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The Communicator

The Communicator

Mark Hodesh: Ann Arbor Entrepreneur

Mark Hodesh started the Fleetwood Diner in 1971. Since then, Hodesh has expanded his businesses to cover almost the entire block on Ashley between Liberty and Main. Like any man with a passion, Hodesh knew that business was his calling at a young age.“My parents took me to New Orleans when I was six or seven years old, and we stayed at the French quarter in a courtyard, that had a brick well in the middle, and people walked up and threw money in it, and I thought, ‘man I want one of those,’” Hodesh said.

Mark Hodesh stands in front of Downtown Home and Garden

A self described “serial entrepreneur,” Hodesh has owned and operated a variety of businesses. “I started the Fleetwood Diner in January of 1971, sold it, bought this place [Downtown Home and Garden] in ʼ75, bought a hotel in Maine in 1983. I bought Downtown Home and Garden again in 1987, Markʼs Carts in 2011, and Billʼs Beer Garden this fall.”Hodesh’s story of success is unique in a time of economic decline. His enthusiasm for business and passion for the community are what guides his business practices. Knowing how to find your place in the community is key. “What I’ve learned is that a business is not just number crunching and bean counting, although that does have something to do with it. Itʼs really a social perspective on how youʼre going to run it, and how you fit it into the community,” he claimed.

Although many business owners report being affected by the slow economic recovery, Hodesh claims that his business has trended upwards since he first began entrepreneuring. “Things always get better. Every month, every year is better than the previous; itʼs incredible. That has a lot to do with Ann Arbor because itʼs such a strong town….Ann Arbor likes us. We get fan mail all the time,” he said.

Hodesh feels that, in addition to having a supportive community, the Obama presidency has eased the burden of operating business.The cost of business operation has risen in parallel with rising healthcare costs. However, Hodesh claims that, “The Obama presidency has been very good for us because they passed the Affordable Care Act. That has been very helpful for us because we keep our employees a long time. Because health insurance costs have gone up about 300 percent in about ten years, itʼs very expensive. Weʼre small enough that we qualify for about a 25-30 percent tax credit to help us pay for that health insurance. The Obama policies have been good for our business.”

Hodesh’s connection to the community and work ethic are what have enabled him to persevere and thrive through economic decline. Downtown Home and Garden and Mark’s Carts are hot-spots of local culture. Stop by sometime for a vegetarian burrito, some flower bulbs, or just to have a chat.

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Mark Hodesh: Ann Arbor Entrepreneur