New Location:

Shalimar, Main Street (between William and Liberty)

Shalimar is opening a second location on Main (the original being on Washington between Fourth and Fifth). This seems to be the "Amer's Approach" to real estate, namely placing two or more locations within a three block radius. Also guilty of Amer's-ing is Sweetwater's, which now has a franchise location open in the Kerrytown shops (to compliment its other location on Ashley and Washington).

Coming Soon:

Unnamed Bar, Washington Street (between Main and Ashley)

The owners of the Grizzley Peak have taken over the former Del Rio space next door and are adding a full-fledged, open-till-2am bar next to the Peak.

New Openings:

Blue Wolverine Sports Bar, Main Street (between William and Liberty)

The owners of Full Moon have opened up the Blue Wolverine Sports Bar where Don Carlo's Mexican Restaurant used to be. Nothing else to report.

Coming Soon:

Beaner's Gourmet Coffee, East Liberty (between State and Thompson)

According to the Ann Arbor News, Beaner's, an East Lansing-based coffee shop, is moving into the space recently vacated by American Spoon.

Housing Bubble:

From the LA Times via Ann Arbor Is Overrated, it seems that local realtor Edward Surovell has some not-nice things to say about student tenants. To quote Surovell, "Students are horrible, disgusting. Their rooms smell. They live together like rabbits in a warren. They eat and sleep together. They have beer fights, and they don't make their beds."

Hmmm. I'm sure Martin Bouma doesn't take students for granted...

Coming Soon:

McKinley Towne Centre, East Liberty, between Thompson and Division

The listings are up for retail and office space at the McKinley Towne Centre (also known as the most pretentiously spelled building of all time). According to the website, Ye Olde Towne Centre is "the New Nexus of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Located in the heart of the central business district and the University of Michigan campus, McKinley Towne Centre is positioned to serve the needs of urban professionals and students alike."

And for only $30 a square foot? We'll take two square feet!

Chopping Block:

American Spoon, East Liberty (between State and Thompson)

According to a sign out front of the store, American Spoon's last day is today (Sunday, August 21st). So fill your gelato craving now lest you have to go to one of the other many gelato places in this town (Zingerman's, Gelato di Roma). And if you're craving something American, feel free to go to the newly opened American Apparel next door. Not as tasty, but you can wear it out in public.

Chopping Block:

D'Amato's, First and Huron

According to Past the College Grounds, D'Amato's has closed its doors and rumor has it that a live music venue will be opening in its place. No word on whether the Royal Oak D'Amato's is still in business. Also, no word on what impact if any this has on Goodnight Gracie's (both the Ann Arbor and Royal Oak versions), which are owned by the same folks as D'Amato's.

Housing Bubble:

Condo Hotline

New website trying to peddle condos in Ann Arbor before the bubble finished bursting. The website is run by Martin Bouma, locally known for his creepy commercials where he says, in a seductive voice: "I want to be your realtor." And you know what he's really saying is: "I want to get up in your realty." Anyone have any idea what his accent is? He sounds a bit like an Eastern European phone sex operator.

Chopping Block:

The Tree, Detroit Street and East Kingsley Street

The Ann Arbor News reports that The Tree, the second-hand clothing store across the street from Zingerman's, is closing its doors at the end of the year.

Housing Bubble:

North Sky, Pontiac Trail (off of M-14):

This new housing development promises "porches in the front and garages in the back" which we assume is a thinly-veiled sexual euphemism. According to the Ann Arbor News, this sort of New Urbanism development promises to "use less land, create a sense of community, reduce car trips and encourage healthy lifestyles." Also, world peace. So that's a nice plus, if you're into that sort of thing.

Public Transportation:

The Link is back. And it's linking a few more places than before. From The Ann Arbor News:
"The Link buses will run their entire route from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and will serve just Oxford Housing, Trotter House and U-M Central Campus from 6-11 p.m. A U-M bus will still serve Oxford Housing and Trotter House from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday."

* On a side note, regular updates are returning soon. No surprise that anything Ann Arbor-related slows down over the summer.