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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Marketplace
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.
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Apartments for Rent
While Ann Arbor is rapidly urbanizing, single-family homes on large lots remain the norm in its western neighbor. But last year a huge multifamily neighborhood opened south of Dexter, other projects are preparing to break ground, and more are in the planning process. If all are approved, Scio could gain more than 1,000 rental units.
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.
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A Game of Domino’s
At the far northeast corner of the Ann Arbor School District, past Frains Lake, a new subdivision is taking shape. Across from United Memorial Gardens on Curtis Rd. south of Joy Rd., nearly 150 acres of undeveloped land recently sold for $3.7 million.
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.
Read MoreSiam Square Takes VKitchen’s Spot
Taking VKitchen’s place in the Colonnade will be the Thai restaurant Siam Square, which suddenly lost its longtime home in the Victory Inn and Suites on Washtenaw in September when the hotel was condemned.
Read MoreRally House Expands Its A2 Footprint
“We’ve really been expanding so much lately that it was something that we’ve always had a hope for: to get a bigger presence in Ann Arbor,” says Colin Novick, media and production manager for Rally House.
Read MoreCherry Republic Grows
A project two years in the making, Cherry Republic has nearly doubled its prime downtown location at S. Main and E. Liberty. They celebrated the expansion with a grand opening on October 25.
Read MoreGolam Meats Is Now Mira International Market
Jordanian-born Emad Alkhteeb has purchased Golam Meat Market and added groceries from around the world to his newly named Mira International Market.
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