Grosse Pointe, MI February 2026 by City Lifestyle

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Local Love - The Grosse Pointe Brand

Local isn’t a place—it’s people. It’s the dreams sparked at kitchen tables, the ambition to build something meaningful, and the belief that experiences rooted in community can elevate everyday life. In Grosse Pointe, local means neighbors who pour heart and vision into businesses that reflect both small-town connection and worldclass flair. This February Love Local Issue celebrates those who enhance our community not just through what they offer, but through why they do it.

Our first feature introduces CYL (Change Your Life) Infrared Sauna, where owner Karl Messenger brings together faith, wellness, and service in a powerful way. Karl’s entrepreneurial journey is guided by a deep call to faith and a commitment to helping others feel their best—mind, body, and spirit. CYL is more than a wellness destination; it’s a reflection of Karl’s belief that caring for the body is part of honoring the life we’ve been given, creating space for restoration, clarity, and strength.

Next, we share the story of Feras Nahhas, owner of The Old Pony Martini Pub, whose path to ownership was fueled by hard work, persistence, and an unwavering drive to be great. Built for locals and inspired by community, The Old Pony is a place where celebrations are casual, friendships are familiar, and every visit feels like coming home. It’s a neighborhood pub designed for any occasion—and every person walking through the door.

We also sit down with Dr. Morgan Decker, owner of Decker Dermatology and Mohs Surgery, whose journey comes full circle right here in Grosse Pointe. Growing up in the community, Dr. Decker always envisioned returning home to open her own practice. She didn’t just fulfill that dream—she restored a historic space in the Village into what is now one of the most stunning office environments in Grosse Pointe, while delivering world-class expertise and compassionate care to her patients.

As we close, we reflect on the success of The Heart of Grosse Pointe campaign led by Grosse Pointe City Lifestyle. This initiative served as a catalyst throughout the Christmas and holiday season, bringing locals and visitors from across Metro Detroit together to support our businesses, our community, and people who make Grosse Pointe extraordinary. It brought tangible, verifiable, financial benefits to the local businesses and Grosse Pointe brand. Follow @grossepointecitylifestyle to see what was done and what is coming.

The Heart of Grosse Pointe has never been stronger.

February 2026

PUBLISHER

David Mattaliano | david.mattaliano@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Paige Peabody | paige.peabody@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Lisa Gindi | lisa.gindi@citylifestyle.com

Erin McGregor | erin.mcgregor@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sue Baldani, Margaret Carroll

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Andreas Browne, Cybelle Codish

DAVID MATTALIANO, PUBLISHER @GROSSEPOINTECITYLIFESTYLE

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

We’re committed to your health. Whether you’re just getting moving or staying at the top of your game, we are here for you. Fitness Classes. Nutrition programs. Wellness workshops. We can help you stay strong, steady and feeling your best. Visit us online or in person and see all the ways The Helm is there on your fitness journey.

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Easter Easter at Ford House at Ford House

PHOTOS WITH THE EASTER BUNNY

Create lasting memories with their little ones.

Sunday, March 28, 2026

EASTER BRUNCH

Savor a thoughtfully prepared brunch buffet featuring a variety of baked goods, fresh fruit, and warm, made-to-order favorites, along with other seasonal selections.

Sunday, April 5, 2026

FRESH FARMS MARKET

CYL INFRARED STUDIO GROSSE POINTE

Connecting Mind and Body

ARTICLE BY MARGARET CARROLL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CYBELLE CODISH

The achievement of wellness in mind, body and spirit has many components. Among them is the practice of taking a sauna as a means of detoxifying both body and mind in a practice dating back thousands of years across many cultures.

“I see mind-body faith as having a strong connection.”

It is now within easy reach of Grosse Pointers, thanks to the Change Your Life Infrared Sauna, an Urban Sweat Company located on Mack Avenue.

Wellness is a core belief of owner Karl Messenger, known to many as a pastor and the former Area Director of Young Life ministry in Grosse Pointe.

“I see mind-body faith as having a strong connection,” says Karl, who opened CYL in April 2022 to carry out his vision of bringing wellness - - true wellness that results from the mind-body connection that is at the very heart of his Christian faith -beyond the walls of church and into the community.

