Insider Guide: Christina Muir

Christina Muir was born and raised in Romeo, but didn’t really plan on staying there. She graduated high school a year early then spent a year studying in France. Then she went for her bachelor’s degree in French literature at Sweet Briar College in Virginia and afterwards went off to France again with the intention of going to law school and practicing international law. But then her dad got sick.

Her father was the owner of the Roth-Muir Funeral Home in Romeo. When he got sick, someone had to take over the family business. So Christina came home and went to mortuary school, and is now the third-generation Muir to be operating the business. “My grandpa started it in 1900; we still have his horse-drawn hearse.”

Running a funeral home isn’t quite like Six Feet Under, and Christina still needed to do something in the arts. “I’ve always had a huge passion for the arts,” she says. “I do a tremendous amount of volunteer work; all I ever do is volunteer!” She has been a docent at the Detroit Institute of Arts for 10 years now,  is one the board for Goodfellows, has involvement with a host of other organizations, and is also a board member for the Starkweather Arts Center in Romeo.
 
Starkweather has one show per month, starting with a public opening reception. It’s not just local artists and the gallery has transitioned into more edgy, modern, eclectic pieces than what it had been known for previously (which was more “folksy” art). “It’s pretty diverse the types of art that we have,” Christina says. They also have there to buy local artists’ wares like jewelry, painting, and pottery. “It’s a great local ‘arty’ thing.” They host open mic nights from 7-10pm on the fourth Friday of every month, where people might play acoustic guitar or read poetry. “There’s no agenda; whoever shows up we put their name on a list and they play.” Starkweather also hosts a concert series every third Sunday afternoon, and offers classes for both adults and children.

Christina says that one of the main things people need to know about Romeo is the fruit orchards and what a great experience that is for families. She recommends Westview Orchards & Cider Mill in particular, which is also a multi-generation family-owned business. “There are two sisters who run the orchard and they’re amazing,” she says. “There are so many different activities there and the produce is phenomenal.” It’s a great place to come out and pick apples and pears, and just to get a better understanding of a working farm. “People in the city don’t know anything about where milk comes from, but for people out here that’s common.”
 
For dining, Christina loves the Romeo Café (or just "the Cafe"). They’re only open for breakfast and lunch but they have blue plate specials and a “really good breakfast, all homemade.”  It’s a very local spot that’s always very busy and filled with all the regulars. Thee Office is also very popular, with great pizza and pizza specials. “It’s another very local place.”  

For bar and nightlife, Younger’s Irish Tavern is the spot. They have $1 burgers on Wednesdays, Thursday nights are bike night in the summer (this is the country—we’re talking Harleys, not Schwinns). “It’s crazy downtown on Thursday nights; it gets packed.” In addition to their full restaurant, large bar and multiple patios, they also have a nightclub upstairs with live bands and DJs. And over on the north end of town, Main Street Bar has karaoke. It’s important to have at least one good karaoke bar.

For outdoor adventurists, the Macomb Orchard Trail goes right through town, perfect for running, walking the dog, rollerblading and cycling. It goes as far northeast as Richmond, where it then connects to the Oakland County trails. “I usually go from Romeo to Rochester on my bike,” Christina says. There is also the Stony Creek MetroPark in nearby Shelby Township, which has lakes you can swim in, kayak rentals, fishing, hiking, disc golf, regular golf, snow shoeing, reservable shelters with outdoor grills, and a host of other outdoor activities.