Business & Commerce

More than 2,400 individuals and organizations have established businesses in Royal Oak. A cross section of the business community reveals a diversity of enterprises. Some extend services such as accounting, architecture, banking, dining, fitness, recreation, funeral planning, health care, insurance, photography, real estate, law and repairs. Other establishments offer retail goods such as apparel, art, automobiles, books, computers and software, furniture, gasoline, gifts, groceries, hardware, household items, music, pharmaceuticals, sports equipment and tools. Manufacturing and industry are also well represented. Recently, Royal Oak has become the local center of the e-business community. Many computer-related businesses find Royal Oak’s location, population and culture a prime fit for their creative, high-tech companies.

A unique feature contributing to the solidity of the Royal Oak business community is that many businesses are owner-occupied.

The largest employers in Royal Oak according to the number of employees, are William Beaumont Hospital, Metaldyne, Consumers Energy and DTE.

Chamber of Commerce 

Founded in 1936 and over 600 members strong today, the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce strives to maintain Royal Oak’s attractive and economically sound business community.

The Chamber is organized, supported and directed by members representing all segments of the business community including retail, restaurant, industrial, professional services, service clubs, non-profit and individuals. It is dedicated to bringing business persons, civic groups, local government and citizens together to advance the economic, professional, cultural and civic welfare of the community.

In addition to a variety of member events and services geared to increasing business opportunities for its members, the Chamber also sponsors some of Royal Oak’s most popular annual events including, "Royal Oak in Bloom", "Clay, Glass and Metal Show", "Antique & Garage Sale" and the bi-annual "Royal Oak Road Rally".

Visit the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce Web Site for more information.

Woodward Avenue Action Association (WA3)

Royal Oak is a member of the Woodward Avenue Action Association, an eight-member community development group working to enhance Woodward Avenue’s financial, functional and historical significance. Royal Oak, the largest member of the organization, recognizes Woodward Avenue’s importance as one of the most highly sought-after business locations in Southeast Michigan. http://www.woodwardavenue.org

Downtown Development Authority

Established in 1976, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is dedicated to promoting the economic growth of downtown Royal Oak through multiple revitalization efforts. Partnering with the Downtown Royal Oak Association and other organizations, the DDA has been instrumental in successfully completing several redevelopment projects. Some of the DDA’s accomplishments include the Renovation Incentive Program offering financial assistance for downtown renovations; improvements to the library, streetscape, and parking lots; renovations to the Baldwin Theatre and Washington Square Building; and the Woodward Avenue/I-696, National City bank building, Main Street Square and Main Street Center projects. http://www.downtownroyaloak.org

Culture and Art

Education

Royal Oak was recently named one of the “Best Places in America to Raise Kids” by BusinessWeek Magazine. According to the magazine, school performance and safety were weighted most heavily. The Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools K-12 program addresses the needs of all students with highly-qualified, caring teachers helping children reach their potential as they prepare for the future. There is foreign language instruction for Kindergarten through 12th grades and an expansive fine and performing arts program. In addition, the District utilizes a broad array of technology across all grade levels and subjects. Academically, Royal Oak students score well above the State average on MEAP tests. Royal Oak’s MEAP and MME scores compare favorably with other Oakland County school districts. The Royal Oak Neighborhood School District includes six elementary schools, Royal Oak Middle School and Royal Oak High School. Churchill Community Education Center offers two alternative high school programs, adult English as a Second Language, GED classes and testing, and a variety of adult enrichment classes. Addams Early Childhood Center features child care for toddlers 2 ½ to 5 years of age, and preschool classes for eligible 3- and 4-year-old children. Visit our schools and experience the Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools Difference! www.royaloakschools.com.

Several parochial schools exist in Royal Oak. St. Dennis, St. Mary Elementary, and St. Paul Lutheran offer instruction for preschool through eighth grade. Shrine of the Little Flower provides instruction for preschool through sixth grade, and Shrine High School and Academy for grades 7-12.

Higher Education

The Royal Oak campus of Oakland Community College is located in the heart of downtown. Approximately 6,000 students attend day, evening and weekend classes to upgrade job skills, complete associate degrees, earn transfer credits to universities, and for personal enrichment. The average student age is 28 years old. About 30 percent of its enrollment is from minority groups, and international students represent about 50 different countries. Along with traditional undergraduate courses, the campus offers outstanding programs in computer information systems, ceramics, photography, and English as a second language. The city’s cultural life is enhanced by the campus’ 400 seat theater that holds musical performances and free lectures by renowned photographers and authors. The Royal Oak campus is one of five countywide campuses that make up Oakland Community College, one of the largest multi-campus systems in the nation.

Health Care

Residents from Royal Oak and surrounding communities can receive top quality health care from William Beaumont Hospital, the primary health care facility in the Royal Oak area. The hospital is a major teaching center and receives referrals from doctors and hospitals in other states and around the world. It ranks among the five top hospitals in the nation for its number of admissions and surgeries. Beaumont has a staff of over 7,500 full and part-time employees. Beaumont has been included on the U.S. News & World Report’s annual "America’s Best Hospitals" list since 1995 and was named in 10 of 16 medical specialties in 1999. Beaumont has been designated as one of the "100 Top Hospitals" by health care consultants HCIA Inc. and William M. Mercer Inc., in recognition of high quality, cost-efficient care.