“Do you want to be well? In every facet of our humanity, do you want to be well?” Karl asks. If the answer is yes, “Making the leap to wellness is a pretty easy connection.” Helping others get there by way of a wellness studio is a natural effort for him because it provides him with a means of sharing his experience, strength and hope with others. After all, one of his

tattoos says, “Hope Dealer.” He acquired the tattoo to serve as a reminder of a pact he made with friends involved with the nonprofit Laundry Project in Tampa, Florida (which provides free laundry services for low-income families), to stay faithful to their calling and carry the message of hope with them everywhere they go and in everything they do.

Karl Messenger has made it his personal creed, so it was a natural progression to get involved with a business venture that allows him to promote wellness in both body and mind.

“I have always been entrepreneurial,” Karl reports. “Anything that is customer-focused got my attention.” When he experienced firsthand the benefits of CYL Infrared Sauna, it was a logical next step on his career path.

CYL Infrared Sauna offers a full-body, immersive, and relaxing experience through infrared sauna sessions, red light therapy, and a cold plunge.

Clients can safely heat their body core in a 30-minute infrared sauna session and begin reaping benefits immediately.

“Toxins in our environment are unavoidable,” Karl explains. “Our body’s natural way to detox is to sweat out the toxins. Sauna also aids in muscle recovery. A lot of our clients come to CYL right after they work out.

“The red light provides skin benefits that work from the outside in,” he adds. “It mimics natural sunlight, increasing serotonin levels and boosting energy to help with seasonal depression. Red light also improves acne, smoothes out wrinkles, and helps soothe sore muscles.”

Taking a cold plunge after improves circulation and tightens pores.

More importantly, these practices enhance and strengthen the mind-body wellness connection.

“Taking a cold plunge involves doing a hard thing,” Karl explains. “Your body says, ‘I don’t like this.’ But after you do it, your body says, ‘I feel great now.’ There is something very empowering about it.”

Karl has always had a mindset for wellness that is rooted in his strong Christian faith. He holds a degree in Religion from Missouri Baptist University and moved to Grosse Pointe to serve in a pastoral role at Grace Community Church. While there, he met his future wife, Liz. They married and moved to Tampa, Florida, where Karl worked in the nonprofit sector.

They returned to Grosse Pointe in the summer of 2020, when Karl joined Young Life ministry in Grosse Pointe as Area Director. He served Young Life for two years, and his experiences strengthened and deepened his commitment to wellness that is rooted in Christ.

Karl was on a trip to Dallas (where he grew up) visiting a high school friend who invited him to check out a CYL Infrared Studio for the first time.

“I walked in and was blown away,” Karl says. “It was very nice and very high-end. I tried the sauna therapy and cold plunge and was hooked immediately.

“I felt great. I slept that night. It was amazing.”

Karl explored options for bringing the concept home to Grosse Pointe, and the result was the opening of his first franchise location here soon after. He is expanding and has just opened a second CYL franchise in Louisville, Kentucky.

Karl and Liz are firmly rooted in Grosse Pointe. “I am all about local,” he says. “We live here and work here and serve here.” Karl coaches Bulldogs hockey

“Where in our busy days do we get 30 minutes to relax and rest?”

at East Side Hockey, and his wife, Liz, is the Head Freshman Girls Basketball Coach at Grosse Pointe South High School and also coaches a travel team of eighth graders.

“We feel Grosse Pointe is home,” Karl says. “It is great to provide Grosse Pointers with a service and a resource to help everyone get well.

“Where in our busy days do we get 30 minutes to relax and rest?”

CYL Infrared Studio is located at 17108 Mack Avenue. Hours are 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. MondayFriday; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. weekends. Check out their website at: www.cylinfraredstudio.com

Putting the needs of my clients first is the approach I believe in. I’ll work with you to find the right financial solutions to help you plan for your unique goals. And together, we’ll track your progress over time, adjusting your plan along the way to help get you where you want to go. Your

313.885.4414

726 Notre Dame St, Grosse Pointe, MI 48230

daniel.j.harrison@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/ daniel.j.harrison

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

OLD PONY MARTINI PUB

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI

When Feras Nahhas arrived in the United States from Jordan in 1993, he was only 10 years old and didn’t speak a word of English. His family settled in Dearborn, and even though it was a struggle, he managed to get through middle school and high school just fine. He even went on to complete a four-year pre-law degree at Wayne State University. This fortitude would serve him well in the years to come.

The college degree, he says, was mainly to please his parents; academics weren’t his passion. “There’s nothing wrong with going to school, but there’s also nothing wrong with venturing out on your own.”

Feras was drawn to the world of business and liked working hard. “I started at an early age working at a grocery store sweeping floors six to seven days a week,” he says. Today, at age 42, he’s a successful entrepreneur living his American dream.

Back in 2006, he had the opportunity to enter the gas station business in the Detroit area. “It was with my brother and some partners,” says Feras. “We started with one station and built it to four and then five.”

Around 2016, he decided to get into the bar/ restaurant business. He and his business partner and good friend, Alaa Samad, bought Moose’s Martini Pub in Dearborn from another friend, Hisam Alawad. “I knew I was buying from an honest guy,” says Feras. “It was established already - he built the name - he built everything. He’s one of those guys who is very knowledgeable about the bar business.”

Feras loved the business so much that in 2019, he and his business partner also bought the Old Pony Martini Pub in Grosse Pointe from Hisam. “I went to eat there a couple of times, and I really liked the dynamics. I also like the area and the people.”

It’s a great place to celebrate any occasion, he says, whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, or a work promotion. It’s a place where people love hanging out - eating and drinking. “It’s a real neighborhood bar, and I like intimate, smaller operations where I can get to know my customers and take care of any issues quickly,” he says. “Although I’ve been here for six years, and I can’t recall ever having an issue.”

Feras was so excited, and since the pub was already so successful, he didn’t change anything at first. Business was great, and the pub was busy, but then COVID hit. “That was a big downfall, but I’m not a failure. I’ll give something a hundred tries before I give up.”

Instead of closing down, he and his partner began offering carry-out, and Feras, who didn’t know how to cook, took over the grill. “I had never flipped a burger in my life,” he says. “I wasn’t a chef. I just knew how to run a business.”

Fortunately, since he spent so much time in the pub, including in the kitchen, he had learned a lot by observing and was able to pick up the spatula and do the job. “I like to be hands-on, and that’s how you keep a business running,” says Feras. “We did what we had to do to pay the bills. We were not going to close or take out another loan.”

CONTINUED >

“Whatever your journey and however many times you get turned down, or you fail, you just have to keep going.”

Today, the Old Pony Martini Pub is as successful as it was before COVID, and Feras made some upgrades. “We put a nice liquor wall shelf behind the register, and we also put in three new TVs,” he says. “The Detroit sports teams are doing great right now, so people can come in and catch any game they want.”

The food is being prepared once again by a trained chef, and the kitchen stays open until 1:00 am to accommodate any night owls. “All of our food is fresh,” says Feras. “Nothing is frozen. We have a great staff and a great location.”

People, he says, also love a great deal, and although the prices of food and liquor have increased significantly in the last few years, the pub’s prices have barely changed.

“You can get a $3 beer or an $8 martini,” he says. “You can have a $4 cheeseburger that is going to fill you up. Our happy hour is amazing too.” Not only is the Old Pony dedicated to the craft of mixology, but it’s also committed to using only the finest ingredients in its cocktails.

Signature martinis, mixed drinks, and a variety of beers are all available all the time.

“All of this brings people in and keeps them happy,” he says.

Feras, a self-proclaimed workaholic, has also ventured into real estate. “My partner and I are now into buying housing properties in the Dearborn Heights area. We like to buy houses and rent them out.”

So, where did he get his entrepreneurial spirit? “My dad [Bassam Nahhas] was a welder,” he says. “He had a hard job, and he was always on the go. My dad was a good guy; he was my best friend. He had heart failure and passed away in 2019, and it was really hard on me.”

