Stone

Plata y Oro Jewelers

The Union

Zazio’s

Follow That Cab was initiated by The Downtown Kalamazoo Restaurant Association in collaboration with Hail Kalamazoo. Scavenger hunt forms will be available to the general public in participating locations as early as July 1, 2005.