NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e Sp
JANUARY 15, 2025 candgnews.com
Macomb County and Grosse Pointe papers
Velvet Peanut Butter makes smooth transition to new owner BY K. MICHELLE MORAN
kmoran@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — A Detroit lunchtime staple is coming back home. Atwater Brewery founder Mark Rieth, of Grosse Pointe Farms, has purchased Velvet Peanut Butter and plans to bring production of the beloved sandwich spread back to Detroit. Rieth closed on the purchase Jan. 2. Rieth, who sold Atwater to Molson Coors in 2022, has been in the brewery and beverage industry for more than 25 years. He laughingly admits that buying a peanut butter business “was never in the forefront of my mind,” but he grew up eating Velvet Peanut Butter and, coincidentally, was from a family of three boys, not unlike the Velvet logo that features three boys to represent the brand’s classic tagline, “Fresh. Pure. Delicious.” Rieth said he intends to bring production of Velvet back to Detroit. A Livonia plant “shut down many, many years ago — probably 40 years ago,” Rieth said.
Grosse Pointer Mark Rieth, who is well known for his work in the beverage industry, has recently purchased Detroit-born Velvet Peanut Butter. He plans to bring production back to Detroit. Velvet Peanut Butter was started in Detroit in the late 1930s. Photos provided by Velvet Peanut Butter
See VELVET on page 10A
SIMULATOR SHOWS STUDENTS DANGERS OF IMPAIRED DRIVING BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Words and photos can send a strong message about impaired driving, but an immersive experience can be even more direct. The International Save a Life Tour put on a demonstration for kids in Clintondale High School’s conference center on Dec. 12. Students were able to experience impaired driving in two different ways: when under the influence of alcohol and while texting. A driver’s seat, pedals and a steering wheel gave a tactile experience, while vir-
tual reality goggles helped make it even more immersive. Kids attempted to drive down a road while trying to follow posted speed limits all while either distracted or impaired. Obstacles were at every turn for the drivers to navigate. Clintondale junior Austin Michalec tried out the drunken driving simulator. He said it was harder than anticipated and that it gave him a new perspective. “It was a very bumpy drive, not very smooth,” Michalec said. “It was also very slow to turn as well.” Clintondale senior Abrianna Guzman, who did the texting and See SIMULATOR on page 7A
Clintondale students were able to use two impaired driving simulators at the International Save a Life Tour’s Dec. 12 event. International Save a Life Tour Manager Titus Koso assists one of the Clintondale High School students using the impaired driving simulator. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes