Marco’s Pizza Closes on Plymouth
The Marco’s Pizza franchise at 1752 Plymouth Rd. closed in October.
Read MoreMarketplace
From Thailand to Arbor Square Plaza
Ubol Saenthippkayap grew up cooking in her family’s business in northern Thailand. She’s now fulfilled a dream by opening her own restaurant, Bangkok Chinatown Cuisine, in the Arbor Square Plaza at Carpenter and Ellsworth. Named for the popular tourist district in the Thai capital, it features her authentic Thai recipes as well as spicier takes on Chinese dumplings, soups, and entrees.
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Red Lotus is Danny Van’s Passion Project
After establishing Taste Kitchen as a mainstay of Ann Arbor’s fine dining scene, owner/chef Danny Van has branched out with a passion project: Red Lotus, dedicated to plant-based cuisine. Van went vegan for about a year a few decades ago, but he found it professionally incompatible with his career ambitions and the need to taste his meat and seafood dishes.
Read MoreNovember 2024 Home Sales
The cottage at 538 N. Main St. is overshadowed by its neighbors, but it has an adorable scalloped façade, a charming little courtyard, and for $590,000, the buyers got a 3-bedroom, 2-bath just two blocks from downtown.
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Vinyl & Wine
A new wine bar and listening room centered around vinyl records—and two neighboring buildings dedicated for private events—are the latest evolution for York Food & Drink.
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Isalita Closes
Adam Baru closed Isalita Cantina Mexicana as of December 23 after twelve years next to his destination Italian restaurant Mani Osteria & Bar. He’s planning to remake the space as Mani Next Door to accommodate family-style meals, larger parties, and private events, aiming to open in time for U-M’s graduation.
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The Flight of Siam Square
Sirintip “Beau” Pramnoi wanted to move Siam Square out of the troubled Victory Inn from the time she bought the longtime Thai restaurant six years ago. She twice replaced rotten flooring due to a leaky roof the landlord wouldn’t fix. The bathroom in the hotel lobby was a refuge for homeless people. To-go orders awaiting pickup would disappear.
Read MorePlates of Joyy Seeks Support
In October we reported the launch of The Plates of Joyy, twenty-one-year-old Leslie Tejada’s cupcake and dessert counter storefront in Briarwood Mall’s dining pavilion. “I just feel like once people give me a chance, they won’t ever give up on me,” the Dominican Republic native and Lincoln High grad said at the time. However, her one-year lease allows the mall the option to bump her for another tenant, so—after investing about $5,000 in building it out—her last day in that space will be January 1.
Read MoreMike Carlson Adds Another Culver’s
Culver’s, which Fodor’s Travel recently ranked as “the most delicious fast food pit stop in America,” has opened in the former TGI Fridays on Lohr Rd. in Pittsfield Twp.
Read MoreBitty & Beau’s Won’t Be Back, Zoup’s Cold, the “Bustaurant” Rolls On, and Two East-Side Departures.
Last month, we shared the announcement of a hiatus for Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, the S. Main outpost of the North Carolina company whose mission includes providing employment for people with disabilities. Cofounder Amy Wright emailed employees on Oct. 15 that “we will be moving everything out of the shop to make room for the renovations, so don’t be surprised if you see things changing quickly around here.”
Read MoreMiny’s Mexican Restaurant Opens in Lower Town.
Miny Morales has earned the luxury of stepping back somewhat from the day-to-day demands of running a restaurant. Her three grown sons—Fernando, Rodolfo, and Rudy Gonzalez—are carrying on what she’s built. All three work full-time at Miny’s Mexican Restaurant, which, after seven years in Ypsilanti, recently opened a second takeout location in Ann Arbor’s Lower Town.
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Artisans at Briarwood
Inspire Marketplace “was never set up for profit,” according to owner Nikko Davidson. “The business model is set up for shared expenses. I take all the risk for it.” A hearty laugh follows, perhaps concealing some nervousness.
Read MoreOctober 2024 Home Sales
A few good deals: It’s not easy—but also not impossible—to find single-family homes for under $300,000. Typically they need tons of work, but there are exceptions.
Read MoreMore Rally Houses
The Kansas-based team merchandise retailer has since opened two more locations in town, adding stores on the west and south sides to complement its downtown and Arborland locations.
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Landmark on the Market
“Ideal for maintaining current use, redevelopment, or residential development with potential for 9 lots,” reads the online listing. The asking price? $3.1 million.
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A New York Homage on Carpenter Rd.
New York City serves as the theme for the new Brothers Street Food near Target on Carpenter Rd. Eyad and his younger brother Ahmed heard through a friend that Pita Express was for sale, so they made the deal last spring, moved to Michigan, and remodeled it themselves. (Pita Express is planning to reopen in Briarwood Mall.)
Read MoreOn First St., a New LGBTQ+ Bar
“There is this concept in our country, but also the world, that the people who are experiencing any form of hardship are the ones who have to do the work to end that hardship,” says Saharsh Hajela, co-owner of Uplift, a new bar dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. “But we don’t talk about the rest. We don’t talk about the recovery; we don’t talk about the joy. That’s something that I really want people to do here, is to come here and smile and laugh, and the things that might stress you outside these doors are not necessarily the things that can touch you here.”
Read MoreStraight Outta Japan
A new Briarwood bookstore is geared toward those who have such titles as Solo Leveling, Chainsaw Man, Oshi no Ko, and One Piece on their reading or holiday shopping lists.
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