Yemeni Coffee Comes to Campus
The surge of Yemeni coffee and tea shops has reached the campus area with Būn Chai, recently launched on the busy block of S. State between Liberty and North U.
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Work and Play at Recess Cafe
Thressa Nichols, a people operations professional who works remotely, decided to open the business she wanted to patronize. She and her husband, Zac Hodgkin, are launching Recess Cafe, where young children can play while their adults work or socialize while enjoying coffee, elevated snacks, and even wine and beer.
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A Paletería in Scio
The latest scoop from Scio Township: the ambitious Arreola brothers have added a Mexican paletería within Dos Hermanos Express.
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19 Drips Is Now Rotisserie King
Staffed entirely by relatives, Rotisserie King features traditional Middle Eastern preparations that may seem like everyday fare here, but even the basmati rice—cooked with tomatoes, onions, and garlic seasonings—is special-occasion food back home, Ebrahim says.
Read MoreBayt Almocha Opens on Catherine St.
A century-old building near Kerrytown has its first tenant since undergoing major renovations. Bayt Almocha is now the area’s fifth Yemeni coffee shop to open within the past few years. The name translates as “Mocha House,” and it’s not just an allusion to the beverage: founder Abdulla Alysofi and operating partner Rafed Al-Serri grew up near Mocha, the Red Sea port whose coffee exports gave mocha its name.
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Ji Hye Kim Adds a Little Kim
Ji Hye Kim’s upscale Korean restaurant, Miss Kim, has become hard to patronize without making a reservation. The chef-owner wants Little Kim to be “more approachable in both flavor and price point. I just wanted to serve more people.”
Read MoreSubs and Wings Join the Guys
Two more quick-service eateries have opened in the latest Meijer out-lot building in Scio Twp. Penn Station East Coast Subs and Wing Snob have joined Five Guys (Marketplace Changes, June) and an upcoming UPS Store.
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Taste of Confusion
If you were at Taste of Ann Arbor on June 1, then you might have noticed a little shift in participants. For the first half of the event, Tabe, the new Asian fusion eatery on S. Main, had a table out with the rest of the tents, displaying an array of sushi rolls. They weren’t officially part of the event, so they were taking cash payments for sushi sample boxes, instead of the official pink tickets. People lined up to try their beautifully crafted offerings.
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Ann Arborites Abroad
Zingerman’s is one of a growing list of local companies offering their own boutique tours. They range from global cuisine to literary explorations of Paris, up-close explorations of Ireland, and even some led by public media personalities.
Read MoreFive Guys Arrives at Jackson and Zeeb
Just a decade ago, the land surrounding the Meijer store at Jackson and Zeeb was mostly parking and potential. Those out-lots now host everything from an urgent-care center to a tobacco shop, along with quick-service food and drink options galore.
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Coratti’s Opens at Last
It took over a year longer than expected, but the transformation of the venerable Original Cottage Inn into another family-owned Italian restaurant is nearing its big reveal on E. William. Coratti’s Pizzeria Bar and Bocce will open in early June in a vintage building in which most everything has been updated.
Read MoreBlack Pearl Now Has Windows on Liberty St.
At the end of an interview about the recently unveiled expansion of his Main St. seafood and cocktail venue Black Pearl, co-owner Harry Cohen suggests, “Write something beautiful!”
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Koreatown in Treetown
Big-name newcomers might be expected to rattle Ann Arbor’s independent businesses whose owners have Korean roots. But for now, at least, local proprietors say there’s room for everyone.
Read MoreA Brasserie on Glen Ave.
The operators of a new luxury hotel near U-M’s medical campus have chosen a French-inspired brasserie for their all-day restaurant concept.
Read MoreUpscale Asian Fusion in Downtown
An upscale Asian fusion restaurant has joined the fine-dining scene in the heart of downtown. Tabe (Japanese for “eat”) offers a low-key, elegant ambiance of exposed brick walls over three floors.
Read MoreShawarma at the Big Mall
Briarwood Mall shoppers and Planet Fitness members will soon have a spot for customizable Mediterranean cuisine, as Pita Express & Catering is expected to open May 1, according to the mall’s website.
Read MoreStoneFruit Social Is now 1824 Cocktails & Coffee
StoneFruit Social, which opened last spring in Foundry Lofts, has relaunched under a new name: 1824 Cocktails & Coffee.
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Changing the Guard at Sparrow Market
“They kind of all took me in like I’m family, and I feel part of the family,” Campise says. On May 1, he’ll officially become the market’s new owner, aiming to carry on the Sparrow name and legacy of old-fashioned personalized service.
Read MoreForever 21 Ages Out
Liquidation sales are well underway at Forever 21’s large storefront next to JCPenney in Briarwood Mall. The long-troubled fast-fashion chain is winding down operations both locally and at its approximately 357 stores nationwide.
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