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Four Businesses To Compete For $50K Hatch Detroit Contest

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - The list of start-up businesses competing for a $50,000 grant from Hatch Detroit have been narrowed down to four following a public vote.

Nearly 24,000 votes were cast in person and online in the semifinals of the 2014 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest presented by the Detroit Lions.

The final four businesses selected by voters are:

  • Cockadoodle, a full-service breakfast and lunch concept planned for the Avenue of Fashion that embodies the values of farm-freshness, genuine hospitality, quality standards and community honor;
  • Gabriel Hall, which plans to be a live entertainment bar and restaurant which celebrates the rich New Orleans-Detroit musical history and connection featuring an authentic Cajun menu and signature drinks;
  • Sister Pie, which plans to celebrate the seasons through pie and will use seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients to create sweet and savory food, including pies, cookies, breads and breakfast pastries; and
  • Third Wave Music, an instrument retail store concept that plans to sell new and used instruments, provide lessons and operate a repair facility, and aims to become a necessary place for Detroit musicians.

"The public support for this year's contestants has been phenomenal," said Vittoria Katanski, executive director of Hatch Detroit in a release. "We expect nothing less than a heated competition between this year's top four finalists vying for the top spot and $50,000 grant."

The winning business pitch will receive a $50,000 grant from Comerica Bank, along with legal, marketing, accounting and IT support from Hatch Detroit.

The second round of public voting runs through noon Wednesday, Aug. 20, at hatchdetroit.com, Hatch Detroit's Facebook page or in-person at these voting booths around Detroit:

  • Saturday, Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Peaches and Greens, 8838 Third St.,
  • Saturday, Aug. 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Simply Casual, 19400 Livernois Ave.,
  • Monday, Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Detroit Institute of Bagels, 1236 Michigan Ave.,
  • Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Peacock Room, 15 E. Kirby St.

The winner will be announced Aug. 20 at the Hatch Off event, where the final four will present their business pitch one last time to a panel of judges in the glass atrium at Ford Field in downtown Detroit.

"This year's finalists have shown tremendous resolve in proving they're worthy to be mentioned alongside previous winners Batch Brewing, La Feria and Hugh," said Michael T. Ritchie, president, Comerica Bank-Michigan, in a release. "There's no doubt that the success of entrepreneurs will help fuel our city's revitalization. The impressive support of this year's contest confirms that Detroiters are all-in for small business."

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