History

Early settlers to Royal Oak were farmers who cleared land to build their homes and plant crops, as agriculture was the primary occupation of the time. The advent of the railroad soon brought about logging, milling and other industries. Many early settlers to the area migrated from New York, including Orson Starr, the township’s first manufacturer. He became well known for making cowbells. In 1845, he built his wooden frame home incorporating many characteristics of Greek Revival, an architectural style that was popular at the time. The home still stands at its original site on Main Street, reminiscent of the days when Royal Oak was a remote township. The Orson Starr House (3123 N Main Street) is currently listed in Michigan’s State Register of Historic Sites and has been designated an historic district. The Orson Starr House Historic District has also received the official project designation of "Save America’s Treasures," awarded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In 1819, Michigan Gov. Lewis Cass and several companions set out on an exploration of Michigan territory to disprove land surveyors’ claims that the territory was swampy and uninhabitable. The beginning of their journey seemed to support those claims until they reached a desirable area of higher ground near the intersections of Main, Rochester and Crooks Roads. Here they encountered a stately oak tree with a trunk considerably wider than most other oaks. Its large branches reminded Cass of the legend of the royal oak tree, under which King Charles II of England took sanctuary from enemy forces in 1660. Cass and his companions christened the tree, the "Royal Oak." And so Royal Oak received its name.

As early as 1891, when Royal Oak was a small village, there were only a few hundred residents. In the 10-year span from 1900 to 1910 the population grew to over 1,000. By the time Royal Oak was incorporated as a city in 1921, the population had exploded to over 6,000. This was due in large part to new jobs created by the booming auto industry. The development of the super highway, Woodward Avenue, led to greater population expansion. Woodward Avenue replaced the old Indian road, Saginaw Trail, as the connection between Detroit, Pontiac, Flint and Saginaw, making Royal Oak more accessible. Today, the 28-mile Woodward Avenue (M-1), bridging 10 communities from the Detroit River north to downtown Pontiac, holds the honorary designation of Michigan Heritage Route. The designation was awarded because of the historical and cultural significance of some 350 sites along Woodward Avenue, including 42 historic churches.

Completion of 1-696 on the southern border of Royal Oak in 1989, positioned the city centrally within Southeast Michigan. Merchants and city government began pumping new life into the city’s downtown.

Get Involved

Everyone young and old can get involved in the history of Royal Oak. There are several groups that meet on a regular basis and are willing to accept volunteers!

Historic District Commission
Established by Ordinance § 82-13. The duty of the Commission is to review all plans for the construction, addition, alteration, repair, moving, excavation, or demolition of resources in a historic district. The Commission consists of seven members whose residence is located within the City of Royal Oak. A majority of the members shall have a clearly demonstrated interest in or knowledge of historic preservation. Serving three-year terms the Commission usually meets the third Tuesday of the month from September to June.

Historic District Study Committee
Established by Ordinance § 82-1 the Historic District Study Committee researches proposed historic districts for the purpose historic preservation in the City. There are seven members serving three-year terms, with one or more members of the Historical Commission or Historic District Commission. The Committee meets as needed.

Royal Oak Historical Commission
The Historical Commission is a policy-making body, which advises the City Commission on matters relating to or advancing the historical interests of the City of Royal Oak. The seven members are appointed by the City Commission and serve three-year terms. At least one member should be a member of the Historic District Commission or Historic District Study Committee. The Commission usually meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from September to June.

Royal Oak Historical Society
The Royal Oak Historical Society is a volunteer, membership organization whose purpose is to encourage historical study and research, to collect and preserve historical materials, and to record the forklore connected with the City of Royal Oak and its vicinity.

Roundtable of Royal Oak Historical Organizations
The Historical Roundtable is a group of representatives from each of the above four groups. The Roundtable works to collaborate the historical efforts through-out the City of Royal Oak. This gives the opportunity for each group to report on their plans, progress, special needs, events and interests.

It's never too late to be a part of history!

Leisure and Special Events

Local Attractions

Farmers Market The freshest in-season produce can be found at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, located at 316 E 11 Mile Rd (just 2 blocks east of Main Street). A legacy since 1927, the market sells only food products that Michigan farmers grow themselves. Some of the farmers who bring their crops to the market travel from locations up to four hours from Royal Oak, extending the seasons availability for many varieties of fruits and vegetables. In addition to food products, the Farmers Market sells numerous varieties of annuals and perennials in the spring and summer, and greenery and pine trees in December. Crafts and antiques are often available at the Farmers Market.