Feras is now honoring his father by following in his footsteps, carrying on his serious work ethic. He has accomplished so much, and he never gave up on his dreams.

“Whatever your journey and however many times you get turned down, or you fail, you just have to keep going,” he says.

“If you love what you’re doing, and you’re in the right place, you’ll be successful. Also, in order to grow, you have to surround yourself with the right people. My partner is one of my closest friends, and when we started out, we had the same vision, and now we’re still in business together.”

Feras and his partner also make sure the people who work for him are treated well.

“That’s important when it comes to keeping a business going,” he says. “I really like our employees, and at the Old Pony, most of them have been with us the whole time. We treat them right, and they have no complaints, and they tell me they really like working for us.”

Right now, Feras lives in Dearborn (right across the street from Moose’s Martini Pub), but he’s planning on moving closer to Grosse Pointe soon to avoid the 20-minute commute. “I’m not sure where yet, but I’ll make a decision soon.”

He really likes the Grosse Pointes. “They’re good communities and well-maintained,” says Feras. “I wish I could find another bar that’s in a similar area with a similar concept because I would do it again.”

He adds, “If you perfect just one thing, and give it all you have, you’ll be good at it, and it’ll reward you at the end of the day.”

Stop in for a visit, meet Feras, and immerse yourself in the welcoming atmosphere while enjoying a good burger and a beer. Or, if in a more celebratory mood, order some truffle fries and an artisanal martini. Cheers!

“If you perfect just one thing, and give it all you have, you'll be good at it, and it'll reward you at the end of the day.”

Bus: 313-881-8100

Email: mark@callmarkw.com Callmarkw.com

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREAS BROWNE

DECKER DERMATOLOGY & MOHS SURGERY

As a board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist with advanced training and board certification in Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology, Dr. Morgan Decker can not only enhance patients’ appearances, but also save their lives. She has extensive expertise in surgical, cosmetic, and general dermatology, with a particular focus on the treatment of skin cancers and facial reconstruction.

“It’s a nice intersection of treating skin cancers and actually affecting people’s health, and the more fun side of it, such as doing laser procedures, resurfacing, and chemical peels to make people feel better about themselves overall,” she says.

Out of all the medical fields in which to choose, dermatology was always her preferred specialty. After graduating from medical school in 2020, she established Decker Dermatology & Mohs Surgery in Grosse Pointe in September of 2025.

“It had always been a dream to have my own practice,” she says. “I think it’s really special when you can control the culture and the patient experience.”

When hiring staff, she searched for people like her, who are positive, friendly, and welcoming, and who put patients’ needs first. “We have such a great staff right now,” says Dr. Decker. “Everyone gets along, and we really do have so much fun together. I believe this atmosphere is reflected in our patient encounters as well.”

She is also thrilled to have her practice in Grosse Pointe. She and her husband, Iain, an ophthalmologist, grew up in Grosse Pointe and have family here.

“While we liked living in a bunch of different places while doing rotations all across the country, there’s no place like Grosse Pointe,” says Dr. Decker. “We’re just so excited and happy to be back here. We have two small kids [Grant, who’s 2, and Elle, 6 months] and wanted to raise our family here because the people and the community are amazing. The lake is so beautiful, and being able to drive by it every day is awesome. Plus, the Village community has so many cute stores and other small businesses. When you’re here, it feels like you’re living in a Hallmark movie.”

“IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM TO HAVE MY OWN PRACTICE. I THINK IT'S REALLY SPECIAL WHEN YOU CAN CONTROL THE CULTURE AND THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE.”

Even the building she chose for her practice is filled with unique characteristics. “There’s a ton of history, and as soon as you walk into the lobby, there’s a wow factor! We put in this cool black-and-white flooring and really modernized it, but it’s still very historic and true to Grosse Pointe. It has this gorgeous hand-carved English oak paneling from the grand foyer of the former Stone Hurst Estate.” (Built in 1914 for Joseph Schlotman

and his new wife, Stella Ford, it was one of the grand mansions that once lined the shores of Lake St. Clair. Sadly, it was demolished in the 1970s.)

