In the Shadow of the Towers

In July, city council approved “the Residences at 615 S. Main.” Plans call for demolishing the existing buildings between 615 and 637 S. Main Street, preserving the nineteenth-century brick building at the corner of Mosley for retail space, and constructing a six-story, 229-unit apartment building with 174 parking spaces.

With 618 S. Main across the street, a wall of mid-rise towers will soon frame the southern approach to downtown. The historic building, once home to the Ark and the Firefly Club, has lately been rented by a hookah lounge. Next door is the Fast Splash car wash. Of more concern is the imminent loss of the South Main Market next door (see p. 59). By the Pound, the Back Alley Gourmet, and San Fu will all probably be out by the end of 2016.

Anthony’s Gourmet Pizza is already gone, having closed its South Main Market branch in August; two other Anthony’s, on Maple Rd. and Packard, remain open.

Ann Arbor Shoe Repair relocated to Briarwood, briefly taking over the old Town Cobbler name and space before moving across from H&M (near Sears) and reclaiming its own name. Customers will find that they still repair shoes and luggage, along with a very large inventory of items for sale, including all things related to shoes (laces, insoles, shoe care products, leather care products, orthotics, foot care products, leather and suede dye, shoehorns, shoe trees, shoe shapers) and a selection of other items (wallets, belts, coin purses, travel items, etc.). Owner Jesus Valdez says he has hopes of returning to South Main when the “Residences” open (estimated to be in 2018), but no firm plans are in place at this time.

Back Alley Gourmet owner Guerda Harris is unsure about her future plans. She says the developer isn’t sharing much information about the progress of the project, but since her lease has already expired she is probably going to have to move soon. She said she would like to find a place where she can open quickly, and she doesn’t want to move twice.

By The Pound owner Glenn Bourland says he is closely tracking the new project, hoping to return to the area when the new building opens. Meanwhile, he is looking for another space to move into by the end of the year. He is currently considering Packard Square, the business-residential complex nearing completion on the site of the old Georgetown shopping center. If he is able to return to the South Main area in the future, that will become his second store.

Less sure about what is next, San Fu’s manager, Linda, says she doesn’t know anything about the restaurant’s future.

Ann Arbor Shoe Repair, Briarwood, 665-0900, website coming soon, Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.