Detroit Zoo Children and adults of all ages enjoy an excursion to the Detroit Zoo, conveniently located in Royal Oak at the intersections of Interstate 696, Woodward Avenue and Ten Mile Road. Sprawling over 125 acres, the zoo’s naturalistic exhibits house 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates of 275 different species. Opened in 1928, it was the first zoo in the United States to use natural exhibits without barriers. Recent additions to the Detroit Zoo include the National Amphibian Conservation Center, a facility devoted entirely to the research and exhibition of amphibians, and the Arctic Ring of Life showcasing polar bears and recreating the North Pole environment. These new exhibits are two of the world’s largest animal exhibits. http://www.detroitzoo.org

Location

Royal Oak is easily accessible by many transportation means. Close proximity to 1-696, 1-75, Woodward Avenue and other major roads, makes auto travel to Royal Oak convenient from surrounding areas. SMART, the public transit system, services Royal Oak daily, as does its Connector system, which provides transportation within Royal Oak by appointment. Daily stops are made in Royal Oak for Amtrak passenger train service to and from several main hub cities, including Chicago. Air access to and from the area is available via Detroit Metropolitan International, Detroit City and Oakland County International Airports, as well as Bishop Airport in Flint. Its central location positions Royal Oak as the gateway to Southeast Michigan.

Parks & Recreation

Parks

Royal Oak is proud of its 50 scenic parks, including two that are natural pristine reserves (Cummingston Park and Tehave Woods in Quickstad Park). Aggregately, they provide over 310 acres of natural woodlands and support a variety of interests. Some nestled in quiet neighborhoods focus on solace and retreat. Some have playscape equipment for children. Others provide tennis courts, frisbee-golf or play fields for organized team sporting events. Memorial Park, located at Woodward Avenue and Thirteen Mile Road, features three lighted ball diamonds and concession services.

Recreation and Sports

Assorted activities are available to Royal Oak youth, adults and families through school, recreation and organization facilities. Sports-minded youth can play on a number of athletic leagues including hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer and girls softball. Adult leagues provide play in basketball, touch football, softball and sand volleyball. Swim instruction and open swim are available to all ages at Dondero and Kimball high schools. Children and adults can participate in instructional programs for dance, golf, tennis, badminton, tai chi, general fitness and other activities.  The city’s John Lindell Ice Arena houses two indoor ice rinks for hockey leagues, year-round open skating and instructional classes for figure, hockey and speed skating.

The hazy days of summer need not be lazy, as the summer months hold a variety of options for youth. They can attend general day camps or day camps providing instruction in football, in-line skating, in-line hockey, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, girls volleyball, girls softball and cheerleading. Activity centers at several elementary schools provide supervised play, outings, games, and special projects in arts and crafts.

Services

Community Services

The Royal Oak Senior/Community Center offers enrichment programs and activities that encourage participation, independence and self-fulfillment for the mature adult population. Some include fitness, workshops, discussion groups, card parties and billiards tournaments. Instruction is available in crochet, art, dancing and investment planning. Other programs include outreach, hot meals, transportation, legal aid and support groups. Royal Oak residents age 60 and older can obtain in-home services through Royal Oak Senior Emergency Services (R.O.S.E.S.).

An archetype of valuable information to the community since 1852, the Royal Oak Public Library has served to support the continuous enhancement of knowledge. The library is a member of a multi-library network serving over 2.4 million residents in six counties. The network is comprised of over 65 public and several academic libraries, and is the largest library cooperative in the state. As the information network has evolved, so has the Royal Oak Public Library. It provides Internet access for research and other online services. The Royal Oak Public Library is committed to be an informational, intellectual and cultural resource for the community.

The Royal Oak community is dedicated to preserving quality of life. This is evidenced by the more than 400 volunteer members serving on at least 60 city boards, committees and groups. Neighborhood associations have been created to address specific local interests. The Royal Oak community recognizes the importance of investing in tomorrow’s adults. Youth programs are offered through the Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, Judson Center, and several fraternal and philanthropic groups. Other community resources include the Royal Oak Youth Assistance
and the Royal Oak Community Coalition. These and other great community
resources can be found on the Community Links area of the web site.

Municipal Services

The city of Royal Oak provides a full line of municipal services to meet the many needs of its residents. Royal Oak employs a responsive Police department to preserve a safe community, and a full-time Fire department that has Advanced Life Support with transport. Some of the other full-time departments housed within the city are Highway, Parks and Forestry, Public Service, Recreation, Engineering and Building Inspection/Code Enforcement.

Worship

From its early settlement, Royal Oak has demonstrated a strong religious heritage. The city’s traditional small-town values are a testament to its religious faith. In 1838, a Methodist church was founded, and in 1839 a Baptist church was the first church building constructed in Royal Oak. By the mid to late 1800s, Congregational, Lutheran, Catholic and German Evangelical churches were also founded. Today there are more than 42 houses of worship in Royal Oak, serving the diverse religious faiths of the community. Some churches are of simple construction and others are monuments of architectural design and structure. The First Baptist Church of Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Methodist Episcopal (now the First United Methodist) churches are listed in the State Register of Historical Sites and have received State Historical Markers. The Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic Church has been declared a national shrine, a distinction given to only a few churches in the United States.

Shrine of the Little Flower

First United Methodist Church