“My office upstairs has wood that was taken from the estate of James Thayer McMillan,” she says. “He was a shipping magnate for the Great Lakes Shipping Company.”

There are also stained glass windows from an estate in England. All of these materials were here before she bought the building, which had been left vacant for eight years and consequently fell into disrepair. She is proud to have restored it to its former glory.

Dr. Decker is also proud to be making a difference in her patients’ lives. She had a patient who had a heart transplant, but he didn’t want to leave his house because of an overgrowth of sebaceous glands on his face. “It’s a totally benign condition, but it can happen when people take immunosuppressive medications,” she says.

She enabled him to enjoy his new lease on life and finds what she does truly fulfilling. It’s even more so when treating someone with skin cancer. She often performs Mohs micrographic surgery, which has a high cure rate and also allows patients to keep as much healthy skin as possible because only the skin with cancer cells is removed. This type of surgery is especially important when skin cancer develops in an area with little tissue beneath, such as the ear, eyelid, or hand.

“The whole idea with Mohs is that you’re ensuring clean margins while also trying to save as much healthy skin as possible, so that when we do the reconstruction, it’s easier because there’s more skin to work with, and it’s less disfiguring,” says Dr. Decker. Skin cancers, cysts, and other tumors can also grow under the nails, she explains, so nail biopsies are a part of her surgical repertoire as well.

In addition to Mohs surgery, other common dermatological health-related services include total-body skin exams to check for skin cancer and other skin anomalies, as well as conditions such as acne, rosacea, and eczema.

Aesthetic services include keloid cyst and lipoma removals, upper blepharoplasties for patients with too much skin on their upper eyelids due to aging and collagen loss, earlobe

reconstruction, and lip lifts to remove extra skin from the upper lip.

“I also use lasers and light energy,” she says. “There have been some good studies recently coming out saying that resurfacing lasers, as well as lasers that target some blood vessels in the skin, actually lead to a reduction in non-melanoma skin cancers.”

For an aesthetic glow and to improve overall skin health, Dr. Decker also performs fractionated ablative CO2 laser resurfacing to tighten the skin, reduce wrinkles, and give the skin a very even skin tone. Botox® fillers are also often requested, of course.

To find your true beauty and optimize your skin’s overall health, visit DeckerDermatology.com .

DECKER DERMATOLOGY & MOHS SURGERY

Dr. Morgan Decker

Board-certified dermatologist with extensive expertise in surgical, cosmetic, and general dermatology, with a particular focus on the treatment of skin cancers and facial reconstruction.

Services include:

• Skin cancer screening, excisions, Mohs surgery, and expert reconstruction to restore function and aesthetics

• Acne and rosacea management

• Kybella® for targeted fat reduction

• Vascular laser treatments

• Chemical peels to refresh skin texture

• Microneedling to stimulate collagen

• Keloid excision, mole, cyst, wart, and lipoma removal

• Scar revision for improved appearance

• Blepharoplasty for eyelid rejuvenation

• Hair transplantation procedures

FEBRUARY 7TH

Decorate a Heart

Ford House | 10:00 AM

Drop-In Studio: Decorate a Heart invites you to celebrate love at Ford House with a simple, heartfelt activity that honors the people who mean the most. Drop in to decorate a ceramic heart you can take home, a small keepsake for family and friends you cherish. www.fordhouse.org

FEBRUARY 13TH

Valentine’s Concert Over the Cove with Ben Sharkey Ford House | 7:00 PM

Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with an evening of jazz and romance at Ford House. On Thursday, February 13 at 7 p.m., renowned vocalist Ben Sharkey brings his signature style to Concert Over the Cove, filling the lakeside event space with soulful favorites and timeless classics. www.fordhouse.org

FEBRUARY 13TH

Sing to Love: Valentine’s Day Dinner and Concert

War Memorial | 6:30 PM

Fall in love all over again at the War Memorial this Valentine’s Day. This year’s edition of Sing to Love, our annual Valentine’s dinner and concert event, features an incredible menu curated by Chef Joe Paxton, capped off by an evening concert from noted jazz vocalist Olivia Van Goor.