A family business in Ann Arbor for more than three decades suddenly lost its Courtyard Shops home last fall. According to a Facebook post, Exotic Bakeries & Syrian Cuisine brought in an investor in hopes of stabilizing the business, only to be ordered to close with just three days’ notice. Just two weeks later, the space reopened as the second location of Dearborn-based Prime Eatery.
The new fast-casual eatery offers accessible American fare—burgers, chicken wings and sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and milkshakes—in a U-M–themed environment.
Meanwhile, Tamara Briggs is working to revive the legacy built by her parents, Jinan and Monib El-Khatib. She’s offering custom cakes and catering of both Middle Eastern and Southern soul food, and a GoFundMe drive aimed at getting a food truck has raised $5,740 as of press time.
Prime Eatery, 1721 Upland Dr. (734) 665–4430. Sun.–Fri. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Exotic Bakeries & Syrian Cuisine, (734) 325–3549. exoticbakeries.com