2018 October

Cinnabon Farewell

The Cinnabon at Briarwood closed in late August. For now the closest source of the gooey, 880-calorie cinnamon buns is at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, but Briarwood management obviously understands the symbiotic relationship...

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A Pair of Plymouth Rd. Closings

The Olga’s Kitchen at Plymouth Green Crossings closed in early August, leaving only the Briarwood and Washtenaw locations of the Greek-based chain behind. Just down the road, the Wings Over Ann Arbor franchise also packed...

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Gross Electric Buys Top of the Lamp

In July, signs appeared in S. Maple lighting retailer Top of the Lamp announcing a moving sale. In September, new signs went up announcing a closing sale instead. Owner Deb Elmore had planned to move the forty-two-year-old...

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Canning for Dollars

“Drop the bag,” the police officer demanded. He’d caught me wandering through the eager tailgaters at the U-M Golf Course carrying a half-full thirty-nine-gallon Hefty trash bag. “You can’t pick up...

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AirGarage?

Q: I live near the University of Michigan and got a doorhanger from a company called AirGarage … I think they want me to rent out my driveway to college students. I’m interested since I know parking is pricey on...

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A Dessert Counter Goes Seasonal

Sweet Heather Anne opened its “dessert counter” in 2012 when Heather Anne Leavitt moved her pastry kitchen to Main St. north of Depot. In August, Leavitt announced the counter’s closing. According to business...

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Pangea Piercing Closes

Pangea Piercing made local headlines in late August, after U-M student Laura Stroud posted a screenshot of a note she had written detailing an uncomfortable experience at the Liberty St. piercing studio and body-jewelry shop. In...

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Hagopian Moves

Detroit-based Hagopian recently vacated its Plymouth Rd. location for a bigger building at Jackson and Zeeb. The new spot runs the same carpet and rug cleaning services as before, but now customers who drop their rugs off can...

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Flasher

During the day, the capital M in front of the Marathon gas station on the corner of Maple and W....

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Vedge Cafe Goes Vegan

Vedge Cafe, the vegetarian deli-style cafe that opened last year on N. Main, is going full vegan. Owner (and vegan) Amanda Ratke says they opened as vegetarian mainly to attract more business and hopefully to start converting...

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Mezes Greek Grill

With the motto “Authentic Greek food prepared and served by authentic Greeks,” it’s no surprise that the guys behind the counter at Mezes Greek Grill on North University have outgoing energy. They also have an...

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Warby Parker Pencil Room

As local retailers like Aunt Agatha’s and the Bead Gallery leave downtown for virtual stores online, Warby Parker is making the journey in reverse. The online glasses retailer opened its third Michigan location at the end...

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